What Not to DIY Or Cut Costs On for Your Wedding: 10 Things Worth the Investment
Planning a wedding can be one of the most exciting and expensive times in your life. Naturally, couples look for ways to cut costs, and DIY projects seem like a fun and budget-friendly option. But while DIY can work for some elements, there are key areas where cutting corners can lead to unnecessary stress, disappointment, and unexpected expenses. If you want a smooth, memorable, and beautiful wedding, these are the things you may want to reconsider DIY-ing or skimping on.
1. Photography & Videography: Your Memories Deserve a Pro
Your wedding photos and videos aren’t just for the day. They're timeless memories that you'll cherish forever. They’ll remind you of how you felt on the day and transport you back to the amazing experience that was your wedding day. Professional photographers and videographers understand how to capture the moments that matter most, from the tear in your Dad’s eye to your best friend's dance floor antics. DIY photos or hiring a friend with a camera can lead to blurry, poorly lit, or missed moments. Remember, you can't recreate these memories. An experienced professional knows how to find the best angles, use lighting effectively, and capture emotions authentically. They’re worth their weight in gold (well, within your budget)…and they are one of the only things you pay for that lasts beyond the wedding day!
Pro Tip: Review portfolios thoroughly, read reviews, and schedule a consultation to ensure the photographer/videographer’s style aligns with your vision.
2. Wedding Planner or Day-of Coordinator: Your Secret Weapon Against Stress
A professional wedding planner or on-the-day coordinator is like having a backstage manager for your big day. They handle logistics, communicate with vendors, and troubleshoot issues before you even know they exist. Attempting to manage it all yourself, or asking a friend who should be enjoying your day can result in miscommunications, missed details, and unnecessary chaos. Wedding planners and coordinators take time to get to understand your vision and what’s most important to you. On the wedding day, they only have one focus - to pull it off for you! Also, a venue co-ordinator is not the same as an on-the-day coordinator or wedding planner, they are still amazing at what they do, but only concentrate on venue-specific tasks and logistics, whereas having a personal planner or coordinator in addition, means they can make sure the details aside from the venue that means the most to you go off without a hitch!
Pro Tip: Even if a full-service planner isn’t in the budget, a day-of coordinator can be a lifesaver for ensuring a smooth, stress-free event.
3. Your Ceremony: The Heart of the Day Deserves a Pro Who Gets You
It might seem easy to ask a friend or family member to lead your ceremony, to keep costs down and make it personal, but there’s a big difference between someone reading a DIY script and someone guiding the emotional core of your day with confidence and care. A professional celebrant doesn’t just show up and speak — they get to know you, craft a ceremony that reflects your personalities and story, and deliver it with warmth, humour, and meaning. They’ll hold the space, calm your nerves, and keep your guests fully present and engaged.
Pro Tip: Look for a celebrant whose style matches your vibe, who takes time to get to know you, and who has great testimonials about making ceremonies personal, seamless, and unforgettable.
4. Catering: Because Guests Will Remember the Food
Food, good or bad, creates lasting impressions. Good food fills people up, but great food gets people talking! A professional caterer understands portion sizes, timing, food safety, and presentation. DIY catering or hiring an amateur can lead to undercooked food, limited options, hungry guests and presentation mishaps. A professional caterer will help you consider how to make your budget go far, what theming or presentation aligns with your vision, and how the set-up will allow the best flow and experience for your guests. Plus, who wants the stress of cooking or managing food service on their wedding day?
Pro Tip: Ask potential caterers about their experience with weddings, their food safety practices, and if they offer tasting sessions to align with your vision.
5. Entertainment (DJ/Band): Set the Right Mood
Your entertainment is the heartbeat of your reception. A professional DJ or band will know how to read the room, keep the energy flowing, and avoid awkward pauses. DIY playlists or an inexperienced DJ can lead to empty dance floors, repetition of songs, awkward silences, tech issues or even sometimes platform adverts!!
Pro Tip: Choose entertainers who specialise in weddings, have experience with diverse audiences, and can handle unexpected technical issues.
6. Venue: The Foundation of Your Wedding Experience
Choosing the right venue is more than just about looks; it's about logistics and service too. The best professional, all-in venues offer structured set-ups, built-in amenities, and experienced staff who manage the flow of the day. DIY venues can be a great choice, however, there are more questions to consider if going down this route, as they can lead to hidden costs, such as renting furniture and restrooms, or handling unexpected weather changes, as well as lack of support when things don’t go as planned.
Pro Tip: Visit venues in person, ask about inclusions, and enquire about contingency plans for weather or guest capacity changes etc.
7. Florals & Decor: Professional Touches Make a Difference
While DIY centrepieces may seem like a budget win, professional florists can bring artistry, sourcing expertise, and logistical coordination. DIY can lead to last-minute stress, wilting flowers, and mismatched designs. Other centrepiece decor or artificial floristry can also be a way to lessen cost, but hiring from a professional still ensures safe delivery and collection without any storage costs and a professional finish that’ll wow your guests and look magnificent in your photos. Professional centrepiece makers will have considered and have expertise in things you may have not. For example ensuring you can see over or through the centrepiece to the other side of the table, weight and stability distribution and longevity/sustainability.
Pro Tip: Discuss seasonal blooms with your florist to save costs without sacrificing style. Always ask about setup and teardown services.
8. Hair & Makeup: Confidence Starts with Looking Your Best
Your photos last a lifetime and you only plan to get married once, so you want to feel amazing and the best version of yourself on the day. Professional hair and makeup artists ensure you look flawless all day while providing an enjoyable experience of getting ready before the ceremony. They understand different looks, complementary colours and have an extensive amount of different products and tools to choose from. DIY attempts can backfire with uneven tones, smudged eyeliner, and makeup that doesn’t photograph well, or hair that doesn’t stay in place for the whole day!
Pro Tip: Schedule a trial run to confirm your look, and ensure your artist uses long-lasting, photography-friendly products.
9. Wedding Attire Alterations: Perfect Fit = Perfect Confidence
Your dress or suit should fit like a glove. Skipping professional alterations can result in discomfort and wardrobe malfunctions that take away from your confidence and comfort on the day. Imagine if your dress strap breaks or your trousers rip just at a big moment during your day - you may be able to laugh it off, but you’ve invested a lot of time, money and thought into how you look and feel on your day, so for anything not to look or feel right on your wedding day would be a shame.
Pro Tip: Put aside budget for alterations when purchasing attire. A perfectly tailored dress or suit is always worth the investment. After all, you either only get to wear it once, in which case you want it to be perfect, or it’s something you want to wear again, so needs to stand the test of time!
10. Rentals (Chairs, Tables, Linens): Details Matter
Mismatched, damaged, or low-quality rentals can detract from the aesthetic of your wedding. Professional rental companies offer high-quality, matching pieces and ensure everything is clean and presentable. It also means you don’t have to take anything away with you after as this is all taken care of by the hire company. You also won’t have to wash anything up or worry about fidning matching things on eBay or Facebook Marketplace!