Congratulations! You’re planning a wedding, and that is worth celebrating! Now the lists and the to-do’s begin, and we’re here for you. Whether you’re reading because you’re the best friend, the parent, or the almost-to-be-married, we’ve got some great tips for you. When is it a good idea to DIY? Is it worth the extra time and energy? Are your plans too grand…or could you use some encouragement to go bigger? Read on, and always remember, your wedding can be (just about) anything you want it to be!

Make Organisation Your Friend

DIY for a wedding works really well – if you’re organised. Not to be shouty about it, but organisation will be your winning ticket to the chocolate factory if the chocolate factory is your super chill wedding. If you’re the kind of person that looks straight to the details when attending a wedding (ooh, look at the centrepieces! What a lovely menu design, etc), you’ve probably got an idea of what you’d like to see at your wedding. While planning to get crafty for your wedding, it’s worth writing a very detailed list of what you’re hoping to achieve, whilst being realistic about what you will be able to achieve. This will help you map out a course of action as the big day draws closer. Also – give yourself plenty of time. That date will come around faster than you can imagine, and staying up till 2 am the night before your big day to finish the name tags *may* not be your best use of time.

Cost vs Energy & Time

Hand us the glue gun, we’re self-confessed DIY addicts! We love a wedding that so clearly reflects the couple, and are here with ideas to spark inspiration for you. However, we also know when to fly the white flag of surrender, and here are a few tips to help you find your way.

  • Have a practice run of your chosen DIY. This is super important as – as any experienced crafter will know – an idea in your mind doesn’t always translate into the real world. Grab what you need and see how it turns out. Have a couple of goes, rearrange, try a new glue…but if it doesn’t work out and you don’t love it, it might be time to turn to the professionals.
  • Perishable products are a beautiful thorn in the side of wedding planning. They are usually the most gorgeous details though, so we push on! If you’re planning to DIY your flowers, you’ll need a thorough checklist of things like water supply, cool room needs, transport etc. If it’s a food you’re creating for guest favours or a dessert table, you may need to consider refrigeration (especially if planning a summer wedding). Have a practice run to make sure you won’t end up with wilted blooms or melted choccies on the day.
  • Your time on your wedding day will fly by. Carefully weigh up if you’re happy to be coordinating details the day before or the day of the wedding, or if you’d rather hand that over to an expert.
  • There is a reason we pay professionals! They are experts, they will work incredibly hard for you to create your vision, and they will do it without needing to also get hair, makeup, and a lovely gown on. DIY is often seen as a cheaper alternative to paying a professional, but most often the cost is about level. Take into account your time, margin for error, delivery, and setup, and it may well be paying the expert costs you less in the long run.

You’re A Creative Genius!

Have fun while considering what you could do to make your wedding day more you. You want a papier maché elephant to greet your guests at the reception venue? Why not! You want a wall of leaves behind your photo booth? Look into it! Food floating in the centrepiece as a snack? If it doesn’t work the trying will be fun! Embrace the trial-and-error process of making something personal for your day. When you find something that does work and makes your heart sing, you’re onto a good thing.

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work

It is very likely that if you’re hoping to DIY a part (or many parts) of your wedding, you’ll need some help. Your dear friends and family are likely to be on board and happy to help, but a gentle reminder that a little thank you note or gift goes a long way. Can you give your helpers your floral centrepieces at the end of the evening? There’s no doubt that extra hands make light work, and we’re so grateful for all the help we can get.

Your wedding is about you, your spouse, and celebrating your love with all those dear to you. The details are fun and can be a blowout highlight, or a subtle lowlight. Keep the above tips in mind as you consider what’s important to you, and lean hard into that! We’re cheering you on, and can’t wait to see what you create!