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The DIY Movement

As many of us are aware many of the recent brides are on very tight budgets. So the brides have been turning to DIY to save money. Now I am a huge fan of DIY for those who have the time and are creative. But most brides don't realize the time and money that goes into DIY. Especially when mistakes are made.
As vendors what can we do to either embrace this movement or convice the brides they can get what they need with a professional. My initial idea is to encourage couples to review their guest lists. Suddenly a budget of $5,000 can go a lot further when the list goes from 150 to 75.

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Permalink Reply by Babette Canacari on June 11, 2010 at 5:24pm

I create custom invitations and a couple of weeks ago added some DIY packages and within a week I had my first client. I figure we have to do what we can to help them, I hate when I hear "yes I am getting my invitations printed now" I wonder where? Office Depot?
I feel I must do my part in any way to give them beautiful invitations.

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Permalink Reply by Insyde Art on June 14, 2010 at 4:01pm

One thing to consider when doing your own invitations is buy card stock and text paper in 11 x 17 size. You can cut it in half and have two 8 1/2 x 11 sheets. Also "Brand Your Wedding", think in advance about all the paper goods and favors you will want, and follow one theme throughout. There are many ways to make your stationery products sizzle with very little money. Add glitter or flock and you have a whole new dimension.

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Permalink Reply by Diana Trotter on June 17, 2010 at 2:48pm

I bought a wedding invitation kit at Michael's arts and craft store and I have to say it was one of the biggest projects I have ever done! And you def want to make sure it looks great so you're building up more stress on an already stressful project. I'm glad I did them myself because the guests loved them and everyone couldnt believe I put them together and printed them out on the computer. In the end you have that great feeling of making them yourself because everyone loved them. However, i will not be making any invitations for any relative bride-2-be if she ever asks me!! DIY wedding projects are very stressful, esp when there are some things you have never done before. Weddings have so many things and details about them that you as a bride already worry about. So if there are some things like the centerpieces that you want to DIY but really think in the back of your mind that you may want to get a florist....GET THE FLORIST!!

I was actually thinking of making our centerpieces but in the end I was so happy to have a florist! No hassel, no last minute worry that I have to stay up the night before and finish the job.

Ive seen so many DIY brides who get depressed after the wedding because it didnt turn out the way they wanted it, or their guests didn't appreciate it the way they thought they would, etc.

I love DIY weddings and brides and I think if you have the skills, have family and friends to help, and get some vendors for some of the items like flowers, and just try to DIY the little things you can be a happy bride!

And if its the budget that you're worried about make for a long engagement to save money, have a smaller wedding, simple wedding, maybe a backyard wedding, beach wedding..or like others said maybe just go to city hall and get hitched.

Whatever it is do whats right for you and your wedding and do what feels like you. Always stay true to who you are.

♥ Diana @ AllWomenstalk.com/author/dianafeather now Trotter!

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Permalink Reply by Crystal Unrau on July 7, 2010 at 5:20pm

Most of my readers are lower then average budget brides - and I have noticed a good percentage of them aren't doing it just to save money. They know that DIY is usually going to cost more then purchasing. The difference is the level of personalization. For example - if a bride wants cheap invitations she can find plenty of invitations online for $1 or so per invitation. A DIY invitation is almost always going to cost at least double that if not a ton more. But brides love to DIY because of the level of personalization they can achieve. My sister, for example, did her own triple fold invitations with their photos inside and a custom airplane themed cover. They cost her $2.5 per invitation and where a ton of work - but it was worth it because the invitation in the end was way more personal then anything she could have bought for that price.

I don't think encouraging brides to cut their guest list is going to get you far but why not capitalize on it?

A lot of vendors are doing this now. Invitation designers now offer DIY kits, papers, specialty invitations, etc. Florists offer bulk floral packages for brides who want to do their own bouquets. That type of thing. Some vendors even go as far as to teach classes for brides who want to learn to DIY (cake decor, favors, invitations, etc). While at first that might seem dumb - teaching brides to do it themselves - in reality its brilliant.

First - a good percentage of those brides are going to get half way through the class and realize they would rather just pay someone else to do it. Then not only do you have a paying client - but they also PAID you to teach them that they don't really want to DIY lol. Another percentage of your guests are going to decide to DIY and they are going to need supplies. So make sure you have those supplies on hand at the class and incorporate them into your lesson - so you make sales.

In the end - you make money of bridal clients AND DIY brides. Yes you make less money on a DIY bride - but you also spend less time on them. The truth is, if a bride is determined to DIY, she will. And someone has to sell her the supplies. So you might as well be that someone. Your DIY bride problem is now a chance to increase your existing business base.

