27 Stylish but Inexpensive Wedding Decoration Ideas on a Budget
Affordable and cute? You can have both.
Updated Jul 26, 2024
Sticking to a budget can be one of the most challenging parts of planning a wedding. But we get it—the last thing you want is to have to cut corners and sacrifice on style. These inexpensive wedding decoration ideas prove that you can be intentional about your spending and still get the look you want while honoring your budget. A good first step? Start building your wedding vendor team on The Knot Vendor Marketplace to work with industry experts who will help you plan accordingly and identify where you can splurge or save. (Find wedding planners, wedding decorators, florists, rental companies and more in your budget by using the pricing filter on the results page.) Then, consider these wedding decoration ideas on a budget—plus tips for how to shop—when it's time to start finalizing the details.
In this article: Editor's Inexpensive Decoration Picks | Inexpensive Decoration Ideas | Where to Buy | Tips | FAQs
Inexpensive Wedding Decorations: Editor's Top Picks
Not sure where to start shopping for low-cost wedding decoration ideas? Check out some of these editor-approved picks.
Assorted Glass Bud Vases
Photo: The Knot
This collection of petite vases is a perfect inexpensive wedding table decoration idea for any spot that needs a little decorating, from the bathroom countertops to the wedding gift table. The set of four comes in clear, white, blue or purple glass.
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Custom Trivia Wedding Cocktail Napkins
Photo: MemorableWedding/Etsy
Personalize these cocktail napkins with fun facts about you, your partner and your relationship story. With dozens of different napkin color and ink combinations, it's easy to match your wedding theme.
Velvet Wedding Reception Table Runner
Photo: The Knot
Layer this velvet table runner on top of a basic white tablecloth to add a hint of glam without breaking your budget. It looks especially gorgeous paired with greenery centerpieces and bronze table accents.
Oversized Tassel Balloons
Photo: ElliesPartySupply/Etsy
Available in four different colors, these giant balloons are fun and affordable wedding decoration ideas that double as photo ops or backdrops. Add festive tassel garlands to give them even more flair.
Watercolor Table Number Cards
Photo: SterlingStripes/Etsy
Table numbers may seem like a small detail, but they'll stand out in your centerpieces and tablescape photos. Tie your decor together with these paper cards featuring a printed watercolor design that looks nice framed or unframed. Printed on your choice of cardstock or single-ply cotton, the 5" x 7" cards are numbered from 1 to 25.
Wooden Candle Holders
Photo: The Knot
Use these chic candle holders for a minimalist centerpiece or to decorate the wedding bar. The set of two includes glass hurricane vases and the gold-rimmed wooden pillars.
Wedding Decoration Ideas on a Budget
From simple candle accents to seating arrangements that make the most out of your wedding space, check out these options if you're looking for inexpensive wedding decoration ideas.
Small Wedding Bouquet
It's no secret that wedding flowers can be expensive, but there are a few tricks you can use to get the most out of your budget. Carry a small bouquet (which is actually one of our favorite wedding flower trends of the moment) and focus on using flowers that naturally bloom during your wedding month for more affordable options.
Bud Vase Wedding Centerpieces
Minimalist wedding centerpieces can have just as much of an impact as large-scale floral arrangements when done correctly. Cluster mismatched bud vases at the center of each table, then fill with single stems and greenery from your florist.
Palm Leaf Ceremony Backdrop
If a full-blown flower arch isn't in the budget for your ceremony backdrop, create a curtain of greenery or fresh flowers instead. Use long-stemmed blooms and hang them vertically to take up more space.
Queen Anne's Lace Seating Chart Display
This simple wedding seating chart is easy to replicate with just a few stems of Queen Anne's lace, baby's breath or a similar bloom.
Built-In Wedding Ceremony Backdrop
Try to intentionally choose your ceremony backdrop based on a unique feature at your wedding venue. It could be an exposed brick wall, a floor-to-ceiling picture window or a fireplace mantel—anything that acts as built-in decor. Then, you'll only need a few small altar arrangements (if any) to finish the setup.
Wildflower Wedding Centerpieces
Small wedding centerpieces with in-season wildflowers can help you maximize your floral budget, especially if your florist is able to source the blooms locally (read: you can avoid paying for shipping costs and extensive prep time).
Baby's Breath Wedding Cake
Elaborate flower wedding cakes are beautiful, but they're an additional cost for your overall flower budget. Consider keeping the design more simplistic with buttercream icing and a few small flowers.
