Your Ultimate Guide to a Stress-Free DIY Wedding in the UK
Planning your wedding can be a mix of excitement and stress, but a DIY approach gives you the chance to create a truly personal day, often at a fraction of the cost. Whether you're doing everything yourself or just certain parts, these tips will help make your wedding day run smoothly.
Cake & Flowers: Making Them Last
Keeping Your Cake Perfect
Your wedding cake is a showstopper, so keeping it fresh until the big moment is essential. Store it in a cool, dry place and avoid placing it in direct sunlight or too close to heaters. If you're getting married during the warmer months, make sure to consult your baker about the best ways to store and transport it. They might suggest refrigeration or special packaging to keep it looking picture-perfect.
Bouquet in a Vase
Once you've walked down the aisle, don’t forget about your bouquet! Place it in a vase of water during the reception meal. This keeps your flowers fresh and vibrant, while also serving as a beautiful centrepiece for your head table.
Bridesmaids' Bouquets as Decor
Why not get more out of your floral investment? Instead of letting your bridesmaids' bouquets wilt in a corner, use them as table centrepieces. Not only does this save you money on extra decorations, but it also keeps the flowers fresh and in the spotlight for longer.
Evening Reception: Planning for Comfort & Fun
Stock Up on Extra Napkins
As the night progresses, your guests will likely be indulging in late-night snacks and drinks. Make sure you have more than enough napkins on hand for those extra nibbles, especially if you’re offering finger foods or a dessert table.
Make the Most of Leftover Buffet Food
Planning on a buffet during your reception? Don’t let that delicious food go to waste! Instead of prepping a whole new set of snacks for the evening, repurpose some of your leftover buffet food for late-night bites. It's a practical way to minimise waste while keeping guests satisfied.
Ensure Plenty of Seating
As your reception goes on, guests will appreciate having comfortable places to rest. Make sure you have plenty of chairs or lounge areas where people can sit down, especially later in the evening. You’ll be glad for the extra seating when your guests need a breather from dancing!
Key Venue Tips for a Smooth Day
Tip 1. Mind Your Cake Table Placement
Where you place your cake is more important than you think! Avoid putting the cake table too close to the DJ or band setup, as the vibrations and foot traffic can cause damage to your beautiful dessert. Make sure it’s in a place where everyone can see it, but not too close to high-traffic areas.
tip 2. Have Extra Glassware on Hand
Guests will often misplace or reuse glasses throughout the evening, so it's always smart to rent more glassware than you think you'll need. This will prevent any frantic washing-up during the party and ensures your guests won’t be left without something to toast with!
tip 3. Plan Ahead for Rubbish
Don’t forget about cleaning up. A good tip is to designate an area for rubbish and recycling at your venue. Having this pre-arranged can prevent clutter from building up and makes clean-up at the end of the night much easier. If your budget allows, consider hiring extra staff just for tidying throughout the event.
Must-Have Supplies for the Big Day
Be prepared for any last-minute DIY emergencies with a kit of essential supplies.
Here's what to include:
- Scissors
- Sellotape
- Duct tape
- Blu-Tac
- A sturdy knife (for cake or other needs)
- Spare pins, safety pins, and a mini sewing kit
These items can help solve a variety of potential hiccups, from adjusting decorations to fixing a broken strap.
A big part of a DIY wedding is figuring out how many staff you need. While the number can vary depending on the size of your guest list and type of service, here’s a general breakdown based on different roles to help guide your planning:
1. Event Coordinator/Manager
Number: 1
Role: This person is your go-to for the day, ensuring everything runs smoothly from setup to teardown. They’ll handle any last-minute changes, liaise with suppliers, and manage the schedule so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
2. Waiting Staff
Number: For a sit-down meal, aim for 1 waiter per 10-12 guests. For more informal service like a buffet, you can go with 1 waiter per 20 guests.
Role: The waiting staff will handle serving food, pouring drinks, and clearing tables. They’ll keep everything moving efficiently during the meal, ensuring that no one is left waiting too long for service.
3. Bartenders
Number: 2 bartenders per 100 guests for standard service. If you have a cocktail bar, increase this to 1 bartender for every 40 guests to keep things moving quickly.
Role: Bartenders will serve drinks, monitor stock levels, and keep your guests hydrated. For a DIY wedding where you might be providing your own alcohol, they can also assist with managing and restocking the bar as needed.
4. Food Station Attendants
Number: 1 attendant per station (if you’re doing food stations like a taco bar, burger station, etc.)
Role: These staff members will help guests at interactive food stations, ensuring the food is replenished and served hygienically.
5. General Assistants
Number: 2-4 depending on your guest list size (for up to 100 guests, you can manage with 2, but for larger weddings, consider more).
Role: These assistants are your "all-rounders" for the day. They’ll help with last-minute tasks, make sure the venue stays tidy, assist with setup and breakdown, and tackle any unexpected problems that pop up.
6. Clean-up Crew
Number: 2-3 people dedicated to cleaning throughout the evening, especially for larger weddings of 150+ guests.
Role: They’ll ensure the rubbish bins don’t overflow, collect glasses and plates, and keep bathrooms stocked and tidy throughout the night. This is key to avoiding an overwhelming clean-up at the end of the night!
7. Ushers
Number: 2-3 for most weddings, depending on the number of guests and the venue layout.
Role: These helpful individuals guide guests to their seats, manage the ceremony, and assist with crowd control during key moments like the aisle walk or group photos.
8. Cloakroom Attendants
Number: 1-2 depending on the season and guest list size.
Role: If your wedding is during colder months or at a venue with limited space, having someone to manage coats and bags can be a real help to keep things organised.
Hiring Glassware & Crockery
When it comes to hiring glassware and crockery, always err on the side of caution. Here’s a rough guide to get you started:
Wine Glasses: 1-2 per guest (especially if you’re offering both red and white wines).
Water Glasses: 1-2 per guest—hydration is key!
Plates, Cutlery, and Napkins: 1 full set per person, with extra for unexpected breakages or mishaps.
You don’t want to run short, so ordering more than you think you'll need is a safe bet.
Extra Venue Prep: The Little Details
Additional Toilets & Toilet Rolls
Especially for outdoor weddings or larger guest lists, hiring extra portable toilets can be a lifesaver. Stock them with extra toilet rolls to avoid any unfortunate shortages!
Welcome Sign Stability
If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding, make sure your welcome sign (or any signage) is securely fastened. Windy days can wreak havoc on lightweight or unstable decorations.
Alcohol Storage & Cooling
If you're providing your own alcohol, consider hiring a fridge trailer to keep drinks cool. This can save space inside the venue and ensure that your beverages are properly chilled for the entire event.
Final Bonus Tips for Your DIY Wedding
Pack a first aid kit with essentials like painkillers, plasters, and antiseptic wipes—just in case.
If your venue doesn't have built-in lighting, string lights or lanterns can add a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Create a detailed timeline of the day’s events and share it with key people (like your coordinator and bridal party) to keep things on track.
With these tips, your DIY wedding in the UK will be as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Just remember to breathe, enjoy the process, and make your special day exactly what you’ve dreamed of!