If You Want it Done Right....DIY

Most of us (or our grooms) have laid down the law regarding the amount of money our wedding will cost us.  In an industry known for extravagance and over-the-top presentation, the current recession, depression or whatever we're calling it is really dampening the mood.  To combat this, there is a contingency of brides every year that venture into DIY (Do it yourself) territory.

For the right bride, this is a gold mine.  Some brides or grooms are incredibly creative and talented, and the opportunity to personalize your wedding in this way is one that shouldn't be missed.  One of the most popular projects is printing your own invitations.  This is a relatively simple project that can save you a lot of dough, as long as you aren't aiming for engraving or thermography.  There are, however, a few pitfalls to avoid when choosing any DIY project for your big day.  (And I am preaching just as much to myself here)

1.  Size of the project.  Sure, you can hand make your invitations (ahem), since there will only be 50 of them.  If that number is closer to 300, not so much.

2.  Cost of the project.  Sometimes you have a great idea and you are certain it would be easier (and cheaper) to do it yourself.  Make sure that this is true before you make the commitment.

3.  How much time will this take?   A great DIY project becomes a nightmare when it takes up WAY more of your time than originally anticipated.

4.  How many DIY projects are you tackling?  One or two DIY projects can be an enormous financial help, more than that can be detrimental to what you are trying to achieve.

5.  Will this require additional manpower?  Even though your bestie loves you, she might not be crazy about spending an entire weekend making stuff for your wedding.  Make sure that if you decide to green light a project that it is reasonable to handle alone, or with one other person in one or two afternoons.

In the end, there are some fantastic ideas out there from other clever brides.  Overdoing the DIY projects can cancel out your best intentions, leaving you stressed and unhappy in the end.  Try to pick one or two smaller projects that really showcase your specific talents to include in your wedding.  Leave the rest up to the experts!