Potted Plant Flower Arrangements
Green is one of the top trending wedding colors of the moment, and this inexpensive wedding centerpiece idea is a literal take on the trend. Prioritize flower arrangements for the main focal points at your venue, then decorate any secondary spots with a collection of potted plants.
Custom Wedding Cocktail Napkins
These may seem like a small detail, but they're a personal touch that your guests will remember. Custom napkins will be more affordable when you order in bulk and choose just one design—if you want to mix and match monogrammed napkins with multiple fun facts, keep in mind that the price will increase with each separate design.
Greenery Wedding Table Runner
For a stylish but casual look, decorate wooden tables with greenery runners instead of fabric linens. The greenery will double as a centerpiece and tie the whole tablescape together.
Candle Wedding Centerpieces
Candle centerpieces are another alternative to flowers that you can consider. A bulk order of tapers, votives or floating candles can be made to look multi-dimensional with the help of vases in varying heights and shapes.
Dried Wedding Centerpieces
Dried flowers are a statement all on their own, which means you need fewer of them overall to make an impact. If you love this boho look, recreate it by pairing dried sun palm leaves with taper candles and metallic bronze accents.
Long Wedding Reception Tables
Need to fill a large reception room while also making the most of your decor budget? Long banquet tables will visually "ground" the space and help it seem less empty. Top them off with glass vases, napkins and florals that contrast with the table linens.
Simple Wedding Stationery Design
If adding more details to the actual invitations isn't an option, think about ways you can dress up the basic white envelopes. Colorful stamps and handwritten addresses will grab guests' attention upon opening their mailboxes.
Candle Wedding Aisle Markers
Create a warm and inviting ambience for your ceremony with the help of glowing candles (battery-powered candles are an option if your venue doesn't allow open flames). Then, repurpose them during the reception to decorate the bar, welcome table or your centerpieces.
Wedding Seating Chart Sign
An all-in-one seating chart is a budget-friendly alternative to individual escort cards (which would require purchasing all of the components separately). You can have your seating chart custom-made by a wedding stationery pro or design something yourself and head to a local print shop for the final product.
String Light Backdrop
An illuminated string light backdrop feels especially romantic after the sun goes down. Use bistro lights or fairy lights to create this dreamy setup behind your altar or head table.
Oversized Balloon Decorations
Whimsical oversized balloons are a cute addition to your ceremony aisle or venue entrance. Not only do they require minimal setup time, but you can easily move them to other parts of the venue as needed.
Bench Seating
Photo: Fidan Kandemir
Need to fit a lot of guests into one space? Consider using benches instead of chairs. While the final cost will depend on the style and the rental vendor you choose, benches can help maximize the amount of seating for larger weddings.
Paper Lantern Installation
We love the way that ceiling decor and hanging installations can instantly transform a reception space. Paper lanterns are popular wedding decorations on a budget, and you can use as many or as few as you want. They're most impactful when you cluster them at the center of the room and mix a few sizes together.
Self-Serve Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are a nice surprise for your guests, but the last thing you want is people leaving them behind. Edible treats, like popcorn and candy, are always a hit, especially if you bring them out a few songs before the end of the reception. Save on the cost of individual favors by serving snacks in bulk instead.
Where to Buy Inexpensive Wedding Decor
For one-off items, add-ons and basics that you can't source from local wedding vendors, here are a few places to shop for wedding ceremony and reception decoration ideas on a budget.
- The Knot Shop: Call it a humble brag, but we recommend The Knot Shop for wedding decor items that are trendy and inexpensive. Shop ceremony decor (aisle runners, programs, unity candles) and reception decor (cake toppers, guest books, napkins) all in one place, with the option to customize most items. And if you're looking for paper goods, don't forget about The Knot Invitations for a big selection of place cards, menus, table numbers and gift tags.
- Etsy: There's no better place to source personalized, budget-friendly wedding decorations than Etsy. The marketplace has endless handmade and unique options from sellers all over the world who specialize in creating custom wedding decor items, like paper drink covers, signs and favors.
- Amazon: Amazon is a go-to for low cost wedding decorations when you need basic bulk items or fast shipping. If you're looking for large quantities of items like plain glass vases, white unscented candles or decorative place card holders, Amazon makes it easy to find a variety of sellers and plenty of reviews from previous customers.
- Wayfair: If you're looking for affordable wedding decor ideas that are a little out of the box, you might find inspiration on Wayfair. The home decor marketplace is great for sourcing statement items, like patterned table runners, accent rugs or drink trays that are different from what you'd see at traditional wedding decor retailers.
