Ever since the 'DIY Weddings' online group graced Reddit in 2013, it has grown into a refreshing outlet. It's the perfect place for craft aficionados and beginners hoping to save some expenses from their budget to find inspiration, share tips, and be let in on some tricks that ensure decorations look stunning. Maybe it's not the biggest subreddit, but its nearly 25k members provide a steady stream of content that’s, more often than not, created with their own effort.

The community members mainly focus on easy-to-do projects that can be quickly achieved and look visually appealing. From beautiful accessories to beautiful elements that make the celebration look put together, the forum has something for every taste.

We've heard a million times that weddings can be incredibly special, but planning them is a stressful venture for any soon-to-be-married couple. In this equally exciting and chaotic journey, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But allow me to let you in on one little secret: there’s no such thing as a perfect wedding! All nuptials encounter plenty of ups and downs, twists and turns, and inevitable disasters, both big and small. Whether it’s a mistake in planning or an unexpected situation caused by a guest who simply had one drink too many, there’s bound to be some drama.

However, the reality is that weddings aren’t cheap. According to online wedding publication The Knot, the average cost for a wedding in 2021 was about $28,000 ($34,000 including the engagement ring), roughly the same as in 2019. But in 2020, the cost was around $19,000 because the pandemic caused weddings to downsize.

"At the beginning of the pandemic, weddings came to a sudden halt (as did everything else!) and couples were forced to postpone, and some cancel, due to not being able to host their original guest count," Erica Estrada, San Francisco-based wedding planner, and designer, told Brides.

"It was an extremely sad and, quite frankly, stressful time for so many with many losing large amounts of money that had already been paid toward executing their wedding day."

As a result of those uncertain times, some vendors are raising their costs. "Flower farms lost acres and acres of product for the weddings that were not allowed, then causing an increase in florals to pay farmers and an increased demand of flowers once weddings began to resume," Estrada explained.

"Just like any other profession, most wedding vendors work in this industry full-time and having months with no weddings and the turn of the industry for the foreseeable future, price increases to make a living may be the only way many will be able to sustain during this time."

No wonder so many brides and grooms are seeking smarter and cheaper alternatives when it comes to their looks and decorations. But while these couples are taking matters into their own hands, there’s a lot to know about hosting the DIY wedding of your dreams.

Tackling the planning for your big day on your own takes a lot of work, time, and effort. Of course, all of this will be worthwhile when you walk down the aisle, but entering this chaotic arena will be easier if you’re aware of a few tips and tricks that can make the whole process much more manageable.

Start by creating a wedding mood board. According to a blog post on Junebug Weddings, "They help guide decisions and keep your holistic vision in mind while also visually describing your desires to your wedding team."

Moreover, they serve as an inspiration and become especially handy when DIYing items yourself. "Have you found a centerpiece that you want to recreate? What about a backdrop that you absolutely have to have? Tackling these items will be much easier when you have images to refer to."

In a bid to keep your sanity intact, consider asking friends and family for help. "Your wedding party and family members are there to make your special day just that–special! Get together and make DIY projects fun with movies, snacks, and wine. This way, you’re crossing things off of your list quicker and making them more enjoyable for yourself."

When it comes to decorations, handcrafted pieces can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. And they can be extremely satisfying to make! "Events are all about creating memorable experiences for yourself and your guests," Virginia Frischkorn, founder of Bluebird Productions, told AD It Yourself. "We love DIY’ing a few elements as the level of investment needed when you get your hands dirty creates really rich memories."

"A great DIY project can be the perfect special touch to bring yourself and your partner even more so into the fabric of the celebration," Alicia Fritz, founder of A Day in May Events based in Traverse City, Michigan, agreed with this line of thinking.

We hope this list will inspire you to pick up a few tools, try out some of the projects featured in the list, and have a blast while you create something beautiful and feel an outpouring of love. We’d love to hear your thoughts about these examples. Which DIY projects were your favorite ones? Did any of them motivate you to craft something for yourself? Feel free to let us know all about it in the comments below!