K&J - Day-of Support at Hakone Gardens
A Quick Note on Privacy: Out of respect for the couple's preference to keep their wedding offline and off social media, we are using the pseudonyms Kim and John throughout this post.
The "DO" in DIY: How Squid Inc Social’s Sid Executed a Truly Hands-On Celebration
As planners, Sid and I have seen plenty of “DIY” weddings. We often encounter couples who have a beautiful vision but fundamentally underestimate the "DO" part of "Do It Yourself."
Here's the truth: If you want a wedding to "just come together" based on your vague ideas, you need to hire a full-service planner who will take those ideas and make them concrete.
If you want to DIY it, you have to DO IT. And Kim and John? They were the gold standard of doing the work.
This couple treated their big day like a project management masterclass, and our lead planner, Sid, was there to act as the conductor for their meticulously planned orchestra. This wasn't just a wedding; it was a testament to the power of hyper-organization meeting professional on-site execution.
📋 Phase 1: The Bride’s Brilliant Organization
Kim and John’s DIY success started long before the wedding day with an attention to detail that blew me away:
Pre-Sorted Perfection: Every single component of the table settings was pre-boxed and labeled. The linens, candles, and decor for Table 8 were in the "Table 8 Box." My job, as Sid instructed, was simply to grab the box, bring it to table 8, and set it up as the 3D rendering the bride composed dictated. Zero guesswork.
Canva to Cards: Kim designed all her own paper goods in Canva, printing them herself. Crucially, before we arrived, she had every single place card sorted and lined up in the correct order for each table.
The "Friend-or" Corps: The couple didn't just ask friends for help; they gave them specific job titles. We had a Floral Captain (a friend who sourced, cut, and arranged all the bud vase flowers) and a Tech Runner assigned to speaker placement.
🤝 Phase 2: Sid's Secret Weapon—The Conductor
Kim and John hired Squid Inc Social for one reason: to ensure all their perfect pieces and people got exactly where they needed to be. This is where Sid's expertise truly shined:
Sid's Value: Sid wasn't there to do the DIY. Sid was there to manage the people who were doing the DIY and integrate them seamlessly with the professional vendors.
My main role, under Sid’s direction, was coordinating movement. Sid was the central point of contact, handling all incoming vendor questions while I kept the volunteer "Friend-ors" on schedule, ensuring they had the supplies, space, and time they needed without distracting the couple.
🍻 Phase 3: Strategic Vendor Integration
A huge part of Kim and John's strategy was recognizing where professional help was absolutely necessary for a great guest experience. They focused on a blend of excellent specialists:
Great Catering: Handled the main meal service.
Mobile Bartenders: Brought in specifically to manage the bar service professionally.
Dessert Station Vendor: Ensured a fantastic, varied dessert experience.
Photographer: The non-negotiable professional memory-maker.
Sid's crucial task was ensuring all these different vendors were communicating effectively—making sure the caterer was timing their service around the mobile bar setup and the photographer's portrait time.
🔨 Phase 4: Load-Out Logistics (The True Mark of Genius)
I have to say, the end of the night was the most satisfying proof of their planning. They had a plan for breakdown that was as detailed as the setup:
The Power Drill of Planning: Kim’s Father-in-Law, who had brilliantly built the wedding arch, was ready with his power drill to quickly dismantle it for transport. This attention to reverse logistics saved so much time.
The Exit Inventory: They had a master list detailing every item and which family member's or friend's car it was assigned to. Under Sid's supervision, I simply checked off the boxes, ensuring nothing was left behind and the venue was cleared efficiently.
💡 The Takeaway for Aspiring DIY Couples
Kim and John's wedding demonstrated that a beautiful, budget-friendly, and personal DIY wedding is entirely possible—but it takes organization and the right professional support.
If you want your DIY wedding to be a joy and not a job, follow their blueprint:
Don't DIY the Management: Hire a planner like Sid (from Squid Inc Social!) to act as your project manager and take the burden of execution off your shoulders.
Assign Specific Roles: Give your helpful friends titles, not just tasks.
Plan the Exit: Account for the cleanup and load-out with the same detail you use for the setup.