17 ideas for stylish but inexpensive wedding decorations...

It’s easy to go over budget when it comes to wedding decorations, especially if you spend as much time on Pinterest as we do! But it is possible to create a super stylish big day look without overspending. 

For example, focus on details that will have maximum impact and that can also be repurposed. Smaller items often go unnoticed by guests, but two striking displays at the end of the aisle will add wow factor and can also be used at the reception. Plus, why not line the aisle with a few floral arrangements or bunches of flowers in jars then use them as table centrepieces later?

It’s not essential to get too crafty, either. DIY materials can be quite expensive and a few well chosen, shop-bought wedding decorations can look a lot more elegant than lots of homemade items that have still cost you time and money.

But don’t just take our word for it. Our savvy real brides know a bargain when they see one - they do shop at wed2b, after all! So, we thought we’d round up some of their most stylish but affordable wedding decorations to inspire you. Read on to find out how to create maximum style with minimum budget…

1. Choose a small, seasonal bouquet

Flowers can be expensive but you can save money on your bouquet by going for a small bunch made with flowers that are in season. For example, Abbey and Jake decorated their day with pretty but inexpensive gypsophila. “The theme was earth colours, and there was lots of gypsophila and simple greenery,” says Abbey. “There were also wooden chandeliers decorated with more greenery and the maids wore olive green bridesmaid dresses. I wanted it very natural, unfussy and boho. There was also no traditional wedding cake, so one less thing to worry about!”

2. Reuse where you can

Try to make every display you pay for multi purpose. Faye and Dan’s beautiful floral hoop, decorated with bright pink gerberas, was a striking backdrop for their ceremony and then made an equally lovely focal point behind the top table at the reception. They also had centrepieces made from single floating gerbera heads, for a cost-effective splash of colour.

3. Use plenty of foliage

This welcome sign at Bethany and Thomas's wedding shows how beautifully arranged foliage can look even more chic than lots of flowers. Choose an uncomplicated style of stationery too, to save a few more pennies. 

4. Greenery table runners and long tables

You can also use greenery as a stylish table runner, dotted here and there with the odd flower, like this wedding. Long tables like these also avoid the need for individual centrepieces with costly bigger blooms and hired vases.

5. Elegantly understated centrepieces

However, if you prefer separate tables (or that’s all your venue can accommodate) then keep the centrepieces simple like Annabelle and Charles. “We made all of our own table decorations and favours, plus the seating plan and signage for the entire event,” says Annabelle. “We used little velvet pumpkins, log slices, aromatic orange and star anise candles, pine cones, orange slices, clear/brown bottles and foliage, such as eucalyptus and bunny tails.” 

6. Use dried flowers and grasses and shop around

Dried or faux flowers can look stunning, and you need fewer of them to make an impact. They’re generally cheaper than fresh flowers and can be arranged weeks in advance of the wedding. Sammy and Josh had arrangements of pampas grass, which suited their white and gold theme perfectly. 

Marion and Luke also went for whites, gold and neutrals and saved money by buying from Facebook. “The colour scheme looked very elegant,” says Marion. “My sister-in-law made our wedding flowers herself and they were brilliant. I didn't DIY much but I did buy most things from wedding groups on Facebook. People sell their wedding stuff for cheaper than they bought it, which really helps.”

7. Try carefully arranged bud vases

Minimalist floral displays can have just as much impact when done beautifully. Laura and Ryan went for a pretty, pastel colour theme, and filled the room with flowers in the most economical way by placing small vases along the tables with just a few blooms in each, interspersed with vintage candlesticks. “I chose pastels, as I just love them,” says Laura. “I was also inspired by Bridgerton, with all of its summery colours. My decorations were mainly flowers. Plus, I made the stationery myself and I also made my own photo guest book with polaroid photos.”

8. Go for a pared-back colour scheme

A colour scheme with just a few colours, like Vicki and Tom's will help to keep the wedding decorations budget down, too. "As we were unable to get married in Ireland, we chose green, white and gold decor and flowers to celebrate my Irish heritage,” says Vicki.

