The goal is to save money. Let’s face it, you’re worth it. Your sanity is worth it to you, your fiancé, and all others involved in your wedding (including your wedding planner). The last thing anyone wants is a Bridezilla fashioned from some crazed, thrifty, penny-pinching, coupon clipping wacko. So its important to evaluate your DIY projects and determine if the time involved is really saving you anything.

Save here, splurge there. DIY projects allow you to indulge in the details you wouldn’t normally be able to afford if you didn’t cut costs along the line. When planning your wedding determine what’s important to you and your fiancé. And then ask yourself, “If I can cut back in one area, will this afford me my dream?” Although we saved money, this allowed for us to splurge in other aspects. I was able to purchase the William Arthur invites that I wanted, because I knew that I would be making the programs,” said formeer client Julia Burrow.

Set a budget and do your homework. List the components, along with prices, necessary to complete your project. Then give it a test run. Create a sample for yourself. Sometimes all the little things can add up to more than you planned. A girl can shop! So check online and in the newspapers for sales, coupons and wholesale prices.

Bring in the recruits, a.k.a. bridesmaids, moms and aunts. They are not called “maids of the Bride” for nothing! If they are available and able, ask them to help you tie, assemble, sort, stack, letter or organize. Every little bit helps.

“Financially it saved us a great deal of money but more importantly it was such a special bonding time for a daughter and mother to spend together preparing for a wedding,” said former client Frances Ehrmin.

DIY projects also make for great bonding experiences between brides and their soon-to-be in-laws. So don’t be afraid to call his mom, too, for some added help.

“One of my favorite memories was attending a calligraphy class with my mother and mother-in-law-to-be to learn calligraphy for the invites,” Burrow said.

Stick with what you know and what you are good at. Don’t set out to learn a new craft or hobby. You will only fall short with disappointment. If you like to bake, then make something sweet for your guests, or put together a homemade candy bar for the wedding. If you like to scrapbook and are crafty with stationery, then create your own programs, menus, place cards or table numbers.

Limit the number of projects. I am sorry to tell you this, but you can’t do it all. Nope. So start with a list. Put them in order of importance. Give yourself a deadline. And if you cannot get them done in time, make arrangements to outsource. And don’t start your projects two weeks before your wedding! Typically, couples are engaged for 18 months. Pace yourself. You should be frosting your face with a nice facial cream the night before your wedding —not your cupcakes!

“Everything was more work than I originally imagined, but it all was worth the time and effort because I felt like I had a role in every step of my wedding,” Burrow said.

Remember: it’s DIY: Do It Yourself. NOT DYI: Drive Yourself Insane!

Brittany Craig is the principle event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in wedding and social celebrations. You can follow her blog at http://www.crowningcelebrations.blogspot.com/.

Tags: Eventista

This entry was posted on Friday, March 12th, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under Arts and Life, Eventista.
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