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affordable wedding venues in Michigan: DIY vs. Hiring Pros for Your Wedding
- Jennifer Wilson
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Budget-Friendly Michigan Weddings: When to DIY and When to leave it to the Experts
Professional florals that serve double or triple purpose= GREAT Investment!
When our couples start wedding planning, one of the biggest questions that comes up at our first planning appointment is: “Should we DIY this or hire a professional?” It’s a fair question—Pinterest makes everything look easy, TikTok shows hacks that "save money", and yet real life weddings are always a lot more complicated. As the owner of Celestial Farms wedding venue in Clio, Michigan, I’ve seen hundreds of couples take both approaches. Some nailed the DIY route and saved big, while others realized certain things are absolutely worth the investment of renting a professionals help.
This blog is here to help you figure out what wedding tasks to tackle yourself and what’s smarter to hire out—so you can have a beautiful wedding while also sticking to your budget.
Affordable Wedding Venues in Michigan | Why Couples Love Celestial Farms
Why Our Couples Consider Some DIY Options:
DIY wedding tasks have become popular for three main reasons:
1. Budget Savings – Materials can sometimes be cheaper than professional services.
2. Personalization – Couples love creating unique pieces that feel meaningful.
3. Fun & Memories – For some families, crafting together is part of the fun.
But let’s be honest: not every DIY project saves money, and some actually create unnecessary stress. The key is knowing where DIY shines and where it can backfire, and we're here to help you weigh your options.
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When Hiring a Professional Is Worth Every Penny at Celestial Farms:
Some parts of a wedding are simply better in the hands of experienced wedding experts.
1. Photography
Never, ever DIY your photos. Your wedding day cannot be recreated, and an iPhone just doesn’t cut it. A pro knows how to handle lighting, posing, candid shots, and editing. Photography is an investment in your memories, and couples who cut corners here often regret it most.
2. DJ or Entertainment
Spotify playlists won’t keep your guests on the dance floor. A DJ does more than press play—they manage the energy of the night, control the timeline, make announcements, and keep the celebration flowing. Music is the heartbeat of the reception, and this is one area to always hire out.
3. Florals That Do Double (or Triple) Duty
At Celestial Farms, we recently hosted Ashley and Cory’s wedding in April, featuring a breathtaking hanging floral arrangement created by Bentley Florist. It was a hired-out design, but it served so many purposes that it was worth every dollar.
• It was their altar piece, replacing a traditional arch.
• We used it for hanging dress photos earlier in the day.
• After the ceremony, it hung above their sweetheart table as a reception centerpiece.
By investing in a professional floral piece, Ashley and Cory got maximum impact and beauty with one installation. That’s the kind of smart hire that actually saves money in the long run.
4. Catering & Service
Food is the number one thing guests remember. While it might be tempting to DIY with family cooking, weddings are high-pressure, time-sensitive events. The logistics of food safety, serving, and cleanup are overwhelming. Professionals make sure food is hot, plentiful, and stress-free.
💡 Tip: At affordable Michigan wedding venues like ours, buffet service is almost always the most budget-friendly option—and it’s also the most popular with guests.
When DIY Can Save You Big
Now, let’s talk about the areas where DIY shines—without sacrificing quality.
1. Wedding Favors (Or Skip Them Altogether)
Here’s my personal opinion: wedding favors are a waste of money. Most guests leave them behind, and those dollars could be better spent on food, drinks, or entertainment. If you absolutely love the idea, a small DIY edible favor like cookies or local honey can work—but truly, no one misses them when they’re gone.
2. Centerpieces
This is one of the easiest places to save money.
• DIY Option: Simple bud vases with single stems create a chic, minimalist look.
• Rental Option: At Celestial Farms, we rent cylinder vases with candles—a classic, romantic centerpiece that costs much less than elaborate florals.
Both options allow couples to save without sacrificing beauty.
3. Sweetheart Cake & Desserts
You don’t need a ten-tier fondant masterpiece. Instead, order a small, beautiful cake for photos and cutting, then serve bulk cupcakes or cookies. Guests love variety, and no one actually eats those tall, expensive cakes anyway. Some couples even have Grandma bake their sweetheart cake—a sweet, personal touch that saves money too.
4. DIY Florals with Professional Support
A clever middle ground is ordering fresh flowers from a florist and arranging them yourself into bud vases, mason jars, or bouquets. You still get the beauty and freshness of professional blooms but save on design labor. Just don’t attempt large, complicated installs—that’s where things get stressful fast.
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Gray Areas: Mix of DIY & Pro
Some wedding elements fall into the “it depends” category.
Invitations & Stationery
DIY templates on Etsy can save hundreds, but if you want custom calligraphy or foil printing, hiring a pro makes sense.
Décor & Signage
DIY chalkboard signs, acrylic seating charts, and personalized welcome signs can be fun projects. But big installations (arches, draping, lighting) should be left to pros for safety and efficiency.
Hair & Makeup
Some brides are amazing at their own makeup. But consider the stress of doing it on the biggest day of your life. Professionals not only handle the glam but also ensure longevity and photos that shine.
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Real Talk: DIY Isn’t Always Cheaper
Here’s the secret nobody talks about: sometimes DIY actually costs more. By the time you buy supplies, tools, and spend countless hours, the “savings” disappear. Not to mention the stress of setup and teardown on the wedding day.
That’s why couples at affordable wedding venues in Michigan like ours often choose a hybrid: DIY small, meaningful touches while leaving the big-ticket, high-stress items to the pros.
Sample Budget Breakdown
Here’s an example of how to balance DIY vs. hiring out at a Michigan wedding:
• Hire Out: Venue, DJ, Photography, Catering, Large Floral Installations
• DIY: Dessert Table, Signage, Simple Centerpieces, Guestbook Alternative
• Skip Altogether: Favors, Excess Décor, Expensive Cake
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DIY: Is It Right For You?
DIY can be fun, personal, and budget-friendly—but only when chosen wisely. The smartest couples I see at Celestial Farms save money on the “extras” and invest in the essentials that keep the day running smoothly and looking beautiful.
So if you’re planning a wedding and wondering, “Is DIY cheaper?” the answer is: sometimes. The real trick is knowing where it counts and where to leave it to the pros.
At the end of the day, whether you go full DIY or hire out every detail, the most important choice you’ll make is where to celebrate. Choosing affordable wedding venues in Michigan like Celestial Farms ensures you start with a strong foundation—and from there, your mix of DIY and professional help will fall into place.
Libby and Wyatt's beautiful floral arches from Superbloom Floral Co. are another great example of repurposing your investment with florals. Using arrangements in multiple locations for your day is budget friendly, and our team at Celestial Farms will handle these day-of tasks for you. After the vows, your guests will go to cocktail hour and we will place the florals in their new space. It's just a little "wedding day magic" that our team creates at Celestial Farms.
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