Here are 11 fun and easy DIY ideas to save money on your wedding decorations, food, favors, and more. Perfect for couples who love to get crafty! Ideas to save money on your wedding.
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Table of Contents
- 1. DIY Invitations
- 2. Handmade Centerpieces
- 3. DIY Photo Booth
- 4. Make Your Own Bouquets
- 5. Build a Donut Wall
- 6. Create a Signature Drink
- 7. DIY Welcome Sign
- 8. Make Your Own Wedding Favors
- 9. DIY Ceremony Arch
- 10. Set Up a Candy Bar
- 11. Use Printable Signs
DIY Wedding Ideas to Save Money
Here are 11 money-saving ideas for your wedding. Weddings can get very expensive. But honestly, you don’t need to break the bank to have a day you love. I DIYed a bunch of stuff for my wedding and not only saved money, but also made it feel very personal. It was also a great way for friends and family members to help, feel connected to the process, and have some fun!
So here are 11 easy DIY ideas to save money at your wedding and reception. You don’t need to be super crafty, just a little creative and willing to try!
1. DIY Wedding Invitations
Instead of hiring a designer, I used Canva. It’s free and easy. You can print them yourself or use a cheap online printer. Invitations do set the mood and theme for the wedding, but don’t go overboard. This is a great place to cut back a little without anyone noticing. Invest some time and learn how to use Canva; you will be glad you did!
2. DIY Centerpieces
Mason jars, candles, thrift store vases, and wildflowers. That’s it! You can make each table look a little different but still coordinated. Use Pinterest for inspiration and ideas. This is just one option. Fresh flowers add a nice touch to any event. If you would rather use something that you can reuse or sell after the wedding, consider lanterns or floating candles in different-sized vases for a romantic, cozy feel.
Read this blog on easy non-floral wedding centerpieces.
3. DIY Photo Booth
You can make a backdrop with flowers and fairy lights. Then, set up a spot for guests to put their phone on a tripod and add props from the dollar store. You can buy these customized neon lights and use silk flowers. Photo booths are a festive activity for guests after dinner, and it can double as a nice keepsake and a favor.
4. Make Your Own Bouquets
Making your own wedding bouquets is a beautiful way to save money while adding a deeply personal touch to your big day. DIY bouquets typically cost a fraction of what a professional florist charges, especially if you use in-season flowers, greenery, or even faux blooms. You can shop at local flower markets, grocery stores, or wholesale suppliers and create arrangements that perfectly match your style without paying for labor costs. Beyond the savings, crafting your own bouquet allows you to choose meaningful flowers, control the size and look, and even involve friends or family for a fun pre-wedding activity. With a little planning and simple techniques, DIY wedding bouquets can look just as stunning as professionally made ones while keeping your budget in check.
5. Build a Donut Wall
Building your own donut wall is a fun and budget-friendly way to create a memorable wedding display without the high rental fees. Many donut walls can be made using inexpensive materials like pegboard, plywood, or even a reclaimed wood frame, allowing you to customize the size, color, and style to match your wedding theme. By DIY-ing your donut wall, you can save hundreds of dollars compared to renting one and still achieve that Pinterest-worthy look guests love. It also gives you the freedom to personalize signage, arrange donuts exactly how you want, and reuse or repurpose the wall after the wedding. With a little creativity and basic tools, a DIY donut wall becomes both a cost-saving solution and a standout dessert feature.
6. Create a Signature Drink
Creating your own signature cocktail is an easy and affordable way to add personality to your wedding while keeping bar costs under control. By choosing one or two simple drinks instead of a full open bar, you can significantly reduce alcohol expenses without sacrificing guest enjoyment. DIY signature cocktails allow you to select budget-friendly spirits, seasonal ingredients, and even batch the drinks ahead of time to save on bartender fees. You can personalize the cocktail names, flavors, and signage to reflect your story as a couple, making the experience feel thoughtful and intentional. With a well-chosen recipe and attractive display, a DIY signature cocktail feels polished, fun, and far more cost-effective than traditional bar options.
7. DIY Welcome Sign
Making your own wedding welcome sign is a simple way to save money while setting the tone for your entire celebration. Instead of renting or purchasing an expensive custom sign, you can create one using affordable materials like a mirror, chalkboard, poster board, or a thrifted frame. DIY welcome signs give you complete control over the wording, font style, and design so it perfectly matches your wedding aesthetic. You can print the design at home or through a low-cost print shop and assemble it yourself, avoiding high calligraphy or signage fees. The result is a warm, personalized greeting for your guests that looks polished and intentional without stretching your wedding budget.
8. Make Your Own Wedding Favors
You could fill mini jars with local honey and tie tags that say “Meant to Bee.” It is adorable and super cheap. These are a nice little something to say “thank you for coming”.
9. DIY Ceremony Arch
PVC pipe, flowers, and fabric. That’s all it takes. It will look like it cost way more than it did. This sets the focal point for the ceremony and is a backdrop for photos. Spend a little extra time on this; guests will be looking at it all throughout the ceremony. This is a detail that will be noticed and will be in your photos forever.
10. Set Up a Candy Bar
Purchase clear containers from Amazon along with scoops. Buy bags of your favorite candy (the more colorful, the better). Guests can fill bags as they exit; they make great party favors. Varying the size and shape of the containers and the candy adds a stunning visual element. Consider covering this entire display with a sheer fabric until after dinner, when you want them to indulge; otherwise, it will be gone before dinner.
Pro Tip: Get various sizes and shapes of jars to add visual interest to the table. Keep the glass clear and the surrounding fabric white and let the colors of the different candies steal the show. Also, label each item, and if you get jars with lids, take the lids off when it is time for guests to help themselves.
11. Use Printable Signs
Instead of buying signs, print them at home. Great for gift tables, cards, and menus.
12. Spotify Playlist for Pre-Ceremony or Cocktail Hour
You can still hire a DJ later while saving on early music costs. Honestly, during the first hour of your reception, which is normally the cocktail hour, there is so much talking going on that guests cannot hear the music anyway. Save a few hundred dollars and make a playlist, or have the venue play their house music.
13. DIY Aisle Decor
Simple petals, greenery tied to chairs, or lanterns avoid expensive floral installs. The ceremony is a relatively small part of the overall wedding as far as decor goes. Keep it simple. If you are using candles as aisle decor, this is a good spot to use LED candles.
Pro Tip
Avoid anything that involves:
Large-scale setup on the wedding day
Specialized tools or skills
Last-minute assembly
You will be glad you did. You do not need the extra hassle on your wedding day. Even if you do delegate this to someone else, you will still need to be thinking about it and worrying that something will go wrong.
Key Takeaways
- DIY can save you thousands of dollars on your wedding.
- It adds a personal touch to your wedding.
- You don’t have to be super crafty, just creative and willing to try.
- It is also a fun activity that can create a bonding experience for your family and friends.
- Focus on the things guests will notice: decor, food, music, and signs.
- You’ve got this, be creative and have fun!
Try one or all of these DIY wedding ideas to save money.
