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Updated Mar 06, 202540 DIY Wedding Decorations for Every Skill Level & Budget
DIY projects don’t have to break the bank.
Photo: Aesthetic Life Studio
It doesn't matter if you're an expert with crafts, a beginner or trying to be budget-friendly, going the DIY wedding decorations route can be an enjoyable and satisfying activity. Do it yourself decorations allows you to have more oversight, spend more time with the loved ones you've enlisted to help and learn new skills. Another bonus is that you can walk around your wedding cherishing all the personal touches you added to make your day special. You might be coming into this with an abundance of decor ideas in mind or zero, either way, we have helpful tips and ideas on what to DIY for your wedding from experts you can trust.
Quick tip: Once you're done writing down all these amazing DIY wedding decor ideas head to The Knot Budget Advisor. There you can learn about the wedding costs in your area, which will make it easier for you to determine what you should make yourself and what you'll need a pro for.
1. Photo of the Bride as a Child for Ceremony Chairs
Who doesn't love a nostalgic aisle decoration? For this wedding, the bride and groom lined the aisle ceremony chairs with framed photos of them as children. We love to see adorable and affordable wedding aisle decorations DIY.
2. Vintage Suitcase Guest Book Table Display
Photo: Aesthetic Life Studio
For this travel-inspired DIY wedding decor, the couple designed postcards of all the places they visited together and asked guests to write notes for them on the back. To match their travel theme, the couple had vintage suitcases and a globe for the perfect hodophile (people who love to travel) touch. Personalized postcards for your ceremony or buy ones from your local post office and go to your local second-hand store to find vintage luggage and globes.
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3. Bohemian Aisle Rug Runners
Your aisle runners don't have to be the conventional white color you've seen at other weddings. Think outside the box as this couple did with their bohemian rug aisle runners. The rug and wooden frame DIY outdoor wedding decorations give this celebration an intimate homey vibe.
4. Hanging Flower Arrangements for Ceremony Chairs
We love this bohemian and DIY rustic wedding decor for ceremony chairs. Since this decoration involves fresh flowers, we suggest you wait to assemble these until a few days before the wedding. Personalize this idea with DIY wedding aisle chair decorations like your favorite flowers, waterproof fairy lights or monogrammed mason jars. Here's a flower arranging tip from Joan Wyndrum, cofounder of Blooms by the Box whose earliest job was in the retail flower business. "Plan and practice your floral arrangements months in advance. Get familiar with basic techniques, such as cutting stems, using floral foam and creating balanced arrangements by watching online tutorials. By practicing early, you can also test how long it'll take to make each piece."
5. Cozy Blankets for an Outdoor Winter Wedding
This couple wanted their guests to stay warm during the ceremony, so they provided blankets with a cute hand-painted sign that read: "To have and to hold, in case you get cold." Blankets are great DIY simple wedding decorations and reusable favors because it's something your guests will appreciate and will add a comfy visual even if not all your guests use them.
6. Rustic Wood Heart Guest Book
If you like the idea of having wooden accents throughout your wedding, then copy this couple's inexpensive wedding decoration ideas. Get a wooden box and hearts from just about any crafts store then all you have to do is add the writing utensils. It's an easy DIY wedding decor idea that'll last a lifetime.
7. Driftwood Wedding Arch
Need DIY wedding arch decorations for your oceanfront ceremony? Then check out this charming ceremony arch made of driftwood and adorned with seashell and copper foil garlands. Keith Willard, owner of Keith Willard Events who's helped couples plan their weddings for over eight years, says driftwood is a great option for centerpieces too. "Hot glue moss and artificial orchid blooms to create an eye-catching decor piece. These can be done well in advance, travels well and are easily repaired on-site. Plus, there's never one piece of driftwood that looks like another, so each table is unique. I personally like to place two or three large pieces together on each table for a more interesting effect."
8. Rustic Wood Bar Sign
This wooden bar sign with beautiful calligraphy was created by the bride's parents. Also, this is one of our favorite DIY rustic wedding decorations since it shows that enlisting your loved ones to help can lead to a great final product.
9. Western-Style Coffee Bar
Can't live without coffee? Make a java bar for you and your guests to enjoy. This couple added various flavored syrups so everyone can get creative with their brews and provided custom coffee sleeves with their names printed on them.
10. Rustic Wood Bar Stand
Photo: Kacie K Photography
If you have the know-how and the time, put make your own bar stand on your diy wedding ideas list. You'll have to start this project at least a few months ahead of the wedding and double-check it's sturdy enough to hold all of your beverages.
11. Chalkboard Wedding Sign
Ready to put your calligraphy skills to the test? Buy a chalkboard and write down a schedule of all of your fun wedding activities. Your sign can be as simple or as over the top as you want. Wyndrum says a personalized sign is easy and can be made from "wood, a picture frame, a mirror, or a chalkboard. Just trim the sign with flowers and greenery."
