For many brides, picking out the perfect wedding decorations is a huge highlight of their planning experience. That’s because each decorative detail is so personal. Wedding decor showcases the personality of you and your partner, and choosing each decoration will bring the two of you closer and closer together (plus, you’ll probably learn something along the way).
Before you let your imagination run wild though, consider the costs. With the exception of catering, wedding decor is frequently the most expensive part of your big day budget. Thankfully, there’s no need to panic! You can still have your dream celebration without wedding decorations taking too much of a toll on your finances. Try one (or all!) of these 10 decor hacks, ideal for a bride on a budget.
1. Make a Floral Illusion
Flowers will likely take a good chunk of your wedding budget. Purchase bigger blooms, like hydrangeas or gardenias, to keep costs low. This will give the illusion of a larger arrangement which is perfect for table centerpieces.

2. Renovate Vintage Furniture
Make use of old furniture like antique book-shelves or wooden boxes. You can find plenty of items at garage sales or even around your house. After painting or varnishing them, lay the boxes at your venue’s entrance to give guests a warm welcome into your reception.

3. Set Up For Romance
There’s no need to overpay for uplighting to help set the romantic mood at your wedding. Purchase a set of tiny, floating candles that you can place inside tall votives. When shopping, look for generic crystal glasses for an affordable alternative to the ones found in the wedding section of stores.

4. Serve In Style
Buying fancy food platters or trays can be quite expensive, even if you’re just renting them! To cut costs, but still achieve a stylish display, use plain wooden slabs for your food stations. It’ll give your wedding a rustic, cozy vibe that your guests will love.


All set on the type of food you will be serving on your special day? Take a look at these 15 Extraordinary Food Stations Ideas that will help spice up your wedding.
5. Illustrate Your Love
Aside from being an affordable decor idea, including photos of your best moments as a couple gives your nuptials a nostalgic, sentimental flair. Have a designated table that displays these mementos or get even more artsy and pin photos with twine string.

6. Glitz Up Your Venue
Adorn the walls of your reception by hanging inexpensive tulle drapes. If you’re aiming for a more romantic scene, string lights will nail that romantic, fairytale look.

7. Get Crafty
DIY wedding decorations fit even the tightest of budgets, especially if they’re made out of paper! Simple pleated or ruffled designs on patterned paper can do wonders for your decor.

8. Embrace Whimsy Vibes
Visit your local antique shop for unique and whimsical pieces that you can include in your reception. A plain mirror varnished in bronze or gold with beautiful calligraphy adds the perfect touch of elegance to your big day.

9. Keep It Glamorous
Forget buying overpriced centerpieces. Why not try to do them yourself instead? Decorate your tables by spraying old wine bottles with shimmering glitter paint. Label them with table numbers so your guests can easily find their assigned seats.

10. Bring On The Hay
Hay bales are the perfect, inexpensive, and versatile addition to your wedding decor. Ideal for a backyard reception, they can serve as unique chairs — if you’re having an outdoor ceremony. Or, use them as stands for other wedding props for a fun and adorable photo booth backdrop.

Do you have any other wedding hacks that we didn’t cover here? Let us know — we would love to hear from you! And if you’re still in the process of wedding planning, why not check out our article on 6 Tips for Avoiding Wedding Scams this Season for more inspiration?
Plus, don’t forget to check out our Facebook and Pinterest pages for your daily dose of wedding inspo!