When Not To DIY

When not to DIY! So you’re getting married in the country! You want a wedding that is unique to you and utterly personalized, with all the details reflecting you and your fiance’s style and passions.

With the increasing popularity of Pinterest, more and more couples are opting for DIY, embracing their creativity and hoping to save some money. Thousands of ideas and projects are at your fingertips, how to’s and dozens of wedding apps and blogs are just a click away. But beware, it is easy to get carried away and take on too much. Soon the excitement and joy you should be experiencing turns into anxiety and stress. There are many things that you can do yourself, but several, I strongly suggest, should be left to the pros!

Planning.
So you know exactly what you want, you’re organized, you found a great check list online, you’ve found your venue and maybe even your caterer, you have a preferred vendor list, you’ve got it under control, right?
Hiring a planner can be the best investment you make for your big day. Whether your time is at a premium and you need someone to hold your hand throughout the process or you hire a “month of” coordinator just to tie up all the loose ends, a planner can make the difference between a cohesive, well executed event or one that feels disjointed and disorganized. A planner’s loyalty will be to you first and will have your back. They are dedicated to coordinating your day exactly as you envision it as well as being able to turn on a dime with a backup plan if necessary. I know many DIY couples are on a tight budget and think of this as an added unneccesary expense but a good planner can help you create a budget and stick to it. They can help you find the best vendors within your budget. And the great thing is that you will be able to enjoy the best time of you lives without sweating the details.

Music.
With the amazing amount of music available on line and the availability of DJ apps, iPods and portable sound systems, why not DIY a playlist for your wedding?
A professional DJ or band can make or break your party. They have a presence and will interact with you and your guests. They will read the energy in the room and react accordingly. After your planner, they are the key to making the night an event to remember.

Photographer.
Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, everyone has a camera and knows how to use it! So why hire a professional photographer? Your wedding is one of the biggest events of your life. And one of the biggest investments you will make, with all the special moments that entails. A professional photographer will focus (no pun intended) on capturing every important element of your day. A contracted pro knows the drill, they can deal with family photos without any drama, they understand lighting and know what details you expect to be captured. You invested a lot of time and money into your wedding, make sure you get photos that capture all those special moments. You will treasure them forever. Hire a pro!

Florist.
Some of my clients dream that they want to DIY at least some part of their wedding flowers not only to save money but to bond with family and friends during the creative process. Be careful what you wish for! I love that brides want to be hands on and express their creativity but there are many other projects you can undertake. Flowers are living things, they are perishable. They require careful preparation and conditioning before they are even “party ready”. Flowers can not be done well in advance. So, unless you want to spend the precious day before yourwedding working, and, it is work, I suggest you let your florist do their thing!

So you just have to DIY.
Favors. There are so many great local options to choose from. Just add your own DIY touches. Local jams and jellies, honey or maple syrup- just add a customized label or tag. There are great templates available on line, or create your own.
Welcome Bags. This is a great way to greet your overnight guests and thank them for traveling to celebrate your big day. Be sure to include a personalized note, a map, a list of off beat things to do in the area and of course a snack- how about some local chocolates.
Signage. A key element to a rustic country wedding is the personalized, quirky signage. Blackboards denoting your signature cocktails, signs to greet guests at the ceremony site or pointing to the photo booth are all fun DIY projects.

Get creative, have fun, just don’t overdo it. And let the pro’s do what they do best!