photo courtesy of Photo Credit: mixedmethod.wordpress.com
from Bettina
Handling some wedding tasks yourself can be a great way to personalize your event and save money. But don’t go too far! If it’s something you can do months in advance while you’re watching TV, then go for it. If it’s something that is time sensitive, don’t risk it. The final days before your wedding will be hectic: last-minute errands, family in town, seating charts to finalize, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, packing for the honeymoon and more. There’s no room for anything unnecessary. And whatever you do, DON’T bake!
Smart DIY Choices:
Invitations and other paper items: If you’re crafty, or you have a friend who’s a nifty graphic designer, DIY invitations can be a highly personalized touch that won’t cost you a fortune. You can basically create that perfect invitation suite you have pictured in your mind. I’ve had one bride who even cut her own envelope liners from decorative wrapping paper and wallpaper to dress up the envelopes.
Fashion accessories: These aren’t easy for everybody, but again if you have the knack, handmade earrings, necklaces, hair accessories, and belts can be fantastic wedding party gifts.
Decor items: This is a topic near and dear to my heart. Many of us LOVE decorating, so jumping on board to create DIY décor and centerpieces is an easy decision. However, some words of caution: If you’re set on having fresh flowers for your centerpieces, enlist the help of a professional florist (see below). The last thing you want to do the day before your wedding is whip up 30 floral centerpieces all by your lonesome! That being said, I am a big proponent for non-floral centerpieces, as well. The cost savings for opting out on flowers is HUGE, and there are some seriously cute alternatives. Think outside the box: Stack a few old, vintage books in the center of your table and tie a ribbon around them. Arrange some aromatic candles varying in heights as your centerpiece. Believe me when I say that these options can look stunning with a little time and effort. AND they can be done well ahead of time, which means less stress for a hard working bride, like you!
Favors: This is one place where DIY food items can be really special, as long as they can be prepared well in advance. For example, we recently had a wedding where the bride’s family made apple butter as favors, and were a huge hit!
Leave These to the Experts:
Music: I’m not opposed to reception music coming from an iPod or MP3 player as long as there’s a dedicated person who is responsible to monitor it, turn it down during speeches, and so on. However, if you’re not experienced at reading a crowd like a DJ or band, you may have a hard time keeping the party going all night. Not to mention, you would have to somehow provide all the sound equipment like amps, speakers, and microphone as well. Best to leave this to the professionals so you can get your party on all night.
Food: The last week before your wedding is so stressful, don’t give yourself the added chore of baking 150 pies (unless you own a bakery…. Well actually… not even then). Plain and simple: leave the responsibility of food to your caterer.
Flowers: Again, this is near and dear to my heart, but because flowers are by nature a last-minute item, doing your own arrangements is not such a great idea even if you’re a talented decorator. It’s much more hassle than you realize. For one simple wedding we did, we had what sounded like a very minimal job: just an order of hydrangeas to snip and put in vases, and candles to line up on the tables. But it took forever to unpack everything, remove price stickers on vases, clean them, fill them with water, arrange all the tables, haul out the cut stems and garbage and sweep the floors. It’s exhausting—and that’s just the setup. Also, if you do all of your own reception decor, you’ll have to break it down yourself afterward, which is probably not how you envisioned spending your wedding night.
Photos: Although you aren’t likely to take your own photos, you might have a friend who loves taking pictures you’re thinking of asking, but don’t. There is nothing worse than seeing a bride and groom disappointed in the outcome of the photos. You’ve been planning your wedding for quite some time, and let’s be honest, you can’t hit rewind and do it over. Get a professional photographer so you can have amazing pictures to look back on 10, 20, 30 years down the road. You’ll thank yourself later.
Coordination: You’ve organized every minute detail so far, so why shouldn’t you be in charge on the wedding day? Because you won’t be able to relax and enjoy yourself like you’re supposed to. Repeat: You will not relax. Trust me on this one. Hiring a professional coordinator for the day is a lifesaver. While you’re getting pampered, they’ll be setting up and averting any crisis that may occur. When everything isn’t going perfectly, you’ll be none the wiser. Peace of mind is worth it.