Many couples choose to DIY elements for the wedding to both personalize the event and save their wedding budget.  But how do you decide which elements to do yourself and which to leave to the professionals?  Before taking on any DIY projects, you should calculate the cost of materials and time versus hiring a professional to handle the project.  You should also consider how close to your wedding you would have to complete the task.
Here are some tasks to try:


Stationery
Get single-page invites to save on postage.
Have favors double as escort cards, such as tagged bottles of wine.
Make your own menu cards, escort cards, and wedding favor packaging.
Table name or number markers can be as simple as framed printed card stock or photos.





Guest Favors
Have favors double as escort cards.
Cookies in a jar, candles and photo favors are simple projects.
Candy buffets are popular as guest favors. A candy bar is creating by choosing 5-10 different types of candy and displaying them in glass containers on a sweet table or in smaller containers on guest tables.






Ceremony and Reception Elements
The ring bearers pillow or flower girl baskets can be store bought and embellished to match your wedding theme and wedding colors.
Embellished birdcages or boxes wrapped in flocked paper for wedding cards are simple DIY wedding projects.
Simple candle and flower arrangements can be created for centerpieces.
Brooch bouquets are a top wedding trend for 2013.  They can be a great way include family pieces for your something old.
Items best left to the pros:
Large Flower Arrangements and Centerpieces – knowing which flowers are in season, take time to open, and how to present is a big task to take on.  The creation and setup are best left to the pros.
Your Wedding Dress – a well fitting and properly altered wedding dress will allow you to feel confident and that will show in your wedding photos.
Wedding Cake – due to the timeline needed for freshness and the complex designs, this is a task best left to the baker.
Catering – most venues will require you to use their caterer.  And do you really want your family to spend the day cooking and serving food?
Photography and Videography – after the wedding, your photography and videography will be the only tangible memories you have.  Make sure they are preserved by professionals.
Ceremony and reception music – the success of your wedding reception is often judged by how great the party is.
Linens – it is usually more cost effective to rent linens and have them set up for you.

Tips for DIY
Limit the number of DIY tasks you try to one open project or one per month.
Make sure you can complete all tasks at least one week prior to the wedding so you can relax before the big day.
Consider your budget for each item.  Unless it’s a task you really want to do, allow professionals to do any item that the cost is close.  Evaluate each DIY element on a cost versus time basis.
Don’t assume your family and friends will be available to help.  They likely have busy lives too.
Consider how many of a particular element you will need to make.  DIY guest favors are easy for 50, but take significant longer for 200.
Shop wholesale and locally when you can.  This will save you time and shipping costs.
Evaluate your skill set before taking on a project.

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