Easy Wedding Projects for DIY Brides

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DIY  Centerpieces

Take it from the pros: the cost of reception centerpieces can add up really quick and there really isn’t much “longevity” to their appeal. To DIY this wedding detail, look to wholesale florals, mismatched thrift finds, and home décor that can be easily repurposed. Cut woodsy centerpieces and try your hand at painted signage, á la this woodsy vibe here. Mason jars and tea lights are also a go-to for thrifty brides.

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DIY Arch

If someone in your family is good with lightweight construction projects, build a wedding arch. A quick scan of Pinterest gives you plenty of options for wood, PVC, metal, and floral structures, from gauzy canopies to blossoming balloons. (For the literary couple, try out a “book arch” or photo backdrop made with thrifted novels.)  A wedding arch project can be prepped ahead of time, but takes a little more effort for setup on the big day. Make sure you plan ahead!

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DIY Wedding Bouquets

You may not be a professional florist, but you can certainly fake it for a photo op. Budget-friendly floral options include roses (classic), loose greenery (sophisticated), and wildflowers (very chic).  Embellishments like ribbons and pendants are also easy to source and effortless to style. Shop for seasonal blooms, make a plan for ordering and storing your flowers, and be sure to enlist an assistant.

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DIY  Decorations

A venue is often the most expensive part of your wedding budget, and decking it out for honored guests can be a close second.  Save money by simplifying your vision, enlisting help, and going DIY with your backdrops and flourishes.  Décor may set the party mood, but you can certainly make it work for a budget.

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DIY  Favors

If you’re looking to cut costs, wedding favors can be one of the first items to go. (Trust us, you’re always left with a surplus of monograms.) If you’re totally stuck on the idea but want to save money, opt for DIY. This is an excellent project for the holidays, especially if you have access to mom’s kitchen or an assembly line of cousins. Bring on the jelly jars!

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DIY Backdrop for Weddings

Personalizing your wedding invites is actually very professional these days. There are tons of options for affordable, customizable, and creative wedding invitation suites to order online and have delivered right to your door. To save a bit on production, you can order envelopes separately and make your own flourishes. Create an assembly line, put on the festive tunes or your favorite holiday movie, and get stamping. 

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DIY  Photo Booth

If you have an Instax camera and some cute props, you can easily DIY a vintage photo booth.  You can also hire an amateur to be your photobooth photographer using a simple digital camera setup. It’s a bit more expensive than DIY, but less expensive than a full photobooth setup. Bring oversized props like glasses, hats, and signage. This is a fun thrifting and prep activity to enlist the fam for during this holiday season.

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DIY Signs

A décor item to feature throughout your ceremony and reception is signage. For an easy wedding project with the family, head to your local craft, thrift, salvage, or home improvement store.  These can be painted with chalk paint or rustic stains, then hand-painted with instructions, cute sayings, and simple illustrations. Professional calligraphers will charge a pretty penny for chic signage, so if you’re willing to troubleshoot, you can save big with do-it-yourself.