Planning a DIY wedding? We’re all for it, truly! There’s something so special about adding your own personal touch to your big day.

But before you appoint yourself as day-of coordinator or hand the mic to your eccentric uncle as MC, here’s the truth: not every part of a wedding day is meant to be DIY’d.

If you’re going to paint the signs, thrift the centerpieces, or design your own invitations, there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind first. Let’s walk through where professionals matter most—and how to save money without sacrificing your sanity.

DIY Wedding Don’ts

Photography & Videography

Your wedding photos and video are the one thing you cannot redo. Once the day has come and gone, that’s it.

We’ve seen couples ask a talented friend to capture everything or skip video altogether. But here’s the reality: your wedding day will move FAST. Even if your friend is an excellent hobby photographer, it’s unlikely they’ll anticipate moments before they happen and capture them in real time.

A professional photographer or videographer knows how to roll with the punches. They’ll:

• Capture genuine emotion without being intrusive
• Handle tricky lighting situations
• Pivot seamlessly when the unexpected happens (and yes—it’s when, not if)
• Keep your timeline in mind so nothing falls behind

The cake will be eaten. The flowers will wilt. The night will fly by.

Your photos and video are what you’ll have 10, 20, even 50 years from now. If you’re going to invest anywhere, invest here.

Entertainment

As a husband-and-wife planner and DJ team, we’ve seen firsthand what happens when couples attempt to DIY their wedding entertainment.

It’s easy to assume a DJ is replaceable. “We’ll just make a Spotify playlist, ask our cousin to MC, and rent speakers.” Simple, right?

Not quite.

A professional DJ (like Dominic!) does far more than press “play.” Think of them as the host of your dance floor. They:

• Read the room in real time
• Adjust energy levels throughout the night
• Manage smooth transitions and announcements
• Troubleshoot technical issues instantly
• Keep the reception aligned with the timeline

A playlist can’t do that. It won’t know when the dance floor needs a boost, when dinner is running late, or when the microphone suddenly stops working.

Entertainment is the heartbeat of your reception. When it’s off, everyone feels it.

Day-Of Coordination

This one is huge—and we say that as DIY wedding advocates!

Some couples think, “We planned it all. We just need someone to set things out.” But a day-of coordinator (like Serena!) does so much more than simple setup.

Your timeline won’t run itself. Even if every detail is perfectly planned, someone has to:

• Keep vendors on schedule
• Direct the flow of events
• Handle problems before you even hear about them
• Protect the overall experience

Without a designated coordinator, guess who steps in?
Your mom. Your maid of honor. Or worse—you.

And that changes the entire feel of the day.

You deserve to sip your coffee, soak in the morning, and be fully present—not answering vendor texts in your bathrobe at 9 a.m. Let a day-of coordinator protect your experience.

DIY Wedding Do’s

Now that we’ve covered what not to DIY, let’s talk about how to do it right.

Count the True Cost

Here’s something many couples don’t realize: DIY is rarely “cheap.”

While it can save money, it always costs time, energy, and mental bandwidth. It may also require:

• Storage space
• Transportation
• Setup labor
• Teardown labor

Before committing to any DIY project, ask yourself:

• Who is making this?
• Who is setting it up?
• Who is cleaning it up?

If the answer to any of those is “me, the week of the wedding,” reconsider. Future-you will be grateful.

Finish Early & Assign Helpers

Chronic procrastinators, this one’s for you.

If you’re going to DIY, nothing should be assembled the week of your wedding. You’ll already have enough on your plate without adding crafting or baking to the mix.

Aim to complete all DIY projects two to three weeks in advance. Everything should be:

• Clearly labeled
• Organized in bins or boxes
• Ready for someone else to set up

Speaking of which—assign specific people to setup and teardown duty ahead of time. Whether it’s members of your wedding party or trusted family members, clarity prevents stress.

Protect the Experience

Here’s the rule we follow when helping couples decide what to DIY:

DIY what adds personality. Hire what protects peace.

If a project brings you joy and adds meaningful detail, go for it! But if it affects:

• Guest experience
• Timing
• Safety
• Food quality
• A major visual moment

…it’s probably worth hiring a professional.

Saving a little money will never be worth sacrificing how your wedding day feels.

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Looking for more guidance on planning your DIY wedding?

Inside the Wedding Duo Membership, you’ll find instructional videos and practical planning tools designed to make your life easier. You’ll even get personalized advice on our weekly planning call.

And the best part? It’s just $27/month—a fraction of the cost of a full-service planner. Join today and discover how enjoyable wedding planning can truly be. We can’t wait to see you there!