Diy Indian Wedding Decorations: A Home-Made Guide

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to decorations. Indian weddings are known for their vibrant colours, rich fabrics, and attention to detail. While it may seem like a challenging task to take on, with a bit of creativity and some helpful tips, you can easily make Indian wedding decorations at home. From marigold backdrops and colourful buntings to dreamcatchers and DIY centrepieces, there are endless possibilities to create a stunning and memorable setting for your big day without breaking the bank. So, get ready to roll up your sleeves, gather your supplies, and dive into the world of DIY Indian wedding décor!

Hang colourful accents like pinwheels, pom poms, and buntings

Hanging colourful accents like pinwheels, pom poms, and buntings is a great way to add a pop of colour to your Indian wedding decorations. Here are some ideas and instructions to make your own:

Pinwheels

Pinwheels are a fun and simple way to add colour to your wedding decor. While commonly made with paper, you can also use cardboard or corrugated plastic for a sturdier option. Start by drawing and cutting out a square from your chosen material. Then, cut along one of the diagonal lines, stopping about an inch before you reach the square's centre. Take each corner and bring it to the centre, securing it with a fastener or stapler. Finally, attach a stick or straw to the centre and your pinwheel is ready to be hung!

Pom Poms

Pom poms are fluffy and playful, adding texture and colour to your wedding decor. To make yarn pom poms, you'll need some cardboard, scissors, and yarn in your desired colours. First, cut out a piece of cardboard with a width equal to the desired size of your pom poms. Next, wrap your yarn around the cardboard until you've reached your desired thickness. The more you wrap, the fuller your pom poms will be. Then, cut through the loops of yarn and tie a separate piece of yarn tightly around the centre. Finally, cut the loops on both sides and trim your pom pom to shape it. You can attach a string to hang your pom poms from the ceiling or create a garland by threading them onto a string.

Buntings

Buntings are a festive way to decorate your wedding venue, and you can easily make them at home. You'll need fabric or paper in your chosen colours and patterns, scissors, string, and glue or a sewing kit. First, decide on the size and shape of your bunting flags and create a template. Cut out your flags, ensuring you have enough for the length of bunting you desire. If using fabric, consider stitching two flags together so that the pattern is visible on both sides. Next, arrange your flags along a piece of binding tape or string, spacing them evenly. Finally, attach the flags to the string by sewing or using glue dots. You can add additional decorations to your bunting, such as letters or shapes, to personalise it for your wedding.

Decorate the main entrance door with a toran

Torans are a traditional decorative element with significant cultural and religious importance in Indian households. They are believed to bring good luck, prosperity and ward off evil spirits. They are usually hung outside the main door frame of the entrance of a temple, house, marriage hall or similar venue.

To make a toran at home, you will need a base such as cardboard, fabric or fresh green leaves, as well as colourful threads, beads, mirrors, sequins, ribbons and bells for embellishments. You will also need some basic tools like scissors, glue and a needle and thread.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need colourful threads or yarn, beads, bells and any other embellishments you would like to add. You will also need scissors, a ruler or measuring tape, and a needle for threading.

Step 2: Measure and Cut the Thread

Use your ruler or measuring tape to measure the width of the doorway or area where you plan to hang your toran. Cut the thread to the desired length, adding a few extra centimetres to account for the loop and any adjustments.

Step 3: Create the Base

Take the cut thread and fold it in half to create a loop at one end. This loop will be used for hanging the toran. Tie a knot to secure the loop in place. Then, using different coloured threads or yarns, start wrapping and tying them around the base thread at regular intervals to create an attractive pattern.

Step 4: Embellish Your Toran

Choose embellishments that complement the colour scheme and theme of your toran. You can use beads, sequins, mirrors, fabric patches, tassels, artificial flowers or small bells. Securely attach the embellishments to the base material using fabric glue, sewing techniques or needlework.

Step 5: Incorporate a Theme (Optional)

To make your toran even more special, consider incorporating a specific theme. For example, if you are making a toran for a wedding, you could use ornate beads and pearls to add a touch of sophistication.

Step 6: Display Your Toran

Choose a prominent location for your toran, such as the main entrance door. Use decorative hooks or nails that complement the style of your toran to securely hang it. To add extra allure, consider incorporating LED string lights or fairy lights.

With these steps, you can create a beautiful and elegant toran to decorate the main entrance door of an Indian wedding venue, adding a touch of tradition and creativity to the celebration.

Create a colourful rangoli using sand and coloured rice

Rangoli is a traditional Hindu art form from India, where a symbolic design is created on a floor using materials like rice, wheat, rice flour, coloured sand, or even flower petals. It is usually created for holidays like Diwali and other special occasions, and they are thought to bring good fortune.

