TO DIY OR NOT TO DIY?

The date is set, the venue’s booked and it’s time to get started on the fun stuff. But as much as you’d like to think one YouTube tutorial will turn your fiancé into a qualified carpenter, and that with enough willing bridesmaids you can make anything, it’s best to be smart and realistic. Rather carefully decide what is actually going to save you money and what is more likely to create a world of totally unnecessary stress.

DIY – DOABLE

There are a few things that, with the right skill set, ample inspiration and a pinch of patience, are totally DIY-friendly.

Dessert tables

Fill bowls with various sweets or try your hand at a doughnut wall instead of hiring a caterer. Another perk? Personalise paper bags and have guests take home any leftovers – favours sorted.

Flowers

Unless your forte is floral arrangements, consider leaving the centre pieces and altar décor to a florist. However, with a little help, bouquets and buttonholes are an easy task.

Stationery

The obvious and cost-effective route nowadays is e-cards – and there are many companies in SA that offer beautiful template designs for you to choose from. If you can’t let go of the nostalgia of good ol’ paper, there are ways to cut costs on handmade cards.

Wedding favours

Talking of guests’ gifts. Get bang for your buck and offer up the cacti and succulents scattered along the banquet tables and centrepieces to your guests as they leave. The wedding favours and centrepieces dealt with, while the guests help clean up.

Cake

Unless you bake scones of steel, making a cake is cheap and super easy. Make a cake up to four days ahead of the time, using an oil-based sponge recipe that stays moist. ‘Seal the entire cake with buttercream or ganache to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Try and block out any oxygen by covering the sponge completely with icing.’

DON’T EVEN BOTHER

Unless you speciality lies in any of these, it may be best to get quotes from various vendors and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Invites

The actual save the dates, invitations and directions are best left to a business that have the help of mass production. Making 120 individual envelopes and cards can be too time-consuming, especially if you don’t have the necessary equipment or help.

Confetti

Many venues now only allow for organic confetti, especially if outdoors.