5 Reasons Why it Might Not be Worth DIYing Your Wedding Decor

So, the date and venue are set, guest list written, and planning is well under way!

Time to figure out the decor! The idea of DIY décor, while seemingly economic, may not be all it is cracked up to be!

Here are a few things to consider when deciding if investing in an Event Stylist should be part of your budget!

1. Start with the most basic of DIY wedding decor, the table decor!

Spoiler Alert, $$$!

First, you need linens. Let’s figure a very conservative price tag of $7 for a very basic white or cream tablecloth. Add another $2 for a really basic runner. If you go with lace, burlap or linen, you can spend upwards $20 a runner.

For this purpose we will figure basic linens at a minimum $9 for each table.

Then, you have to design the centerpiece. This is where the prices really add up! Let’s take a wood bowl centerpiece like this one.

These primitive dough bowls are going to run about $10 a bowl, if you find the right source. Then you have half a bag of rocks bought at the dollar store to fill it. You are at $10.50 and you have not even started to add decor. Say you wanted some really nice succulents. Even in a craft store, you will pay around $3-$4 per bloom. Sure, you can hit up the dollar store, but firstly, they look plastic, secondly, their selection is very limited & third, you are still $1 per bloom. So, if you are using 3 succulents per bowl, you are anywhere from $3-$12 for the succulents. Of course, that is a pretty bland centerpiece by itself. You need to add in some lighting, floral blooms, and greenery. I use 3 candles per table. Sometimes more, but for budget purposes, we will say 3. Each tea light/votive is going to be about $1.50. The final item may be optional, but it is the item that takes the look over the top. Add in the cost for enough greenery and floral blooms to make it look beautiful and you will rack up another $10 per table. Let’s do the math….

$9 + $10.50 + $3 to $12 + $4.50 + $10 = $37+ PER ROUND TABLE! Figure more for a long rectangle.

NOW, multiply that by 10-15 tables for the average event!

Sure, there are thriftier methods such as sourcing some items via 2nd hand resources, and that leads us to the next topic....

2. So, you are super thrifty and want to source all your decor second-hand?

Keep in mind that weddings take A LOT of decor! Trying to find enough items for your tables alone, is time consuming! It can be done, in fact, it is done all the time. I did it with these wood bowls! It literally took me 6 months of hitting up every thrift store, auction, yard and estate sale to find enough of these beauties for 15 tables!

You already have so many things on your plate, do you REALLY want to spend every Saturday hitting up yard sales and every Monday and Wednesday hitting up the thrift stores?

IF time = $, then you likely spent a whole lot of $$$ to get that deal!

3. That brings us to the topic of TIME and SANITY!!!

By now, you have likely spent 3-6 months sourcing everything for the perfect wedding decor. You are probably way over budget AND it has been super stressful organizing it all AND NOW, THE morning of your big day, YOU get to set it all up!

Maybe you have a Mom, best friend, sister, aunt, grandma etc that will do it for you. Do they REALLY have YOUR vision? Being a DIYer at heart, I know that every DIYer has a particular look in their mind! If you didn’t you wouldn’t be a DIYer!

So, you make sure every single needed item is packed perfectly, has instructions or pictures of exactly how to put it together, you become *gasp* a MICROMANAGER!

You, THE BRIDE, end up spending the hours before the biggest moment of your life, decorating and micromanaging!

TAKE IT FROM ME, the gal who did her own wedding, if you were not a bridezilla before, YOU WILL BECOME ONE DOING THE DECORATING!!!

This IS NOT THE WAY YOU WANT TO SPEND YOUR DAY!!! TRUST ME ON THIS!!!

Note to you DIYer Moms….also trust me when I say you will enjoy your daughter’s wedding day so much more when you are not running around finishing up all the little details. Instead, you can enjoy those special pictures of you and your daughter as she prepares to walk down down the isle!

And hopefully you won't get pics like these taken of me at both my daughters weddings!

CAN YOU SAY STRESSED???

4. Flip it so you break even???

You are thrifty, and so you get a bright idea to save another bride all the hard work of sourcing and make your $$$ back!

You will simply put everything on marketplace and sell it all together in one fail swoop and its money in the bank!!!

Here is where it gets tricky! Just because you got the perfect look for your day, does not mean it will be the perfect look for another bride! Each person is unique and wants their wedding to be styled for them, not the last person that owned the decor. Maybe you will sell an item here or there, but I get contacted all the time by brides wanting to know if I want their decor. They have been storing it in their parents’ garage for 6 months and are ready to just get rid of it!

Often, items get sent back to the thrift store or sold for pennies on the dollar. You may think if you buy it, you can flip it and break even, but it rarely happens that way. There are just way too many variables in that scenario and the time and energy that takes can lead to more frustration than it is worth!

5. $$$ Overall costs $$$

So, we broke down the table decor costs, but that is just a drop in the bucket. Add in backdrops, arches, floral, lighting, chair bows, signage, cake table display, sign in table display and all of the special touches around the venue that make it romantic and oh so perfect!

It is not just silly decor; it’s a backdrop to YOUR special day, one you will cherish for life!

The backdrop for pictures and laughter, love and all the other happy feels on your perfect day!

Sure, you can skimp or "keep it simple."

However, having a beautiful setting just brings that extra special touch.

It is YOUR special day!

MAKE IT LOOK SPECIAL! !!!

So, when you figure all of the props, backdrops, decor, lighting etc., you will spend even more time, stress and money to source, build or rent each item you will use. It will likely be more than it would cost to have a professional Wedding Stylist do it all for you! A Stylist will create the perfect, unique backdrop for all that you want your day to encompass! They will pay attention to even the smallest detail and bring a WOW factor you deserve!

And above all else, hiring a Stylist will allow you and your loved ones to enjoy every part of your special day, laughing, loving and celebrating amidst the beauty of the perfect backdrop that was created uniquely for you!

Want to know more about Felicity Finds Styling Services,

Message

me today!

I can help make your day AMAZING!!!

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