Buying vs Diy

Are you a crafty person? If so than I think that taking on more of the decor is a perfect idea. If not than donthe fewnthings that are super easy and or you are comfortable with.

I am diy the hand-painted mailbox for gift/card table, little “House Crest” Boxes for the pins/cufflinks & the 8 attendants FH & I have and 2 flower girls/Ring Security Proposal Boxes, the VIPeople( my mom & son, my dad/stepmom& FH mom/stepdad, and 2 23/21yo kids) Boxes, the Cigar Tux Boxes for the VIP guys, the Cornish Pixie( yup it’s a “Harry Potter” Theme!) Mandrakes, Recipe/Advice keepsake Boxes, 200-400 Chocolate Frogs, 200 bags of Costco JellyBelly Beans “Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans”, Hotel gift bags( wither stamped w/House Crest or just a stripe in the house colour.) 200 wand favors, mini hearts in our colours( berries and gold or copper) and a few peach/lilac for my Grandparents( who passed 4yrs ago).....
yeah just yeah lmao! Wayyy more than I shoulda! But at the time I had a BFF/MOH- and now not so much. 😕

My DIY list includes:
- centerpieces (terranium and succulents)
- succulent bouquets
- labels used for our combined favors/escort cards (bottle opener skeleton key) and any mailings
- mini-easel table numbers (my FSIL is doing that one)

Bought:
- invites (only 20) cuz I did mostly online
- menus
-cardbox
- guest book label set (signing a bottle)

I'm probably doing lantern centerpieces, probably the cardbox, and maybe some other little decorations. FW has said she'll do invitations but I don't know yet if she's actually going to. We're most likely doing the favors together.
As for what to DIY and what not to, I think it all depends on your skill level and how much you realistically think you can do/handle. I don't want to be stressed trying to get too much finished so I'm not DIYing too much.

I bought flowers at hobby lobby to do my bouquets and boutonnieres. I bought. Boutonniere holder on Etsy and I’m just putting some of those flowers in there. I’m saving a ton of money this way.

I am not crafty, so I will diy our card box but that maybe it. I'm renting the centerpieces because ultimately it's cheaper and i won't have to deal with them after the wedding

DIY...my aunt is doing the bouquets, dj cut a tree for the tree slab centerpieces and I'll put Mason jars on them and am spray painting a votive silver for each one. The favors I did bird seed hearts. I printed the invitations myself on custom paper. I am writing the table cards and stenciled table numbers to put on the Mason jars. I'm using a lantern I have for the card box. I may be trying to make ribbon wands for the 2 flower girls. I think if you have time and are even slightly crafty diy is way cheaper!

This is a quick mock up i did yesterday of my centerpieces for guest tables (will continue covering entire lid). The mason jar lantern is from Michaels Christmas clearance and the leaves/flowers are all hobby lobby. So in total it cost me $9.90 to make.

I am not a craft person. I have been finding a lot of things on Etsy and amazon.

I’m a crafty person and enjoy DIY. For some things I’ve seen pictures of, I think, “I can make that!” and then I research how much the supplies would be vs. buying it (if I can even find the thing to buy)

I am DIYing our table numbers, multiple signs, dessert table stands, seating chart, and the arbor for the ceremony. I’ve also added glitter or spray painted multiple pre-purchased items such as our cake topper, picture frames and a mr./Mrs. sign

View Quoted Comment I ended up the same but opposite. I am not crafty. So I would have spent more in craft stuff then if I found it at amazon or Etsy. I do search market place but no luck yet. Also the dollar store.

If you are doing fresh flowers, I would do just the personal flowers for your attendants and the contract out with a the floral department you like most from a local grocery store. Call it a “family reunion” for that so they don’t do “wedding mark up” after all it doesn’t matter what the event is, you just need some arrangements. Most stores are unionized so their florists are competent.

With regards to buying other bride’s decor. It’s actually a smart idea. Especially if it’s stuff you know you are going to need and the items are in good condition.

I just scored a sweet deal on chargers. A local bride was selling some gold chargers from her wedding. I picked them up for $50 for 145 of them, 5 were crushed from storage and transport, but it mean the money I saved will be used elsewhere.

View Quoted Comment Woah everything looks so fantastic!!! I am so happy for you, it looks incredible 😍😍😍 Thanks for all the ideas

View Quoted Comment That looks so elegang and simple 🤩

View Quoted Comment I really like that!!

View Quoted Comment I am planning on doing the same thing!

View Quoted Comment Yes i have that idea too of just looking for items cause i am really thinking tabt everyone is trying to sell everything after the wedding 😅

View Quoted Comment Thats so true!!

View Quoted Comment Yeah i kinda think i am crafty or i should be i am in design school

View Quoted Comment Thats so cute!!!

View Quoted Comment You are so right!