DIY or Hire Vendors?

kjerl · December 2011

Hi All!

So we have finally nailed down a date and venue! We are going with Budleigh in Oct 2012...and I think we have also decided on using Kelly's to cater.

I did some research, and since we are on a budget I am trying to figure out if it would be cheaper to buy and do things ourselves (buy/resell linens, create our own centerpieces, etc)

We are trying to keep things simple and inexpensive, but still look classic.

I really like the look of hydrangeas and roses, maybe in a square vase surrounded by some candles.

What are things that you wouldn't DIY (besides catering)?

Any thoughts/suggestions?

eeforbes · December 2011

I'm with you on the flowers. I got some quotes and was absolutely blown away. So, I am planning on ordering exactly what you are (hydrangeas from Sam's and roses from another website), buying the vases I need at the Dollar Tree and votives that will be less than 50 cents a piece at Hobby Lobby. Tons of people here have also ordered flowers from Harris Teeter, etc.

The one thing I am using a florist for are the bouquets and boutonierres (sp?). I doubt they would be too too hard to make, but they require more floral skills than the centerpieces, and I think they would stress me out too much.

I am also doing my own out of town bags and schedules, and my own seating assignment/escort stuff.

I think you can definitely do tons of things yourself! I would think about timing before the wedding for the various things though (i.e. you can do more if you can do them ahead of time, but flowers have to be done pretty close, etc.). Just be sure to plan it out and enlist help so you don't get bogged down. I think also recognizing what is beyond you and where your skills lie to choose projects that are doable and will save you money!

*** I have no idea why this post came up before yours! If anyone knows how to fix it let me know - sorry!!

jendem8 · December 2011

Hello! I'm actually using the Budleigh and Kelly's too. Our wedding is June 22, 2012. We're hiring a florist to do the bouquets but are DIYing the centerpieces. I bought a ton of square vases (3 different sizes for the centerpieces), mixed with tall round vases (for branches and flowers), and candles, and I plan to buy tablecloths and napkins too (I will be selling everything when we're done to get some money back). We're going to get flowers through Maggi from Harris Teeter in Kitty Hawk, so that will save a ton of money for us on flowers (the florist wanted to charge $150 per centerpiece... and they aren't even that complicated!). I know Maggi can definitely get hydrangeas and roses, so I would highly recommend talking to her. I'm not doing a lot of DIY, but after planning for a while (it's been a year so far), I'll provide you with a list of things I would and would not DIY (personally, we're just doing flowers, decor, and programs/menus). Also, we're not having any sort of planner and my dad is making the benches to put on the beach for the ceremony.

Things I would consider DIYing: centerpieces, programs, invites, save-the-dates, decor (i.e. linens and candles), DJ (maybe), officiant (also a maybe, if you know someone who would be good), buying or making most things instead of renting, wedding planner, ceremony music

Things I would not DIY: photographer, cake, catering (obviously), bouquets

Think in advance about anything you want to splurge on (for me it was a groom's cake, the specific photographer I chose, and the archway/backdrop for the ceremony). Everything has definitely added up though! Good luck and let us know if you have any other specific questions!

kjerl · December 2011

Thanks for the tips, ladies! I have plenty of time, so I am trying to do what I can here and there so I don't go crazy next September

I am probably doing things out of order, but so far I have purchased a groupon that I am planning on using for the STDs, and just bought wedding favors (they were on sale $1.95 down to .71!)

I saw some centerpieces at the crate and barrel for $3/each but wasn't sure about the size...

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/outlet/home-accessories/bubble-6%22-vase/s506004

I feel like Budleigh is so pretty, it doesn't need too much done to it

I know a lot of other brides have been married there, I would love to see other's pictures for inspiration.

Planning is fun, but so time consuming!

sangriaMaria · December 2011

I did a lot of DIY for our wedding. Kjerl, we have some very similar themes. I did blue hydrangeas with ivory roses in the center for my bouquet, and blue hydrangeas with white freesias and green hypericum berries for my MOH's bouquet. My centerpieces alternated tables between hurricane vases with ivory pillar candles surrounded by sand and seashells, and square 4" glass vases filled with limes, blue hydrangeas and green hypericum berries. And lots of lit votives all around. My STDs, invites, program fans, kids' activity books and OOT brochures were all DIY. I used Vistaprint for some of the paper stuff too. I bought my linens, some plates, glasses and chargers. Here are some of the pictures of my decor and flowers:

kjerl · December 2011

Thanks for the pictures

love the blue!

Smkudm01 · December 2011

Do NOT use Bells & Whistles for your wedding. Dorothy took a $500 deposit from me, ignored me until 3 weeks before my wedding, FINALLY sent me a proposal for flowers that included $3,000 of services we never discussed, told me that I cannot change our contract because it's too close to the wedding, charged me ANOTHER $500 to my credit card without my authorization, and did not do ANY flowers for my wedding. It took 6 weeks after my wedding to get a "refund" and Dorothy only sent me $150.00. This is THE WORST business I have ever dealt wiht, and was an absolute nightmare before my wedding.

You're better off doing them yourself.

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