The DIY Debate

DIY (or "do it yourself") projects are becoming increasingly popular amongst today's brides. And I can relate - I know first-hand how rewarding {and easy on the wallet} some wedding DIY projects can be.

However, there are many things to note when considering a DIY invitation for your wedding:

Time
It takes the average bride approximately 10 minutes to produce one DIY invitation - this is factoring in all of the custom design, cutting, printing and assembling associated with invitations.

Paper Quality
The quality of cardstock available at local craft stores is usually of lower quality {and typically costs more per sheet} than the cardstock used at your local invitation vendor.

Printing
Whether you're considering a printing session at home or sourcing to a local printer, it could cost up to $1.00/sheet to print in color. {When you think about the number of invitations, response cards, and additional inserts needed....this adds up quickly!}

Guarantees
If a mistake is discovered after everything is assembled - there is no contract or guarantee in place that will fix them free-of-charge. {Possibly adding up to even more unforeseen expenses.}

Etiquette
When it comes to wording your invitations and other wedding stationery, you want to ensure that you're going about it the proper way. The last people that you want to offend are your wedding guests. While there are many articles online with etiquette suggestions, your local stationery vendor can provide firsthand expertise on how to properly format, write and address your wedding stationery.


So if you're considering a large DIY project - be sure to weigh all of your pros and cons. While it's a great feeling to be hands-on in your wedding planning, remember it can be less stressful {and even more cost and time effective} to simply leave it in the hands of the professionals. =)