Tips for Finding Affordable Wedding Decorations
To avoid being tempted by items you don't need (and inflating your budget), go into the process of choosing wedding decorations with a clear vision of what's absolutely essential. Here are a few tips for choosing low-cost wedding decoration ideas that are savvy and stylish.
Focus on details that have maximum impact.
When you're choosing your wedding decor, it's easy to get caught up in small details that matter to you, but realistically, some things will go unnoticed by your guests. To make the most of your budget, prioritize the larger elements or one area of decor that will make a lasting impression. This could include unique table linens, a floral arch at your venue entrance or colorful candles to accent your centerpieces. Once you've chosen your "splurge" category, you can stick to the basics (and your budget) for the rest.
Look for items that can be repurposed.
As the saying goes, two is better than one—and the same mindset applies to your wedding decor. If you're able to get multiple uses out of items on your wedding day, you can avoid spending money on duplicate decor, and it will help justify the cost compared to items that are only used for a brief moment. Wedding ceremony flowers are a good example of this, especially smaller arrangements like the aisle markers. They'll help tie the ceremony space together and will look amazing in your wedding photos, but you can maximize their use by bringing them over to the reception (think welcome table or bar decor). If your florist is creating a custom ceremony arch, ask about moving it into your reception space as a backdrop for your head table.
Avoid getting too crafty.
When you're looking for wedding decorations on a budget, it's tempting to think that you can save money by handling a lot of the wedding decor yourself—but it's also important to recognize that doing so can backfire in some cases. Supplies for your projects can come with unexpected costs, not to mention the actual time you'll have to spend making sure everything is finished. Be realistic about what you can handle and remember that wedding vendors are professionals for a reason. They've learned the best tricks through their network and years of experience, which can often help you save money (and stress) in the long run.
Affordable Wedding Decor Frequently Asked Questions
Want our honest advice about finding wedding reception decorations on a budget? Here's what we have to say about some of the most common affordable wedding decor FAQs.
What is a typical budget for wedding decor?
According to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, $1,900 is the average cost for wedding decor and lighting. Separately, our data shows that the average cost of event rentals (items such as chairs, linens and tents) was $2,000 in 2023.
Your wedding decor budget will be impacted by the number of guests you're inviting, the overall style of the decor and potentially the time of year that you're getting married (peak wedding season = a rise in prices). Use The Knot Budget Tool to explore price estimates for vendors near you and even see what real couples are spending on decor.
Is it more cost-effective to decorate your own wedding?
At first glance, it might seem like DIY wedding projects and cheap wedding decorations are easy ways to save money, but they're not necessarily the most cost-effective options. It's not always cheaper to decorate your own wedding, because you're more likely to have unexpected expenses and hidden costs for things like materials or tools. On top of that, you run the risk of having to pay for replacement items—or hiring a professional for their help anyway—in the event that things don't go as planned. And because time is money, you should also consider the effort it will take to do all of the work yourself, which is likely to only add stress leading up to the wedding day. Instead of trying to decorate your own wedding, we recommend choosing one element or detail that you really want to focus on (for example, centerpieces or unique table rentals) and investing in a professional vendor who's able to work within your budget.
How can you decorate a wedding table on a budget?
With a little strategy and compromisation, it's totally possible to decorate your wedding tables on a budget and make them look amazing. First, choose what your "statement" detail will be—for example, patterned tablecloths, colorful centerpieces, mix-and-match candles, vintage china or colorful glassware. This is where you should allocate most of the budget for your table decorations. Save money by keeping the rest of the tabletop elements basic and uncomplicated, using your venue's in-house items or renting in bulk when possible.
Look for simple ways to upgrade the tablescapes yourself without specialty rental items, such as decorating cloth napkins with hand-tied ribbons instead of 150 polished silver napkin rings. Next, be honest with yourself (and ask your wedding vendors for advice) about what's absolutely essential. Custom table numbers that match your invitation suite are a nice-to-have, not a must-have, especially if you're able to save money on a simplified design and allocate those funds elsewhere. Finally, avoid the overcompensation mindset—in other words, don't spend money on collections of cheap wedding decorations for the tables just because you found them at a low price. (It's easy to go overboard that way.) In most cases, it's smarter to put that cash toward hiring a professional florist or wedding decorator to design your tables and centerpieces, even if the final result is simple and budget-friendly.
