ShareThisQ: I'm looking to save some money with my wedding (who isn't?), but where do I draw the line on DIY projects?
A: There's a fine line between being crafty and being risky.
Always hire a pro when it comes to the biggies: your cake, the catering and your photographer.
With all the pre-wedding business only you can take care of (attending dress fittings and writing shower thank-you cards, for instance), you'll be happy to not have to worry about cooking or baking for your guests. I'd also avoid tasking your friends with these responsibilities.
Even if your best bud swears she's a whiz behind the camera, it takes a real expert to know what wedding-day shots are essential, how to direct guests to give their best in photos and how to use lighting, angles and shutter speeds.
On the other hand, little things you can do ahead of time, like your save-the-dates, escort cards and favors, make for great DIY projects. Not naturally artistic? You can pick up DIY kits from a craft store and still save.
(Carley Roney, co-founder and editor in chief of The Knot, the nation's leading wedding resource, advises millions of brides on modern wedding etiquette at www.theknot.com.)
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