Having a wedding can be expensive, but decorating it doesn’t have to be. Thanks to the likes of Pinterest and other creative idea sharing platforms, there are now thousands of amazing concepts online for DIY wedding ideas that will make your special day one to remember, rather than one that you’re paying back for years to come.
Getting married is by far one of the most exciting times of your life, but when you see the budget starting to stretch bigger and bigger you might start wondering whether it’s better to just throw the towel in and elope. Some of these costs are unavoidable, like getting your dream dress or hiring the celebrant, but that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive.
Wedding décor can quickly add up, especially if you’ve hired a professional to do the creative work for you. We’ve found some amazingly easily DIY wedding ideas that you can do for yourself that will make it look as though your wedding was styled by the experts, all the while costing you barely a cent.
#20: Floating Flower Bowls
Featured Image: CC by 2.0, by Jeremiah “GrayBeard” Ric…, via Flickr
Rather than opting for the standard flower centerpiece, why not try something a little different and create a floating flower bowl. Fill a crystal or glass bowl with water, and choose a variety of colors and sizes of flowers to float atop the water. Add some tealight candles to really make it romantic and set the scene.
#19: Desserts on A Stick
Featured Image: ?by Christopher, via Flickr
A lot of weddings these days don’t have the formal sit down reception like you used to back in the day, so you need to be able to adapt to the times. Give your guests an array of desserts on a stick that they can easily eat while standing up. Think fairy floss, miniature apple pies, lollypops, and just about anything that can be enjoyed in this style.
#18: Candied Flowers
If you’re planning on serving cupcakes at your wedding and need a unique topper idea that hasn’t been done to death, candied flowers are the way to go. The recipe is super simple and your guests will actually be able to eat the beautiful designs as an extra special treat.
#17: Wooden Wedding Arch
Featured Image: by Emma Gossett, via Flickr
Wedding arches are still being used in this day and age, but we tend to be leaning more towards the handmade style rather than the old-fashioned white ones in modern times. You can easily make your own wedding arch with a collection of wood, branches, and sticks that you gather up. Just be sure it’s durable enough to last through the vows and not topple over onto your heads.
#16: Succulent Wedding Favors
Succulents are definitely having a moment, so use them as your wedding favors to give guests a gift that they’ll actually be happy to hang on to. There are some great styles of succulents available in small jars, and all you have to do is attach a little thank you note to them and you’re done. Best of all, people can’t kill them as they don’t require a lot of water!
#15: Calligraphy Invitations
Pinterest is packed full of tutorials about how to write using basic calligraphy. Use your newfound skill to personally write the envelopes of your wedding invitations and add a personal touch to them. People might be shocked to learn that you were the masterful hand behind this gorgeous and creative invite, and they’ll be pleased you put in extra effort to make them count.
#14: Beautiful Bug Spray
There’s just no avoiding bugs in some places or at certain times of the year, but we can’t really put off our weddings because of it. Rather than forcing your guests to bring their own powerful and potent sprays, give everyone a little spray bottle of natural bug spray made from a mixture of oils like citronella and lemon. People will be eternally grateful for the sensitive solution and one that’s not offensive to the nose.
#13: Paper Cone Rice Tossers
Featured Image: CC by 2.0, by Pasquale Robustini, via Flickr
If you’re planning on doing the rice toss when you finish your nuptials, you can make these simple holders to suit. A paper cone rice tosser is made by simply curling around a piece of paper and tying a bow around it, and you can experiment with different colors and patterns that suit your décor.
#12: Mason Jar Cocktails
Save some time and make up a cocktail before the wedding, serving them up in little mason jars ready for people’s arrival. Be sure to have a mix of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks on hand so that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
#11: Colorful Ribbon Backdrop
If you’re looking for a way to accentuate the gift table or food display, why not make a simple colorful ribbon backdrop? These look great in the background of photos and all you need is a long stick from your yard, along with even lengths of colored ribbons in whatever pattern you choose.
#10: Paper Doilies and Twine
When you’re armed with paper doilies and twine there’s no end to what you can decorate at your wedding. Always have these two ingredients on hand and you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve. Wrap up your cutlery in a rustic manner or use them to hold caramel popcorn as wedding treats. Either way, it’s going to look fabulous.
#9: Rope Words
One of the newest trends sweeping the DIY wedding world is rope words. These simple little designs can spell out anything you want, with popular choices being ‘love’, ‘bride and groom’, or ‘just married’. Make them with some rope, glue, starch, and water, and surprise yourself with how easy the whole thing is. Just be warned, you might make a bit of a mess in the process.
#8: Tea Leaf Favors
People these days are thinking outside of the box and gifting their guests with thoughtful party favors that they’ll actually use. One cool way to give a practical but cute gift is to package up some tea leaves with your very own blend and add a little note for how best to drink it. This way, people will remember your special day every time they take a sip.
#7: Painted Glass Votives
If you’re feeling especially crafty and want to add a pop of color to your wedding, you can try painting glass votives for a unique effect. Rather than leave them transparent, a bit of watercolor paint can help the light shine through but also show off the bright and beautiful colors.
#6: Photo Family Tree
This is a beautiful idea that can show everyone just how much your family means to you. Rather than keeping the family tree stored in a book, why not use an actual tree in the area to hang photos of your family. Extra points if you can get pictures of people from their wedding day.
#5: Vintage Book Table Numbers
This is a totally adorable way to mark the tables and something you probably haven’t seen at any other wedding. Find some old and vintage books, glue to pages together, and place a table number of top. It will add to the rustic vibe and barely cost a thing.
#4: Tulle Chairbacks
Tulle should have a place at every wedding, and what better place for it to be than on the back of a chair. Couple the tulle with your flower of choice (lavender being our top pick) and create simple and quick chairbacks that will really set the entire theme for the seated guests. Think soft, romantic, and elegant.
#3: Polaroid Photo Booth
Sure, it would be great to hire one of those professional photo booths and have your guests spend the night goofing around in there, but who has the money? All you need is a Polaroid camera and a vintage photo frame. Put some directions down for guests and let them have fun making their own memories.
#2: Embroidery Hoops
A well-placed embroidery hoop can really set the scene and there are so many different sizes you can make. Head to Pinterest and read one of the hundreds of tutorials that show you just how easy they are. These look especially great hanging from trees and help to add to the romantic, laid-back vibe that a wedding should have.
#1: Photo Album Guest Book
It’s great to have a guest book for everyone to sign at the wedding so that one day you can read back and reminisce. But to make it even better, add a Polaroid camera to the table and encourage guests to take a photo and add it to their very own page. This way you’ll never forget the night and you’ll also have some bribery to use in 20 years when the fashion styles have changed.