Is a DIY wedding cheaper?
Often the choice to have a DIY wedding is made to save money. But is a DIY wedding cheaper? It isn’t always the outcome, not to mention all the extra stress and the hours of organising the day yourself.
The idea of a relaxed backyard wedding, surrounded by family and fairy lights, is lovely. But behind that picture is a long list of things a venue would normally take care of for you, and every one of them has a cost, in money, time or both.
A wedding on a family property
Of course, if you’d love to get married on a family property for sentimental reasons, then the cost of a semi-DIY wedding is simply part of making that dream happen, and it can be truly special. But if your main goal is to save money, make sure you calculate every component before committing to the DIY idea. Think it through very carefully.
The hidden DIY wedding costs
When you add up the DIY wedding costs, the list grows quickly. Here’s what you might need to organise and pay for.
Shelter and furniture. A marquee wedding needs the marquee itself, plus tables, chairs and a dance floor. Depending on the season, you may also need fans or heating.
Food and drink. Crockery, cutlery and glassware, a catering company (or a lot of cooking, if you’re taking DIY that far), alcohol, bar staff and serving staff.
Comfort and logistics. Portable toilets, lighting, power, and one or two people to direct parking. Don’t forget a wet-weather plan, too.
Atmosphere. Decorations, and music, whether that’s a DJ or a band.
Before and after. On a private family property, there’s also all the gardening and preparation beforehand, and the cleaning up afterwards.
Oh dear! I’m getting exhausted just thinking about it.
Venue vs DIY wedding: get quotes first
Before you decide on the type of wedding you’ll have, it’s well worth looking around at some venues and getting quotes on how much they’d charge to do almost everything. Then put the two side by side. Many venues include tables, chairs, crockery, staff, catering and a coordinator on the day in one package, and once you add up every item on the DIY list, the venue can turn out to be surprisingly good value.
A happy middle ground
If your heart is set on a backyard wedding or a family property, you don’t have to do it all yourself. A wedding planner or an on-the-day coordinator can manage your suppliers and run the day, so you and your family can actually enjoy it. Hiring caterers who bring their own staff and equipment can also take a huge amount off your list.
Your day to enjoy
You only get one day to get married. You really want to be able to relax and thoroughly enjoy that very special day with all your nearest and dearest, not spend it worrying whether there are enough glasses or who’s restocking the toilets.
DIY wedding FAQs
Is a DIY wedding cheaper than a venue? Not always. Once you add up hire, staff, catering, toilets, decorations and cleaning, a venue package can be similar or even better value.
What do I need for a backyard or marquee wedding? A marquee, tables, chairs, a dance floor, crockery, cutlery, glassware, catering, alcohol and bar staff, toilets, lighting, music, decorations, parking help and a wet-weather plan.
Is a wedding on a family property a good idea? It can be beautiful and meaningful. Just budget carefully and get help, so you’re not running the day yourself.
How do I compare a venue vs a DIY wedding? Get full quotes from a few venues, then add up every DIY cost and compare them side by side.
Whatever kind of wedding you choose, I hope it’s everything you dream of!
