By Kate Cohen
June 11, 2025

A wedding is a beautiful celebration and reflection of a couple’s love.

Sweet DIY touches can make it feel even more personal.

A close-up of hands hanging polaroid photos on a display with twine and mini clothespins.

The term “DIY” stands for “do-it-yourself” and encompasses an array of handmade projects and creative efforts.

For some couples, DIY-ing elements of their wedding can add charm and personalization.

If you’re considering making something special for your big day, here’s a few tips and suggestions for what to DIY for your wedding.

Helpful DIY Tips

Enlist Help

You don’t have to tackle DIY alone.

Enlist your partner to help you create and put together projects for your wedding.

If you have friends and family that live nearby, ask for help preparing for your big day. Make an event out of working on projects and turn it into a fun brunch or dinner activity.

There’s a fine line between taking advantage of free labor and involving your friends and family, however.

Set clear expectations for your helpers and yourself to make sure everyone is on the same page before getting involved.

The Internet is Your Friend

An overhead shot of a person taking notes in a journal in front of a computer screen surrounded by a mug of coffee, journals, pens, and other supplies.

You can learn to do just about anything on the internet now, thanks to YouTube and social media. Additionally, take advantage of sites like Pinterest which can help you narrow down an inspirational aesthetic for your big day.

Is there a skill you’ve always wanted to learn that you can put to good use prepping for your wedding?

Try teaching yourself!

From calligraphy to using online design programs and everything in between, if it can be taught, you can probably find an instructional video and get started.

Just remember, learning a new skill requires practice. Don’t get frustrated if it’s not something you master right away.

Leave the Big Stuff to the Pros

In the few days leading up to your wedding and the day you say “I do,” you don’t want to be thinking about anything other than soaking in every moment and marrying the love of your life.

Avoid DIY-ing big, critical elements of your wedding that will add extra stress to your itinerary.

This means leaving elements like catering, photography, videography, hair and makeup, music, and florals to the pros.

Think of DIY projects as special personal touches that let you and your partner’s personalities shine more than practical efforts to save money.

Be Proactive with Your Projects

A close-up of brown rustic cards with Mr. & Mrs. stamped on them resting on a table with a sprig of eucalyptus.

There is nothing worse than spoiling the anticipation and excitement of your upcoming wedding day with an un-checked to-do list.

Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to complete your projects.

And, if a DIY task is adding more stress to your life than joy, ask yourself if you really need it.

Chances are, anything stressing you out isn’t worth the hassle in the end.

What to DIY for Your Wedding

Design and Print Your Own Invites, Menu, Programs, etc.

A close-up of a hand with a gold pen writing "menu" on a black piece of paper in calligraphy.

Designing your own paper materials for your wedding has never been easier.

Websites like Minted.com offer beautiful, professionally designed invite templates that are easily customizable.

Etsy has customizable invites and wedding suites that you simply download and edit with your personal wedding information.

You can even design your own from scratch or use a template on Canva for a truly personalized look.

From there, you can have your materials printed and sent to you for organization or mailing, if they’re intended to be sent to your guests.

Escort Cards

Escort cards are the traditional tokens that tell a guest where they’re meant to sit at your reception.

They’re also a great way to integrate a personal DIY touch to your tables that your guests will enjoy.

Depending on your theme, you may want to incorporate shells, leaves, or stones you and your partner have collected, with the name of each guest beautifully written on each one.

Put your calligraphy skills to good use on tile, cardstock, or acrylic for a handmade-yet-formal aesthetic.

The world is your oyster when it comes to escort cards. Get creative and put your skills to good use.

Welcome Bags

A row of alternating red and white gift bags on a stone surface.

If you have guests attending from out of town, providing a welcome bag is always a welcome gesture.

These goodie bags are typically waiting for your guests either at the front desk of their hotel or in their rooms prior to check-in.

Welcome bags can include basics like bottles of water, snacks, a small first aid kit, and a printout of your wedding itinerary – although you can also let your imagination run wild.

Destination-specific details are always fun, as are special treats. Perhaps include the favorite snacks of the couple of honor?

Decorate the bags and include personal handwritten notes for an extra personalized touch.

Signage

Big, beautiful signs are a lasting trend when it comes to weddings.

Put your Etsy or Canva skills to good use and design welcome signs, specialty drink signs, and any other signage you may need for your big day.

Signs are also another opportunity to put calligraphy and painting skills to good use, perhaps with the guidance of a great YouTube or TikTok tutorial.

Photobooth Props

Wedding guests love a good photobooth.

Instead of just using generic provided props in your pictures, DIY your own.

Even the most basic DIY props can be reimagined to suit your theme or your personal hobbies and interests.

You can even have giant cutouts of you and your partner’s face made for the photobooth, or pictures of beloved pets who might not be able to celebrate with you in person.

Get Thrifty

In a large white tent, mason jars filled with simple greenery and a white candle sit on log slice centerpieces on a white table.

Dreaming of a specific look? Wondering how you can add eclectic charm to your wedding aesthetic?

Go thrifting in search of unique décor like bud vases, candlesticks, rugs, lamps, and other fashionable décor.

Repurpose an old bar cart to serve specialty drinks or give an old chest of drawers a fresh coat of paint and reimagine it as a station for your guest book and gifts.

With enough imagination and patience, you can create an aesthetic that feels bespoke, timeless, and romantic.

Let Rosen Weddings Take Care of Everything (and Everyone) Else

If DIY details bring you joy on your wedding day, we’re all for it.

For all the big details, let us at Rosen Weddings take care of the work.

From extensive catering menus to spacious venue spaces to a team of experienced wedding specialists, we’re ready to help you put together the wedding day of your dreams.

What to DIY for Your Wedding (and What to Skip)