Everyone wants to save a bit of money on their wedding and DIY projects are a great way to do just that. However, there are certain things that you should simply leave to the professionals.

 

Wedding DIY Don’ts

Your Photos.

This cannot be stressed enough. Far too many couples have hired a cousin or friend to take some casual photos at their wedding in an effort to save costs, only to be disappointed later on. You may think that quality photos won’t matter to you but they do make a big difference, especially considering your photographer takes hundreds of photos in order to select a handful of beautiful shots that are then also processed. Everyone wants to look back at flattering photos of themselves on their big day and even if you’re convinced that a friend or family member will do an excellent job, it will never quite be what a seasoned wedding photographer can produce.

 

Your cake.

Yes, it may sound easy enough to buy a few boxes of cake mix and whip something up at home but if it’s not a cake that you would be proud to present to family and friends and have in your photos, it’s best to leave the baking to the professionals. Plus, this would just be one extra thing that you would need to do right before your wedding when you should be relaxing. Your local grocery store will have great cakes! Hint: don’t tell them it’s for a wedding otherwise they mark it up. Just ask for a plain white cake in whatever size you want.

 

Your hair and makeup.

Unless you have an in-depth knowledge of makeup and hairstyles and could be mistaken for a pro, it’s recommended that you hire a professional to assist you. Wedding makeup artists and hair stylists know how to make your hair and makeup last the entire day, which is something you definitely want. Plus, this is your wedding day and you should be pampered and taken care of. To save money, try finding someone who offers both services so you don’t have to pay 2 different people.

 

Your catering.

Catering for a wedding is far more stressful and time-consuming than you can imagine and even if you had to rope in friends and family members, it could still end up causing you more stress than saving money is worth. Professional caterers know exactly what goes into preparing food for large groups of people and how to store and transport the food safely too. Consider having a food truck or ordering platters of food to save money. These are typically cheaper than full blown caterers.

 

Your music.

It may sound simple enough to just put all of your music on an iPod and play it through a hired speaker but there’s something so useful about having a professional DJ or musician assist you with your music for the day, especially when it comes to your first dance and the father-daughter dance. Nobody likes it when the DJ phone gets too far from the speaker and things get staticy.

 

 

When deciding on your wedding DIY projects, really think about everything that goes into successfully completing that specific task before you decide to take it on yourself.

 

If you’re in the crosshairs of planning a wedding and are soooo lost, grab my free wedding planner doc to help keep you organized! 

 

Want to see more? Check out my favorite wedding posts on the blog

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... and everything in between! Fueled by equal parts coffee and chickfila, I spend my days capturing the kinds of images that make you stop, smile and ask time to please slow down. Your story, your love, is beautiful and I can't wait to capture it in images you will treasure for years to come. 

I believe in real moments and heartfelt conversations on the front porch. In the kinds of images that remind you of the joy that can be found in the simplest of moments together. Keep reading to see how I became the Hilton Head Photographer

I’m Elle. Elementary teacher turned lifestyle photographer...

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