Should I DIY or Don’t Even Try?

Written By Carrie Mantis

Ever since Pinterest came into the wedding mix, the classic statement has become “I can just DIY that”! But realistically, some things are easier to DIY than others and even though they all sound like great ideas, what you might not realize is that DIYing can actually break the bank. So… which should you do? Well, it depends!

I love a good DIY moment.

  • Handwritten welcome notes

  • Custom escort cards

  • A signature cocktail sign your friend illustrated (shout out @lemonwaterstudios) 🤍

These are all so adorable, personal and memorable!

But in my opinion, some things are not so great to DIY and here’s why:

The Kind of DIY That Works

The best DIY projects are the ones that are:

  • Personal

  • Simple

  • Done well ahead of time

  • Easy for someone else to set up

Think small details that add personality to the day, not projects that require a full production team.

For example:

  • Escort cards

  • Welcome bag notes

  • Simple signage

  • Guest book ideas

  • Personal touches to favors

These things can be really special and meaningful and they won’t take over your entire wedding week.

The Kind of DIY That… Does Not Work:

  • Full floral centerpieces

  • Large ceremony arches

  • Complex signage installations

  • Lighting setups

  • Day-of timeline coordination

Instead of getting ready and enjoying the moment, people are running around with extension cords, floral foam, and tape. Your bridal party becomes the setup crew and someone in the bridal party is googling “how to attach draping to a wall.”

Pinterest Is Not Reality

What Pinterest doesn’t show is:

  • The professional tools

  • The team of assistants

  • The 10 hours it took to install (not to mention paying extra for setup fees at the venue)

  • The cleanup after

When someone tells me they’re DIY-ing something big to save money, I usually ask one question:

What do you want your wedding morning to feel like?

Do you want to be:

Getting ready with your friends, drinking champagne, and soaking it all in?

Or…

Running around making sure the table numbers stay standing?

DIY Smart

If you love DIY, we can absolutely incorporate it in a way that makes sense.

The goal isn’t to remove personality, it’s to remove stress and extra work.

Some things are perfect DIY moments.

Some things are worth bringing in professionals so the day runs smoothly.

Because at the end of the night, no one remembers who assembled the signage.

They remember the energy in the room.

Carrie Mantis
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