To create a colourful rangoli using sand and coloured rice, you can follow these steps:

Preparing the Coloured Rice and Sand:

• For the coloured rice, place 2 cups of rice into 6 different Ziploc bags.
• Add 2 teaspoons of liquid food colouring to each bag. Seal the bags and shake until the rice is evenly covered.
• Spread the rice on paper plates to dry.
• Repeat the process with different colours as desired.
• For coloured sand, you can use natural ingredients to create different colours. For example, use turmeric powder and rice flour for a yellow colour, or grind dried lavender flowers for a beautiful purple shade.

Creating the Rangoli Design:

• Choose a simple design with large open areas to start. You can find various patterns online or in books, or you can design your own.
• Print out your chosen design template or use chalk to draw it onto a flat surface, such as a driveway or a large tray.
• Start by outlining each part of your design with white rice or sand, then fill in the different sections with your coloured rice or sand.
• Work from the centre of the design outwards, adding one colour at a time.
• You can use a thin paintbrush to apply glue to specific sections of your design before sprinkling on the coloured rice, ensuring the grains stick to your desired areas.

Your colourful rangoli is now ready! These temporary designs are a beautiful way to decorate and bring good fortune to your Indian wedding celebrations.

Make personalised tags for chair backs

Making personalised tags for chair backs is a great way to reserve seating for your wedding party and can be a fun DIY project. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating these tags:

Materials:

• Cardstock or paper for tags (choose a colour and style that fits your wedding theme)
• Twine or string
• Hole punch
• Scissors
• Pen or marker
• Optional: stickers, glitter, or other decorative elements

Step 1: Design and Cut Out the Tags

Start by deciding on the size and shape of your tags. A standard size is around 15 cm by 7.5 cm, but you can adjust this based on your preference. Cut out the tags from your chosen paper or cardstock. If you want a more intricate design, consider using craft scissors with decorative edges.

Step 2: Personalise the Tags

Customise each tag with the names of your wedding party members. You can write the names by hand or use a printer for a neater finish. Consider the colour and style of your pen or marker to ensure it stands out on the tags. You can also add extra decorations like stickers, glitter, or small drawings to make them more festive.

Step 3: Punch a Hole and Add Twine

Use a hole punch to create a hole at the top of each tag. Cut a piece of twine or string long enough to tie the tag to the chair back, allowing for some excess. Thread the twine through the hole and tie a secure knot, leaving enough length to attach the tag to the chair.

Step 4: Attach to the Chair Backs

Finally, tie each personalised tag to the back of the reserved chairs. Ensure the tags are secure and visible so your wedding party members can easily find their designated seats.

Personalised chair tags add a thoughtful touch to your wedding decor and can be tailored to match your colour scheme or theme. They are a simple yet effective DIY project that won't break the bank. Enjoy crafting these special details for your big day!

Use dream catchers for a surreal space

Dream catchers are said to trap bad dreams and allow only good thoughts to enter your sleep, making them a pleasant feature for a day full of happiness, desire, and positive energy. Here are some ideas for using dream catchers to create a surreal space at your Indian wedding:

Colours and Tassels

Add a burst of colour to your wedding with vibrant dream catchers. Tassels are always a fun addition to dream catchers, and you can include them in your chosen colour palette. Play with different colours and sizes to create a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere.

Floral Decorations

Combine floral garlands with dream catchers for an exquisite decorative feature. Flowers are an integral part of Indian weddings, so incorporate them into your dream catcher decorations. Hang dream catchers adorned with flowers and greenery from trees or the ceiling, or attach them to chairs for an unexpected touch.

Crochet Art

Create your own dream catchers using crochet art. This technique involves interlocking loops of yarn and thread to form beautiful, intricate patterns. You can add your own unique twist by incorporating colourful ribbons, beads, or other decorative elements.

Hang Them Up

Dream catchers are versatile and can be hung in various places to create a surreal space. Hang them at the entrance or photobooth to welcome your guests, or suspend them from tree branches to serve as a stunning backdrop for your wedding photos. They can also be hung above beds or in other areas where you want to create a cosy and dreamy atmosphere.

Keychains and Favours

Dream catcher keychains are a unique and memorable wedding favour idea. They can be personalised with your wedding date or a special message for your guests. These keychains are a lovely way to extend the positive energy of dream catchers beyond your wedding day and into your guests' homes.

DIY or Buy?

When it comes to dream catchers, you can choose to make them yourself or purchase ready-made ones. DIY dream catchers allow you to add a personal touch, but it's important to consider the time and effort required. Etsy is a great place to find unique, handmade dream catchers if you decide to buy.

By incorporating dream catchers into your wedding decorations, you can create a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression on you and your guests.

Frequently asked questions