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The Whole Works
By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
Looking for visual wedding decoration ideas? Unsure how to elevate your wedding reception decor from average to show-stopping and on a budget?
I am here to the rescue with some real-life unique decor ideas that are achievable to create, totally DIYable (is that even a word 🤣) and will leave your guests talking for years to come.
After all, we all want our wedding to scream ‘us’, to represent our personalities and feel like the most special day ever. This is where your wedding decorations come into play.
No matter your wedding theme or colour scheme, you’ll be able to recreate these sensational details and touches. With your own spin of course! And I will share my cost-saving tips.
Plus I will be answering your most pressing wedding decor questions so you know exactly what you are doing and you can snag your wedding decor checklist to print off and keep, for free. Hooray!
The below images are either from real weddings I’ve featured over the past 12 years here on the blog or from styled editorial shoots I’ve had the pleasure of featuring. If you click through to the feature itself you may find how the decor was created or where it was from.
So without further ado, discover all the inspiration from wedding prep, right through to the last dance of the night!
Photo Helen Rose Photography via Dusky Pink Taupe Wedding
Don’t forget about decorating your wedding prep space and of course your wedding entrance. Memories begin from the moment you wake up.
Start your day off right with a pretty-as-a-picture breakfast. Rather than an ordinary spread, simply arrange your cuisine to wow your wedding party.
Pick up some fresh fruit, think lots of colours! Find a lovely board and add a sweet message (or ask a handy helper to do this for you). Inexpensive, yet beautiful.
Photo: Ross Alexander Photography via Scandi Foliage Wedding
What better way to add an extra special touch to your wedding morning than with a gorgeous hanger? You don’t have to buy a new wedding hanger, but you could upcycle an old one to save cash.
Find hangers in charity shops or ask around, scope out your own wardrobe or look out for listings on marketplaces. Then repaint, add wording or wrap in wool. The options are endless and a bespoke hanger would make a lovely keepsake for your wedding party too.
Photos: Katherine Mager via Crochet Wool Wedding Dyanna LaMora via Wedding Styling Ideas
Elevate your wedding prep with a cute backdrop, such as these letter balloons.
Not only will your wedding party adore their prep area all the more but a backdrop really adds to those prep wedding photos. These can be picked up inexpensively, or for a more budget-friendly option, go for plain balloons in pretty hues.
Photo: Hannah Mckernan via Autumn Halloween Wedding
When it comes to the ride to your reception, you don’t have to fork out on a luxe car. Think outside of the box for a crowd pleasing entrance.
Think bicycles, scooters, skateboards (I’ve featured all three at real-life weddings), tractors (and trailers), motorbikes, golf buggies, horses or a borrowed fun vehicle. If it has reliable wheels and is out-of-the-box, it’s sure to be a memorable winner!
Photo: Kristian Leven Photography via Royal Hospital Chelsea Wedding
If you have a car sorted (hired, borrowed or already owned) why not give it an extra flourish?
Decorate your car cheaply with balloons, flowers, ribbons, banners or the classic tin can decor. Perfect for your entrance and exit!
Photos: Andrew Brannan Photography via Bluebell Woods Wedding M.Studios via Blithewold Mansion Wedding
Greet guests arriving with a fun decor display, from signs to flowers and actual doors, you can really go to town.
Think paper decorations and ribbons for budget-friendly options or flowers with props for a more luxe look.
Photos: Amy B Photography via Alderford Lake Wedding Fiona Kelly Photography via DIY Tipi Wedding Fox and Beau Photography via Thirty Guest Wedding
Find an old, pre-loved bicycle and upcycle. Or borrow a bike and add a sign with flowers in the basket for a real focal point to your entrance.
Photo: Katherine Ashdown via Pretty Pastel Country Garden Wedding
The star of your day is your wedding ceremony of course. So why keep it plain when you can go extra?
A super affordable decor option, if your wedding venue allows, is to simply change the seating layout.
Instead of a traditional aisle with chairs on either side, opt for a round ceremony.
Photo: Debs Alexander via Boconnoc Wedding Ideas
Isn’t this the cutest idea? And it’s so cheap to create too. Cut out paper hearts, on sticks, lining walkways, adorable!
Photo: Lucie Watson Photography via Boho Summer Tipi Wedding
Classic candles are not only romantic but they add another dimension to your wedding day look.
For a cheaper option, scavenge mismatched candles and add them to collected glass jars.
Photo: Monisa J. Photography via Arkansas Wedding
Commissioning a custom mat for your aisle may be a little more spendy.
However, if you keep it to use in your home it becomes a more economical purchase. Plus it looks so cute!
Photo Emma Lawson Photography via Bandstand Wedding
Looking for budget-friendly seating that looks great? Try asking a local farmer to borrow rustic haybales and add mismatched blankets.