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Permalink Reply by Marie McClanahan on July 9, 2010 at 4:49pm

Oh goodness, a planner is SO worth it. Didn't have one with my wedding and I was working two different jobs, and it was just insane. It would have really been a good move to have that...though I was such a control freak it might not have helped much.

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Permalink Reply by Phyllis Cambria on July 9, 2010 at 5:04pm

Bethenny Frankel from "Bethenny Getting Married?" and "The Real Housewives of New York City" on Bravo TV is a former event planner and a world-class control freak, and even though she drove her poor wedding planner nuts, she had to admit that if wasn't for her planner, she would have never been able to get (and keep) it altogether for her wedding. I'm just saying... :)

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Mon on July 12, 2010 at 3:26pm

This is actually a great idea if you are budget conscious. It is really a challenge to prepare for your own wedding but hey you're happy right so no problem! I was just looking around and thinking if what kind of wedding paper is good for invitations since I want to make it look more of a DIY wedding.

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Permalink Reply by D.I.Y.va Designs, LLC on July 21, 2010 at 3:06pm

I have actually built my business on providing my services to DIY Brides, because I am an artist, I create custom stationary, handcrafted florals, etc. You are sooo right, they do not often know what they are getting into when they attempt to 'craft' a wedding for 100-150 guests!

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Permalink Reply by The Single Bride on September 21, 2010 at 8:34am

I feel that weddings should be intimate affairs. We should invites those people who love and cherish us. Spectators can stay home. I think couples should carefully analyze their guest list and stick to close loved ones and friends. Invite the people that are closest to you and if you have any room to spare make your way down the list to those who you hear from time to time. Weddings are celebrations of love and family and friends should not be used to entertain those that do not fit into those categories. Any other use is just a show and the bigger the event the greater chance of disaster. You don't want to be stuck paying off your wedding a year after the event is over. So couples should weigh the pros and the cons. A lifetime of guilt free happiness or a huge spectator bill putting a dent in their wallets. Be like the celebs and keep it intimate.

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Permalink Reply by Susan Minter on September 23, 2010 at 10:14am

So many discussions about the DIY trend. Most are valid. What I would like to see is the vendor community coming together and share. When you cut back everyone has to cut back during difficult times so that we all have a product to offer at the end of this era. Photographers are a must but does every bride need 1,000 photos and a huge album next to a baby album? The majority of the people in your wedding won't be in your life 5 years later but your family hopefully will so focus more on them. As far as invitations go trust me when I say, the receipient only gets confused by all of those inserts. Make it simple for all and stick to the point. People who care and love you will come everyone else doesn't matter. Wedding planner? Yes, but they are really only needed for rehearsal and day of when it comes to the DIY bride. Save selling the big packages to the bigger budget brides and instead send business to the floral/decor vendor so you will still have a good working relationship when the money improves. And, please stop crossing over and doing their job please. You may be surprised to find out they would send you more business if you quit cutting them out of the picture. Pick a caterer that is willing to work with the bride and skip the appetizers. With our waists getting bigger everyday maybe we could save the extra calories for the cake which can be a smaller version of your dream cake with a back up undecorated cake for cutting. We can do this but it's going to take an honest, sharing, no fear, and caring state of mind to pull it off. And brides, know that your wedding dreams take a village to bring to fruition and there is not enough members in your family or enough friends in your rolodex to make your vision a reality unless you are a extremely organized, and talented leader with tons of creativity. If you decide to go DIY know you are definitely making a personal sacrifice and run the risk of loosing friends. Trust me, I know from experience and I'm a professional who did her own wedding (never again).

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Permalink Reply by Janyce Granoff on September 24, 2010 at 7:17am

Actually, though I can agree that "over the top" is passe' in some respects, but I have a published DIY system that will allow any bride on any budget the ability to produce the reception of her dreams. Granted she needs to put on her big girl shoes and I do agree that it takes organization and a village of family and dear friends to bring everything to fruition but...so what?
You may have had a bad experience but I have been a helper at many family wedding and not only did we get the job done but it was great fun and an honor to be called to help.
janycegranoff@hotmail.com

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Permalink Reply by Phyllis Cambria on September 24, 2010 at 10:00am

Susan, I appreciate what you have to say and agree with most of it, but why are you taking a hit at wedding planners? It's actually been my experience that more of my vendors are becoming "planners" rather than having planners step in helping DIY or low-budget brides by making some simple affordable floral/decor arrangements.

Believe me, we have more than enough to do when planning weddings, but if a bride can't afford for us to bring in a pro (something we would much rather do), then are you saying we shouldn't step in and take the flowers or decor she's purchased and making it look as good as possible if we have the skill to do it?

Just curious. :)

Phyllise