The Surprising Truth About DIY Wedding Centerpieces

When it comes to DIY weddings, DIY wedding centerpieces are one of the most common projects that nearlyweds consider undertaking. But, is that a wise move?

Maybe you're planning a rustic wedding and are curious if there are ideas beyond mason jar DIY centerpieces. Or perhaps you're hosting a woodsy fall wedding and you've seen ideas for DIY lantern wedding centerpieces floating around on social media. Whatever the case may be, we're diving into everything you need to know about DIY wedding centerpieces to ensure your personalized wedding is as beautiful as can be.

Plus, three talented wedding vendors weigh in with their expertise on DIY wedding decor and the pros and cons of DIY wedding centerpieces. Cameron Forbes, owner of Forbes Functions, brings a background in public relations and design to her wedding planning business, ensuring every event feels seamless and personalized. Colorado-based Emily Campbell, who boasts more than 27 year of experience, is the founder and executive producer of GoBella Event Design & Planning. Hovik Harutyunyan is the principal planner of Harutyunyan Events, an event planning and design firm in Los Angeles that opened in 2017 and is "unafraid to challenge norms and trends."

The Inside Scoop on DIY Wedding Centerpieces: Can You Make Your Own? | DIY Centerpiece Cost | Professional Centerpiece Cost | DIY Centerpiece Ideas | Alternatives to DIY

Can You Make Your Own Wedding Centerpieces?

Can you make your own wedding centerpieces? Yes. Should you make your own wedding centerpieces? That depends.

When weighing whether or not DIY is the best course of action, you need to consider what it motivating you to possibly pursue the homemade route. Is it level of effort, cost, creativity, or something else entirely? Your reasoning plays a large factor in determining if DIY is a wise decision or not.

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As Cameron Forbes points out, both "hiring wedding vendors and DIYing elements like centerpieces both require careful planning and consideration." So if you're approaching DIY because you think it's the easier option, that isn't necessarily the case.

Another common reason that marriers consider DIY wedding centerpieces is because they want a fresh, unique look. However, Emily Campbell explains that you don't have to make your centerpieces yourself in order to have them look creative. "For those who want something undeniably different, crafty couples should work closely with their wedding planner, designer, and florist to determine the best way to achieve the look they want while being involved in the creative process. Collaborating with your creative team can ensure that any DIY elements enhance the overall design rather than detract from it."

Maybe it isn't the effort or creativity, but the cost that is causing you to consider DIY. If you're tying to make DIY wedding centerpieces on a budget it is important to understand that DIY isn't necessarily a less expensive option.

How Much Does It Cost to DIY a Centerpiece?

As with all wedding costs, it's hard to pinpoint a tried-and-true average cost because numerous factors affecting one couple's wedding may not be relevant for the event you're planning. However, with that in mind, many couples report spending between $50 to $150 per table on DIY wedding centerpiece materials with those costs not including labor exerted to complete the projects.

Campbell emphasizes that "careful planning and budgeting are essential to ensure DIY projects remain cost-effective." The pro goes on to explain that DIY isn't necessarily the less expensive option. Notably, the total cost of DIY "depends on the materials chosen and the scale of the project."

Time

As the saying goes, time is money. While DIYing your wedding centerpieces means you won't be paying for someone else to spend time making your designs, the cost of labor isn't actually eliminated. Instead, you're essentially taking on that cost yourself. How much is your time worth? Forbes encourages to-be-weds to "consider the time you'll spend crafting; if time is limited, the effort may outweigh the savings.

Labor, Materials and Infrastructure

Time isn't the only cost factor to consider with DIY wedding invitations. You also need to think about the scope, inclusive of labor, materials and infrastructure. Hovik Harutyunyan urges nearlyweds to "consider whether you're truly ready to take on the project of wedding floral design. It's not like arranging flowers for a dinner party at home—it's far more complex, stressful, and time-consuming, requiring experience, labor, and logistics."

"For example, you'll need to purchase all the flowers, vases, and candles, ensure you have adequate storage (including refrigeration for the flowers), transport everything to the venue, and set it all up," explains the pro. "If your wedding is outdoors, keeping the flowers cool and fresh adds another layer of complexity that professional florists are equipped to handle. Most importantly, after the wedding, instead of enjoying your after-party, you'll be stuck with late-night clean-up and breakdown at the venue—not the ideal way to start your happily ever after."

"All these factors can end up costing you more than you save. Plus, you risk not achieving the look or vision that a professional florist could create. If that happens, was the 'savings' really worth it?"

How Much Do People Spend on Wedding Centerpieces?

Like with DIY wedding centerpieces, professional wedding centerpiece costs vary greatly depending on scope and season. Typically, couples can expect to spend between $100 to $600 per centerpiece, with overly ornate centerpieces going up to the thousands per table.

