What’s Worth DIYing for Your Wedding? A Guide for Creative Brides
- southernbellewedby
- Jul 4
- 4 min read
Weddings can be expensive—but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your style or personality. For brides who love getting hands-on, there are plenty of wedding elements that can be beautifully (and affordably!) DIYed without causing unnecessary stress. The key is knowing where your creativity can shine—and where you might want to call in a little extra help.
In this post, I’m sharing the top wedding details that are perfectly DIY-friendly—plus some tips to make the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Wedding Invitations
Invitations are a lovely place to showcase your personality. With sites like Canva and Etsy offering beautiful templates, you can design a custom suite and print it at home or through a professional service. Want to elevate the look? Add die-cut jackets, wax seals, lace wraps, or a printed engagement photo—simple touches that create a boutique-worthy finish without the boutique price.
Other stationery and signage can also be DIY-friendly. I really enjoyed creating menus and place cards for my own wedding and everyone raved about them!
Wedding Flowers – Faux
Faux flowers are one of the easiest wedding elements to DIY. Foam and wooden flowers from brands like Ling’s Moment, Sola Wood Flowers, or Luv Sola look stunning and can be arranged weeks in advance. Not a crafter? No problem—there are plenty of Etsy shops that sell pre-made arrangements at a fraction of what fresh flowers cost.
Wedding Flowers – Fresh (with Caution)
DIYing your fresh flowers is possible if you have help and time in the few days leading up to the wedding. Costco, Sam’s Club, and Nifty Flowers all offer bulk blooms at reasonable prices. You’ll need to process, store (ideally in a cool place), and arrange everything—so this is a great project for brides with a crafty crew and a flexible schedule. DIYing fresh flowers has to be done the week before the wedding, so this can be a stressful experience if you haven't done the research before you start.
This was something I really wanted to do for my own wedding, until I picked a venue six hours away from where we live and the logistics were too much.
Wedding Décor
DIY décor is one of the most fun ways to infuse your wedding with personal charm. Think welcome signs, table numbers, photo displays, and signage. Choose a few pieces that feel meaningful and manageable—just don’t overload your to-do list. Large or venue-installed items should be handled by a vendor or rental company to avoid last-minute stress.
Instead of buying wooden crates I wanted, my husband made a few for a fraction of the cost. I dressed up some sandalwood fans with some ribbon and our monogram. And since I love napkin folding, I bought some napkins and folded them ahead of time into tux jackets and dresses. I even made little bow ties to place on the tuxes. The one thing I wish we would have not DIYed was the string lights. While it was beautiful, it was really stressful and a lot of logistics that I wish I would have let a professional handle.
Nails
Your nails can be DIYed as well if you are comfortable doing it, especially if you want a more simplified look. I went to get a mani-pedi a couple of days before the wedding. While I really loved my fingernails, I didn’t like the color they used on my toes. I picked out a light blue, but the polish she put on my toes looked light purple in regular lighting. I didn’t like it, so I ended up picking up some nail polish and changing it later that day, and you couldn’t tell the difference between what she did and what I did. If you want a more extravagant design, a professional may be a good choice for you unless you are used to doing them yourself.
Hair & Makeup (Sometimes!)
If you’re confident in your beauty skills and want a soft, natural look, you can absolutely DIY your hair or makeup. Just be sure to do a few trial runs ahead of time and use products that photograph well and last all day. If you're unsure or want a more polished result, hiring a professional is a worthwhile investment.
Keep in mind that makeup shows up differently in professional photos, and you often need more makeup than you are used to for everyday wear. A professional makeup artist will have the right kind and the right amount of makeup to make you shine in your professional photos. So, if this is a priority to you, a professional makeup artist is the way to go!
DJ Setup
If your wedding vibe is relaxed and you're working with a tight budget, a DIY DJ setup can work! Build your own playlist on Spotify, rent a quality speaker, and ask a trusted friend to handle music transitions and announcements. For a high-energy dance floor, though, nothing beats a professional DJ.
I had my brother MC and control the music and for the most part, it went well, especially since it was a small wedding. It was hard to hear some the announcements though, so make sure you tell your MC to speak louder!
Final Thought: When done intentionally, DIYing can make your wedding feel deeply personal—and even a little magical. And the process of making the projects can be a really fun experience! Just remember: You don’t have to do it all. Pick a few projects you’ll enjoy, and let the rest be handled by trusted vendors or your planning team.
Want to know what not to DIY? Part Two of this series will be published soon where I break down what’s best left to the pros so you can enjoy a stress-free wedding day. Tell me down below what you plan on DIYing for your wedding!
Comments