Photo: Photography34 via North Yorkshire Barn Wedding
For the ultimate boho ceremony set-up, don’t forget to use peacock chairs.
They can be found cheaply online second hand or you could hire a pair from a wedding decor hire specialist.
Photo: Rob Tarren via Surrey Farm Wedding
Timeless petals scattered down the aisle look pretty but also smell divine! Team with lanterns next to chairs for a complete ceremony style.
Photo: Jessica Lee Photographic Art via Woodland Wedding Tennessee
Mismatched rugs can be borrowed and hired to create a very special aisle for you to walk down.
Photo Jade Maguire Photography via DIY Boho Wedding
Why have one colour when you can have all the colours?! Use lanterns, ribbons and flowers in rainbow hues to create a visual delight.
Photo: Kim Williams Weddings via Bright Barn Wedding
Use old curtains or buy fabric from a local haberdashery to drape in your ceremony room as a wedding backdrop. Use coordinating tones for a striking effect.
Photo Emily + Katy Photography via Creative Village Hall Wedding
Instead of handing out your wedding confetti, why not make a display? Such as a cute confetti bar or pin confetti packets to a wooden pallet.
Photos: Darina Stoda Photography via Stubton Hall Wedding Wild Tide Weddings via Summer Boho Wedding
Here you will find some ideas to uplift your wedding reception decor. Simple yet beautiful inspiration to transform your venue.
Rather than adding your wedding favours to place settings, how about popping them on a table for a real feast for the eyes?
Photo: Alexandra Szigeti via Springhead Trust Wedding
Talking of favours, how about treats for your guests’ pets? Such a lovely and thoughtful touch.
Photo Tasmin May Photography via Crown Lodge Wedding
Wooden ladders are a perfect prop to display different items, such as flowers, trinkets, signs and photos. They are easy to pick up and upcycle or rent, making them a budget-friendly and rustic choice.
Photo: Story & Colour via Homespun Fun Country Barn Wedding
Instead of using a table for display purposes, find a beautiful piece of furniture or upcycle a chest of drawers. The effect can be quite the show-stopper.
Photo Emily + Katy Photography – Creative Village Hall Wedding
Keep your guests toasty warm with a blanket box. You can snag bargain blankets at many stores or ask around for some you can borrow. Simply create a sign and display it for all to see.
Photo: Alex Tenters Photography via Farm Wedding
Relive memories and add all your fave photos to a hanging display. Your guests will love looking back on fond times.
Photo: Kerry Ann Duffy via Watercolour Inspired Wedding
Paper crane origami is not only a good luck tradition but can look incredible. For the cost of coloured paper alone, you can really make an impact in your reception space.
Photo: Sarah Beth Photo via Barff Country House Wedding
Good old-fashioned bunting can look amazing as a wedding decoration. Go plain or pattern, the more the merrier. Why not ask someone who is a whizz at sewing to whip up yours?
Photos: Jessica Grace Photography via DIY Barn Wedding Fiona Kelly Photography via DIY Tipi Wedding
Wool pom poms can be fun to make and create a really whimsical decor look. Add to bouquets, flower arrangements or even garlands.
Photo John Wellings via Woodhouse Barn Wedding
Perfect for rustic weddings, wooden crates can be sourced cheaply and used for a gorgeous display area.
Photo: Monisa J. Photography via Arkansas Wedding
Paper lanterns can work fantastically hung from ceilings. They don’t need to have a light within to make a mark either. Cheap and chic.
Photo: Jonathan Ryder via Pretty Light Pink Wedding
Oh, how we love the humble ribbon. Buy reels and add them as hanging decor, to the backs or chairs or to tie up your bouquets.
Photo: Samantha Kay Photography via Post-Elopement Reception Party
Wooden pallets have been a cornerstone in wedding decoration for a while now. They have a gorgeous rustic look and are free to pick up. Use for signs, lighting and backdrops!
Photo Honeydew Moments via Treehouse Wedding
Wedding backdrops don’t need to cost a fortune. Find a wooden sheet and decorate it with gorgeous wallpaper, simple yet so impactful.
Photo: Laura Martha Photography via 1970s Retro Wedding Ideas
For an ethereal style make fun dreamcatchers and hang them from a wall or tree. A lovely craft to complete pre-wedding too.
Photo: Jess Soper Photography via Red Brick Barn Wedding
Macrame has been the go-to for boho weddings. If you can’t afford to buy a ready-made creation, you can learn how to craft using Youtube tutorials.
It’s great to keep for decor in the home too after the big day.
Photo: Jade Touron Photography via Luckley Farm Holidays Wedding
For a quirky look, vintage lampshades suspended really create a fun style.
Photo Thyme Lane Photography via Christmas Marquee Wedding
Balloons have been back in vogue in recent years. Create your own balloon artwork or hire a balloon pro to create your installation of dreams.
