Creative And Affordable Table Decorations For Your Wedding

Planning a wedding can be expensive, and it's easy to overspend on decorations. But with a bit of creativity and some DIY, it's possible to make cheap wedding table decorations that look amazing. Here are some ideas to get you started:

- Keep it simple with a single statement piece, such as a large vase or brightly coloured table runner.

- Use natural and eco-friendly decorations like eucalyptus, ivy, or baby's breath, which are inexpensive and easy to style.

- Get crafty with wine bottles, jam jars, or wine corks, and decorate them with paint, hessian, lace, or ribbon.

- Add a personal touch with photos or vintage books.

- Use fairy lights, candles, or lanterns to create a romantic ambiance.

- Opt for affordable potted plants or succulents, which can also be given away as wedding favours.

- Choose seasonal decorations, like autumn leaves or pumpkins, or citrus fruits for a summer wedding.

- Repurpose items like wooden crates, antique boxes, or birdcages, and fill them with flowers or fairy lights.

- Make your own centrepieces with colourful sand, water, and floating candles, or dye coffee beans to fill glass vases.

- Use paper decorations, such as pinwheels, paper flowers, or paper lanterns, for an eco-friendly and budget-friendly option.

DIY centrepieces

Material Table Runner

Choose a material that complements your wedding theme and create a table runner for each table. Sequin runners are especially eye-catching, but plain colourful fabrics or rustic hessian can also look fabulous, particularly at a countryside wedding.

DIY Greenery Table Runner

You don't need to be a florist to create a stunning centrepiece using foliage. Greenery is easier to arrange than flowers and lends itself well to a relaxed, rustic look. Eucalyptus and ivy are great options for creating a living piece of decor.

Lemon Centrepieces

Perfect for a summer or destination wedding, this centrepiece is simple yet striking. All you need are lemons, bell jars, and cut flowers of your choice.

Lavender Rustic Centrepieces

Bring a touch of chic Provençal style to your wedding with centrepieces made from beautifully scented lavender. Tie a simple lace ribbon around a jam jar or use hessian and fresh lavender sprigs for a rustic look.

Wooden Crates

Search for wooden crates in antique shops or second-hand stores and fill them with flowers, petals, fairy lights, or even bottles of beer for a shabby-chic look.

Painted Wine Bottles

Save wine bottles in the months leading up to your wedding, paint them in your wedding colours, and top them with taper candles for a simple yet effective centrepiece.

Hessian-Wrapped Jam Jars

Ask friends and family to collect jam jars, then wrap them with hessian and a band of lace or ribbon. You can put a floating candle inside or fill the jar with wildflowers for a rustic touch.

Stacked Books

If you and your partner are bookworms, source vintage or modern books and stack them in the centre of the table, tied with lace or ribbon.

Wine Cork Menus

Make a thin incision in wine corks and use them as a fun way to display your menu in the centre of each table, adding a unique touch to your wedding decor.

Wicker Baskets with Flowers

Source a variety of wicker baskets from car boot sales or antique shops, line them with florists' foam, and fill them with wildflowers or Oasis to create beautiful blooms.

These DIY centrepiece ideas are not only budget-friendly but also allow you to add a personal and creative touch to your wedding tables.

Seasonal touches

Spring

Embrace the freshness and joy of spring with pastel colours, spring florals like ranunculus, greenery such as eucalyptus, and light, sheer fabrics. Wildflowers and in-season blooms are a great way to maximise your budget. Add some fairy lights in small glass vases for a romantic touch.

Summer

Celebrate the vibrant energy of summer with bold, bright colours, seasonal flowers like sunflowers or roses, and gold accents. Citrus fruits like lemons and grapefruits add a touch of elegance and freshness to your tablescape.

Autumn

Create a cosy and rich atmosphere with leaves, gourds, squash, maple branches, acorns, and plaid linens. Autumn is the perfect season for a rustic or farmhouse-themed wedding. Pumpkins can be used as candle holders or vases, and painted in metallic colours or carved with your initials.

Winter

Bring the magic of winter to your tables with faux snow, evergreen branches, red berries, pinecones, walnuts, and tiny wreaths. For a festive touch, add some jingle bells, red velvet bows, and ceramic ornaments. Fairy lights or candles create a warm and inviting ambiance.

