DIY for Your Wedding

This isn’t for everyone. Whether it’s because you’re just too busy with other things or you simply don’t like to DIY anything, well, that’s what vendors are for, right? But for some people, crafts are life and making everything super personal is the goal. In that case, DIY for your wedding can look a million ways and we’ll just be covering part of what’s possible. Really, this is only limited by your imagination (and maybe time and expense).

(And we would never mean to imply that a DIY wedding is the only way to get a super personal wedding. Of course not! Some people just want to put their hands on as much of their wedding as possible. No one way is better or lesser.)

If you’ve been to even just a couple of Erie weddings (or any in northwestern Pennsylvania), you’ve probably witnessed a prominent display of DIY at the cookie table! Very often a cookie table is a family and friends production with many people contributing dozens and dozens of speciality cookies (and maybe a few cupcakes). In this way, Erie has a special relationship with DIY (and one that many are rightfully proud of).

For a little history about the cookie table, go here.

A random selection of DIY for your wedding

Honor your loved ones

Anyone who has passed can still be included at your wedding. One way is to create a photo collage or a selection of framed photos. You could have them on a table or mantle place and you could have tea lights and holders for people to light and place.

But you could also include them in your jewelry via lockets or create small ornaments that are then tied with ribbon around flower bouquets.

(Take a look at another post in which we wrote about many ways you can honor lost loved ones at your wedding.)

For the littles

If you have children involved in or even just attending the wedding, you could create something special that will add beauty and playfulness but also keep them a bit occupied. Anything from handmade whirligigs to ribbon wreaths to magical wands would be a delight.

Along the same lines, you could create flower crowns!

Origami

If you have the dexterity to fold these little creations, you could create long garlands of them for decorations. Even just placing a small surprise at each place setting would be such a personal touch.

DIY Wedding signs

There are all kinds of signs that can be helpful, and if you have great penmanship or do some beautiful calligraphy or happen to doodle like a master, you could create some signs that shine with your personality.

Foraging flowers and greenery

Of course you could create homemade bouquets out of your own gardens if the timing is right and you happen to rock at growing flowers. But you could also use bits of greenery for the ends of aisles or the centers of tables or to create a backdrop for your ceremony. Don’t limit yourself to just your bouquets.

Photo backdrop

Instead of having a photo booth (which is also fun), you could create your own photo backdrop. You could find vintage fabric — maybe even something that carries history for your family (like a quilt that one of your grandmother’s made) or you could get some simple fabric and make something on it. One idea is to cover it with little pieces of greenery and flowers.

DIY place cards

If your wedding is small enough, you could write a note to each guest as their place cards. (This is like an ultimate personalization level achieved when you think about it…)

But if your wedding is larger, you can still achieve personalization with the place cards. You just have to think of an idea that’s a bit more assembly line friendly. Perhaps print out cards but then add something by hand — a wax stamp, a bit of greenery, a ribbon.

Confetti

Use brown paper to create a simple cone and fill that with dried flowers or wildflower seeds or whatever eco friendly substance you want thrown at you as you leave your ceremony ((ha)).

Guest Comfort

If your wedding is in the summer and outside, think about creating a display of comfort items. Fans, little cold towels, sunscreens. If your wedding is in the winter, even if it’s indoors, you could think along similar lines and have a supply of small lap blankets available. (There’s always someone who is cold no matter how warm the space is, right?)

Incorporate heirlooms

Every family has things handed down from one generation to the next that carry both meaning and beauty. How can you use some of these things to personalize your wedding? This doesn’t have to be limited to clothing and jewelry items. Are there dishes you could use even if just for the bride and groom? Pieces of pottery or art that could be integrated into your decor?

Tips for DIY wedding projects

• Make sure to give yourself plenty of time, and remember that your bridal party is great for helping.
• Make sure you don’t overestimate your DIY abilities. Can you really build all the furniture for your wedding? (Just kidding… but you get the idea).
• Consider cost. Is this worth doing? Literally. As in, does the cost and time of this equal the value you’re looking for?
• Do you have storage for the items you’re creating?
• And above all: Is this going to add fun to your wedding planning and prep or just a lot of stress?