DIY Wedding: What to Do Yourself vs. Hire Out

DIY weddings have become incredibly popular, and for good reason. They save money, add personal touches, and let couples put their own stamp on the celebration. But there's a flip side: not everything should be DIY. Some projects end up costing more time, stress, and even money than hiring a professional.

Here's an honest look at what's worth tackling yourself and what's better left to the pros.

Before You DIY Anything

Ask yourself these questions for every potential project:

1. Do I have the skills? Be honest. Watching YouTube tutorials is not the same as having experience.

2. Do I have the time? Factor in learning curves, mistakes, and multiple attempts.

3. What's the real cost? Materials, tools, time, and potential do-overs add up.

4. How will I feel if it goes wrong? Some elements matter more than others.

5. Will I enjoy doing this? DIY should be fun, not a source of dread.

If you answered negatively to more than one of these, consider hiring help.

Great DIY Projects

These are the wins. Low risk, high reward, and genuinely satisfying to do yourself.

Invitations and Paper Goods

Why it works:

• Templates are widely available and easy to customize
• Printing services are affordable
• Mistakes aren't catastrophic (you can reprint)
• Very personal touch

Tips:

• Order 10-15% extra for mistakes
• Do a test print before the full run
• Factor in assembly time for complex designs

Welcome Bags

Why it works:

• Simple assembly line process
• Easy to personalize
• Can be done well in advance
• Fun group activity with bridesmaids

What to include:

• Snacks and water
• Local recommendations card
• Wedding weekend schedule
• Small hangover kit items

Signage and Decor

Why it works:

• Doesn't require specialized skills
• Can be done over time
• Easy to match your aesthetic
• Pinterest is full of inspiration

Good DIY signs:

• Welcome signs
• Table numbers
• Bar menus
• Directional signs
• Photo booth props

Favors

Why it works:

• Bulk buying saves money
• Assembly is straightforward
• Personal touches shine here
• Can be done far in advance

Easy favor ideas:

• Homemade cookies or treats in bags
• Small plants or succulents
• Customized candles
• Local honey or jam
• Seed packets

Playlist (for Cocktail Hour)

Why it works:

• Spotify is free
• You know your taste
• Background music doesn't need a DJ
• Easy to adjust and update

Note: Still hire a DJ or MC for the reception if you want dancing. A good DJ reads the room in ways a playlist can't.

Proceed with Caution

These projects can work, but they require real skill or come with higher stakes.

Florals

DIY potential: Moderate

Best for: Simple arrangements, greenery-focused designs, or single-variety bouquets.

Skip DIY if: You want elaborate centerpieces, bridal bouquets with specific flowers, or anything requiring floral foam and technical skills.

Tips if you try:

• Buy from wholesale flower markets
• Keep it simple (one or two flower types max)
• Have a backup plan
• Do a practice run weeks before

Cake

DIY potential: Depends heavily on skill

Best for: Simple naked cakes, cupcake towers, or dessert bars where homemade treats are charming.

Skip DIY if: You want fondant, elaborate decorations, or multi-tier designs. Also skip if you'll be too busy to bake the week of.

Alternative: Order a simple cake from a bakery and add your own topper or decorations.

Hair and Makeup Trials

DIY potential: If you're already skilled

Best for: People who do their own hair and makeup regularly and feel confident doing it under pressure.

Skip DIY if: You want to look different from everyday, need styles to last 12+ hours, or will be photographed professionally.

Tip: Even if you DIY, do full trials and photograph them in similar lighting to your venue.

Day-Of Coordination

DIY potential: Only with a very organized friend or family member

Best for: Small, simple weddings with few moving parts.

Skip DIY if: You have multiple vendors, a complex timeline, or want to actually enjoy your day without putting out fires.

Reality check: You cannot coordinate your own wedding. Someone else must do this.

Leave It to the Professionals

Some things genuinely require expertise. Hiring professionals here is worth every penny.

Photography

Why hire:

• You only get one chance to capture the day
• Lighting, composition, and timing are skills
• Post-processing takes expertise and time
• Photos last forever

Budget tip: Hire a professional for key hours (ceremony and portraits) and let guests capture the rest.

Videography

Why hire:

• Even more technically complex than photography
• Audio quality matters and is hard to get right
• Editing is extremely time-consuming
• You'll treasure this footage

If budget is tight: Hire for ceremony only, or skip it entirely rather than doing it poorly.

Catering

Why hire:

• Food safety and timing are critical
• Quantities are hard to estimate
• Serving 100+ people requires systems
• You don't want food poisoning at your wedding

Exception: Family-style potluck for very small, casual weddings where everyone contributes.

Music and MC (for Reception)

Why hire:

• A good DJ or band reads the crowd
• Sound equipment matters for speeches and dancing
• Someone needs to manage the flow of events
• Technical issues are stressful to troubleshoot

Budget option: Hire a DJ for reception only and use playlists for earlier parts of the day.

Officiant

Why hire (or choose carefully):

• Legal requirements vary by location
• Public speaking is a skill
• Ceremony sets the tone for everything
• This is the actual wedding part

DIY option: A trusted friend who is ordained online, but give them guidance and make sure they practice.

Calculating the True Cost of DIY

Before committing to any project, do this math:

Materials cost + Tools needed + Your time (at a reasonable hourly rate) + Mistake buffer = True DIY cost

Compare that to hiring someone. Often, the difference is smaller than expected, and the stress saved is priceless.

When to Quit a DIY Project

It's okay to abandon ship. Signs it's time to hire help:

• You're three attempts in and still not happy
• The wedding is approaching and you're behind
• You're losing sleep or fighting with your partner over it
• The quality isn't what you imagined
• You're not enjoying the process at all

Sunk cost fallacy is real. Sometimes the best decision is to cut your losses and call a professional.

The Hybrid Approach

You don't have to choose all or nothing. Many couples find success mixing DIY and professional help.

Examples:

• Professional photographer, DIY photo booth
• Professional florist for bouquets, DIY centerpieces
• Caterer for dinner, DIY dessert bar
• DJ for dancing, playlist for cocktail hour

Find the balance that works for your skills, timeline, and budget.

Enjoy the Process

The best DIY projects are ones you genuinely enjoy making. If crafting brings you joy, lean into it. If it feels like a chore, give yourself permission to hire help instead.

Your wedding should be a celebration, not a source of exhaustion. Choose your projects wisely, and remember: on your wedding day, no one will know or care whether you made those centerpieces yourself. What matters is that you're getting married.