D.I.Y. weddings are becoming one of the most stylish ways to enjoy your day, especially for brides on a budget. Don't worry, being your own wedding planner doesn't mean you have to settle for second best. In fact, being creative is a unique way of adding a personal touch that money can't buy. Some of the most beautiful aspects of a wedding can be those little additions that have been created by the bride herself.
Planning Your Day
Plan your day to perfection and begin your preparations early. There is a lot to do, but this doesn't mean it has to be stressful.
What do you need? You may want to plan the whole day yourself, or simply one element. Whatever your decision, it's important you are aware of everything that's needed for the wedding. This includes invitations, decorations, venue arrangements, catering and much more. Try creating a 'wedding book' to list all your needs and ideas.
What is your budget? Always take the size of your budget into consideration; nothing is more stressful than worrying about money. Get help from relatives and friends who can help you calculate your budget for each part of the day. This will help you decide what to do yourself and how you can save money.
Collect Your Ideas: The fun part of planning is collecting ideas for your wedding theme and colour scheme. Gain inspiration from magazines and websites and create a mood board of your favourites. You can use this to find cheaper alternatives on the high street.
Wedding Favours & Decorations
Wedding favours - The perfect way to treat your guests is with a memento or gift. Avoid spending your budget on wedding favours by creating your own. This can be anything from icing homemade biscuits, to a handwritten poem.
Table Decorations - Decorating your tables with flowers can be expensive. D.I.Y. alternatives include fish bowls filled with candles, fairy lights and even a centrepiece made from cupcakes.
Place names - Avoid costly printing services and make your own place names. A quick option is to tie decorated luggage tags around wine glasses. If you are feeling more adventurous, try interesting alternatives such as painted stones or homemade gift boxes.
The Wedding Invitations
Making your own invites can save you money and give your guests something to treasure forever. Finding the right design may be difficult, so always ensure you make sample invitations before you begin.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Blank Cards & Ribbon: Purchasing quality blank card and ribbon is often the cheapest way to create your own invites. Remember to ensure your invitations compliment your colour scheme - don't let a slightly off colour pink ruin your day!
- Drawings: If you are feeling imaginative, you could add your own drawings or patterns to the invites. Finding the right pen is an important part of making your invites look professional. Visit your local art shop to find the one most effective for your ideas
- Photographs: For a personal touch, try using a photograph on your card. Black and white images look classic and are easy to print
The Wedding Cake
It may sound scary, but making your own wedding cake can actually be fun. Enlist the help of a friend and experiment with quality recipes. A simple sponge may be all you need for your perfect cake. Remember, you don't have to go for an extravagant design to create a classic, elegant cake. Try not to get too carried away with the icing sugar - simple designs work best.
If you still don't feel up to the job, then purchase a readymade cake. You can always add colourful cake toppers and decorations to make it your own.