Although having a professional wedding co-ordinator will take all the stress out of wedding planning down to the last detail, it’s the personal details that make it the most memorable and unique. A DIY wedding can not only save on costs, but can give you fun projects to work on leading up to your big day.
Whether you are on a strict budget or not, this is where you can put your own and your friend’s or family’s artistic talents on display.
- Create a mood board
Planning your wedding takes time, so as soon as you have set the date, give yourself time to decide on your colour scheme. Create a mood board and collect pictures of décor, flowers, and ideas that you like. This will help guide your decisions and visually describe your ideas and inspirations for your big day.
- Focus on Your Strengths
Use your strengths and talents, whether it be calligraphy, floral design or table décor. Don’t waste time and energy on things that you are not good at.
- Recruit Family and Friends
Mostly family and friends will love to help in the preparation to make your day memorable. Invite those with special talents to help. Listen to their advice but at the same time be strong enough not to feel obliged to go along with their ideas, if that’s not what you have in mind.
- Flowers
To cut down on costs choose flowers that are in season and use lots of greenery in different shades and textures. You can arrange your own bouquet with flowers picked from the garden, or use a few special blooms from a florist interspersed with greenery. Wrap the base in ribbon leaving trails of ribbon to create a bit of flow.
Buttonholes for the men are just tiny posies, slightly more masculine and tied together with twine or raffia.
- Table Décor
Table runners and bunting in your theme colours are easy to make. Empty bottles make attractive vases as well as candle holders. Consider thrift shops for interesting items like mirrors and frames. A collection of succulents will make an attractive centrepiece for a rustic wedding.
- Lighting
Candles and fairy lights create a romantic atmosphere. Strings of lights are easy to hang up yourselves. An outdoor wedding can be transformed by hanging lanterns and lights from tree branches.
- Drinks
Create an interesting and attractive drinks station display for self-service, in large glass dispensers. Think alcoholic punch, iced tea or lemonade for a summer wedding. Add lemon slices or fruit to make it look fresh and interesting.
- Place Names
If you have a talent for Calligraphy then personalized place names, invitations and a seating chart is a great advantage and a lovely personal touch.
- Professionals
For the things you can’t do yourself it’s best to hire professionals, particularly when it comes to photography. These captured memories will be for a life time.
- Co-ordinator
Consider hiring a co-ordinator just for the day, to see that all your ideas and needs come to fruition and that everything runs smoothly, leaving you stress free.
