by Danielle Andrews, President and Co-Founder of The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada Inc.
Everyone wants to save a bit of money on their wedding and DIY projects are a great way to do just that. However, as Wedding Planners, we know there are certain things that should be left to the professionals.
Wedding DIY Don’ts
1. Wedding Photos. This cannot be stressed enough. Far too many couples have hired a cousin or friend to take some casual photos at their wedding in an effort to save costs, only to be disappointed later on. They may think that quality photos won’t matter to them but they do make a big difference, especially considering a professional photographer takes hundreds of photos in order to select a handful of beautiful shots that are then also processed. Everyone wants to look back at flattering photos of themselves on their big day and even if they’re convinced that a friend or family member will do an excellent job, it will never quite be what a seasoned wedding photographer can produce.
2. Wedding Cake. Wedding cakes are works of art and masterpieces of engineering. A bride rarely has time to prepare hundreds of cupcakes right before her wedding, and a stacked cake requires dowels and leveling, and a level of expertise that most home-chefs do not possess. It is also important to note, that while Aunt Alice can make beautiful, pretty cakes for family occasions, it is doubtful that she has a commercial, health-inspected kitchen at home.
3. Hair and Makeup. Unless your bride has an in-depth knowledge of makeup and hairstyles and could be mistaken for a pro, it’s recommended that she hire a professional. Wedding makeup artists and hair stylists know how to make wedding hair and makeup last the entire day, and what makeup looks best in photos, which is something your bride definitely wants. Plus, this is her wedding day and she should be pampered and taken care of.
4. Catering. Catering for a wedding is far more stressful and time-consuming than couples imagine and even if they rope in friends and family members, it could still end up causing them more stress than saving money is worth. Professional caterers know exactly what goes into preparing food for large groups of people and how to store and transport the food safely too. Besides, wedding guests are guests, they should not be put to work at the wedding.
5. Music. It may sound simple enough to just put all of the music on an iPod and play it through a hired speaker but there’s something so useful about having a professional DJ or musician assist a couple with their music for the day, especially when it comes to gauging the crowd and keeping the party going.
When helping your couple to decide on their wedding DIY projects, really think about and explain everything that goes into successfully completing that specific task before letting them take it on themselves.
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