Affordable Wedding DIYs That Look Way More Luxe Than They Are

Here comes the glue gun.
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Everyone’s wedding budget looks a little different, but there is one universal way to cut costs on your big day: Take on some of the work yourself. Centerpieces, place card holders, bouquets—not only can you save some money DIY’ing these, but they’ll also feel so much more personal when they’re created by you. (Put the extra cash toward your honeymoon!)  To get you started, we compiled a list of style-focused DIYs that look a lot more luxe than they actually cost.

A Dip-Dyed Wine Cooler

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGHAN MCNEER

Spray paint? Check. Basket? Check. Your guests will be wowed by this two-step DIY cooler when they go to grab a glass of vino.

A Whimsical Balloon Arch

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL WILTBANK

Embellished with flowers and held together with wire netting, this fanciful balloon structure is a dreamy way to dress up the altar or dessert table. Repurpose it at the next day’s brunch as an Instagrammable backdrop. 

A Personalized Ceremony Setup

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY GESI SCHILLING

For a twist on tradition, take a page out of Caitlin Mociun’s book. For their Puglia wedding last year, the jewelry designer and her now-husband set up a table at the altar and asked friends and family to leave something that was meaningful to them.

A Succulent Centerpiece 

With an old wooden serving bowl and some soil, you can re-create these oversize succulent displays by Aussie designer and Fat Plant founder Suzie Kondo. 

A Fragrant Walkway

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MONICA WANG PHOTOGRAPHY

Splurging on a completely new set of vases for your tablescape can add up quickly. Instead, follow Whitney Leigh Morris’s lead and fill upcycled bottles with sprigs of florals and hang them from stakes outdoors.

A Vibrant Fruit Bar

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photo by Meghan McNeer

Multi-tiered cakes are slowly being replaced by massive spreads of an eclectic assortment of confections. This color-fueled spread by chef Deena Chanowitz is no exception. 

Lush Boutonnieres

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photo by AARON BENGOCHEA

It’s not hard to construct these accessories yourself. What’s tricky is settling on the type of greenery and florals you want to incorporate. This DIY features an elegant mix of sage leaves, cocculus, and eucalyptus. 

A High-Low Bouquet

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TINA BOYADJIEVA FOR THUMBTACK

DIY’ing a bouquet that looks professional is easier than you’d think. Elena Seegers of NYC-based floral design company Le Fleuriste showed us the ropes. Her trick: Mix a couple of expensive blooms (peonies, roses, or dahlias) with some foraged elements from a friend’s garden. 

A Glass Welcome Sign

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Tasha Rae Photography via 100LAYERCAKE.COM

We’ve all seen plenty of signs drawn on wood and chalkboards, but our favorites are those drawn on framed glass—especially when set against a backdrop comprising a romantic slew of greenery.

A S’Mores Bar

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JAMIE JONES PHOTOGRAPHY

A s’more is the ultimate DIY dessert. Have your guests pick from an assortment of fun fillings that go beyond the classic options, like Reese’s Cups or fresh fruit.

A Hanging Garden 

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photo courtesy of FEMINA

Hollow out some old Edison light bulbs, wrap them with jute twine, and add your favorite flowers for a whimsical display overhead. Bonus points for incorporating baby’s breath (2019’s It wedding flower). 

An Artful Place Setting

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photo courtesy of ONCEWED.COM

Grab free paint chips from your local hardware store to help show people to their seats. We’re loving all the variations of green in this escort card setup.

Two-Toned Table Linens

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BRITTANY WOOD FOR DESIGNLOVEFEST.COM

DIY’ing your own placemats gives you the opportunity to get creative with the color scheme. Head to a local fabric store and purchase a large cut of linen, which you can later segment into rectangles. 

A Rose-Filled Chandelier 

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photo courtesy of HONESTLY WTF

Hang a beautiful floral fixture over any of your bars for a romantic touch. Erica Chan Coffman created hers with a combination of pink and peach roses, white peonies, and lilacs tied and hung from strands of ribbon.

Clever Directions

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TAYLOR LORD PHOTOGRAPHY VIA STYLEMEPRETTY.COM

A few pieces of spare wood and some white paint are all you need to create this sweet signage.

This story was originally published in March 2016. It has been updated with new information.

Discover more wedding DIYs and ideas: Chic and Clever Bridesmaids Gifts You’ll Actually Want to Give What to Know Before You Plan an At-Home Bridal Shower How to Avoid Spending a Fortune on Your Wedding

Lydia Geisel Avatar

Lydia Geisel

Home Editor

Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.