A do it yourself wedding doesn’t in any way mean that you are having a “cheap” wedding. On the contrary, a do it yourself wedding can prove to be one of the most personal, lovely, and meaningful weddings ever – and it’s all up to you if you do it yourself!
There are many tips and tricks and relatively cheap diy wedding ideas that will ensure that your wedding and/or reception stays well within or well below any budget that may have set for your special day. To help you save money as you put together a game plan for both your ceremony and reception, here are some simple – and logical – diy wedding ideas and planning tips to get you started:
1. Tone down the guest list. There’s absolutely no reason why you should feel obligated to invite everyone you meet and everyone you know to your wedding. Sit down, take a good look at your list, and start crossing off names. You’d be surprised what crossing just 10 – 20 people off your list will save you.
2. Consider holding both the wedding ceremony and wedding reception at the same venue. A nice hotel is often a good choice for this option and a great way to save money. Many hotels offer big discounts on rentals if you schedule out of town guests to stay there as well.
To ensure that all goes smoothly on your big day, reserve a block of rooms for your guests and one for yourself starting the night before your wedding date. The further in advance that you do this, the lower the rates. The last thing you need to worry about on the day of your do it yourself wedding is being late to the ceremony! Speak only with the hotel manager when asking for discounts and reserving rooms to ensure the best rates possible.
3. Shave $100’s – maybe $1000’s – off many wedding expenses by recruiting the talents of friends and family. Remember, this is all about a do it yourself wedding - so never be afraid to ask for help. Is someone you know great at baking cakes? Consider making your own wedding cake. Is anyone close to you a singer? A florist? A photographer? A videographer? A hair stylist? A seamstress? Think about it. Ask that these services be provided in lieu of bringing a material gift or a money envelope. Don’t be afraid to ask – most people will be flattered by the request.
4. Choose to have your wedding on a non-weekend day and/or during an off-season to take advantage of cheaper rates. Consider getting married between November and April to avoid higher seasonal rates at hotels and other venues.
5. We all know that it’s best to have a professional wedding photographer shoot the ceremony and bridal party pictures shoot. For the reception, however, consider placing disposable cameras on each reception table and encouraging guests to snap candid photos all evening. Be sure to assign a friend to the job of collecting the cameras at night’s end and taking them to be developed (you’ll be on your honeymoon, after all). The overall cost of the professional photographer should be less and your quests will love providing the crazy, fun pictures of the do it yourself wedding reception.
6. Put together a catered buffet-style dinner for the reception instead of a 3-course sit-down event. For small weddings, you might even consider having family members cook or bring pot-luck food items.
7. Serve beer and wine instead of expensive champagnes and mixed drinks. Allow guests to bring their own special liquors if they prefer something else. Don’t be afraid to put “BYOBooze” at the bottom of the invitation or on an invitation insert.
8. Opt for diy wedding centerpieces, diy decorations, and diy wedding invitations. Buy your supplies and wedding favors in bulk for pennies on the dollar at the local dollar store and craft store. Enlist the help of bridesmaids and spend special craft days putting everything together.
As you can see, planning a do it yourself wedding is entirely possible. You’ll not only shave chunks of money off your wedding bill, you’ll also be adding a personal touch with your do it yourself wedding that those in attendance will not soon forget.