The Unexpected Ways a DIY Wedding Can Actually Cost You More Money

The costs associated with planning a wedding can quickly spiral out of control. If you’re planning a “do it yourself” wedding, you might think you’re in for some big savings. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case! In fact, there are several ways that planning DIY weddings can end up costing you significantly more money than choosing a more traditional route.

Planning a DIY wedding can be a great way to save money, but if you don’t do your research, it can quickly break your budget. From the cost of materials to the time you’ll spend planning, it all adds up! That’s why it’s important to plan and budget well ahead of the wedding to ensure you don’t overspend. We’ve laid out a list of some of the hidden costs of doing a DIY wedding.

1. DIY Wedding Venues

Compared to a traditional wedding venue, the price of a backyard wedding may appear cheaper initially, but it is important to take into account services that are sometimes included in the price of a traditional wedding venue. Some things to think about include tables, chairs, linens, cutlery, glassware, & staff prices. Before picking your venue, you’ll want to figure out what isn’t included, and determine how much each service will cost to rent or buy on their own from other vendors.

2. DIY Wedding Cake

If you are planning on DIY-ing your wedding, one of the items you’ll have to consider is the cake. Making your own cake may actually cost more than you think. Here’s a few reasons why:

Bakery Rentals: If you are baking your own cake, you may need to rent equipment to make it. Having a few baking tins, trays, and stands can also come in handy.

Decorating Supplies & Tools: While it’s tempting to go all out and use fancy cake toppers, fondant, and other decorations to give your wedding cake a luxurious feel, purchasing them can really add up. Before you stock up on extra tools, make sure you have considered your budget.

Professional Help: Hiring a professional cake decorator to dress up your wedding cake can be a good idea, but it can also come with a hefty price tag. Before you consider doing so, make sure you have the budget for it. Also, it’s important to make sure the cake decorator is experienced in the style you’re looking for.

There are a few things you can do to reduce the cost of DIY wedding cakes. One option is to choose a less expensive dessert. By choosing a more economical dessert, like cupcakes, cookies, or bars, you can significantly reduce the cost of making the cake for your wedding.

If you want to go the less expensive route without completely abandoning the idea of a wedding cake, you can also purchase pre-made elements such as buttercream, fondant, and cake layers from the grocery store. This will save you time and money while giving you the opportunity to create a unique design that is not always possible with pre-made cakes.

3. DIY Flowers

The bride is typically not the only person who will need a bouquet on the day of the ceremony. Bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, and parents of the couple typically have a bouquet or corsage.

When planning a DIY wedding, it is important to consider the cost of all of the florals needed for the entire day. This cost can add up if you are using flowers that are not in season and can be difficult to find, or if you have chosen to go with a large bouquet for the bride that contains a lot of different types of flowers and foliage.

One way to save money on the bouquets is to use flowers that are in season, so they are more available and less expensive. You can also opt for simpler designs and smaller bouquets for the bridesmaids.

You’ll want to shop around and compare the cost of individual flowers you could purchase at a local market with the cost of a wedding florist. If you’re able to find the same flower varieties at your local market, it might be beneficial and cost effective to purchase the flowers yourself. However, be sure to take into consideration the varying quality of the flowers, as well as the time and effort you’ll need to put into purchasing and arranging the flowers yourself.

4. DIY Hair and Make up

Doing your own hair and make up for the big day could save you money, but it could also cost you money, time, and stress if things go wrong!

Hiring a professional to help you with your hair and makeup on your wedding day can reduce your stress and ensure that you look absolutely stunning in your wedding photos. It will also free up a huge chunk of time that you can use for other wedding preparations.

Remember to do your research when it comes to choosing beauty products for your wedding! Read product reviews, talk to salon professionals, and utilize the expertise of beauty counters in stores like Macys, Sephora, and Ulta. Plan on doing a trial run of your chosen products and beauty looks so you don’t experience any unexpected surprises. It is also important to have all of your chosen beauty looks written down and in a place you can easily refer to on your wedding day. This way, you’ll have a clear reference to refer to and can get your beauty look done quickly and efficiently.

5. No matter what, hire a wedding planner

No matter how creative and flexible you are when it comes to planning, there will always be certain parts of your wedding that require the help of an experienced and knowledgeable wedding planner. Not hiring a wedding planner when needed can cost you time, money, and stress.

When you hire a wedding planner, you will have an expert who can help you quickly and efficiently identify which vendors to hire and the best deals available. Wedding planners are also very knowledgeable in the industries, so they’ll be able to find you the best bang for your buck.

Wedding planners can also help you organize everything. This means they will help you with creating a timeline, scheduling all the events, as well as helping with budgeting. They will track your payments and make sure all your vendors are on track and on schedule. Read all the reasons we encourage all couple to hire a wedding planner here.

6. The costs of a DIY wedding that goes wrong

It can be tempting to try to save money with a DIY wedding, as long as everything goes smoothly. But what happens when it gets more expensive than expected? Here are some of costs you should consider for a DIY wedding that doesn’t quite go to plan:

Replacement food and service fees: Food and drinks are an important part of your wedding and can be costly if your DIY food turns out to be inedible.

Delivery and transport fees: You may need to pay for delivery and transport fees if your DIY decorations and items don’t get to the venue on time.

Cleaning and garbage removal: If you don’t leave the venue in its original condition, you may be charged fees for cleanup and garbage removal.

Planning a DIY wedding is a great option for couples who want to stay within a budget while putting an individual stamp on their special day. However, it is important to remember that DIY doesn’t always mean less expensive. Unforeseen problems can happen, and the more detailed your plans, the more likely it is that something can go wrong. Never underestimate the powers of a professional. Hiring specialists with years of expertise in wedding planning will take a lot of the stress out of the big day- and that’s priceless.

With a little bit of creativity, a lot of research and hard work, you can make your dreams of a memorable DIY wedding come true without breaking the bank.

The Drexelbrook is an all-inclusive venue that takes out much of the stress of planning your big day!

Want to learn more about our packages and what we have to offer? Talk to a Wedding Specialist today!