If you’re like many same-gender couples planning a wedding, you probably have one big question on your minds: How much is this going to cost? Popular wedding planning and advice website The Knot estimates that the average wedding prices out at $31,213. That’s a substantial chunk of change for most people, equivalent to the price of a new car or a year’s salary for some entry-level workers. If you can’t (or don’t want to) pay that much for the day of your dreams, what do you do? One possible answer: do-it-yourself projects to cut your wedding costs.

Choose Your DIY Projects Wisely

Many aspects of your big day can be designed and crafted yourself. Common areas in which couples choose to creatively cut corners include invitations, floral arrangements, ceremony and reception decor and programs. However, you need to be prudent and select projects that you can complete without much difficulty. If you’re not the handiest with crafts, it might not be wise to attempt them on your own unless you allow yourself plenty of time and patience in which to learn.

Craft Your Own Invitations and Programs

The Bridal Guide revealed that invitations for your nuptials can easily run between $750 for standard versions and $3,300 for high-end engraved versions. Even programs alone can cost between $200 to $1,000. Unless you’re planning on a formal affair, you’ve got a lot of latitude to craft your own stylish versions while saving a little bit of green. If you know your way around paint, rubber stamps and a glue gun, you could create your own from scratch. For those who want to use a simpler approach, you might select pre-designed invitation or program kits from your local arts and crafts store, office supply shop or even an online paper vendor.

You’ll still need to plan judiciously if you want to print your own materials at home. Make sure your printer is capable of handling card stock, keep extra printer ink on hand, and avoid super flashy designs that use a lot of colors. You might consider designing the invitations and programs yourself, purchasing the paper, and having a local print shop produce the final products. Depending on the price of your paper and your printer’s services, you’ll probably still spend less than $200 on your DIY invitations and less than $50 for your programs.

Think Outside the Box With Your Flowers 

Most couples-to-be default to using fresh flowers, and select several standard arrangements for the wedding party as well as ceremony and reception decor. However, no one says you must use fresh florals for the centerpieces…or even use floral centerpieces at all. Candles, candelabras, mirrors and even strings of lights can all be arranged for stunning effects in your reception area, allowing you to save the flowers for your wedding party and ceremony decorations. Silk flowers can also be a reasonable alternative to living blooms, provided you’re willing to put in some labor with crafting the arrangements.

Small Adjustments Can Save Big Bucks 

Although a few dollars saved here and there may not seem like much, it does add up when you consider your entire wedding budget. Stationery usually accounts for 2 to 3 percent of a couple’s nuptial costs, while floral arrangements account for between 8 and 10 percent. You might be able to cut your wedding costs by a few hundred dollars with a little strategic action and willingness to be flexible. If you do decide to do some of the design and crafting for your big day by yourself, be sure to permit yourself plenty of time beforehand to work on your chosen projects. Besides saving a bit of money, you’ll also enjoy the pride you feel from adding your own personal touches.