What has always been popular and will only become more so with all that is going on “out there” is considering and attempting to DIY the whole wedding or at least parts where the cost in the savings seems to outweigh the time and the effort of doing it yourself.
Out of the all the floral items that a bride-to-be might consider doing herself is the Centerpiece.
Its significance revolves around the fact that its multiples, whether it’s an intimate wedding of 5 tables or a large event of 50 tables affects the budget the most significantly.
Depending on a couple’s expectations for the wedding in general, DIY is not always a practical consideration. For instance, large tree-like centerpieces with branching and candles is probably best left to a professional.
However, I think for those who “budget” is the operative word before the word wedding, at least attempting DIY would make sense.
The simple equation is that the savings needs to be greater than the time in effort, thought and legwork. And the reality is that it’ll probably take more time that you think.
Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind when considering any type of DIY:
- Choose a simple idea. Making flower arrangements without experience or taking Martha’s word for it that you can make that rose tiered wedding cake is a stress you won’t want the week of the wedding.
- Buy a sample of everything before purchasing your set quantity. You may find that your first idea may not work out the way you originally thought.
- Practice before you make the real ones. A couple of trial runs so that making them is not one more stress on a long list of items before the wedding day
- Plan for adequate transportation. The logistics are always the last thing to be considered when perhaps they should be the first.
When a client tells me that they will attempt to DIY the centerpieces, I understand the reasons why. I also know they there have also be equally as many instances, when I end up making it for them, because depending on the situation, it doesn’t end up being the great savings that it appeared to be.