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Planning your dream wedding involves many decisions, and one of the biggest is how to handle the decor. While a DIY approach may seem budget-friendly, renting wedding decor offers unique advantages that can outweigh the stress and unpredictability of doing it all yourself. The affordability of a DIY wedding depends on several factors, such as the scale of the event, the type of projects you take on, and your ability to source supplies at a low cost.

Let's explore the pros and cons of DIY versus renting wedding decor to help determine the best option for your big day.

Pros of DIY Wedding Decor:

1. Control Over Budget: You can prioritize what's most important to you and allocate funds to certain areas, cutting costs in others.

2. Affordable Decor: Making your own decorations, floral arrangements, and favors can be significantly cheaper than buying pre-made items or renting—if you source materials wisely..

3. Personalized Touch: DIY allows you to add personal touches that are meaningful without having to pay a premium for custom items.

4. Guest List Flexibility: You can control the size of the event and cut back on unnecessary costs, such as catering or rental fees.

Cons of DIY Wedding Decor:

1. Time-Consuming: DIY weddings require a lot of planning and effort, which can be stressful and time-intensive. Renting wedding decor can be a smarter choice for couples looking to save time, money & energy while still achieving a stunning wedding day look.

Wedding planning is no small feat, and adding DIY décor into the mix can quickly turn an exciting process into an overwhelming one. From sourcing materials to crafting centerpieces, arranging flowers, and assembling all the little details, DIY projects demand time and effort—time you might not have if you’re balancing work, family obligations, and your own personal well-being.
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Solution
Renting decor from Charm Decor House eliminates this stress, offering complete packages that include lighting, table settings, and backdrops. This allows you to focus on other crucial aspects of wedding planning.

‍2. Hidden Costs: Sometimes DIY projects end up costing more than expected, especially if you make mistakes or need to buy specialized supplies.

You will need to spend time researching and adding up costs to determine if it will be more affordable to do it yourself. The true cost of buying materials, tools, and supplies to create décor can quickly add up. And don’t forget to factor in your own time and effort—those late-night crafting sessions and running around to find the perfect vase or tablecloth can add significant value to your “savings.” 

Renting décor can be a more cost-effective option when you consider the overall quality and convenience it offers. Instead of spending money on items that may never be used again, you can invest in high-end décor for a fraction of the cost of buying it yourself.

3. Limited Expertise: If you're doing things like baking your own wedding cake, arranging flowers, or coordinating the day, you might not get the professional quality you would have with a hired vendor. This also could mean you’re having to ask loved ones to work on your wedding day.

With rental décor, this is one less thing to worry about. Charm Decor House will handle the logistics, delivery, and pickup at Grant Venues so your loved ones don’t have to lift a finger! After your wedding at The Grant Collection, they simply take everything back, and you’re free from the hassle of cleaning up or figuring out what to do with décor you’ll never use again. This means you get to enjoy your day and your celebration without the added burden of storage and post-wedding chaos.

4. No professional set up or design assistance:  It’s up to you and your family or friends to set up everything which can be time consuming and result in a less-than-ideal outcome. 

Charm Decor House can offer a design consultation and professional set up with The Grant Collection. This can be incredibly helpful for couples who want their décor to look polished and cohesive but don’t have the expertise to achieve the perfect look. With a design team helping you, you can be rest assured that every table will be perfectly arranged, and the décor will complement your overall wedding theme.

If you meet with Charm Decor House’s designer in a decor consultation, you get the flexibility to mix and match rental decor pieces to create the perfect aesthetic. Charm Decor House offers packages that allow you to choose specific items for each area of your event, from the ceremony space to the reception. You can create a cohesive look by mixing textures, colors, and styles that align with your vision, without being confined to a single, pre-made set. 

5. Storage of DIY items: A major downside is figuring out where to store all those items before and after the big day. If you plan on using items like candles, vases, or large furniture pieces, you’ll need to find space to store them—and after the wedding, you’ll have to deal with cleanup, which can be exhausting.

6. Potential for Higher Costs in Other Areas: If you save on décor, you might spend more on food, drinks, or other aspects of the wedding that you hadn’t initially considered.

7. Difficulty setting up within venue time frames: Building your own arch and other big items can be difficult to set up if you didn’t take into account the venue’s door way measurements and their allowed time frames to set up/tear down within.

8. Some Design Ideas Are Out Of Reach: Sometimes the statement pieces you want for your wedding are difficult to come by, figure out how to DIY or get the resources needed to capture that vision. Want statement drapery or a luxe velvet lounge area? These items are available for rent and can elevate your décor without the high price tag!

