The Pros & Cons of a DIY Wedding

Hello Gorgeous!

Planning your wedding is one of the most personal, exciting, and (let’s be honest) overwhelming experiences of your life. For many couples, the idea of DIYing certain aspects of their wedding feels like the perfect way to save money, inject personality, and be more hands-on in the process; all of which is super understandable and sites like Pinterest and TikTok make it all look so doable. But before you break out the hot glue gun, it's worth exploring the real pros and cons of DIYing your wedding. Let’s dive in.

The Pros

1. Personalization & Creativity

DIY projects allow your wedding to feel uniquely you. Whether it’s hand-lettered signage, homemade favors, or centerpieces crafted with intention, DIY touches bring a personal story to the celebration. Whether your guests notice or not, YOU know the heart that went into each and every project.

2. Budget-Friendly (Sometimes)

The #1 reason couples turn to DIY is to save money. If you’re crafty or resourceful, doing things like your own stationery, décor and backdrops, or thrifting some of the major supplies needed can significantly cut costs—especially when compared to hiring a professional for every detail. Just be careful: DIY doesn’t mean “cheap” (more on that below) and professionals do this as their job for a reason… it is a huge undertaking!

3. Sense of Accomplishment

There’s something genuinely satisfying about stepping back on your wedding day and seeing pieces you made come to life. You get to proudly say, “I did that!” It adds an emotional layer to your wedding that can’t be bought. It’s the ‘heart piece’, as we like to say.

4. Quality Time with Loved Ones

Prepping DIY projects can be a fun way to spend quality time with your fiancé, your wedding party, or family. Wedding prep parties with pizza, wine, and crafting can make for some sweet memories before the big day.

The Cons

1. Time Consuming

DIY is no small commitment. In the midst of your job, social life, and wedding planning, taking on multiple hands-on projects can lead to burnout. What starts as a fun Pinterest idea can turn into 3am glue-gun meltdowns (yes, it happens).

One thing that the CWPs at Infinity Events ask each and every client is to think through not just their work/life balance, but their work/life/wedding planning balance. This over-commitment is something that so many couples do not see coming, and we want to help each of them make the choices that help them enjoy the engagement journey, rather than resent it.

2. Hidden Costs

DIY doesn't always save you money. Buying materials, tools, and trial runs can add up quickly—especially if you’re not familiar with what things actually cost or how much you’ll need. Not to mention, mistakes can be expensive to fix. Many times, outsourcing to a pro ends up being more cost-effective in the long run.

Also, time is money, is it not?! We encourage our couples to protect their time and sanity during the process, and that is what the professionals in this industry are all about!

3. Stress on the Big Day

This is a big one!! Who’s going to set up all those handmade centerpieces, arrange the DIY florals, hang the signs, and make sure everything looks cohesive while you’re getting your hair done or taking wedding portraits with your fiance? Often, DIYing parts of your wedding also means delegating responsibilities to family and friends on the day-of, which can cause unnecessary stress and chaos. IF there are friends or family even willing to step up (with a glad heart) – because if not, or if something happens to them to put them behind, then the couple is forced to step aside from their relaxing wedding day morning and into the role of a decorator or coordinator. There are VERY few other things that cause a couple more stress on their wedding day than this scenario, and unfortunately, it is far too common!

4. Risk of Imperfection

Not every DIY project turns out like the photo (in fact many do not). And while some imperfections can be charming, others might not translate well under the scrutiny of professional photos or video. If you’re a perfectionist, DIY might end up being more frustrating than fulfilling. Something that we try to impress on our clients is that while Pinterest and TikTok are great ways to gather inspiration, sooooo much of what is on there is faux in one way or another. For example, tons of Pinterest content is from what we call ‘styled shoots,’ which are faux events curated by professionals for the purpose of inspiration and marketing content. These are very rarely remade into the scale necessary for an actual event.

So, Should You DIY Your Wedding?

The answer is: it depends.

If you’re naturally crafty, have time to commit, and are excited by the process—not overwhelmed by it—then a few well-chosen DIY projects can add a lot of charm and meaning to your wedding day.

However, if you’re already juggling a full plate and the idea of folding 150 napkins and being stuck with countless projects to assemble on your wedding day makes you sweat, it’s okay (and smart) to outsource things. You don’t get bonus points for doing it all yourself, and the peace of mind that comes with hiring professionals is priceless.

Pro Tips for a Balanced Approach

Pick One or Two Key Projects
Instead of trying to DIY everything, focus on one or two details that matter most to you. Maybe it's your seating chart display or personalized welcome bags—whatever brings you joy and won’t cause undue stress.

Lean on Your Vendor Team
Let your CWP and/or designer help guide you on what makes sense to DIY and what’s better left to the pros. We’ve seen it all and can help you avoid common pitfalls.
Don’t DIY Day-Of Tasks
As a rule, try to avoid DIYing anything that needs to be set up or managed on your wedding day. You should be soaking in every infinite moment, not worrying about where each candle should go.
Plan (Way) Ahead
Give yourself ample time to finish DIY projects well before the wedding. Last-minute crafting is never fun and often leads to stress and mistakes.

In the end, a beautiful wedding is not defined by how many things you DIYed—it’s defined by the love you’re celebrating and the people you share it with. Whether you're gluing rhinestones by hand or letting the pros work their magic, the goal is the same: a wedding day that feels meaningful, joyful, and truly you.