What did you diy to save money?

So, I really loved these certificate covers that you slip your newly-signed marriage certificate into, so if it's windy or whatever, it won't get ruined:

Thing is, I couldn't find any for less than $100. Some even cost $200! And I thought that was RIDICULOUS for a freaking folder. So I made my own. It's only OKAY - the outside of it is fine but the inside looks like trash, but I figure no one is going to really see it and we'll only need it if it's super windy, so I'm not going to try again.

I will say though, what I learned through that process, is that I spent $50 or more on supplies, several hours trying to make this thing, and in the end, it doesn't look that great and I'm still considering buying one, lol. Basically - DIY CAN save money, but often times, you can end up spending more than if you'd just bought something in the first place.

I'm creating my signs as well. I also made the invitations. The save the dates were sent out in a text/ email. For the centerpieces, I found glass vases at the thrift store for 50 cents a piece and sprayed painted them gold with glitter. I found candles with the holders on Facebook marketplace. I found that when buying items on Facebook marketplace, the seller will offer free items. One person included extra candles and vases and I didn't realize it until I got home. Another person wanted to give me vases, but I declined because I had enough. That has been my experience. I feel like after they had their wedding, they are trying to find ways of getting rid of items.

To save money, I cut a lot of unnecessary things like the cake stand (the cake was delivered on a board and was just placed on a table with some candles and flowers), signs (guests know who's wedding they are attending), and favors. I got invitations from Ann's Bridal Bargains, which were good quality and some of the cheapest I found online. I also got tented Avery cards online for cheap which I used to print escort cards at home (spent about $10 on the whole endeavor rather than a ton on a seating chart, and you can make last minute changes much more easily). When considering DIY, remember that your time also has a monetary value, and also not all DIY projects are cheaper than getting it done. First, think about what is a must have, a nice to have, and a don't want/need. Pinterest has made a lot of unnecessary projects look necessary.

Oh, you guys reminded me! I did design all of our paper goods - our save the date, invitation and covid postponement notification are all digital, but I put together our whole suite, and we plan to get the signage, menus and favour stickers printed.

I'm really pleased with how they turned out.

here's the one I did for our cake bags - although we've postponed, so I'll update the dates

I didn't DIY but my stepmom & her mom made my bridesmaids bouquets and I absolutely love them!

Centerpieces. We collected wine bottles and bought sticker paper for our printer. Then we printed the table names on the sticker paper and put it on the wine bottle. Threw in some fake flowers (buying in bulk is cheap) and had centerpieces that doubled as table assignments.


Bouquets. Also used fake flowers (again, buying in bulk is cheap) for all the bouquets. Got enough flowers for my bouquet (of about 25 flowers) 5 bridesmaids (of about 12 flowers) a juniors bridesmaid (also about 12 flowers) and all centerpieces (8 flowers each) for around $120.
Invites (sort of). We bought a design off of etsy. Sent the seller all our info and she sent back a mock up. Then when approved she sent the digital file. Doing that for the invite and rsvp and then getting those printed on cardstock was cheaper than buying from a fancy wedding invite store.

Flowers, centerpieces, all the invites/signage/programs

I'm making all our signs and table numbers, seating chart, bouquets and boutonnieres with wood flowers. I got my STD's from magnet street, but did so when they were having a HUGE sale so my originally $240 STD's only cost $90.

I bought Acrylic boards and paint to start practicing on my signs and table numbers so when I really need to get down to business and do it for real, I know exactly what I'm doing.

I have DIY’d nearly every thing. I crocheted all our centerpieces (rustic pumpkins doubling as favors) bought the gauze and cut table runners. Origami flowers for boutonnières and small table decor. We are making all our food (homemade pizza) made my own fake flower floral crown, and I have been waiting for fall so I can begin my dried flower bouquet.
By the time my wedding rolls around I’ll have been planning for 2 years so much of this stuff was easily knocked out over the course of 2 years.
Cake stands, they get spendy fast. We are doing a pie bar and I really like the look of the tiers. So I bought a planter stand. All the tiers you want for $55. I am just putting it on a coffee table and it works so well. Then i have a planter stand for my patio afterwards.

I don't know where the myth that DIY saves money came from, but DIY, when you break down the time and materials involved and calculate your labor, isn't typically all that much cheaper. Of course if you are time rich and money poor, it can be an effective way to pull together a wedding on a shoestring budget.

Skipping things you don't really need and borrowing what you can are probably better cost saving options than DIYing everything. Online Save the Dates and RSVPs can save hundreds of dollars on stationary and postage. We didn't have a cake topper, skipped corsages for our moms, and considered skipping boutonnieres. We kept our place settings simple but elegant. Didn't do wedding favors. Purchased inexpensive table numbers, gift card box, etc and have offered them for our friends to borrow for their weddings.

We didn't DIY much (again, not very cost effective) but between my husband and myself and some crafty friends who wanted to help, we made a directional sign, photo display structure, table number and menu holders, and decorative hair pins for my hair. I had a friend do my hair. I did my own makeup. Three friends and I arranged florals for the reception using bulk flowers purchased from our florist. I'm a photographer and have an existing relationship with a professional print lab for my own work, so I designed and ordered our own wedding albums vs getting them through our photographer.

Hello ! I made my save the dates, timeline, flyers for the guests who don't speak the local language, books for my ceremony, table plan, table numbers, menus...