When it comes to planning a wedding, the temptation to take the DIY route is real. After all, weddings are expensive! And for better or for worse, Pinterest paints a picture that DIY-ing your wedding day will allow you to showcase your creativity and stretch your budget a little bit further. Sounds easy and stress-free, right? (Can you sense our gentle sarcasm yet?)
Dear brides, we understand! We really do. But we also think you should know what you’re getting yourself into. As an experienced Lubbock wedding caterer with countless events under our belts, we’ve seen our share of “Pinterest fails” and we’re here to tell you… there are some things that are better left to the experts.
Now, are we implying that you should do away with inspiration boards and steer clear of your favorite craft store? Of course not! Every wedding, budget, and couple is unique and you have the freedom to make the choices that fit your situation best. We just recommend – along with most event experts – that you entrust these 5 important elements to the pros, if possible!
1. Floral
Since fresh flowers have to be handled the day of the ceremony – and in some cases, even moments before the ceremony – it’s best to hire a professional florist for your wedding. Otherwise, you’ll be trimming stems and assembling bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces in the moments meant for getting ready and enjoying your day with your closest family and friends. If you’re overwhelmed with the options, a Lubbock wedding caterer (like us!) will gladly recommend their favorite florists to work alongside. All you have to do is ask!
2. Photography
Just because your second cousin’s boyfriend took a photography course last semester and has kindly offered to shoot your wedding for free or cheap, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Wedding photography is an art that requires a ton of skill and technical know-how. Look for a professional with plenty of experience, positive reviews, and an editing style that you’ll appreciate for years to come. Remember: your photos are one of the few tangible things that you’ll take away from your wedding day. Risking it for a heavy discount may leave you seriously disappointed in the final outcome.
3. Food
Even IF you’re the best chef in the family, a bride should never be in charge of making the food for her own reception, especially if the guest list exceeds 40 people. You simply cannot prepare, serve, and coordinate food service at your own wedding without missing the bulk of the party. And can you imagine the stress? We don’t even wanna think about it. If you’re planning a wedding in the Lubbock area, go ahead and schedule a free, one-hour consultation with our team at Heart & Soul Cuisine! We’ll discuss menus, pricing, coordinating, and all the details you shouldn’t have to worry about.
4. Wedding Cake
If wedding cakes are just flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, why are they so expensive? You could easily do it yourself, right? Well – trust us – a multi-tiered dessert is not something you want to “whip up” the night before your wedding. Even if you bake regularly and find it relaxing, there are SO many things that could go wrong in the process. And we haven’t even mentioned transporting the cake to the venue. Cake catastrophes happen every day, not just in the movies. Our advice? Leave the task to a professional bakery and enjoy a restful night of sleep before your big day.
5. Makeup
We know… Kate Middleton did her own makeup for her wedding to Prince William in 2011. And you could, too! But just understand – photographic makeup is different from everyday wear. When you hire a professional makeup artist, you’re getting the experience, products, and expertise of a trained professional. Not only will they give you a customized look that enhances your natural beauty and blends seamlessly with your wedding, but they know how to make you look amazing in your photos, too.