12. Nautical Sailboat Place Cards
"Pick projects that don't require lots of storage or special storage because it makes the project much harder and more stressful," Jamie Chang, owner of Mango Muse Events who's guided couples during the destination wedding journey for over 14 years, suggests. Based on Chang's advice, that's why we love this small and easily storable preppy sailboat name card that gives a nod to the couple's yacht club venue.
13. Vintage Gold Edison Light Bulbs
The bride was inspired by Pinterest for these vintage DIY wedding table decorations. And if you're wondering who decorated the wedding venue, it was actually with the help of the couple's co-workers that they were able to make working cables from each Edison lightbulb so they could line the family-style tables.
14. Fall Fruit and Vegetable Decor
Photo: Baird & Lim
Even though these DIY autumn wedding decorations feature fall fruits and vegetables, you can personalize your display to whatever season you're holding your wedding. Are you having a summer wedding? Have a bowl of cherries, peaches and okra in your decor setup.
15. Colorful Embroidered Table Numbers
For the true decor-savvy to-be-weds (with a lot of time on their hands), consider sewing your table numbers by hand. After the wedding, you can keep your artwork or gift your DIY wedding reception decorations to one of the guests at the table.
16. Suspended Paper Lantern Centerpieces
If you want to add some height to your centerpieces, these suspended paper lanterns are just what you need. These are low-cost DIY wedding decorations you can get at almost any party supply store, where they come in lots of vibrant colors and patterns.
17. Gold Toy Cars Escort Card Display
There are no rules against you being punny at your wedding. Take a page out of this couple's book. They had gold spray-painted toy cars with guests' escort cards tied to them and a sign that read, "Find Your Parking Spot Here." Not only is it a cute escort card display, but it's also a way to save on your wedding activities since it doubles as a distraction for the little ones during the reception.
18. Whimsical Moss and Rock Table Decorations
If you really want your guests to feel like they're in the great outdoors, copy these eye-catching DIY wedding decorations. The moss accents the wedding's earth-tone color scheme, the bouquet looks like it's naturally blooming from the moss's surface and the rock propped up on the bed of moss adds the perfect final detail.
19. Paper Airplane Place Cards
Tie in your and your partner's love for travel into your escort cards. These escort paper airplanes are a clever way of showing your guests where you and your partner have visited together, where you both plan on going in the future and your paper airplane folding skills. Plus, it's a great option for those looking for DIY wedding decor on a budget.
20. Romantic Gold Wine Bottle Candle Holders
The bride and her wedding party spray-painted more than 150 wine bottles for this DIY wedding decoration. Of course, the size of your wedding determines how many wine bottles you'll have to put on your wedding decor checklist. "Keep the wine theme going with centerpieces at your reception by decorating double magnum-sized wine bottles with some ribbons, flowers, and plastic grape clusters. Empty wine bottles this size go for about $50 or $60 online and are a great way to toast your favorite adult beverage and decorate your space without much effort," McKenzi Taylor, founder of Cactus Collective Weddings and member of the board of directors for the Las Vegas chapter of the Wedding International Professionals Association, says.
21. Succulent Wedding Centerpieces
Don't want floral centerpieces? Incorporate your favorite plant instead like this couple did for their wedding. For this easy boho wedding decor DIY, the bride's stepfather put the succulents in old hexagon planters and tin cans.
22. Greenery Planter Centerpieces
Your reception centerpieces don't always have to be in a vase. Use wooden planters to hold your flower, plant or greenery of choice. This DIY decor wedding idea is perfect for couples planning a natural wedding.
23. Vibrant Yarn Sweetheart Table Backdrop
Make your wedding stand out with a large colorful yarn backdrop. Guests' eyes will naturally gravitate to the bohemian-inspired decor that'll, without a doubt, brighten up any room.
24. Copper Mug Escort Card Display
To match the couple's navy blue and copper-colored wedding, they got a navy blue pegboard and hung copper mugs from it with guests' escort cards attached. We think this is a simple but innovative way to give your guests functional keepsakes from your wedding.
25. Memory Wall Made of Wood
Photo: Courtney Dox Photography
Show your appreciation for your loved ones by building a memory wall full of family photos and heirlooms. A memory wall adds nostalgia and sentimental value to your wedding. For this simple DIY wedding decor project, you'll need to prepare far in advance to collect all of the photos you want and need for the display.
26. Paper Flower Napkin Rings
"Napkin rings are a great way to level up a tablescape. For some of my past enchanting evening-themed weddings, I have found laser-cut paper rings online with butterflies and dragonflies. They're tougher than they appear and add great detail to the visuals. Just one of them will not do anything, but multiply this by ten settings a table, and a small thing becomes a big impact" Willard says. We love these napkin rings with paper DIY wedding flower decorations.
