Many couples are more than happy to spend some of their time doing Do-It-Yourself or DIY projects for their weddings, and the trend has only been increasing in the past couple of years. Everyone, even those who do not consider themselves ‘crafty’, can make something if they want to. With hundreds of craft supplies available from local stores and online, it is easier than ever for couples to work on projects together.
DIY decor has seen an upswing in popularity as couples have found it easier to make their decor the way they want instead of scouring wedding shops and online to try and find something that suits their tastes. With different themes being represented in wedding receptions as well, couples have had to get creative. If you are looking to add your own personal flair to your wedding decor, here are 9 great tips and suggestions.
#1 Will You Enjoy the DIY Aspect?
This is one of the most important questions one should ask themselves before going all out and buying supplies for DIY wedding decor. If you aren’t going to enjoy crafting things for your wedding, don’t do it. It will feel like a chore and your heart will not be in it; not something you want to feel amid the stress of planning the rest of the wedding.
#2 Consider Your Cost
Before starting a DIY project, first look at the cost of your decor if you were to purchase or rent it from an existing supplier, and then compare that to the tentative cost of DIYing the project. Sometimes DIY can be more expensive than buying traditional decor if you are not careful. Do your research and try to buy in bulk when you can; it will make the cost of supplies much cheaper. There are many online stores that offer discounts for bulk ordering, especially when it comes to items for a DIY wedding. If your pieces require ‘trial runs’ before making the real decor, make sure to include that into the cost as you do not want to make the DIY project both more money and more time.
#3 Time is Everything
If you and your partner are working long hours and do not have lots of time to dedicate towards making decor for your wedding, it is best to either buy from a supplier or from another decor professional. There is nothing worse than stressing yourselves out with a project that you cannot complete. Do not decide to do a DIY project a month before the wedding, either. Projects should be planned out with plenty of time for completion.
#4 Keep it Simple
Wedding decor does not have to be complicated. It can be as easy as a barrel made into a table for a chic outdoor cocktail reception, or pinwheels in colored mason jars. If you are not a crafty person it is best not to get into anything complicated so you do not stress over everything. Keep it simple and you will see success.
#5 Make it a Date
Invite your bridal party over to help you craft if they can; it will be a chance to get most if not all of you together to work on something for the wedding. This can also ease the stressful feeling of having to do everything yourself and gives your wedding party an opportunity to get to know one another if they do not already.
#6 Use the Same Decor for Ceremony and Reception
If you want to use flowers as the main decor, you should consider saving some money by using the same flowers from the ceremony at the reception. Guests are not likely to know that they are the same, and you will be able to save lots of money as flowers are some of the most expensive pieces of decor in a wedding, sometimes costing up to $3,000.
#7 Don’t Forget About Bunting
If you have not heard of it, ‘bunting’ or garland are decorative banners that can easily be made to match the color scheme of your wedding. Bunting is very popular when it comes to decorating for a summer wedding, however it can be used at any time of the year. Bunting can be used to decorate the receiving line, the favors table, or even to distinguish the head table and it is incredibly easy for anyone to DIY in a couple days.
#8 DIY Your Place Cards
Place cards are a part of your tables decor and should be included in the scheme of things. For winter weddings, consider easy place cards such as a sprig of rosemary wrapped in a circle, tied with a small ribbon and attached to a card with the guests name on it. Use a square of burlap to make it stand out on the plate. You can also decorate place cards with washi tape; this tape is patterned or brightly colored and makes it easy to add a decorative touch to the place cards. The best part is that washi tape is very affordable and can be found in abundance at any craft supply store.
#9 Don’t Be Afraid of Glitter
But do not overuse it, either. Glitter can be an elegant addition to your decor and should be considered, especially when it comes with pairing metallics like gold, silver and bronze to decor. Some couples have opted to make “Mr. & Mrs.” signs out of glitter for their sweetheart table, affixed to the table with large ribbons in the same color as the theme of their wedding.
About the Author: This article was written by Theresa Gibson, savvy wedding blogger and social media manager at Top10WeddingVendors.com, a leading go-to vendor guide for brides across North America. To connect with Theresa, follow her on Facebook.
