Tips for DIY Couples

Photos by Brittany Castillo Photography

Many couples opt for a more laid back approach to their union, and have a go at planning their wedding themselves. Although we always recommend hiring a professional, we know that every couple has different needs and budgets- which may lead them to designing their own event. After witnessing many of these DIY weddings myself, here are a few tips that couples should know:

Shell Island Resort Wedding with Pastor Skip Corbett, flowers on arbor by Amy with Do Me A Favor Weddings

1. You need a marriage license!!
   Many unwed people don’t realize that you must go to the Register of Deeds to obtain a marriage license within 60 days of the wedding. Both parties MUST appear unless one cannot physically be present due to military deployment, sickness, etc (in which case a notarized Affidavit would be required.) To learn more information, visit NHC Register of Deeds website. The officiant cannot obtain this document for you, but they do sign it after the ceremony. Make sure you have it on hand on your wedding day.

2. Dress Talk: Alterations, bustles, and backups
   I have seen many brides that skip altering their dress (either because they don’t realize how important it is, or because nobody ever told them it should be done.) This results in seriously limited mobility (stepping on your dress, tripping, unable to dance without kicking your dress from side to side as you move, etc.) I highly recommend having your dress tailored to fit you perfectly, and make sure that you have them put a bustle in so that you can move and groove how you want to.

   If your dress is too heavy or unable to bustle, I recommend having a reception dress you can put on that you will be comfortable to move in. Also, I have seen a wedding dress zipper bust and tear the back of the dress WIDE OPEN. The bride was not doing anything too crazy, either: The dress was not too tight, it fit her well. Luckily, the bride had a backup reception dress, and was back on the dance floor in less than 10 minutes. Disaster averted, lesson learned!

3. Try on your dress/suits at least a week before the wedding
   I’ve seen things. Bustle buttons that were sewn on incorrectly by a very well-renowned dress company, snagging layers of fabric underneath and leaving the dress an askew, catawampus disaster. It was a dress with pockets, and it left the right pocket agape and pitching open in a strange and ugly way (This was the scariest moment of my wedding career if we are bing honest, and I went in with scissors to cut the button loose, and resew it back on where it belonged, literally moments before the ceremony. I am not a professional seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, but I do have a good eye for detail. Martha, the bride, was pleased, and the dress looked perfect after the adjustment.)

   In another recent wedding, the bridesmaids dresses were….. drafty. The slit in the front, where two layers of fabric came together, would have been just fine on a normal day, but this was a blustery, beach wedding. Numerous bridesmaids had to walk the aisle reaching through their pockets to hold their dresses in place so they didn’t flash their panties while they walked down the aisle. A simple solution (if planning an outdoor wedding) could be to put a stitch or two to hold the fabric in place (likely mid thigh, but ask a seamstress if you are uncertain)

4. Hire a Coordinator
   You may be able to plan your own wedding, but there is no way you are going to be able to coordinate your own wedding, nor do you want to. Unless you are planning an extremely small, elopement-type wedding, you need a professional to be a part of you wedding day. Your mom, sister, best friend, Aunt Better, etc are not going to be able to provide a seamless, stress-free experience for you, unless they have years of experience coordinating weddings under their belt. Many venues require a coordinator, and if you want to enjoy your wedding without worrying, you NEED one. Of all the things you may try to cut from your wedding budget, do not let a Coordinator be one of them.

5. Have an “Oh Sh*t” Kit
   Planners always have a go-to kit for the day of, but some couples may overlook this when planning their own wedding. Things happen last minute, and you need to be prepared! Scissors, needle + thread, booby pins, safety pins, double sided tape, comfortable dance shoes, extra reception dress/backup outfit, baby power (many websites say it can be used in a pinch on white fabrics to cover stains from wine, makeup, food, etc.) extra underwear, bandaids, tampons, Kleenex, lint roller, etc.) Make sure you have backups of all crucial items/outfits, and make sure you have a little emergency kit that you can have with you while you get ready + at the reception!

6. Have a Legal Officiant
   It has become really popular to have a friend or family member officiate the wedding. I think it’s a beautiful idea, but legally, I have heard that some marriages have been declared invalid by insurance companies, due to the State’s citing specifically in a rule that officiating licenses obtained online by a company, Universal Life Church, would be invalid. Other online ordaining websites may also be held to this same scrutiny. If you are heart-set on having a friend or family member officiate, it may be prudent to marry at the magistrate or at another legally recognized officiant’s office before the wedding ceremony is held (or after!).

That’s all I’ve got for now, but I may be adding this list in the future as I come across new situation that we can learn from!

Got a tip?! Feel free to submit it on our contact page :)

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