40 Personal DIY Details From Real Weddings

The weddings of strangers are always fun to look at – whether you’re planning a wedding yourself, throwing a party, or just daydreamin’.

Invitations and Programs

1.

Adorable hand-drawn illustration invitation.

Source: ruffledmedia.ruffled.netdna-cdn.com

2.

Save the date, invitation, coasters, and mix CD all designed by the groom.

Source: greenweddingshoes.com

3.

A program featuring sketches and bios of the bridal party

Source: marthastewartweddings.com

4.

Wedding advice mad-lib.

Source: ashleyroseblog.com  /  via: loveandlavender.com

5.

Program/Mix CD combo, with instructions from Oh Lovely Day.

Source: oh-lovely-day.com

6.

Programs that double as fans, designed by a friend of the bride and groom, using their thumbprints for the heart.

Source: jennifersosablog.com  /  via: weddingchicks.com

Clothes and Accessories

7.

Stitch a special message into the groom’s jacket.

Source: byleah.com  /  via: snippetandink.com

8.

Tie your shoes with pretty color-coordinated ribbon.

Via: loveandlavender.com

9.

These bridesmaids are wearing dresses made from vintage Star Wars fabric, commissioned by the bride from the Rusty Cuts Etsy shop.

Source: mikiphotography.co.uk  /  via: rocknrollbride.com

…and there were matching flower girls!

Source: mikiphotography.co.uk  /  via: rocknrollbride.com

10.

Handmade dress using vintage tablecloths. The bride says “I chose to design my own dress because I had originally wanted a vintage dress, but found that the nicest ones were out of my price range.”

Source: agatomaszek.com  /  via: lovemydress.net

11.

Bouquet made of felt and buttons, handmade by the bride. Here’s a DIY guide for something similar.

Source: youareraven.com  /  via: offbeatbride.com

Ceremony and Signage

12.

“Ringbearer” carrying printed burlap sign.

Source: static.weddingchicks.com

13.

Paper hearts on wooden dowels, made by the couple, lining the aisle for the ceremony.

Source: 100layercake.com

14.

Backdrop made by the bride and groom using moss and pages from old books.

Source: camitakesphotos.com  /  via: ruffledblog.com

15.

The couple asked all of their guests to bring a “heart” of some kind and they hung them up in the “tree of love” near their ceremony.

Source: bridalmusings.com

Guest Books

16.

A “guest book” consisting of Jenga blocks signed by the wedding guests.

Source: mileswittboyer.com  /  via: oh-lovely-day.com

17.

A vintage typewriter re-purposed as a guest book.

Source: ruffledblog.com

18.

This couple used a tablecloth as their “guest book,” instructing guests to sign directly on the cloth laid out under their world map seating chart. The bride said “I’m going to embroider over each entry and use it at our next dinner party.”

Food and Menus

19.

Menu screen-printed on napkins (with button holes!) by a friend of the couple.

Source: anetamak.com  /  via: snippetandink.com

20.

Silverware tied with twine and wildflowers.

Source: stylemepretty.com

21.

His and hers signature cocktail menu.

Source: isa2.stylemepretty.com

22.

Tea packets with homemade felt hearts.

Source: ourblogoflove.com  /  via: oncewed.com

23.

Labels for food at the reception. These can be made by buying those plastic animal figurines you can get at any toy store and adding a “clip” using gardening wire, then spray painting the whole thing in the color palette of your celebration.

Source: flickr.com  /  via: offbeatbride.com

24.

This couple invited guests to enter a cake competition and the cakes were judged by the top table. First, second, and third place earned rosettes from the bride and groom, and everyone went home with to-go boxes stuffed with cake.

Source: rocknrollbride.com

25.

Rainbow cake handmade by a friend of the couple. Recipe/instructions can be found at Whisk Kid.

Source: rocknrollbride.com

26.

Donut station, where you got to grab a shot of glaze and then put on your own toppings.

Source: carolinetran.net

Reception Decor, Tables, and Seating Arrangements

27.

Mason jar string lights.

Source: camitakesphotos.com  /  via: ruffledblog.com

28.

Escort cards written on rocks handpicked by the groom by the Sacramento river, a favorite spot for the couple.

Source: greenweddingshoes.com

29.

These tables were labeled with pages from an old dictionary, printed with illustrations and titles and framed.

Source: carolinetran.net  /  via: carolinetran.net

30.

Cassette tapes = escort cards and favors.

31.

Kid’s table with silly straws & flower lollipops planted into a grass centerpiece

Source: abryanphoto.com  /  via: snippetandink.com

32.

This couple created their table centerpieces with arrangements of beloved personal objects from their own home, their parents, and friends.

Source: glamourandgraceblog.com

33.

Paper flower centerpieces made by the bride.

Source: assassynation.co.uk  /  via: rocknrollbride.com

34.

“Rather than use tableclothes or placemats, we bought large, white doilies and came up with personal messages for our guests that Lauren hand-wrote in her amazing and unique calligraphy. Some messages were specific (to our parents) and other were general messages that we wanted to share with our guests.”

Source: ruffledblog.com

35.

Reception tent designed by couple and their families. The couple’s moms collaborated on the floral design, the bride’s mom made the bunting, and the bride and groom collected the objects used in table arrangements.

Source: rocknrollbride.com

36.

Carnival-themed decorations and escort cards, handmade by one of the brides. Instructions for the drink flags and the pom poms over at So You’re Engayged

Source: etsy.com

Guest Favors

37.

Hand-labeled jars full o’ nuts.

Source: kenkienow.com  /  via: ruffledblog.com

38.

Succulents planted in books. Centerpieces that doubled as favors – here’s the DIY instructions.

Source: cdn.greenweddingshoes.com

39.

A hand-drawn/written recipe card featuring the groom’s father’s pancake recipe along with its “secret” ingredient - vanilla extract.

Source: marthastewartweddings.com

40.

Unique decorative birdhouses and cookies.

Source: ryanrayphoto.com  /  via: ruffledblog.com