5 Easy, DIY Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Day

Craft your way to a dream wedding with our top planning tips, DIY projects, printable invitations and more.

By: Chelsea Faulkner

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You said yes! Now it's time to gear up and get into wedding planning mode. If you're on a tight budget or saving money for a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon, going the DIY route for flowers, decor, menu and more can help you pull off the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Lace Wedding Dress

Groom hugging his bride

Photo by: iStock/Milan_Jovic

iStock/Milan_Jovic

But if you're stressed about going it alone, don't be. A gorgeous, DIY wedding is totally achievable as long as you're organized and armed with the right tools and knowledge. Check out all of our top tips for planning, decorating and celebrating in style — all while saving those precious dollars.

Be Your Own Wedding Planner

TopTablePlanner Wedding Planning App

Seating charts are complicated. Make them much easier with this drag-and-drop software, which lets you move guests and tables at a click. You can even include guests’ meal preferences and RSVPs.

Photo by: Top Table Planner

Top Table Planner

One of the easiest ways to cut costs on your big day is to forego hiring a traditional wedding planner. That being said, wedding planning can quickly become a full-time job and keeping it all in check can seem daunting. To keep stress levels low, consider delegating tasks to trusted family and friends who understand your vision and with whom you can be open and honest. Then, hire a coordinator for the day of your wedding so that you and your loved ones can enjoy the day without worrying about the little things. Get more of our need-to-know wedding planning tips below.

What to DIY vs. What to Leave to the Pros on Your Big Day

The Best Apps for Wedding Planning 13 Photos

8 Things to Know If You Aren't Hiring a Wedding Planner

Print Invites, Wedding Decor + More at Home

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Wedding paper products can easily run you north of $500. Save this chunk of change by opting to announce your engagement online (think Facebook event or mobile app), crafting your own save-the-dates and printing paper invitations and decor at home. Browse our library of free wedding printables and snag some of our favorite DIY engagement announcement ideas below.

Save-the-Date + Engagement Announcement Ideas 11 Photos

Download + Print: Banners, Place Cards and More 9 Photos

5 Free, Customizable Wedding Invitation Templates 5 Photos

Dress for Less

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Unless you're a skilled seamstress, sewing your own wedding dress or tuxedo probably isn't the best idea. But there are pieces of your wedding attire you can totally make yourself. Check out our step-by-step instructions for crafting your own wedding veil, bow tie, garter and more at a fraction of what you'd pay at the bridal shop.

12 Easy Wedding Attire DIYs

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Ring Bearer Pillow

Watch the wedding bands come down the aisle on a custom-made cushion adorned with silk or satin. Then when the wedding is over, you and hubby can snuggle up on the pillow for years to come. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Birdcage Bridal Veil

Embody the look of old-Hollywood glam. This birdcage veil is so classy looking that nobody will know it’s handmade. With just a little bit of the right tulle and a rhinestone or fake diamond applique, you will be strutting down the aisle in style. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Easy-Sew Bow Tie

Get the dapper look you want at a fraction of the cost. Learn how to make this easy-sew bow tie.

Photo By: Clara MacLellan

Flower Girl Dress

With the peek-a-boo under ruffle, flowing shoulder bow and sequin embellishments, this dress will incite lots of oohhs-and-aahhs when the little flower girl walks down the aisle. The outer layer can be made with lace for a more formal look or use linen (like we did) for a more casual look. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Classic Veil

Whether a modern or traditional-style wedding, every bride deserves a gorgeous wedding veil. You can make them in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging from shoulder to cathedral length. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Wedding Dress Sash

A sash or belt can cost hundreds of dollars. Make one for about $50. It's easy. Buy embellished trim sold by the yard and then cut it to size. Add a fastener or sew ribbon at the ends so you can create a bow in the back of the dress.

Photo By: Gordana Sermek ©Gordana Sermek

Garter Belt

A garter is probably one of the easiest things to sew, just a bit of stretch lace and some needle and thread is all you need to create the leg band. Then embellish it with feathers, jewelry, more lace or something sexy. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Wrap Your Own Bouquet

Wedding flowers can be one of the largest expenses on your big day, save money by using simple silk ribbon to create an elegant bouquet. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Floral Crown

There is something so refreshing about crowning the bride with flowers. It invokes the beauty of renaissance fairs, maypole festivals or just a pretty bohemian style. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Easy-To-Make Boutonniere

Use your favorite ribbon and flowers to make the boutonnieres for your wedding day. You'll be able to customize them how you want, plus you'll save money. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Pretty Ribbons Blowing in the Breeze

Looking for a fun twist on the classic flower bouquet? How about adding some dangling ribbons. Add movement and color to your wedding photos with this special handmade touch. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Wedding Night Wear

Make a fun wedding shower or bachelorette party gift that is sure to incite lots of laughs and giggles, and who-knows-what on the honeymoon. Get the step-by-step instructions here.

Be Frugal With Florals

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©Kat Flower

Kat Flower

If you have floral experience or know someone who does, then you could save a significant amount of money by arranging your own floral centerpieces. If you aren't totally sure about going the DIY route however, consider choosing non-floral centerpieces (like candles or lanterns), then hire a florist to craft your bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages. Grab our top tips for saving money on wedding flowers and get inspired by our favorite floral alternatives below.

10 Money-Saving Flower Arrangement Tips 10 Photos

27 Floral Alternatives For Your Wedding 27 Photos

DIY the Details

DIY Pumpkin Guest Book

Perfect for a fall wedding, a faux pumpkin or funkin is a cute and easy idea to master. Glam up the pumpkin with gold glitter on the stem, fill a jar with colorful permanent markers and use a smaller funkin to let guests know what to sign.

Photo by: Something Turquoise

Something Turquoise

In the months leading up to the wedding, stir up a batch of margaritas and gather a few of your best pals together for a wedding craft night. Small but important details like table numbers, favors and guest books are all easily made by hand from low-cost materials. Plus, your friends will love seeing their handiwork displayed on the big day.