Repurpose items

Repurposing items is a great way to save money on your wedding table decor. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Bridesmaid Bouquets as Centerpieces

Consider reusing the bridesmaid bouquets as affordable centerpieces. Using faux flowers will make this easier, as you won't need to worry about watering them. You can simply slide the bouquets into a vase and fluff them up with larger flowers, filler blooms, and greenery. Alternatively, arrange them in a simple wooden crate or tray for a rustic look.

Flower Boxes as Signs or Centerpieces

If you're using flower boxes, don't throw them away after the ceremony! You can reuse them as wedding signage or centerpieces. Check out online tutorials for ideas on how to upcycle flower boxes into adorable wedding signs.

Bottles, Tins, and Jars

Glass bottles (even wine bottles!), mason jars, and tins can be transformed into affordable and stylish table decorations. Paint them, combine them, fill them with flowers or colored sand, or leave them as they are. For a rustic or country-themed wedding, consider wrapping mason jars with hessian and lace, or floating candles inside.

Wooden Crates

Search for wooden crates in antique shops or second-hand stores and repurpose them as shabby-chic centerpieces. Fill them with flowers, petals, fairy lights, or even bottles of beer for a unique and whimsical touch.

Painted Wine Bottles

Save those wine bottles and give them a new life! Paint them in your wedding colors, top them with taper candles, and you've got yourself a simple yet effective centerpiece.

Vintage Books

Are you and your partner bookworms? Source some vintage or modern books and stack them on the tables, tied with lace or ribbon. It's a unique and personal touch that your guests will surely notice.

Choose a statement detail

The first step to decorating your wedding tables on a budget is to choose a "statement detail". This is the element that will stand out and be allocated most of the budget for table decorations. Here are some ideas for statement details:

• Patterned tablecloths: Opt for a patterned tablecloth that matches your wedding theme. Sequin tablecloths are a particularly stunning option, but plain colourful materials or fabrics like hessian can also look fabulous, especially for a rustic countryside wedding.
• Colourful centrepieces: Bright, colourful centrepieces will be sure to catch your guests' eyes. Consider using large or tall vases, dramatically coloured table runners, or a combination of mix-and-match candles.
• Vintage china: Vintage-style or mismatched china can add a unique and elegant touch to your table setting. Look for pretty teacups and saucers from second-hand shops, which you can fill with cut spray roses or small cakes.
• Colourful glassware: Glassware in various colours can add a playful and vibrant touch to your tablescape.

Once you've chosen your statement detail, keep the rest of the tabletop elements basic and uncomplicated. Use your venue's in-house items or rent in bulk to save money.

Use budget-friendly flowers

Flowers are a key part of your wedding table decorations, but they can be expensive. Here are some tips for using flowers on a budget:

Choose in-season flowers

Flowers that are in season will be cheaper than those that are out of season. For example, if you're getting married in the fall, choose flowers that are in season during that time, such as zinnias, dahlias, marigolds, mums, goldenrods, and sunflowers. Not only will these flowers be more affordable, but they'll also add a seasonal touch to your wedding.

Opt for budget-friendly varieties

Some flowers are naturally more expensive than others. To save money, choose flowers with softer petals and a wide range of color options, such as peonies, garden roses, sweet peas, and ranunculus. These flowers are not only budget-friendly, but they also add a romantic vibe to your wedding tables.

Buy in bulk

Consider buying flowers in bulk from wholesale markets or online stores. This can reduce the cost per flower and ensure that you have enough flowers for all your tables.

Mix with greenery

Another way to save money on flowers is to mix them with greenery. Filler flowers and foliage, such as eucalyptus, Italian ruscus, and baby's breath, can be used to create a lush and full look without breaking the bank. Greenery can also be used to line the tables and create a natural, organic feel.

Use single-stem arrangements

Instead of large, compact bouquets, opt for single-stem arrangements. Placing individual blooms in their own bud vase creates an elegant and simple look. This can also be a more cost-effective option, as you need fewer flowers overall.

DIY your arrangements

Creating your own floral arrangements can save money on hiring a florist. If you're crafty, you can put together beautiful centerpieces by buying flowers in bulk and arranging them yourself. You can also ask friends or family members to help with the arrangements to save on labor costs.

Frequently asked questions