{"id":757926,"date":"2023-07-05T09:00:12","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T14:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/?p=757926"},"modified":"2023-09-05T17:09:35","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T22:09:35","slug":"diy-wedding-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/diy-wedding-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Wedding Guide: Everything You Should Know to Plan Your Own"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Image by Skyler & Vhan Photography<\/a>. See more of this real DIY wedding here<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

We know how much work goes into planning a wedding<\/a>. Figuring out guest lists<\/a>, seating charts, catering<\/a>, the venue<\/a>, etc. can be extremely overwhelming. On top of wedding planning, more couples are choosing to opt for DIY touches. Whether you’re looking to get crafty to save money or you just want to make your special day a little more personalized to you and your future spouse, there’s a lot to know about hosting the <\/span>DIY wedding<\/span><\/a> of your dreams. <\/span><\/p>\n

Planner Vs. No Planner<\/span><\/h2>\n

Here at Junebug, we can’t recommend <\/span>wedding planners<\/span><\/a> enough. While they may seem like an extra expense upfront, they can save you money in the long run. They keep you on track, execute your vision, manage the budget meticulously—including finding discounts when possible–and execute day-of coordination so you can <\/span>be present<\/span><\/a> with your partner<\/span>. They also make things <\/span>a whole lot <\/span>less stressful<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If hiring a wedding planner<\/a> is not practical or possible for you and your spouse, consider hiring a day-of coordinator<\/a>. Rather than help you plan throughout the entire process, they will help coordinate everything you have put together yourself. This allows you to sit back and relax and enjoy your wedding day as much as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Reading: <\/strong>25 Simple Ways to Save Money When Planning a Wedding<\/a><\/p>\n

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Image by Tori Osteraa<\/a>. See more of this real wedding here<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Tips + Tricks For Planning a DIY Wedding<\/span><\/h2>\n

Create A Mood Board<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If there’s one thing we believe makes planning a wedding easier, it’s creating a <\/span>wedding mood board<\/span><\/a>. They help guide decisions and keep your holistic vision in mind while also visually describing your desires to your wedding vendors. <\/span><\/p>\n

They’re especially handy when DIYing items at your wedding because they serve as inspiration. Have you found a <\/span>centerpiece<\/span><\/a> that you want to recreate? What about a <\/span>backdrop<\/span><\/a> that you absolutely have to have? Tackling these items will be much easier when you have images to refer to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Put Together a Budget<\/h3>\n

No matter what kind of wedding you’re trying to plan, putting together a budget<\/a> can save you quite a few headaches. Sit down with your partner and discuss how much you’re willing to spend, how much financial help (if any) you are expecting from family and friends, and what your top priorities are. For example, if a photographer<\/a> is a top priority, budget accordingly, and you’ll be able to identify the areas that you want to cut costs, which in turn, will help you figure out what DIY projects you can tackle.<\/p>\n

Recruit Help From Your Wedding Party and Family Members<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For the sake of your sanity, ask for help. Your wedding party and family members are there to make your special day come to life. Get together and make DIY projects fun with movies, snacks, and wine. This way you’re crossing things off of your list quicker and making them more enjoyable for yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n

Consider Thrift Stores<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Weddings, while of the most memorable days of your life, are also incredibly wasteful. Unwanted décor gets tossed time and time again. Not only is this a waste of money, but it’s also harmful to our planet. For a <\/span>more sustainable<\/span><\/a> and budget-friendly option, consider sourcing items from thrift stores, your home, or apps like Facebook Marketplace and Offer Up. You’ll be surprised by the stunning vases, table settings, furniture, and artwork you can find secondhand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Play To Your Strengths <\/strong><\/h3>\n

While it may be tempting to DIY everything you need, it will quickly become a big waste of your time and money if something goes wrong. Of course, you can pay a <\/span>world-class vendor<\/span><\/a> to correct mistakes at the last minute, but then you’ll be met with stress and another bill you didn’t plan for.<\/span><\/p>\n

Focus on your strengths—whether they’re sewing, baking, drawing, calligraphy, floral design, etc. The same goes for the family and friends that you include in your projects as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t Save Projects Until the Last Minute<\/h3>\n

There’s no denying that DIY projects are time-consuming. Whether you’re DIYing a good portion of your wedding decor or just an aspect or two, it’s important not to procrastinate. As soon as you’ve settled on a project list, it’s wise to get started. This ensures everything gets done before the big day, and allows everything to look well put together rather than rushed. There’s no such thing as starting too early.<\/p>\n

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Image by Morgan McCanne Photo<\/a>. See more of this real wedding here<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

DIY Wedding Inspiration <\/span><\/h2>\n

DIY Wedding Invitations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While <\/span>wedding invitations<\/span><\/a> are a small part of your special day, they can be expensive. Who knew that paper and printing costs could add up so fast? Luckily, there are many different options when it comes to invites and stationery. Often, the most cost-efficient option is to do your own designing and printing using Photoshop or Canva<\/a> (which has premade templates you can edit in a pinch). However, this can be time-consuming.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don’t consider yourself a graphic design pro, online options such as <\/span>Minted<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Shutterfly<\/span><\/a> offer gorgeous templates at reasonable prices. They both frequently offer discounts as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One thing that can really take a wedding up a notch is <\/span>custom lighting<\/span><\/a>–which doesn’t come cheap. Everything from the bulbs you use to where your candles are placed can make or break your wedding. Sound dramatic? It’s not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wedding lighting will help people see where they’re going and light the wedding photos you’ll cherish forever. With proper lighting, you can keep the party going even after the sun sets. <\/span><\/p>\n

There are many options when it comes to lighting that you can easily create yourself. It’s important to <\/span>keep the lingo in mind<\/span> so you don’t end up with bright beams when you were really dreaming of a soft natural ambiance. Here are a few of the most popular options for that perfect glow:<\/span><\/p>\n