DIY Vow Renewal: A Brilliant or Terrible Idea?

Is a DIY vow renewal the right choice for you? Learn the pros and cons of doing it yourself for flowers, food, music, and makeup.

4.8 min readCategories: DIY Vow Renewal Ideas
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A quick overview of the topics covered in this article.

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Do you really want total creative control?

Planning your vow renewal is exciting, but balancing your dreams with your budget might have you considering a DIY approach. While it offers the freedom to create something truly personal, handling all the details can be overwhelming. Is going the DIY route the best choice for you? Here are four key aspects to consider when planning a DIY vow renewal:

DIY Vow Renewal Food

1. DIY Vow Renewal Reception Food

Pros:

  • Cost Savings: Preparing the food yourself can save significant money, especially if you’re hosting a small, intimate gathering. Cooking for close family and friends can also add a personal touch to your event.
  • Help from Loved Ones: If you’re lucky, you might have family or friends willing to contribute dishes or help prepare meals, making the process smoother and more communal.
  • Customization: You’ll have total control over the menu, ensuring that all your favorites and dietary needs are covered.

Cons:

  • Time-Consuming: For larger guest lists, catering becomes a massive undertaking. From food preparation to serving, you may find yourself spending valuable time in the kitchen rather than enjoying your special day.
  • Stressful Execution: Balancing the role of host and caterer is difficult. If you’re envisioning a relaxing vow renewal, DIY catering might detract from the experience.
  • Theme Limitations: DIY catering often means matching your menu to practical options like a BBQ or potluck, which might not align with a more formal vow renewal theme.

Tip: If your guest list is larger, consider a hybrid approach: hire a professional caterer for key dishes while DIYing smaller elements like appetizers or desserts.

DIY Vow Renewal Flowers

2. DIY Vow Renewal Flowers

Pros:

  • Creative Freedom: If you’re a creative type, making your own bouquets and centerpieces can be a fun and fulfilling project. From hand-tied bouquets to simple arrangements with fresh blooms, there are endless tutorials available online.
  • Personal Touch: DIY flowers allow you to create something that perfectly matches your style and color scheme, adding a personal and unique touch to your day.
  • Cost-Effective: You can save a lot by purchasing flowers in bulk and arranging them yourself, especially for a smaller event.

Cons:

  • Skill Required: Designing complex floral arrangements or bouquets takes skill. If you’re not confident in your abilities, the result may not meet your expectations.
  • Time Constraints: Flowers need to be fresh, meaning you’ll have to prepare them close to the event. This can add stress in the final days leading up to your vow renewal.
  • Storage Issues: Fresh flowers need proper refrigeration, which can be a challenge if you’re working with limited space.

Tip: Do a practice run well in advance of the big day to ensure you’re satisfied with the results. If you’re unsure, enlist a florist to help with more complicated arrangements.

DIY Vow Renewal Music

3. DIY Vow Renewal Music

Pros:

  • Control Over Playlist: You know your favorite songs better than anyone! Creating a custom playlist on an MP3 player or streaming service allows you to choose every track, from ceremony music to the first dance.
  • Budget-Friendly: DIYing your music will save on the cost of hiring a DJ or live band. With portable speakers and Bluetooth technology, you can manage the entire soundtrack yourself.

Cons:

  • Managing the Playlist: Someone will need to tend to the playlist, adjust the sound system, and take care of requests. This can be distracting, especially if you want to enjoy the day without technical interruptions.
  • Limited Equipment: Ensuring you have enough speaker power to fill the space with quality sound is key. Plus, don’t forget a microphone for announcements or speeches.
  • Lack of Spontaneity: A professional DJ can read the room and adjust music on the fly. With a set playlist, the vibe may not be as dynamic.

Tip: Designate a tech-savvy friend to handle the music and sound equipment on the day of your vow renewal to keep things running smoothly.

DIY Vow Renewal Makeup

4. DIY Vow Renewal Makeup

Pros:

  • Familiarity: You’ve been doing your makeup for years, so who better to handle it on your big day? DIYing your makeup allows you to take your time and get the exact look you want.
  • Cost Savings: Hiring a makeup artist can be costly. If you’re confident in your skills, doing it yourself will help keep your budget in check.
  • Product Preference: You know which products work best for your skin type and which ones you feel comfortable wearing for long hours.

Cons:

  • Professional Polish: Even if you’ve mastered your everyday look, achieving a camera-ready, long-lasting look for a special occasion can be challenging. A professional makeup artist brings advanced techniques to make you look your best in photos.
  • Stress Factor: On the day of your vow renewal, you may want to relax and let someone else handle the details. DIY makeup adds to your list of things to do.

Tip: Consider a professional makeup consultation ahead of time and practice recreating the look yourself to strike a balance between DIY and professional results.

Is DIY Vow Renewal Right for You?

DIYing your vow renewal can be a brilliant idea if you’re a creative couple looking to save money and add personal touches. However, it can also be a huge responsibility and add stress to an already busy time. Consider your comfort level with handling multiple tasks, and don’t be afraid to outsource the more challenging elements to professionals. By focusing on a few DIY elements, like flowers or music, and hiring experts for the rest, you can still keep your vow renewal personal without overwhelming yourselves.

3 Comments

  1. Vanessa Beasley May 23, 2015 at 11:34 am - Reply

    Great ideas. Thanks alot

  2. Julie Howells September 11, 2017 at 3:29 am - Reply

    The site gives excellent tips, many of which I will definitely be using.

    One small query that as yet, I haven’t been able to find on any of the vow renewal sites though. Many advise Mr & Mrs on what to say or thoughts/suggestions etc, but no guides for the friend who officiates for us. First thing he/she is going to ask us is “what do I say and at what point do I say it?”… What do I tell them? as thats the only piece of info I can’t seem to find.

    B & G walk up the aisle, do we go straight into our vows or does the person officiating say something? If so, what? then after the vows, does he ask us at some point to exchange rings? Then once vows and ring swapping is done, what does our friend who is officiating say to finalise the renewal?

    I’ve been through the top 5 sites (one of which is yours) and this info isn’t clear on any of them…

    * Or it is and I’m missing it?

    * Or it is, but needs to be clearer, more noticeable and in lamens terms ? (so nervous renewal brides like me don’t miss it)

    * Or it needs adding please :)

    Other than the last points, as I said, I will definitely be using many of the ideas and tips from here.

    Julie
    x

    • Karie September 11, 2017 at 5:50 am - Reply

      I’m glad you found IDoSill.com helpful in planning your vow renewal. We do have ceremony scripts on our site for your officiant that cover what to say and when to say it. You can find them at https://www.idostill.com/planning/ceremony-ideas/ceremony-scripts/ . You will find several scripts for your officiant to choose from, plus an article on the ceremony order of service which walks you through how things should go. We also have a section on ceremony enhancements that you can add in at https://www.idostill.com/planning/ceremony-ideas/enhancements/ . The scripts are designed to inspire or be used as is. If you have more questions about the ceremony, please let me know and I’ll be happy to answer your questions personally!

      I would love to know what words/phrases you used to search for this information so I can make these scripts easier to find.

      Congratulations on your upcoming vow renewal!

      Karie
      Founder and Editor

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