DIY, low-cost and affordable wedding table decorations

The key to creating a memorable reception is all in the details, and table decor plays a huge role in setting the right atmosphere. Whether you’re aiming for a classically romantic vibe, rustic charm, or a modern minimalist aesthetic, there are plenty of affordable and DIY ways to bring your vision to life. 

In this article, we’ll explore how to include beautiful, low-cost wedding table decorations in your setup that elevate your celebration without breaking the bank. From floral centrepieces to unique place settings, here are some creative ideas, tips, and budget-friendly decor ideas to help you design a stunning table setting for your big day.

Wedding table decorations

Wedding tables are an important visual centrepiece at just about every wedding reception. They’re also the place where guests will gather and enjoy the night. This means that the way you decorate your tables has a significant impact on the overall mood and atmosphere of the reception.

When thoughtfully arranged, table decorations can tie together your wedding theme, express your personal style, and help to bring your vision to life. An inexpensive way to evoke the theme you’re after is to pick a set of colours, a material type or kind of decor objects that work together. 

For example, you could choose glass table decor, such as vases, urns and candle holders, paired with white napkins and simple place settings for a classic elegance. Alternatively, picking rustic, earthy tones and wooden decor items is the perfect way to create a romantic, country-style wedding reception.

Table centrepieces

Table centrepieces are key to setting the mood of your wedding reception, drawing attention and adding charm to each table. Here are some affordable options to help you create stunning centrepieces without overspending.

Fabric runners and garlands

• Easy to use: Using fabric runners or garlands in the table centrepieces is a simple way to start building your tabletop decoration. Get extra-long runners and bunch them up for a relaxed look, or use shorter lengths pulled flat for a neat, sleek style.

• Layering: Table runners can also be used in combination with more structured decorations to create vertical layers, different textures and colour combinations on tables. 

Go for in-season flowers

• Affordable and fresh: Choosing in-season flowers is usually more budget-friendly than going with imported and exotic flowers or those that have to be grown in energy-intensive greenhouses.

• Locally sourced: Consider sourcing flowers locally to save on delivery costs and shipping time. This will help ensure the flowers are fresher and are blossoming nicely by the time you use them

• Pair with greenery: Combine in-season flowers with simple greenery for a fuller, natural look for the centrepiece of your tables.

DIY floral arrangements

• Personalised: DIY floral arrangements carry your own style signature. They’re a great way to put more of your vision into your decor, and arranging them can be a fun activity for you, your partner or your wedding party.

• Budget friendly: Making your own arrangements will help you to save on floristry costs and decorators.

• Mix flowers and foliage: You can make your centrepiece flowers go further by decorating with leaves, branches and foliage alongside the flowers.

Lighting and accessories

• String lights: String lights and fairy lights make beautiful table centrepiece decorations, especially if you’re hosting a garden party-style reception. Run string lights alongside larger decorative items or flowers for a magical look.

• Candles and lanterns: Tabletop lanterns and candles bring a stunning look to many different styles of table decor. Lanterns and large candleholders also give structure and lift to the table centrepiece.

• Stands, tea lights, table risers: Small accessories can be used alongside lighting and flowers to fill out the table centrepieces and help your tables look abundant.

Decorating with greenery

Whether you’re putting on a garden party wedding in the springtime or you want the night to look lush, greenery is the way to go.

Greenery runners

• Artifical garlands: Use long runners of artificial greenery to provide a lush grounding for your table centrepieces.

• Lights, candles and lanterns: Large items like lanterns and candleholders can help to provide structure to artificial garlands.

Falling foliage

• Hanging flower garlands: Hanging colourful flower garlands down the edges of tables will bring a gorgeous pop of colour while looking abundant.

• Flower petals centrepiece: Using flower petals among the centrepiece decorations for the tables can be a nod to the old tradition of petal confetti – and it looks absolutely enchanting!

DIY table settings

Designing your own table settings is another way to bring your vision to life for less on your big day. Here are a few ways you can make your own gorgeous DIY table settings:

Mismatched and vintage settings

• Vintage cutlery: There’s no faking a vintage look, which means the best option might be to use real vintage cutlery. Check in charity stores or vintage sales, where you can find cutlery sets in bulk.

• Differently-coloured cutlery: Make a charmingly mismatched boho table setting by using differently-coloured cutlery between place settings. You could alternate between rose gold cutlery and vibrant gold cutlery to begin with this look.

Rustic decor elements

• Linen-look napkins: Napkins with a natural fabric look are perfect for bringing a rustic vibe to a table setting.

• No tablecloth look: If you’re using wooden outdoor tables, you may be able to forego the tablecloth altogether and let the natural wood look shine through. This is perfect for a no-frills, rustic look.

Be sure to follow Luna Wedding & Event Supplies on Instagram for more gorgeous decor ideas and event inspiration, or to see our amazing decorations and products in action.

‘Til next month xx