Cricut

I have the expression..its an older model but very functional. If you look on sites like eBay you can find the older model for much cheaper. I have used mine for lots of wedding DIYs and definitely don't regret buying it!

I love my Cricut. I've had one for years, this is actually my third machine because I keep upgrading It is a great tool and I love mine. I'm making our guest book, all of our signs, our invites, customized champagne flutes, DIY photo booth props, and many other things that I'm sure I'm forgetting.

I have the Cricut Explore One (no Bluetooth) but, I don't mind hooking it up to my laptop with a cord. If you plan to design with your IPad you will want one of the Explore Air machines. If you will do quilting, etc. with it you could look at the Maker but, this brand new and I don't know too much about it yet. Obviously the older the machine you buy the cheaper it is.

Don't forget a few essential items you will need to start:

* Cutting mats (standard is usually good to start)

* score pen

* I'd recommend getting Cricut Access (standard at least).

Cricut Access not necessary but, it is much cheaper to do it this way instead of purchasing each cartridge set. Unless you are planning to use SVG images (which are free) but, if you aren't familiar they can be trickier to use at first.

* I'd also recommend a good colour printer if you plan to use the print then cut feature. I use this so much and its a lot easier than cutting each layer.

It depends on what you plan to use the machine for. There are must haves for each type of project.

Things not to buy from Cricut directly:

* fancy pens (you can google alternate options to use instead). I purchased a bunch of Crayola markers and they work great.

*vinyl/iron on purchase this in bulk from an online vinyl distributor or from Amazon the prices and quality are so much better.

If you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll do what I can to help.

I have an explore air and love it. I wasnt sure about paying that much for it but I got a deal on the machine and a starting package so I went for it. I have used it to make shirts for my nephews flag team, specialized onsies for a friend's baby shower, addressing envelopes, my guest globe (book alternative), gifts for the wedding party, wedding signs, and the seating chart. I think it was worth it and I'll be using it for way more than just wedding things.

View Quoted Comment She stated it all perfectly! I have an explore one and between the machine and supplies I probably paid about $250 total. I have used it for a TON of wedding stuff as well at things for work (I’m a preschool special ed teacher) and making gifts for friends and family

I have the Silhouette Cameo and have been using Silhouette machines since the SD. I use my machine to sell things on Etsy year round and it makes me a ton of money every year, so it's paid back its investment ($300) a million times over.

I think if you don't plan on using it after the wedding, it may not be worth it. The cost of DIY isn't just the machine, but materials and other products you have to buy as well.

In order to make all my own designs that I then cut with the machine, I have a $1,200+ program called Adobe Illustrator (my profession is web/graphic design anyway). If you're not good at design, you'll have to purchase designs/images/etc to cut from the Cricut/Silhouette stores. I believe the Cricut makes you purchase "cartridges" in order to cut your own designs as well (Silhouette does not).

In order to make things like t-shirts and bags and HTV products (like the getting ready hoodies I made my bridesmaids), I have a $300 heat press that presses the HTV to the product to professional-grade quality that ensures it will last (whenever I tried with a iron, the item would fall apart after one wash).

To cut paper and easier projects, you'll still need the paper and materials to do so, which can sometimes be more costly than purchasing a finished product elsewhere.

I purchased my machines well before my wedding, but offset the costs by selling things that I make on Etsy and getting a LOT of personal use out of it was well, so it's worth it for me.

It doesn't HAVE to be that expensive and the stuff I mentioned above is usually pretty optional, but if you want your stuff to look and be "professional," then it's something to consider.

Just be sure to price out what it would cost to hire someone to do xyz and compare it to the cost of what you'll need to DIY with the Cricut and materials expense

That being said, I did my entire wedding with my Silhouette! https://www.pinterest.com/thewiredlife/meet-us-in-the-mountains-kelsey-jays-mountain-fore/the-wedding-mountain-forest-diy-wedding/

Chalk that up to an easy $350 because you will need tools and the works unless it's a bundle deal. However, I really loved using my mom's. I used it to cut petals for my paper bouquets and she makes holiday cards. There's endless things to do with them! Kelsey has some great examples (Siloquette is very similar, but more for someone doing their own designs rather than purchasing premade ones). I agree with her point of continued use after the wedding - if you don't have anything else to do with it, don't bother buying. See if someone you know has one and is willing to let you use it.

I love the cricut, but plan to purchase a Siloquette myself soon for nonwedding related things. It's just something better designed for me. Cricut is fantastic for beginners and for anyone doing it as a hobby. Im glad i got to play with it before I bought anything myself. The program is similar to Microsoft Word, but definitely has it's glitches and frustrations (imo). There's plenty of free patterns and the subscription isn't too bad if you use it a lot. Most craft stores have a decent selection of cartridges(word of advice, just buy packages on the site), mats, tools, and materials specifically made for the Cricut to cut.

Definitely study tutorials and research projects before you buy to make sure it's what you want!