DIY wedding décor has a bad reputation — think wobbly centrepieces and slightly-crooked hand-lettered signs. But done right, it can look extraordinary and save thousands. Here’s how to do it right.
The DIY Golden Rule
Only DIY things you have time to do well. A rushed DIY project looks worse than a cheap bought alternative. Start earlier than you think necessary, and do a test run for every project.
Centrepieces
The most impactful DIY opportunity:
- Candle clusters — groups of pillar candles at different heights on mirrors. Elegant, affordable, near-impossible to get wrong.
- Potted plants — herbs or succulents in terracotta pots. Guests can take them home as favours.
- Book stacks — vintage books topped with flowers. Perfect for literary couples.
- Lanterns — from IKEA or secondhand shops, filled with fairy lights.
Avoid complex floral arrangements unless you have genuine experience. Flowers are harder than they look.
Signage
Good signage makes a wedding look considered and personal:
- Acrylic signs — order laser-engraved from Etsy sellers. Looks premium, not expensive.
- Chalkboards — hire a chalk artist for the welcome board. Costs €50–100 and looks stunning.
- Wooden pallets — for seating charts, menus, and directional signs. Sand and paint, or leave natural.
- Printable templates — tools like Canva have hundreds of wedding sign templates. Print at A3 for €2–4 each.
Table Styling
The detail that elevates everything:
- Linen napkins folded simply and tied with twine or a sprig of rosemary.
- Printed menus placed on each setting.
- Personalised place cards with a small detail for each guest (a pressed flower, a luggage tag).
- A scatter of petals or dried grasses along the table centre.
What NOT to DIY
- The cake — professional bakers are worth every cent.
- The flowers for the ceremony arch — the centrepiece of your ceremony photos should be done by a professional.
- Lighting — good atmospheric lighting is technical and requires proper equipment.
- Anything involving fire or structural elements.
Organisation Is Key
Create a shared task list in PlanWed for every DIY project with deadlines, supply lists, and who’s responsible. Start all projects at least 8 weeks before the wedding. Have a “completion day” two weeks before where everything is finished and ready to transport. Never leave DIY to the week of the wedding.
