DIY stands for do-it-yourself and it can save you a fortune on your wedding. According to the Association for Wedding Professionals International, the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is now between $18,000 and $21,000. Unless you have a personal trust fund the size of a hotel heiress, you may want to investigate ideas to trim costs for your wedding.
One of the easiest ways to trim costs is to do some of the work yourself. But I'm not crafty - you may say. Well take heart! These days, craftiness can come in the form of kits sold in most craft stores that will do anything from help you design your own invitations to decorate your own cake. If pre-packaged kits aren't your thing, you can always check with your family or friends. Everyone knows someone who is crafty. And best of all, you can buy supplies in bulk when they go on sale instead of paying full price for someone else to do them for you.
Another option is volunteers. Instead of asking for wedding gifts, let your guests know that if they wanted to volunteer to help with the wedding in some way, you would love it! One friend may volunteer to provide the candles for the ceremony, while others can help decorate. Someone can give you the gift of the bridal bouquet and flowers while yet another can bake the wedding cake. Allowing your family to pitch in and help with the wedding will be a much better "gift" to you in the long run than any toaster or towel set could provide. And your family will enjoy the experience all the more because they had a part in making it happen.
If catering is costing you a fortune, call a favorite family owned BBQ or restaurant. These businesses are always honored to do a wedding and their prices reflect it. Another option is having a daytime reception and serving lunch instead of dinner. Sunday brunch is also an elegant option for a wedding. Ladies auxiliary at your local church or through a local service organization like Kiwanis will sometimes provide catering at cost instead of the markup you would pay with a professional caterer. When all else fails, go for a finger food or deli food reception. Light and simple can save you both on money and on stress.
Who needs huge floral arrangements on tables blocking the view of other guests? Instead, a simple display of candles and rose petals can make an elegant statement and will cost you a fraction of what a floral arrangement would cost. Other ideas include putting bowls of fresh fruit or seashells as a centerpiece. Adding inexpensive chocolates or other food snacks to the table will also dress up the reception tables in addition to occupying your guests.
Skip the professional wedding cake. Buy a plain white cake at a supermarket or small bakery. You can decorate the cake yourself without spending a fortune on "wedding cake" fees. Flowers are a simple way to decorate a wedding cake, as is buying your own inexpensive wedding cake topper. Grated white chocolate over a plain cake is also beautiful with a few well placed silk flowers purchased at your local dollar store.
Your wedding will be beautiful no matter what you do. However, it is important to decide how you want to finance that dream - by spending your time or your money. If you are low on funds, spend the time to make your wedding memorable by doing it yourself.
Brenda Frezell is a freelance writer, travel buff, and former frugal bride. You can find her online at [http://www.shoestringbrides.com] or [http://www.RailTripper.com]
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