They mixed lots of affordable eucalyptus with simple white flowers and, instead of a cake, had a stack of cheeses with just a few flowers for decoration. "We love cheese, it was amazing!" she says.

9. Choose flattering candlelight

Another type of decor that really punches above its weight is candles. They immediately add a sophisticated air to any day and can be relatively inexpensive to source, especially if you’re happy to look for secondhand hurricane holders or apothecary jars on resale sites (which you can also resell after your wedding). 

Run them down the sides of the aisle, then move them to your reception where they can be arranged as centrepieces. What’s more, you and your guests will love the flattering glow!

10. Make a statement with your accessories

Spend your money on a few statement elements, then keep everything else basic and uncomplicated. For example, if you're keeping your flower arrangements low key, then make them stand out with a striking vase. Michael and Cantara's industrial venue in East London was dry hire, so they had to bring everything in. The green and white theme included contemporary copper accents, like the vases and votives along the long tables, that really brought the whole look together.

11. Have a timeless accent colour

If in doubt, a dash of gold always adds a touch of class! Follow Grace and Jack’s lead to wedding decorations with a less is more approach to your cake and seating plan. 

Georgina and Toby also chose understated modern gold signage for their funky London celebration.

12. A wallet-friendly festival vibe

If crisp minimalism isn’t for you though, why not consider a festival theme like Samantha and Nathan's fun day? Colourful paper lanterns, giant flags, bright bunting and more will create an affordable hippy chic feel. Festival weddings are also great for cost-effective food options and accommodation, as well.

13. Keep the cake decor simple

The more decoration you have on your cake the more expensive it will be, so keep it simple. We love Laura and Ryan’s elegant naked cake with a few scattered blooms for decoration.  

14. Or don’t have a traditional cake at all

Alternatively, follow Abbie and Matthew's lead and combine a small, single-tier cake for cutting with a favourite treat like Krispy Kreme doughnuts, instead. 

Abbie and Greg had a small cake decorated with cool retro icing and then surrounded it with fun mini cakes. “The best bit was my retro cake,” says Abbie. “It was just an absolute dream of piped ribbons in pinks and blue, topped with cherries. It wasn’t your normal wedding cake, but who wants normal?”

Hayley and Jonathan also had three ‘tea room’ style cakes in Victoria sponge, lemon drizzle and chocolate orange flavours, instead of one expensively decorated big one. 

15. Bring on the bubbles…

Another budget-friendly trick is to do away with confetti. Avoid the cost of classic dried petals, as well as the expense of pretty packaging, by choosing bubbles instead. 

Give pots of bubbles out to the adults and maybe one or two bubble guns to the children and let them have some fun. It will make a magical photograph and there’s no tidying up for the venue afterwards! 

16. ... and the oversized balloons

Stylish, oversized balloons can look amazing. They also require minimal set up time, are very easy to move around your venue and look really cool in your photos. Nathalie and Lars above, asked guest to write messages on elegant white balloons, which they released after their ceremony.

Alternatively, Georgina and Toby surrounded the dance floor of their industrial venue with colourful balloons with trailing ivy, for a simple but effective splash of colour. 

17. Have fun with fairy lights

Lastly, a fairy light backdrop is a great way to add soft lighting and a pretty background to your day. Have it behind you at the ceremony and then set it up at the reception. It will look amazing as it starts to get darker and you can also use them as your Christmas lights for years to come! 

Simple, stylish and cost effective

So, step away from your endless Pinterest mood boards and be realistic about what you can afford to spend on your wedding decorations. There are lots of simple but stunning ways to style your day on a smaller budget. And, don’t forget, if you’re looking for a luxurious but great value dress too, along with the accessories and bridesmaids dresses to match, drop into your nearest wed2b. We can help with all of the above to make sure you have the most amazing - but affordable - wedding day possible!

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Click here for lots more ideas for your wedding decorations from our brilliant real life brides. Also, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.