Photos: Grace Elizabeth Photography via Iridescent Wedding Dress Wild Tide Weddings via Trevenna Barns Wedding
Vintage streamers can look amazing, either as a backdrop or hung from your reception roof.
Photo: Lex Fleming Photo via Disco Wedding Ideas Bloom Weddings via Workstation Cinema Wedding
Pinwheels have a really cute feel, use patterned and coloured paper to ensure yours fits your wedding theme.
Photo: Beard and Mane via Hertfordshire Barn DIY Wedding
Paper pom poms are simple to make and inexpensive thanks to being able to use tissue paper. Have a crafting party to make yours by the batch.
Photo: Lola Rose Photography via Relaxed & Rustic Handmade Village Hall Pom Pom & Letter Lights Wedding
Artificial blossom trees, real potted trees and branches make for gorgeous natural-looking wedding decor.
Photo Sally T Photography via Whinstone View Wedding
Tassel garlands are such fun. Hang from tables, walls and you could even hang between chairs during your ceremony.
Photo: Miss Gen Photography via Fun London Wedding
Wrap unsightly bottles with coloured wool for inexpensive wedding centrepiece vessels.
Photo: Benjamin Mathers Photography via Bright Beautiful Multicolour Wedding
Interactive and fun, guests will love a bespoke cut-out board for wedding day selfies.
Photo Adam and Grace – Tullyveery House Wedding
Fete games are fun for guests but they can also look amazing too outdoors.
Photo: Sharon Cooper Photography via Enchanted Garden Events Wedding
Wedding decorations don’t end after the wedding breakfast. There are a whole host of other ideas for your decor style.
Create a cool wedding photo booth area by making a DIY frame complete with wording or personalisation.
Photo: Captured by Katrina via Cotswold Marquee Wedding
Keep guests dancing and provide a pretty decor set up by giving out flip-flops!
Photo Adam and Grace via Tullyveery House Wedding
Ensure evening drama with a fairy light tunnel. Nestle tables beneath for a magical atmosphere.
Photo Dani Louise Photography via Midsummer Night’s Dream Wedding
Display your sparklers on a sweet table set up, along with appropriate accessories.
Photo: Jessica Isherwood Photography via Tipis Riley Green Wedding
Think outside of the box for ways to display your drinks. Such as creating a booze bath using a vintage tub.
Photo: Matt Moore Photography via Bohemian Tipi Wedding
Festoon lights are bold and industrial in style, which in the evening look fantastic.
Photo: Camilla Andrea Photography via Whimsical Boho Wedding
Instead of a single wedding cake, display an array of treats. If you are on a tight budget host a bake-off and invite your guests to bring a bake.
Photo: Three Flowers Photography via Outdoor DIY Wedding
Maxime twinkle with a fairy light canopy, just perfect for Autumn/Winter weddings.
Photo Siobhan Beales Photography via Wick Farm Bath Wedding
Keep sugar cravings at bay with a sweetie bar. Find sweet jars and supply paper bags to make a perfect buffet.
Photo: HBA Photography via Calke Abbey Wedding
Pump up the glam in the evening with a glitter bar. Allow everyone to sparkle and shine under the disco ball.
Photo: Brightwing Photography via Barn Wedding Shropshire
What evening wedding would be complete without classic and romantic candlelight?
Photo: Emma Lawson via Autumn Forest Wedding
Perfect for kids and adults alike, custom temporary tattoos will keep everyone entertained.
Photo: Laura Debourde Photography via Two Woods Estate Wedding
Neon signs make a modern lighting statement. Add to a frame or hang on a wall as an ideal backdrop come evening.
Photo: Stevie Jay Photography via 92 Burton Road Wedding
Cresent moon backdrops are simple to make and look really great.
Photos: Becky Harley Photography via Celestial Wedding Ideas
There are so many fantastic ways to decorate your wedding such as:
The key to ensuring a budget wedding looks expensive is to have a plan! Think about your theme and colours, then create a list of all the items you want to make or buy.
Use coordinating tones, materials and textures to create a harmonised, professional style. Mismatched styles work wonderfully too if you’d like an eclectic feel, don’t be afraid to mix things up and experiment.
When it comes to planning a DIY wedding, be organised. Spreadsheets are your friend, so be sure to plan out all your craft and sourcing projects in advance.
Be sure to cost up materials and tools to check that DIY is actually cheaper than buying or sourcing from a wedding pro. Don’t forget though to calculate your time and make sure you have the time needed to create your dream DIY day.
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So there we have it, all the ideas you need for your wedding decorations. Plus how to grab my free wedding decor checklist and answers to your frequently asked wedding decor questions.
It's now time for you to go off and plan out your wedding decor. Yay!
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