You don’t have to be a millionaire to have a magnificent wedding. The secret to a beautiful wedding ceremony, wedding reception, or even a party in general, isn’t how much something costs, but how you make it look. So say hello to your inner designer as we look at some of the simplest and most effective tips to getting the look when you don’t have money to burn. Here’s how to make a statement on a budget.
Above: Jewel Footed Wooden Boxes With Aged White Finish with Vintage Lace Place Card With Fold
The key? Decorative props. These are anything that serve to add authenticity to a wedding theme or setting. For example, a selection of beautiful apothecary jars to take your retro decorations to the next level, or pretty lace-effect favour boxes to complete your vintage wedding. Magic is in the details. In fact, often it’s the smallest things that make the biggest impact. Look around, and you’ll see inspiration everywhere. Anything has creative potential if you look hard enough.
Above, left to right: Blush Pretty Lace Favour Box and Personalised Lace Opulence Laser Embossed Invitation
Look to Nature
- Thin vines and twigs in your garden or nearby park can be twisted into different shapes
- Loose branches can be strapped into position as a natural shelf, hook or archway, and tree stumps or logs can be used as seating, centrepieces, or mini candle holders
Featured above: Artificial Birch Tree Centrepiece
- Leaves painted and/or attached with string or ribbon can be used as decorations or a stationery alternative
Featured above, left to right: Gilded Pinecones by Hative and Falling Leaves Garland by House of Jade Interiors
- Rocks and gravel can be scattered across tables or floors or used as paper/balloon weights or the backdrop to a mini terrarium
Featured above: Natural Rocks With Card Etch Place Card Holder
- Hollowed-out pieces of wood or fruit are a great storage space for iced drinks, champagne bottles, mini favours, or centrepieces. (Or even as a drink container itself, or a DIY candle!)
Featured above: Apple, Orange and Cinnamon Infusion | Apple Candles
With all of this available in nature, just imagine the possibilities with the changing seasons too!
Above, left to right: Rustic Wedding Theme featuring Mini Lanterns with Hanger | Autumn Weding Theme
Easy! And you won’t break the budget either.
Making a statement isn’t something to do just with your venue decorations though. For a pretty, nature-friendly wedding you can make wreaths, belts, corsages, buttonholes, or crowns of flowers out of more flowers, leaves, and twigs. It may be best to use artificial fruits or flowers for this though, unless you want a hive of bees to chase you down the aisle.
Browse our gorgeous Retro Wedding Theme
Above, left to right: Autumn Bridal Looks by Elizabeth Messina and Bohemian Wedding Shoot by Story Board Wedding
Accessorise
- Accessorise vases and chair backs with strips of ribbon or twine, or garlands of crystals or pearls, to add personality to your aisle or reception seating
Featured above: Pearls and Lace Chair Back DIY and Rustic Glam Wedding Theme
- Use ribbon, twine, buttons or charms on your wedding stationery
Featured above: Ruffled Jute Ribbon Trim | Ruffled Fabric Ribbon Trim | Charming Wooden Button Decoration With Natural Finish | Natural Wood Buttons | Burlap Wrap By The Roll
Featured above: Rustic Elegance Stationery, Craft Paper Twine and Natural Wood Buttons
- Hand-make your bouquet or buttonholes with fabric and/or brooches, or add some sparkle to your wedding flowers with crystal pins
Featured above: Couture Brooch Bridal Bouquet | DIY Sparkling Wedding Bouquets | Brooch Bouquet | Decorative Rolled Fabric Lace Flowers
- Make pretty origami flowers or use our paper flower templates
Featured above: Pretty Petals Paper Floral Wedding Decor DIY
You might have small hidden treasures all over your house that are perfect accessories for decorations. Even an ordinary old household object can become extraordinary; just look at these simple bohemian bottles and beautiful hanging parasols filled with flowers!
Above, left to right: DIY Bohemian Bottles | DIY Decorative Bottles
Above: Standard White Battenburg Lace Parasol
Layers
Cost usually restricts people to using smaller arrangements for their wedding and party decor—smaller candles, fewer flowers, far-spaced centrepieces, etc. Of course, these can look stunning and are perfect as wedding decorations for any theme. They’re also ideal for someone who wishes to decorate their ceremony, venue, or general look more subtly.
Browse our stunning Shabby Chic Wedding Theme
But if you want to bring back the impact, we take a look at the flip-side: use risers and platforms to elevate your other decorations. Put vases on boxes, candles on a pile of books, place cards or notes in tall card holders. The effect could be magnificent if you drape flowers down the sides so they spill onto the table. The boxes don’t even have to be fancy either—just grab your regular cardboard box and paper it up with some pretty wallpaper. Or bypass the idea of boxes all together and use glass, plastic or porcelain containers or glasses with a long stem.
Above, left to right: Decorative Pedestaled Apothecary Jars (shown with Speech Bubble Chalk Board Clips and Cellophane Bags with Candy Colourful Insert and Ribbon), including a Globe-Shaped Bowl, a Straight-Sided Bowl, and a Bell-Shaped Bowl | Small Metal Birdcage With Suspended Tealight Holder with Decorative Pearl Garland, Vintage Inspired Iron Pillar Candle Holder, Ornamental Ribbed Orb Table Number Holder and Contemporary Vintage Large Rectangular Tag
Above: Vintage Inspired Wood Case With Hinged Lid with Vintage Inspired Ornate Box With Decorative Pull and Vintage Inspired Display Drawer With Shelf
Think layers and contrasts, but be wary of elevating too much or your wedding table may look more like a car-boot sale. Try for an assortment of high and low items to avoid overwhelming your guests. It gives texture and variety instead of throwing it in people’s faces.
Above, clockwise from the top-left: Vintage DIY Wedding Drawer, Ruffled Jute Ribbon Trim, and Burlap Table Runner
Water
One of the most simple and beautiful ways to make a statement on a budget is to add water to your décor. A bowl of water with floating flowers, flower petals, candles or fruit can really add that WOW factor to your wedding. There’s a whole host of container ideas too, from vases to wine or Martini glasses, bowls, and bottles. Add an extra pop with draped lighting, fluorescent paint, or a centrepiece lit from below.
Above, left to right: Glass Centrepiece by Style Me Pretty | Baby’s Breath Submerged in Water by Kingensmith Productions | Green Apple Wedding Centrepiece by Orchard Cove Photography | Glass Cylinder and Coloured Floating Candles
With a touch of imagination, your wedding will be stunning.
Browse thousands of products in our shop now or check out our DIY article pages for more beautiful ideas. We recommend you look at 8 of our favourite, easy DIY ideas.
