A wedding does it yourself style has never been easier. There are so many websites and books to guide you through the process. And these days, with the economy the way it is, who can afford a wedding planner anyway? There are a few simple tips to keep in mind when planning a wedding do it yourself style.
• Enlist help. Although you may feel like Martha Stewart right now, and ideas may be flowing like the River Nile, once you get started and you see all the options, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Choose someone whose opinion you value and keep them handy to help make decisions.
• Use resources. There are plenty of online and library resources that will walk you through planning a wedding do it yourself style. They will show you different ideas, themes, and most importantly, will help you get organized.
• Get organized. Keep a wedding box, book, folder, suitcase, whatever you need to keep everything in one place. It’s important to write down details about your event so you will know what ideas you love and which ones were good, but will be used only as backup in case you can’t get the thing you really want.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many people have planned weddings, many of them even got married themselves, and they have a list of things that went right and a list of things that didn’t go according to plan. Allow them to share their experiences with you, even if you don’t share their opinions or tastes. You never know when someone will tell you that the 50 doves you planned to release actually fly only to the nearest telephone lines to sit and then poop all over your limousine. (Yep, you might want to rethink the doves!)
• Know your budget. Sometimes people plan their own wedding because they know what they want, have the time to get everything done and are extremely creative. Others do it themselves to save money. Keep track of deposits and expenditures. Keep all receipts. Use a spreadsheet or other tool to help you set a budget and stick to it.
Remember that a wedding do it yourself style can be fun and exciting; picking out your flowers, trying different cakes, parading your bridesmaids around in dozens of gowns until you find the perfect one. Don’t allow it to become overwhelming or stressful. Follow the simple steps listed above and you will have a beautiful wedding day.
Did you know it costs on average $28,000 for a wedding and reception? Click here to find out how to slash up to 50% from your wedding expenses and get ideas on your wedding do it yourself style.
