Can I Decorate My Wedding Myself? DIY Wedding Decorations Guide (2025)

Sep, 7 2025

You absolutely can decorate your wedding yourself-if you keep the scope tight, know your venue’s rules, and have a setup crew you trust. The pay-off is personal, budget-friendly style. The risk is stress on the day. I live in Melbourne, where venues often have strict bump-in/bump-out windows and no-flame policies in summer. The guide below helps you decide if DIY fits you, how to plan it without chaos, and what to skip.

• TL;DR: DIY works when your decor list is focused, your venue allows early access, and you have helpers for setup and pack-down.
• Budget: DIY often saves 15-40% on styling if you borrow, rent wisely, and avoid last-minute craft sprees.
• Time: Expect 40-120 total hours for planning, making, transporting, setting up, and packing down for ~100 guests.
• Rules: Check venue access times, ladder/rigging policies, candle/open flame bans (common in Australian summer), and cleanup expectations.
• Sanity: Don’t DIY anything that requires skill and precision on the day (complex florals, rigging, lighting). Outsource those.

Can you decorate your wedding yourself? A fast decision framework

Ask these questions first. If you get three or more “no” answers, DIY-heavy decor will likely add stress and hidden costs.

• Access: Can you get at least 3-4 hours to set up before guests arrive? Bonus if you can bump-in the day before.
• Help: Do you have 4-8 reliable helpers for a 100-guest wedding? (Two for signage and layout, two for tables, one for flowers, one for lighting, plus a runner.)
• Transport: Can you move bulky items (arches, easels, crates) in 1-2 cars or a van without 4 trips?
• Storage: Do you have space to stage, label, and pre-pack boxes a week before?
• Venue rules: Are candles allowed? Confetti? Adhesives? Ladders? Some Melbourne CBD venues require approved installers for anything hanging.
• Weather: Garden/rooftop weddings need a plan for wind and rain. Can your decor survive 35°C or a southerly buster?

Costs to benchmark: In Australia, full-service styling for 100 guests often ranges $2,500-$6,000 depending on hire items, florals, rigging, and labor (Easy Weddings Australian Wedding Industry Report 2024). Ceremony florals alone can range $800-$2,500. DIY can cut labor and markup, but materials, tools, and time add up fast.

Use these quick rules to choose what to DIY:

• DIY-friendly: stationery and signage, place cards, table numbers, simple centerpieces, welcome table, favors, seating chart, bathroom baskets.
• Hire/pro: large florals, ceiling installs, complex lighting, draping, heavy backdrops, anything needing ladders or power tools.

Helpful heuristics:

• Capacity Formula: (Helpers × available setup hours) × 0.75 = realistic setup hours. If you have 6 helpers for 3 hours: 6 × 3 × 0.75 ≈ 13.5 effective hours. Plan your decor list to fit that.
• Two-Weekend Rule: If you can’t make or pack everything across two weekends, you’re doing too much.
• 60-30-10 Palette: 60% base color (linen), 30% secondary (flowers/glassware), 10% accent (menus/napkins). It keeps DIY cohesive.
• Per-table cap: Cap centerpieces at 20-30 minutes assembly per table and $30-$60 AUD in materials for a 100-guest event.

Why people regret DIY: underestimating setup time, ignoring venue rules, forgetting pack-down, and schlepping 15 boxes at midnight in heels. Avoid with a tight list and a pack-down team that isn’t you.

Step-by-step plan to DIY without chaos

Here’s the simple workflow I use with couples who want to keep control but not court disaster. I test-run everything at home-Luna, my cat, thinks ribbon is a toy, so anything delicate gets a sturdier plan.

1. Lock the scope (8-12 months out): Pick your vibe in one sentence (e.g., “modern coastal neutrals with soft blues”). Choose a 60-30-10 palette. Decide 3 hero moments: ceremony backdrop, tablescape, one memorable focal (e.g., bar or seating chart). If it’s not one of the three, keep it simple or skip.

2. Audit the venue (ask before buying):

   • Access: bump-in/bump-out times, loading dock, lifts, on-site storage.
   • Restrictions: candles, tape/adhesives, confetti, nails, ceiling rigs, helium balloons (often banned), glitter (usually no).
   • Power: outlet locations, RCDs, extension cords allowed, lighting dimmers.
   • Weather: shade, wind tunnels, backup space. In VIC summer, open flame bans can apply; use enclosed candles or LED.

