Wedding DIY Pros and Cons

DIY (Do-It-Yourself) is a common buzz word among brides-to-be. Some brides associate DIY projects with savings and individuality. Other brides associate the trend with cheap quality and lots of headaches. Both brides have defendable cases. Here is why.

The Pros of DIY

There are lots of reasons that DIY projects have become so popular. Those reasons include:

Low Costs – Typically, DIY projects are cheaper than store bought versions. For instance, invitations printed on your home computer may be least 50% cheaper than stationary ordered from a traditional printer.

Personalization – The modern couple wants a wedding that is all about them. They want a wedding that showcases their personalities and interests. DIY projects allow you to create wedding accessories and essentials that are 100% unique. No other bride (or groom) will create the exact same DIY project. This is especially true for wedding day accessories such cake toppers or wedding jewelry.

A Fun Experience – Besides the shower and bachelorette party, most bridesmaids have very few responsibilities. DIY projects are a fun way to include the bridal party (and family) in the wedding planning. You can have a girls’ night that involves food, wine, and DIY projects. These little moments are what make wedding planning fun.

A Sense of Accomplishment – When you walk in to your reception, you want to think Wow, I did this. You and your fiancé (and possibly the bridal party and family) created this magical day. That sense of accomplishment is amplified when you can say you physically created something whether it is as small as seating card or as big the centerpieces.

The Cons of DIY

As the old cliché goes, there are two sides to every story. While DIY projects have a variety of perks, there are also some downfalls.

Costs – Depending on the complexity of the project, some DIY projects are more expensive than store bought or professional versions. For projects that require a lot of materials, add up the costs of all materials and compare the costs to a store bought version.

Time – While you may save money on DIY projects, you won’t save time. Many DIY projects can be very time consuming. If the project is going to make your life too stressful, it may be wise to spend a little more money. You have to consider opportunity costs. Would you rather spend the month before your wedding playing Martha Stewart or would you rather be shopping for the honeymoon, getting your nails done with your maid of honor, and enjoying a bachelorette party? Unfortunately, there isn’t enough time for you to do everything.

Mistakes – If a professional messes up, they fix it. You can simply send the product back, and sometimes they compensate you with a discount for the trouble. If you mess up a DIY project, you have wasted time and money, and you still have to fix the project, which means more time or money. Always consider the level of expertise a project requires. If a project requires sewing and you’ve never touched a thread and needle, the month before your wedding probably isn’t the best time to learn. Don’t be afraid to leave some things to the professionals.

Like all wedding decisions, you have to choose if DIY is right for you. The best way to incorporate DIY into your wedding is to pick and choose which projects are important to you. Decide where you’d like to spend the most money and where you would like to save. Also, consider where your talents lie and how much time you have to complete projects. Wedding planning should be enjoyable, so choose projects that seem fun and splurge on the projects that would drive you insane.