Wedding season fast approaching! Whether you’re just starting to plan or if your special day is just around the corner, it’s never too early or too late to add a touch of DIY charm to your event – especially if the projects are as easy and economical as these DIY paper decorations:
1. Covered Paper Boxes
Covered paper boxes make lovely bridesmaid proposal boxes. And if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, they also make great party favor boxes. Learn how to make them over at Style Me Pretty.
2. Paper Chain Garland
This simple but sophisticated paper chain garland from So Smitten Events is quick and easy to make.
Try using metallic paper for an added touch of luxury, or work with pastels or any other shades that fit your color scheme.
3. Spring or Summer Paper Lanterns
Simple, seasonal white paper lanterns make lovely centrepieces. Lia Griffith’s free downloadable template is perfect for spring or summer weddings.
All you need is translucent white paper and a battery-operated tealight. Download the template from Lia Griffith.
4. Winter Paper Lanterns
If you’re planning a winter wedding, don’t worry! Lia has winter-themed paper lanterns as well.
You can use the same translucent white paper we recommended for the spring and summer lanterns. Get the templates from Lia Griffith.
5. Simple Circle Garland
These circle garlands/back drops by Unique Crafty Corner are easy to make and add a fanciful touch to any wedding. Dress them up using metallic paper, or add a vivid pop of color using bright card stock.
6. Giant Paper Flowers
Create a truly eye-catching backdrop for photos or for behind your wedding party table. Pull colors from your event’s color palette, combine shades, and experiment with different sizes and configurations till you settle on an arrangement you like.
Get the instructions for making your own giant paper flowers from The Sits Girls.
7. Accordion Fold Pinwheels
Add a burst of color and texture with these easy accordion fold pinwheels. Create multiple pinwheels and arrange them artfully on a wall, or craft a kitschy garland to adorn empty spaces.
Follow the tutorial on to Rustic Wedding Chic.
8. Confetti Cones
These confetti cones aren’t technically decorations, but they’re just too fun to leave off of our list!
Whether you fill them with rice or confetti, your guests will love them. Learn how to make them on The Wedding of my Dreams.
9. Draping Flower Garland
This elegant white flower garland is a classic choice for any wedding.
Keep it simple using plain white vellum paper, or try using pastels like pink, ivory, or blue to add a hint of color. Learn how to make your own draping flower garland with this tutorial by Lia Griffith.
10. Paper Roses
Cut back on your floral costs by creating your own centrepieces out of paper. These adorable paper roses are perfect for any event.
Follow the simple step-by-step tutorials and get free templates from Dreamy Posy.
For full DIY bouquet ideas, take a look at Isabella Caprario’s post How To Make a DIY Wedding Bouquet.
11. Boxwood Greenery
Add some natural texture to your wedding with these simple boxwood paper cut-outs. You could experiment with different colors, but sticking to shades of green will ensure that these cut-outs don’t clash with your other floral arrangements.
Download the templates from Lia Griffith. Try using these green hues:
Backdrops
We found so many beautiful paper backdrops that we decided they deserved their own category.
Here are some of our favorites:
1. Feathers
This paper feather backdrop is easy to customize to your color scheme, and it’s simple enough to complement your photos without overwhelming the stars of the show – you and your wedding party.
Download the printable templates on Ruffled.
2. Fancy Feathers!
For a little added luxury, try dipping your paper feathers in gold paint like Lia Griffith.
See how Lia did it on her blog.
3. Leaves
This paper leaf backdrop is a little more intricate, but it’s easy to customize to your color scheme and it adds interesting texture to any photo.
Download the templates and create your own papercut leaf backdrop with these instructions by Ruffled.
4. Butterflies
This paper butterfly backdrop is a little more feminine, and it’ll add a lightly whimsical touch to your wedding photos.
Anastasia Onishchenko shows you how to create this backdrop in her YouTube video.
Embracing DIY
Creating your own wedding decorations out of simple supplies like paper is an easy way to keep your wedding costs low. DIY decorations may take some time to put together, but they also add a personalized touch to your special day that their store-bought counterparts simply can’t recreate.
For more DIY wedding ideas, take a look at all of our Wedding Inspiration posts!