3. Cost it and cut it (6-9 months): Make a line-item list with materials, hire, time per task. Delete anything over 60 minutes per table or needing ladders.

   • Borrow first (vases, easels), hire big pieces (arches, plinths), buy consumables (candles, stationery).
   • Shop smart: Marketplace, hire studios, op-shops for vessels. Avoid bespoke printing unless it’s a hero piece.

4. Prototype (6 months): Build one full table at home. Time it. Take photos. Eat dinner by that candlelight and see what annoys you (too tall? wobbly?). Adjust.

5. Lock vendors for non-DIY items (4-6 months): Florist for personals and maybe a simple ceremony piece, hire company for linen/chairs/arches, printer for menus. Confirm delivery windows match bump-in.

6. Pre-make and pack (2-4 weeks): Label clear tubs per zone: Ceremony, Aisle, Welcome, Bar, Cake, Gift table, Reception Tables 1-10. Zip-lock small sets (table numbers, place cards). Include a photo of the finished look in each tub for fast setup.

7. Assign people to places (2 weeks): Create a one-page run sheet: who, what, where, when, and phone numbers. Examples:

   • Team A: Signage + welcome + seating chart.
   • Team B: Tables 1-5.
   • Team C: Tables 6-10.
   • Runner: tape, scissors, cable ties, command hooks, blue tack, spare candles, pen.

8. Set up (day-of or day-before): Follow the order-big things first, details last.

   1. Place furniture and linen.
   2. Install backdrop/arch (hire pro if it needs stability or height).
   3. Lighting and extension cords (tape cables, no trip hazards).
   4. Centerpieces and candles.
   5. Stationery: menus, place cards, table numbers.
   6. Photos, final walk-through, then light candles 15 minutes before guests enter.

9. Pack-down plan (before you party): Who will pack, when, and where items go. Confirm with venue if they’ll store tubs overnight and when pickups are allowed. Midnight pack-down is common-budget for it or pay the venue’s team if they offer it.

Safety and compliance (Australia): Use enclosed candles or LED if fire restrictions apply. Use tested power boards (labelled) and avoid daisy-chaining. Tape cords and keep exits clear. Don’t climb ladders unless trained and insured; some venues require contractors only.

Realistic DIY recipes, budgets, and where to spend vs save

Below are three easy-to-execute looks for around 100 guests (10 tables). Costs are approximate for metro Australia in 2025 and assume you borrow/hire some items. Your prices may vary by city and season.

Recipe A: Modern Minimal - black chairs, white linen, monochrome stationery, single-variety florals in low bowls.

• Tables: White linen, black napkins, single white dahlia or rose clusters in low bowls, three clear cylinder candles per table.
• Signage: Foamboard welcome + seating chart on easels, matte black table numbers.
• Hero: Clean acrylic bar menu, one sculptural urn at entrance.
• Approx cost: $1,600-$2,400 DIY (AUD). Time: ~50-70 hours end-to-end.

Recipe B: Rustic Garden - timber tables, linen runners, bud vases, mixed taper candles, greenery aisle.

• Tables: Natural linen runners, 8-10 bud vases with seasonal stems, mismatched brass candlesticks with taper candles.
• Signage: Hand-painted plywood signs, seeded paper menus.
• Hero: Ceremony copper arch with drape + greenery.
• Approx cost: $1,900-$3,200 DIY (AUD). Time: ~70-90 hours (more stems = more time).

Recipe C: Coastal Contemporary - sandy neutrals, soft blues, frosted glass, seashell details (sourced responsibly).

• Tables: Sand-coloured linen, sky-blue napkins, frosted glass votives, low bowls with hydrangea.
• Signage: Linen-wrapped foamboard, painted edges.
• Hero: Statement seating chart with painted waves texture.
• Approx cost: $2,200-$3,800 DIY (AUD). Time: ~80-100 hours if you paint the hero piece.

What to spend on vs save:

• Spend: good linen (wrinkle-free, right drop), correct candle counts, one statement piece at entry or bar.
• Save: favors (go edible or skip), ornate chair hire, excessive signage duplication.

Note: Prices reflect typical metro AU ranges in 2024-2025 (e.g., Easy Weddings survey data; florist/hire quotes I’ve seen across VIC). Always confirm current rates.