27. Fun Photo Booth Display and Props
"If you are planning to have a photo booth, making your own props or even a DIY backdrop is a really fun way to make your photo booth special. You can create a theme or just make it a bunch of fun items that you've collected over the years. Bonus: This makes it more sustainable," Chang suggests.The couple made a photo booth area complete with props and polaroid cameras. The white wooden door has wires attached to it, so guests can hang their photos on the door with clothing pins, which makes this wedding DIY decor almost effortless.
28. String Light Canopy
The couple designed and assembled their own tent made of string lights for their DIY wedding venue decorations. Not only does the decor act as a light source at night, but it also is a beautiful and romantic focal point for the reception.
29. Petal Toss Cones
Photo: Annie Piland Photography
"If you're looking for something eco-friendly for a celebratory toss after a ceremony, [petal or] confetti cones are perfect. You can make cones from recycled paper or lace doilies and then fill them with freeze-dried petals. Set up a decorative basket with cones for guests to grab before or after the ceremony," Wyndrum says.
30. Birdcage Wedding Card Holder
Go the unconventional route with your wedding card box and opt for a birdcage wedding card holder. This idea fits well with vintage or fairy-tale celebrations. There are numerous styles of birdcages online or in-store with plenty of opportunities for personalization.
31. Wedding Welcome Bag With Snacks
"Welcome gifts become even more special when they're created and put together by the couple. Sure, you can buy everything nowadays and have it all cutely packaged. But when you're gathering and hand-making elements of your welcome gift, it means more because every element was chosen with care, made with intention and represents the couple, the place and the wedding. This doesn't mean everything has to be handmade, but when the key elements are made by you, it's special. And it's also not something they could get anywhere else," Chang says.
32. Antique Cabinet Dessert Display
Bring a homey feel to your wedding by showing off your homemade pie spread in a cabinet setup. If you try this idea, ensure the cabinet is stable before placing your dessert assortment on it––you don't want your precious pastries going to waste.
33. S'mores Kit Wedding Display
We love this subtle yet elegant s'mores table display with flowers attached to a wooden stand. Once you finish this easy to make piece, have your guests join in on the DIY fun by using s'mores kits that all ages will enjoy.
34. Painted Mason Jar Vase
Photo: IQphoto Studio
"Mason jars are ideal if you're on a budget and looking for something simple. They can be used during the ceremony and the reception. They have an old-fashioned vibe and match any color scheme. Just fill the jars with stems of your favorite flowers and greenery. If you want to decorate the jar, add twine or lace," Wyndrum says.
35. Green Leaf Place Setting Decor
"I coordinate a lot of outdoor ceremonies, and I just can't get enough of found objects as decorations, especially in the fall. Letting nature decorate your space can be really freeing. There's always something blooming in the spring and summer, or changing colors in the fall, or looking artful in its winter form, such as fallen twigs or bare branches. Whatever it is, you can always bundle up a handful, tie it together and hang it from your ceremony aisle chairs for a great natural look," Taylor says. Leaves are prime backyard wedding decorations DIY anyone can do.
36. Eclectic and Moody Mix-matched Centerpieces
Photo: Mandee Johnson Photography
"Don't forget to think about what happens to the item after the wedding. Throwaway items aren't what you want unless they can be recycled or composted. If you can keep it, donate or reuse it, that's really where the magic of DIY lies," Chang says. (Psst. If you're not DIY-ing everything yourself and want to be eco-friendly, one of the questions couples should ask potential decorators is what they're sustainable practices are before and after the wedding.) We hope the bride who made these low centerpieces with dyed cattails keep these gorgeous decorations for their postwedding home.
37. Cocktail Hour Lounge Decor
Depending on how many DIY projects you've assigned yourself, you can learn how to find a wedding decorator or tackle this idea on your own. Whatever you choose, don't be afraid to add pops of color to your cocktail hour lounge area and create a vibe so your guests feel like they're chilling at your home.
38. Pastel Fabric Garland
Above the seating area at the tented reception, the bride and groom had fabric garlands. Our favorite part about these DIY wedding decorations are the multitude of colors and patterns on showcased.
39. Minimal Monstera Leaf Centerpiece
"Palm fronds and Monstera leaves are another high-impact but simple item. Coming up out of a vase or using it as a place setting gives you that tropical look with very little work. Plus, you can buy artificial lookalikes in large amounts on Amazon," Willard says.
40. Bohemian Lace Dream Catchers
For this romantic and casual backyard wedding, the bride and groom, with the help of their loved ones, made lace dream catchers. The boho wedding decor DIY can be a calming way for you and your loved ones to connect before the big day.
