Weddings can be really expensive. I mean, ask any married person how much they spent to tie the knot, and try not to wince.
It’s no surprise, then, that some brides rely on DIY to save some cash.
I did it. I DIYed a ton of stuff for my own wedding, from centerpieces to the cake topper. Not only did it help me stay within a reasonable budget, it really helped add that extra personalized touch to our big day.
However, even with how skilled I am — I’m not bragging here, I have a real-life Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, okay — I maybe went a little overboard with the DIY projects. Have you ever met someone who designed and sewed their bridesmaids’ dresses? Nice to meet you. Now you have.
Trust me when I say that you should not follow in my footsteps. There are some things that we should all just leave to the professionals.
Here are the top 4 elements that no bride (or groom) should try to tackle!
Photography
It can be incredibly tempting to let your cousin test out that new digital camera, but this is one corner that you don’t want to cut. Do I need to remind you that you’ll be looking at these pictures forever? Your wedding photos will create memories for years to come, so you don’t want to risk being disappointed with the final results. There’s no do-over!
You definitely want to spring for a professional to handle photos and video of your big day. Wedding photographers have to possess a lot of technical know-how and skill in order to capture the perfect shots of your big day. They know which shots to take, when to take them and how to properly pose people. They’re also quick to catch those perfect candid shots that might become your favorites.
Wedding Cake
Even the best home bakers should leave this time-consuming task to a bakery. Your cake will be getting plenty of attention at your wedding and will likely end up in tons of photos.
It’s too easy to mess up delicate decorations — or the entire baking process — leaving you with a less-than-suitable centerpiece for your reception. And by the time you mess it up, all the good bakeries will be booked solid, and you’ll be left with whatever you’ve managed to create.
Food
While we’re talking about it, you shouldn’t make the food for your own reception, either. This is especially true if you have a large guest list. There’s so much time and energy that goes into preparing a large quantity of food, plus you’ll have to figure out storage for all those dishes and the logistics of transportation.
If you’re on a tight budget and really don’t want to hire a caterer, consider choosing friends or relatives to provide dishes, instead. Just make sure you’ve handed the task to a person (or several people) who know what they’re doing, and feel confident cooking for a large crowd.
Wedding Dress
Even if you know your way around a sewing machine, you shouldn’t DIY your dress. Take it from me. Remember, I said I made all the bridesmaids’ dresses, right? Even I am not crazy enough to take on my own wedding dress.
There’s so much stress that comes from crafting your dream gown, and one mistake could ruin the entire thing. Plus, all the fabrics and other materials that make wedding dresses so glamorous are extremely difficult to work with, and should be left to the professionals. Save yourself the anxiety!
If you absolutely can’t find the perfect dress, consider hiring a (highly recommended) seamstress to create a custom gown. It’ll cost a pretty penny, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with a central aspect of your big day.
