How to Make Money with DIY Wedding Clients

Guest post by Gwen Lewis

I realize the premise of this article seems counterintuitive. After all, isn’t the whole DIY aesthetic a move away from professional help?

In some cases, certainly. However, handmade weddings have much to teach wedding professionals.

First and foremost, DIY weddings eschew unrealistic ideas about perfection. They have a relaxed, handmade spirit that feels genuine and effortless.

But that’s just it… the most creative and impressive DIY planning takes A LOT of effort, and some laidback brides would rather adopt the aesthetic and ditch the grunt work. That’s where you come in!

You can provide the charming atmosphere without the headache. Plus, your business has an opportunity to corner a growing segment of the market!

Creating a Portfolio and Vision Boards

Before starting to market yourself as a DIY pro, it’s a good idea to create a portfolio that highlights the different DIY services you provide.

1. Start testing out new decorations and projects now!

Seriously, don’t wait until you’ve been contacted by potential clients. Get on Pinterest and create boards full of DIY ideas. Here’s an example.

A quick organizational hint: Arrange your portfolio and vision boards by subcategories. You’ll be able to stay organized while providing unique examples for clients.

For example, you can designate one board “Winter Wedding DIY Inspiration” and another “Handmade Summer Garden Party.” You could also organize these DIY Weddings by color scheme.

2. Start crafting.

Buy some supplies and go crafting crazy! Make tissue paper decorations and mason jar centerpieces, throw a party at your house and decorate the space in a similar fashion. The idea is to do a test-run on these party components.

By doing this, you’ll gain confidence once you’re able to execute the idea. Then you can snap pictures and add them to the portfolio you carry to client meetings.

How You Explain Your Value

Some clients might ask, “Why should I pay money for things I can do myself?”

In these instances, you need a script! This will keep you from getting rattled and give you an air of confidence.

Here are some ways to explain how you add value to a DIY Wedding:

• You save them time. They provide the specifications and you provide the rest: flowers, decorations, and the props needed.
• You save them money. If you already have things like mason jars, paper lanterns, twinkle lights, vases, and other kinds of decorative pieces at your disposal, the clients won’t have to invest in these themselves. Plus, it’s sustainable. You can reuse your props for future gigs!
• You can save them a lot of stress. When you are in charge of the details, the clients have more energy to relax and enjoy their special day… something that’s hard to do when saddled with too many “big day” responsibilities.

Remember, DIY is more about the attitude than the details.

The couple’s wedding will still have the personal DIY handmade touches, but they didn’t have to do the work.

What do you think, planners? Would you orchestrate a DIY-themed affair? Sound off in the comments!

Gwen Lewis is a writer and makeup artist based in Southern California. In the past, she has written on beauty and health, but has begun branching out into writing about wedding and party planning–two things that have always been a passion of hers. In her free time, she enjoy shopping and pick-up soccer games with her friends.

 

 

photo credit: Salicia via photopin cc

photo credit: elsbeth cool via photopin cc