So you’ve realized your wedding budget is DIY, but your personal style is a lot more design-forward than some of the DIY wedding planning tips and tricks you’ve stumbled across so far. Don’t panic! It’s totally possibly to plan all the details of your wedding yourself without hiring a wedding planner. And you can do it in style. You’ll just need to set aside more time to establish your vision and to find all the elements that will make your wedding design pop. Keep reading and I’ll walk you through how to create an elegant DIY wedding without being tacky or typical.
Choose Your Wedding Venue Wisely
Choosing a stunning venue really sets the overall mood for a DIY wedding. No matter how stunning the decorations, you can’t disguise a bland wedding venue. Do your research in the city you’re getting married in and think outside the box. Instead of the go-to reception halls and hotels, perhaps there are some historic estates that offer event rentals or an under-the-radar orchard nearby. Your choice of a wedding venue can also save you time with choosing decor; the setting always provides the underlying ambiance. Some things I always look for in a venue include dramatic lighting fixtures, architecturally interesting details, and grand first impressions. With these wedding venue elements, your DIY wedding will feel more luxe.
DIY Wedding Tip: High Impact Wedding Florals
You can forgo all other decor if you have high impact florals at your DIY wedding. I think that investing in the floral budget always pays off, as they really establish a celebratory mood like nothing else can. And the photos always look gorgeous. Whether you like pops of color or lush expanses of whites and greenery, your floral decor will provide the backdrop to the celebration. Don’t rush to book the first expensive florist that matches your aesthetic. You definitely want to shop around and ask for quotes to find something that suits your budget. Most experienced florists can work in a variety of styles. You just have to provide them with a clear vision.
Simple DIY Wedding Tablescapes
When you’re planning a DIY wedding, it can be easy to go overboard. Everything looks like a good idea and you may want to have it all. But take a breath…and edit. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of staying true to your personal vision. Don’t get distracted by the latest trend you saw and buy a bunch of unnecessary decor. Creating a DIY wedding with a luxury feel is all about quality over quantity. Avoid plastic wedding themed clutter and choose a few timelessly elegant table elements. Choose linens in a nice material, make sure they are properly steamed and laid out. Intentional and simple wedding table settings look great for a formal, romantic celebration.
Mood Lighting
No matter how incredible your wedding venue is, you’ll probably need to introduce some additional mood lighting. This helps with the ambiance and will result in visually layered photographs of the event. There’s a reason cinematography is so important in films! A few well placed lamps, can lights, or hanging lanterns will create a feeling of movement throughout the space. Just make sure you choose warm lighting and avoid lights with blue or fluorescent hues. Also, I recommend avoiding plastic lamps, as they are more prone to falling over during dancing festivities. Another one of the more affordable DIY wedding decor tips is to install large amounts of pillar candles. They’re slightly thicker than tapers, so they will burn throughout the entire evening. Battery operated candles also provide the same glow if your venue doesn’t allow open flames. You can arrange these around the bride and groom table or another focal point.
Well-Designed Wedding Stationery
Your choice of wedding stationery establishes the first impression of the event, so choose well! It’s a special day and you want to choose a quality paper and design that will make your guests feel like invitees to the event of the century. The little details here make a big impact. You can also carry over the invitation design to the wedding menu and signage to create cohesive branding for the event. Use similar fonts and materials to ensure that your aesthetic remains consistent. This is another area where couples choosing the DIY wedding route might go overboard on the design. Above all, you want to make sure the information is fully legible for your guests.
Thoughtful Wedding Details
When it comes to the small additions to your wedding day, I recommend creating a Pinterest board or folder with images of everything that strikes your fancy. Then, when you are finalizing the wedding decor vision, sort through the folders and choose what fits the overall vibe. Even if you think something looks super cute, it might come off as random in the context of the rest of the wedding. The DIY wedding details should either elevate the event experience or reflect a personal detail about your relationship. For example, monogrammed linens add a touch of old-money luxury and they are an instant family heirloom.
Luxury Inspired DIY Wedding
I hope this list of DIY wedding tips has set you on the right path towards creating the wedding of your dreams! Staying focused can be difficult with all the inspiration out there. Just take a look at your own home and personal style and you’ll start to hone in on a plan. Keep your editing eye sharp and you’ll be able to craft a memorable event in no time. Subscribe to my newsletter for more helpful wedding planning tips and templates.
