Wedding diy Planner

We didn't use a wedding planner. In my experience, the majority of couples don't. My best advice is to have a clear vision of what you want and stay organized. The checklist here on WW is a great tool to utilize. I would also make your own checklist for decor since theirs doesn't cover that. Write down everything that you need for centerpieces and whatever other decorations you need. Sign up for emails from stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby, and buy things when they're on sale. Check your local yard sale groups and Facebook Marketplace for gently used items.

I’m not using a wedding planner, and I agree with the previous comment! The list on here is a very useful tool! I also have “the knot” wedding planning notebook which is a good checklist too! Write down all decor type things for sure! (Especially if you are a full diy bride). Have a binder for contracts and things for whatever vendors you decide to use.

For me, i tell my friend wedding planning now, that the best thing to do is to keep it simple. when i was planning my wedding i felt like maybe i added in too many small details that in the end no one except me really noticed

View Quoted Comment This was what one of my friends told me too, especially in the decorations. She worried and sweated to find/make certain things that guests didn’t appreciate and some that her photographer didn’t even notice or take photos of.


I think it’s also key to be realistic and true to yourself. There’s this huge urge/push to have magazine and TV worthy weddings. Things don’t have to be that fancy or expensive.

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Absolutely! and those details are also what takes up your time, money and effort in executing as well. i mean sure as the bride it is nice in what we think people would like or just what we envision but at the end of the day my friends told me that they are there for us, so even if the meal was crappy that's not even what they came for.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for all the responses! I am making most of the decorations by hand. I ordered a lot of cheap things on Wish.com 😂 But as far as table decorations go, I am making most of those. Now the issue I'm having is tablecloths. Why are they so expensive to rent? It's cheaper to buy them, but then you have a whole bunch of tablecloths you'll never use again! I thought about cheap dollar store disposable ones, but I feel like it would look too tacky. It's a hard decision. Lol

I did all planning myself.
I did Interview two planners but way over my budget so I’m doing it myself.

I read books but not anything helpful
I keep a binder with dividers for each vendor so I have it organized.

I have been listening to wedding planning podcasts and finding them really helpful with tips that I never would have thought of! So far I have been enjoying Put a Ring on it, and The Big Wedding Planning Podcast. Personally I have started Google Sheets to keep track of my budget in each category and I shared them with my fiancé so we are on the same page! Good luck with everything!

My last go 'round (I was widowed), I ended up buying a bunch of tablecloths and runners, then diying the centerpieces.. I ended up selling the whole lot for a reasonable amount on Craigslist, and had the bride-to-be who bought it all crying happy tears, because she had so much less to deal with after that! 😏

I am doing a DIY for a nontraditional reception so there are a lot of traditional things I'm worrying less about like place settings, favors, bridesmaids etc. What I'm using atm is the google wedding planner spreadsheet. It helps me list everything I've been working on and update or delete vendors, entries etc. as they change. Saves paper and I can always have it handy on my phone. At the end of the day - make sure you try to stick to your budget! Some DIYs can be more expensive than buying or catering outright

We planned everything ourselves. What stage of the process are you in?

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Wedding planning podcasts is a great idea! Thanks for the info!

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We are having a destination wedding in Las Vegas with both of our families attending. A wedding planner is included in that package. But we are having a local reception back home and I did't want to waste money on a planner for just the reception. We have the venue, caterer, DJ, bartender, and hair appointments booked already. Our biggest expense is the caterer, but I think that will be worth it! Since it would be only for the reception (no ceremony or wedding party photos), I don't really want to hire a photographer because we are trying to keep it all lower budget. However I also don't want to miss out on getting some good pictures taken of the reception, so I am still tossed on that. I have some ideas down for a guestbook and for the wedding favors. I am currently working on a DIY photobooth, and I am making most of the table decorations. I also have been buying a lot of really cheap things online. Besides still needing some cheap tablecloths, and a few tiny details I'm not mentioning here, I think I have touched all the bases. If you can think of something I didn't mention or might be missing, please let me know! Happy Planning!

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I am sorry for your loss! Though I am glad you were able to find new love! Congratulations! And thank you for the info!