DIY Wedding Decorations

I've always been a fan of homemade decorations for parties especially when they produce beautiful, professional-looking results. Here are some great ideas for DIY Wedding decorations...to help you save some money while making your event truly beautiful and purely customized.


Below are the sources for these ideas - and most links include how-to instructions!

1. DIY Monogram Runner - Do-It-Yourself Weddings (Another alternative to the white fabric would be to use a custom cut, natural fiber runner)
2. Mason Jar Lanterns - A Backyard Wedding Blog
3. Menu Blackboard -A Backyard Wedding Blog (Would be easy and cheap to re-create using a piece of wood painted with chalkboard paint)
4. Car Pom Poms - Martha Stewart
5. Paper Pew Wreath - Martha Stewart
6. Flowery Swizzle Sticks - Martha Stewart
7. Tissue Dahlia Pom Poms - Martha Stewart
8. Twig Centerpieces - Brides (These happen to use tall, clear vases filled with aqua-colored gel, curly willow branches, white orchids and balls of moss)
9. Wheat Grass Centerpieces - DIY Wedding
10. Photo Garland - This Young House Blog
11. Herb Name Cards - Intimate Weddings
12. Branch Candle Holders - Nuptial Nattering (These are from Pottery Barn, but you could easily make some similar ones if you have access to a saw and a drill press)
13. Luminarias - DIY Wedding
14. Clustering of Wedding Photos - Edyta Szyszlo (I like the idea of finding old frames, painting them all one color and showcasing things like your engagement pics mingled with old family wedding photos)
15. Tissue Paper Napkin Rings - Martha Stewart
16. Birds Nest Ring "Pillows" - Elizabeth Anne Designs (Even a simple, grapevine birds nest from the craft store with a few flowers and ribbon stuck to the edges would be beautiful)
    

Some Other DIY Wedding Ideas I LOVE:

• Recipe Cards: Send a blank recipe card with your invitations and ask people to bring a recipe to the wedding and use it instead of a guest book. Alternatively, you could have an open recipe box with some of your favorite recipes on it at the guest table and instruct each person to take one as a gift from the bride and groom.
• Fruit for Centerpieces: I've always liked the look of clear glass containers filled with fresh fruit ilo a traditional flower centerpiece...and guests can take the fruit home with them.
• DIY Photo Booth - Instead of renting an expensive photo booth, hang a sheet on a wall, add a custom "photo booth" sign, and leave some fun accessories (feather boas, glasses, hats, etc.) and a Polaroid camera on a table next to it. Guests can then take photos of themselves and write a message on the bottom of the Polaroid. After your wedding, you can then put the photos into a memory book ilo having a traditional guest book. This idea is great because it showcases the varied personalities of your friends and family.
• Custom Bride/Groom Chair Covers - This is a nice option for brides who don't want use chair covers (which in my opinion look cluttered/stuffy) or rent expensive Chiavari chairs (for a crazy $8-on-up per chair!). Rent white resin folding chairs for around $2.50 per chair (this is often cheaper than renting chair covers) and purchase two chair covers from your local Target, Wal-Mart, etc. (or make your own if you're good with a sewing machine). Embellish the back of the two chair covers with a monogram, silk flowers, beads, etc. and put them on the bride and groom's chairs at the reception. Savers Tip: Many stores have chair covers deeply discounted after the holidays.