These days, there seems to be the notion that not hiring a wedding planner or day-of coordinator is essentially committing matrimony malice, but that couldn't be farther from the truth, especially given the amount of DIY wedding decorations out there. If you fall under this umbrella of décor-savvy or budget-friendly couples who want to tackle the planning process independently, prepare to be the best temporary wedding planner your ceremony will ever see. To make your life a heck of a lot easier, we rounded up several DIY wedding decorations that you and your partner can easily and elegantly pursue for the big day.
And, fear not, un-crafty couples—every suggestion on our list is a realistic DIY project that doesn't require a ton of skills or expertise. We're talking about affordable flower arrangements, table runners, and centerpieces to take decorating the reception tablescape into your own hands, string lights you can easily hang on your own, and much more.
Here are our 60 best DIY wedding decoration recommendations.
?Arrange Your Own Bouquets - Bouquet arrangements should come from the heart and speak to who you are as an individual, so, in that sense they should be easy to create on your own. Opt for foraged flowers, local greenery, picks straight from the garden, or fill in with loose stems from a local florist or farmers market to make your personalized mix. For the finishing touch, wrap the base in ribbon or leave long trails of fabric to add a little flow. You can also get sentimental with a shirt cuff or strip of fabric from your grandmother's wedding dress. Secure with pins, an heirloom brooch, or a meaningful memento.
Weave a Few Flower Crowns - So easy a child could it! Freshen up those carefully-cultivated crown-weaving skills from your youth and plait a few floral crowns for your bridal party or tiny attendants. No need to get too elaborate, a simple daisy chain is oh-so tender. Or, use fresh greens, ferns, foraged flowers, garden finds, baby's breath, chamomile, or dried flowers for an organic touch. We especially love bunny tails for their rustic elegance and youthful innocence.
Concot a Beverage Station - Self-serve beverages for the win! Dream up a beverage display that is oh-so summertime fine by pre-mixing some of your favorite drinks and serving them en-mass in glass dispensers. These in particular were filled with tequila-rich Palomas but you can go for more wholesome options like lemonade or iced tea. Let the glassware dictate the vibe with mason jars creating a rustic aesthetic or champagne flutes for a more refined touch.
Point Guests in the Right Direction - If your big-day events are spread out over a vast property, you may want to employ some strategically placed signs to point the way. Some reclaimed wood, paint, and a stencil if you're so inclined are all you need for this endeavor.
Cluster Floral Centerpieces - Clustered vases are a simple way to create a full centerpiece without breaking your budget. Mix together bud vases, glass bottles, and other odds and ends from around the house in a variety of shapes and hues for an eclectic look. Transform those low-cost, mixed bouquets from the grocery store into chic floral assemblies by deconstructing them into single stems filling small vessels.
Experiment With Table Runners - From gauzy fabrics flowing in the wind to trails of moss and ivy vines, along with stems of eucalyptus, rushes of olive branches, and scatterings of floral petals there is no shortage of dramatic table runner options that won't break the wedding budget. Pick the best medium to match your wedding style and theme and deftly snake them over tables for a professional display.
Don't Be Intimidated by Drapery - Drapery may seem complicated and intimidating, but all you really need is a good sense of the space and a ladder. When utilized properly a few sheets of fabric can add softness to a venue, make large spaces more intimate, inject a light and airy mood to heavy wood, and allows you to fully utilize vaulted ceilings as decorative vehicles.
Print Your Own Menu -
Tackle all your DIY wedding paper needs with this customizable digital set, which you can print yourself. This pink-bordered menu template comes in a matching wedding program, information card, table number, place card, and more.
Hang a Mr. & Mrs. Banner - Let there be no confusion as to who the celebrated couple is. Drape this banner in front of a wedding cake display, dessert bar, chair backs, or use it as an ultra-personalized photo backdrop. Or, if you've got the time on your hands and craftiness in your veins, you can create something similar with some twine and fabric cutouts.