While some couples may have sticker shock seeing that the range for professional centerpieces is generally higher than the numbers quoted for DIY centerpieces, it's critical that you pay attention to what those numbers include. Professional centerpiece prices factor in the skill and labor of the pros you're hiring so that all the effort is taken off your plate. Conversely, for DIYers should remember that "by taking on this task yourself, you—and the friends and family you enlist for help—essentially become vendors at your own wedding. This robs you of the opportunity to fully enjoy and celebrate your big day," Harutyunyan asserts.

Additionally, for couples planning weddings that are a few years away it's important to remember that inflation and rising labor costs will affect every area of your wedding budget. According to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, we found that the average cost of wedding flowers rose nearly 17% from 2022 to 2023. For 2025 and 2026 couples, it can be wise to pad any average numbers you see by at least 20%.

However, couples should never let fear of wedding costs be a deterrent from hiring trustworthy wedding professionals. On the contrary, "work with your planner or florist to define your goals," advises Campbell. "If the goal is to save money, consider a minimal design that keeps costs down while maintaining your event's overall look and feel. If you want to be involved in the creative process, communicate clearly with your creative team about how involved you'd like to be. Clear and open communication is key to ensuring your vision is realized effectively."

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DIY Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

If you've weighed the benefits and drawbacks of DIY wedding centerpieces and feel confident in your decision to pursue the homemade route, here are a few ideas you can consider.

DIY Candle Wedding Centerpieces

If you want a glowy, cozy reception that brings to life the intimate dinner party wedding reception trend, then consider bedecking your tables with ample candlelight. With candle wedding centerpieces you don't have to worry about the designs wilting the way that flowers might but you can still infuse fun shapes and colors into your tablescape.

DIY Dried Flower Centerpieces

Forbes encourages nearlyweds to consider including natural elements in DIY centerpiece designs "for a fresh, elegant look." Specifically, dried wedding centerpieces are a great option that can be made ahead of time and are durable.

DIY Vintage Wedding Centerpieces

Do you love spending a weekend afternoon perusing your local vintage store? Vintage wedding ideas are especially trendy right now and lend themselves well to DIY weddings. Source vintage objects to arrange as eclectic centerpieces.

DIY Potted Plant Centerpieces

Potted plants work well for DIY couples for a number of reasons. First, they're an eco-friendly option for those who would rather not utilize cut flowers. Secondly, they can be brought home after the wedding and become home decor that reminds you of the wedding for a long time to come.

DIY Simple Bud Vase Centerpieces

While flower centerpieces should almost always be left to the professionals, very simple wedding centerpieces, such as single-stem bud vase designs, can potentially be DIYed. Source a collection of small vessels and place just one flower per container. Then, decorate your tables with a collection of multiple small vases for an eclectic look.

DIY Branch Wedding Centerpieces

For couples who want DIY rustic wedding centerpieces, consider foraging for elements to use in your tablescape. From driftwood for beach weddings to evergreen branches for a forest wedding, rustic wood elements will bring a cozy feel to a wedding design.

Pros Tips for DIYing Wedding Centerpieces

Before you head to the craft store and get knee deep in projects, keep these tips from the professionals in mind for DIYing wedding centerpieces.

Plan Ahead

"Start planning and crafting well in advance," advises Forbes. "Don't leave the crafting to the last minute–it will only add stress in the days and weeks leading up to your big day."

Practice

Forbes also suggests that couples "make a few prototypes to refine your design and process. Don't forget to test the durability and stability of your centerpieces. Test your centerpiece on a table to see how it looks in your venue's lighting and setting."

Invest in Quality Materials

DIY doesn't have to be synonymous with cheap. Forbes advises nearlyweds to "invest in good quality materials to ensure your centerpieces look professional."

Designate a Set-up and Clean-up Crew

When the actual wedding day comes around you will want to be relaxed and focused on actually getting married, rather than running around perfecting a table design. Campbell encourages to-be-weds to "consider the logistics of transporting and setting up the centerpieces on the wedding day." Tap specific people to handle all the prewedding and postwedding duties.

Learn

Educate yourself as much as possible before you get started on your DIY projects. "Attend in-person workshops with florists or watch online tutorials to improve your skills and get new ideas," offers Forbes.

Consider DIY Centerpieces for Other Events

Just because your heart is set on DIY, doesn't mean you have to put your craft skills to use for the main event. Harutyunyan suggests couples satisfy their appetite for homemade items at smaller prewedding events. "Create centerpieces for smaller side events like the bridal shower or rehearsal dinner," he recommends. "These are more manageable and allow you to enjoy the main event stress-free."

Be Realistic

Lastly, be realistic about what is and isn't doable. "Don't take on more than you can handle—know your limits and consider enlisting help," cautions Campbell. "Start early to avoid last-minutestress, and keep the design simple to ensure it's manageable."

Alternatives to DIY Wedding Centerpieces

You might be thinking, "my wedding is too budget-conscious/eclectic/unique/[fill in the blank] for it to be a fit for a professional vendor." That simply isn't true. There are pros out there who work will all ranges of wedding budgets and wedding styles. Before you start DIYing, take a moment to check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace—you just might find a wedding vendor that's the perfect fit for your personalized wedding vision.