Weddings are authentic expressions of each couple’s love story. Your big day should consist of everything that makes your heart skip a beat, which is why DIY wedding decor is a great option to consider. You could add homemade decorations to your venue to put more of a personal touch on your ceremony and reception. Consider a few inspirational ideas to see what might work for you.
1. Calligraphy Signs
Looking to cut expenses with DIY wedding decor makes sense, given how the average U.S. wedding cost $35,000 in 2023. Signage can contribute to that bill. Guests appreciate signs pointing them toward parking, bathrooms and anywhere you set up outdoor entertainment. A big sign could also work as your reception seating chart.
Make them on your own to save some money by getting the signage you prefer and using a calligraphy pen to write each word. Craft stores often teach budget-friendly classes about this art form, but you could also follow along with an instructional YouTube video if you prefer.
2. Reception Place Cards
Some couples purposefully seat guests at specific tables to make everyone more comfortable. If you love the idea of place cards, make them at home. You could use your newfound calligraphy skills to turn blank business cards into seating guides. Write names on strips of ribbon that hold a handful of flowers together at each table setting. It all depends on what material you want to use for your place cards.
3. Floral Centerpieces
Flowers make weddings dreamy, but they can also be among the most costly details in your budget. Save money and get blooms that last forever by making your own silk arrangements. You could choose two to three types of flowers, put them in matching vases and arrange them with varying heights, colors and textures. Look into taking a flower arranging class with your bridesmaids at a nearby craft store if you need more guidance.
The best part about choosing floral centerpieces for your DIY wedding decor is that you can make them months ahead of time. There’s no need to squeeze this craft into your last-minute activities when silk blooms will stay beautiful forever. Just remember to use a microfiber cloth to gently remove any dust the day before your wedding if your centerpieces will sit in storage for a while.
4. Scented Candles
There are so many ways you could use candles as wedding decor. They add mood lighting in floor lanterns, centerpieces and even at your ceremony altar. Try making them yourself with glass jars, wax, wicks and essential oils in your favorite scents. If you want the candles to be more colorful, you could also add liquid dyes to make them visually pop in every picture.
5. Wedding Ring Pillow
You might be among the couples who spend an average of $3,756 on their engagement rings, which is a significant amount of money before you factor in the cost of your wedding bands. Protect and celebrate those symbols of your love with a homemade wedding ring pillow. You only need fabric, thread, a needle and stuffing to finish this simple sewing craft in a single afternoon. Choose material that matches your wedding theme or color palette so it fits in with the rest of your decor.
7. Custom Mirror Frames
Mirrors are always great decor options. They make any space feel bigger by bouncing light off their reflective glass. Consider hanging a few around your venue if it’s more of an intimate space. You can find mirrors at secondhand stores and spray paint their frames to match your wedding palette.
8. Sweetheart Table Flower Box
Couples often use a sweetheart flower box to make their reception table look more lengthy and beautiful. You could create one at home with three wooden boards cut to the length you want and two end pieces matching their width. If you don’t have tools, a home improvement store selling the boards can cut them for you.
Glue them together with wood adhesive, let them dry overnight and paint your box whatever color makes you happy the next day. You’ll finish a quick wedding project that you can use forever if you find a place for it in your home. It could even hold your silk wedding flowers.
Have Fun Making DIY Wedding Decor
You don’t need special crafting skills to make DIY wedding decor. Think about which parts of your decorations you’d rather create at home and pick at least one of them for your project. Whether you want to make flower arrangements, place cards or a pillow to hold your rings at the altar, your big day will feel even more special because you put so much care into its design.
Author – Cora Gold
Cora Gold is a wedding enthusiast with over six years of experience writing about trends, traditions and more. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.