Charm Decor House carries items like linens, furniture, designer tableware and even elaborate centerpieces that would be costly to buy outright. Charm keeps their inventory up to date with the latest wedding trends so if you want to have a stylish and modern flair but aren’t sure where to start, renting décor is an easy way to access the chic looks of today without breaking your budget.

9. Resale of DIY: Most likely than not you will have to resell most of your DIY wedding items and that can be time-consuming as you have to post them online and manage connecting with the public to sell to get some of your money back.

10. No Commitment to Items You’ll Never Use Again: After your wedding, what happens to all those DIY decorations you spent weeks crafting? For many couples, these items either end up in storage or worse, tossed away.

11. Not Always Environmentally Friendly: One of the hidden advantages of renting décor is the positive impact on the environment. Weddings often involve a lot of one-time-use items that contribute to waste. By renting, you’re able to reuse quality décor pieces that will be used at many different events, cutting down on the waste associated with mass-produced, disposable items. This helps reduce the demand for manufacturing new products and minimizes your wedding’s carbon footprint.

12. Project Failure: DIY projects don’t always turn out exactly as you anticipate it to be. Or worse yet the low cost stores online have product images stolen from other websites and the actual product shipped to you does not match the item description whatsoever and then the customer service and returns are so terrible or none at all. It can feel very upsetting to know you spent all this time and money on something that doesn’t turn out to your expectations!

OR 

Yuk.

Key DIY Areas That Can Work:

• Wedding Day Attire & Accessories: These items can be used later on or even passed down to future family members tying the knot.

• Signage: Customize wedding welcome signs, menu cards and thank you cards for your special touch. The Grant Collection can create elegant black and white bar menus but if you want to highlight special pets, people or other intimate details important to the two of you then consider making some of your own signage to replace or pair with the venue’s provided bar signs. 

• Invitations: Making your own invites can save money if you already have the skills or resources (like access to a printer).

• Flowers: If you're able to purchase flowers wholesale and arrange them yourself, it can be a big cost saver.

• Decorative trees: Brides magazine recommends bringing in your own trees if you want a big splash of greenery and to replant after your wedding so they can continue growing! Most nurseries do not rent out their trees but The Grant Collection has some beautiful faux tree rentals that will save you time and money or if you don’t have the property to plant real ones on!

• Favors: DIY favors or handmade items tend to be cheaper than ordering pre-made ones.

• Music: If you're tech-savvy, using a playlist instead of hiring a DJ or band can save money. Check your venue’s requirements first and then you could look into soloists, spotify playlists, vintage jukeboxes or more alternatives to dance the night away!

Cost Comparison Example: Renting vs. Buying

Let’s break down the cost of a common decor item—glass cylinder vases:

• Amazon Purchase: A 12-pack of one-size cylinders costs $60.
• Charm Decor House Rental: Any-size cylinders (6”-12”) rent for $3 each.
  
  • Renting 12 varied-height cylinders = $36 (plus a 20% setup service fee, totaling $43.20).
  • Buying means a higher upfront cost, limited height options, and potential resale hassle.

Final Thoughts:

A DIY wedding can be cheaper, but it requires careful planning, realistic expectations, and the willingness to put in time and effort. Be sure to balance the potential savings with the work involved. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly wedding, but don’t want the stress of doing everything yourself, consider hiring a few key professionals and DIYing specific aspects. 

While DIY weddings are often marketed as a way to save money and personalize your event, renting wedding décor offers a much more streamlined and stress-free solution. Renting décor not only saves you time, but it also gives you access to high-quality, stylish pieces at a lower cost than purchasing. Add to that the benefits of not having to deal with storage, cleanup, or waste, and it’s easy to see why renting could be the ideal choice for couples looking for a sophisticated, eco-friendly, and hassle-free wedding.

Ultimately, whether you decide to rent or DIY your décor depends on your personal preferences, budget, and time constraints. But if you're looking for a seamless and cost-effective way to bring your wedding vision to life, renting décor is a choice you won’t regret.

Happy Wedding Planning!

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Check out Charm Decor House’s Inventory Here!

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Sources and Images:

Brides Magazine Article: https://www.brides.com/story/rent-or-buy-wedding-decor-items 

‍Amazon purchase link for Candle Glass Cylinders $60/12 pack: https://a.co/d/b84bxrq

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