Quick sourcing list:

• Hire: linen, chairs, plinths, arches, large vessels, bulk candle holders.
• Buy: candles, stationery, ribbon, signage boards, command hooks, cable ties, batteries.
• Borrow: vases, easels, frames, baskets. Return with a thank-you note and a chocolate bar-it keeps friendships sweet.

If you’re tight on time, focus on one statement install, cohesive tables, and clean signage. That’s 80% of the look for 50% of the effort.

Checklists, FAQs, and your next steps

Copy, paste, and tweak these so your helpers can execute without you.

Pre-wedding checklist

• Venue rules confirmed (candles, rigging, adhesives, confetti, balloons, pack-down time).
• Access schedule in writing (load-in/out, lift access, carpark).
• Hire orders cross-checked with floor plan and guest count (add 10% extra linen/napkins).
• Signage proofed and printed (names, times, table list finalised 7 days out).
• Tools kit packed: tape, scissors, florist snips, pins, safety pins, command hooks, blue tack, cable ties, fishing line, extension cords, power boards, lighter/long matches, batteries, wipes, microfibre cloths.
• Emergency kit: stain wipes, painkillers, blister plasters, mini sewing kit, phone chargers.
• Photos of each finished setup tucked into each box.
• Pack-down labels on every box with your surname and phone number.

Day-of setup order

1. Furniture and linen
2. Backdrops/arches and larger decor
3. Lighting and power
4. Centerpieces and candles
5. Stationery and final styling
6. Walk-through with venue manager

Pack-down checklist

• Extinguish candles and let wax set before boxing.
• Sort hire vs owned items into separate tubs.
• Check under tables for left items (cards, gifts, jackets).
• Wipe vases, empty water, dry before packing to avoid leaks.
• Take a timestamped photo of the cleared space to confirm condition.

Common pitfalls to dodge

• Late stationery finalization. Lock guest list 7 days out and print immediately.
• Too many candle types. Use one vessel style in multiples; it looks designed and sets faster.
• Fragile tall florals. Keep centerpieces low and stable so servers can pass plates easily.
• Neglecting pack-down. Budget a crew or pay the venue for night-of reset.

Mini-FAQ

• Can I set up the night before? Sometimes. Many venues flip rooms for other events; ask early and get it in the contract.
• Are candles allowed? Seasonal and venue dependent. In VIC summer, many venues require enclosed candles or LEDs.
• Should I DIY florals? Bouquets and buttonholes are high-stress on the morning. Hire a florist for personals; DIY table buds the day prior if you have a cool space.
• Who cleans up? Confirm if the venue resets tables and what time. If not, appoint a pack-down lead and 4 helpers.
• What about insurance? Some venues require public liability from installers. If any rigging or ladders are involved, hire insured pros.
• How early do I start? Start buying and pre-making 4 weeks out. Box everything by the week-of.
• What should I definitely not DIY? Ceiling installs, heavy backdrops, complex wiring, open-flame-heavy designs in summer.

Next steps by scenario

• Backyard 60-80 guests: Keep to one hero (string lights or statement seating chart). Rent trestles and linen. DIY bud vases and tapered candles. Ask two friends to be the pack-down team in exchange for a thank-you dinner after.
• Ballroom 120-180 guests: Hire lighting and large florals. DIY signage and place cards. Step-and-repeat approach for centerpieces (same look across all tables) to save time.
• Beach or garden ceremony + restaurant reception: Keep ceremony light-floral pillars or two arrangements. Move them to the reception to double-duty. Don’t fight the wind with paper items.

Troubleshooting on the day

• Windy ceremony: Swap tall tapers for enclosed hurricanes. Use fishing line to secure lightweight signs. Blue tack menus to plates.
• Rain plan: Protect signage with clear acrylic fronts. Move the arch flowers to the entry and call it a day-don’t rebuild.
• Heat: Use LED candles. Keep flowers in water until the last minute. Store chocolates/favors in a cool room.
• Short on time: Prioritise venue entry, tables, and one hero. Skip favors and extra side tables. Guests won’t miss what they never saw.

Final sanity check before you commit: If your plan needs ladders, power tools, or more than 15 boxes, scale back or bring in a stylist for the heavy lifts. If your plan fits in a van, sets in under 3 hours with 6 helpers, and the venue’s on board-you’ve got this. And remember to enjoy the room reveal; it’s magic when your ideas turn real.

Pro tip: Use the phrase DIY wedding decorations when searching hire inventories and inspo-vendors tag items that way and you’ll find mix-and-match packages faster.