As almost any bride will admit, your Big Day may be beautiful, but it can also blow the budget very quickly! And, the stats back it up. In fact, with the average Australian wedding now costing over $35,315, more couples are choosing to prioritise saving for a home deposit over splurging on a lavish ceremony. And, according to the Lendi Group, from 2020 to 2024, the share of home loan applications from de facto couples jumped from 24% to 39%, while applications from married couples dropped from 42% to 33%,
Easy Weddings’ Australian Wedding Industry Report further supports the growing popularity of personalised, practical nuptials, and reveals that 61% of couples are opting to pull together easy elements like invitations and place cards without relying on the pros. Ready to say I Do minus the I Debt? With a little creativity and a lot of planning, these DIY wedding tips will help you tie the knot without too many tangles!
Start with a vision (and mood board)
Before you dive into craft stores or start scrolling Pinterest for the hundredth time, pause and zoom out. What’s the vibe of your wedding? Romantic garden party? Boho beachside? Retro disco in a vineyard? Pinpointing your aesthetic early on will make every decision – decor, attire, signage, and even food – so much easier down the line. Create a digital mood board using tools like Canva or Pinterest to keep your ideas focused. Having a clear visual reference will also help friends and family assisting you stay on the same page.
Set a smart budget … and try to stick to it!
DIY doesn’t always mean dirt cheap. Especially if you’re buying materials in bulk or investing in higher-quality items. That’s why it’s crucial to break down your budget from the beginning. Allocate funds to the non-negotiables (like venue, food and attire), and figure out where DIY makes the most impact without stress. Think stationery, signage, favours, florals, or even your playlist. Keep a running tally as you go so you don’t get blindsided by last-minute costs. The right tools can also help.
“For me, it was really important to be able to design and create my own pieces for the wedding. I didn’t want a cookie-cutter celebration, I wanted it to truly reflect who we are as a couple,” says Beck Thompson – a passionate creative who brought her dream wedding to life through DIY.
“ When we started planning, I already had a clear vision and colour theme in mind. I created a Pinterest board to collect inspiration that matched our style. From there, I roped in my fiance to help bring the vision to life. Together, we designed and made everything, including our invitations, to the centrepieces and wedding favours. We printed most of our materials, including stickers and card stock for our save-the-dates, through Vistaprint, which made the whole process really easy and professional-looking. My husband even built a wooden wishing well, which has since been used at many of our friends’ and family’s weddings.
Going the DIY route helped us keep costs down, which was a big bonus. But more than that, it made the entire experience feel incredibly personal, we were truly hands-on in making our wedding day something special.”
Plan your strengths and support crews
Love painting? Make your own welcome signs. Graphic designer in the family? Ask them to help with invites. Got a green-thumbed friend? Rope them in for table flowers. One of the best parts of a DIY wedding is how collaborative it can be. Just remember: it’s okay to outsource certain things (hello, wedding cake!) if it’ll save you stress and give you time to focus on other creative touches.
Create a budget timeline – with buffers
The weeks leading up to your wedding can fly by faster than a bouquet toss. So create a timeline with key deadlines – and add buffers. You don’t want to be hot-gluing bunting at 2am the night before. Start with long-lead items like invitation design and dress alterations, then slot in medium-term projects like DIY centrepieces or handmade favours. Save day-before tasks (like flower arranging or setting up the seating chart) for your most trusted crew.
Small details that make big impacts
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a DIY wedding feel extra polished. Personalised place cards, thoughtful signage, and even creative menu displays can all add that “wow” factor guests will remember. But pro tip? Print professionally when you can, especially for key signage or invites. The few extra dollars are worth it for that crisp, clean finish.
Get real about your set up and pack-down plan
On the day, someone has to put all the pieces together – and later, take them down. That’s where a good run sheet (and willing friends or hired help) comes in. Clearly map out who’s doing what, when, and where. Assign a wedding day coordinator if you can – this could be a reliable friend or a budget-friendly professional – to oversee logistics so you can actually enjoy your big day.
Let go for perfection … lean into personality
Finally, DIY weddings aren’t about perfection. They’re about personality. So if your bunting hangs a little wonky or the cake isn’t worthy of a baking show, don’t sweat it. These handmade elements tell a story – and often become the most memorable parts of the day. Your guests aren’t coming for a Pinterest-perfect photoshoot. They’re coming to celebrate you.
