A Guide to Planning a DIY Wedding on a Budget | DIY Vintage Wedding Table Ideas

Whatever your wedding budget, nobody wants to spend over the odds on their wedding, but as you know as soon as you stick ‘wedding’ in front of anything then the price shoots up.

With just under 7 weeks to go until we get married and our wedding funds looking sadder by the day, we’ve had to look at where we can cut down our expenditure without compromising on quality. For example as I have 11 (yes 11) bridesmaids I am using their bouquets as the centrepieces for the tables, which is saving us £100’s in florist fees. Here’s my recent top money saving tips:

 

Top Money Saving Wedding Tips:

• Ask for help – people really do love to help with weddings, whether it’s making some bunting, helping with a shift on the bar or handing out the canapés, you can make huge savings on hiring staff or buying decorations
• Use Social media – a quick facebook post to request those random items, in our case a refrigerated unit, tea urn and a generator, meant we got them at a fraction of the price
• Don’t be scared to ask – bartering goods, services or haggling on prices with suppliers might feel awkward at first but when those savings come rolling in you will become a pro
• Shop around – use the internet, eBay, gumtree and local selling groups on facebook to compare prices
• The big supermarkets all do free glass hire, but beware of breakages charges. It’s often cheaper to buy replacements from their budget ranges rather than pay for breakages
• Fake it – prosecco instead of champagne, fake flowers instead of real ones, honestly nobody will know the difference.
• Run your own bar – buy your booze from a wholesalers and get in barrels of local ale and cider and you will actually make a profit on your bar
• Start your wedding later in the afternoon so you don't have to provide lunch
• Have a ploughman's lunch or afternoon tea to save on expensive catering or ask everyone to bring a dish

 

Wedding Table Money Saving Ideas

But saving money doesn't mean your wedding has to look cheap. I've found these beautiful wedding table items that look like they cost a lot more than they actually do. The vintage and rustic looks are really in at the moment, so you can use mismatched decorations with different colours and patterns which means it's easier to save money than sticking to a rigid colour scheme. These beautiful wedding table ideas, decorations and accessories will ensure your wedding looks a million dollars but certainly won't cost it!! These wedding table money saving ideas will save you an absolute fortune in hiring or buying expensive items for your wedding.

 

1. Use a Cardboard Cake Stand

This vintage wedding cupcake stand has 3 pretty tiers and holds approx 12-15 medium size cupcakes and at under £10 is much cheaper than buying a porcelain equivalent. Each tier has 2 designs to choose from and will be absolutely perfect for a rustic vintage style wedding.

 

2. Use Paper Napkins

The cost of hiring wedding linen was a big surprise for me and I've been advised by friends that stains etc can end up costing a lot in damages. These beautiful paper wedding napkins are a brilliant money saving alternative to linen at around 15p each and I actually think they look nicer than plain white ones. These beautifully designed floral wedding napkins are a printed with the words 'Best Day Ever' which is a lovely sentiment on a wedding day for when you cut the cake or as serviettes on the tables at the wedding reception. Each napkin is 33cm when opened out and come in a pack of 20.

Best of the rest:

I love these 30 pretty vintage floral wedding napkins which work well with a vintage themed mismatched wedding table or with plain white tableware. Gorgeous and highly decorative, these Alice in Wonderland themed dainty napkins, feature graphics and themes from the classic children's book. As well as featuring 2 charming designs including the White Rabbit and Alice both adorned by a vibrant floral and butterfly border. These thick napkins would go well with a tea party style wedding breakfast, or Alice in Wonderland themed wedding. These napkins are sold as a pack of 20. These classy napkins would work well with plain or traditional tableware or more minimal themes. Pack of 20 simply stunning gold porcelain wedding napkins.

 

3. Use Paper Tablecloths

Again, why use expensive linen when you can buy beautiful paper tablecloths and table runners for your wedding table? If the tables are pretty you can get away with a table runner, but if they are less so then you can use a tablecloth or buy a roll of material. These tablecloths of plastic, paper or fabric are perfect for covering your wedding tables at an affordable price. They are available in every colour theme possible including white wedding tablecloths, hot pink wedding tablecloths and turquoise tablecloths. 

 

 

This pretty vintage style paper wedding tablecloth will transform any table into a stylish canvas for your wedding table. Perfect for any vintage tea party style wedding and would look great with mismatched tableware. Tablecloth measures 1.40m x 1.40m.

Best of the rest:

Gold Table Runner - This is a simple, gold table runner, perfect for elegant wedding tables. Table runner is 130.5cm x 15.24m (12" x 50'). Porcelain Blue China Wedding Tablecover - Transform your table with this beautiful paper table cover. Instantly chic! Measures 140 x 140cm. Use with the matching Paper Wedding Table Runner I would recommend buying two for longer tables. Table runner is 120cm x 30cm and printed on 160gsm thick paper.

Although it's not paper, this rustic style boho Hessian Wedding Table Runner is really hard wearing and will look amazing at a rustic, boho or vintage style wedding table. The table runner measures 2 metres in length and is 35cm in width.

 

 

4. Low Cost Favours

Wedding favours are one of those things that you forget to factor into your wedding budget and can end up costing you hundreds of pounds then often end up being left behind. I would recommend going for something that can be consumed at the table i.e. alcohol or food such as cakes, sweets or chocolates to make sure you're not wasting your money and end up clearing them up the next day. Or something low cost such as favour bags with wildflower seeds. See the full range of low cost wedding favours. These boho flowers party bags are perfect for a vintage style wedding and will look pretty on the guests place setting. You could even write the names of the guests on the bags to save on buying separate place settings. Pack of 12. Each bag measures 14cm width x 21cm height x 7cm depth.

 

Best of the rest:

Floral Wedding Favour Bags - 15cm - Pack of 10 Fun Floral Mini Treat Bags will brighten any wedding table.  Fill with sweet or savoury treats and bring a smile to your table! 10 x paper treat bags with stickers included to seal. Measures 15cm x 11cm.

Multicoloured Wedding Favour Bags - Add some nostalgic fun to your wedding with these cute multi coloured treat bags, perfect for filling with sweets. Each bag features a lovely multicoloured design and the pack also contains a sheet of quirky stickers for sealing! Pack contains 10 x paper multi coloured treat bags with sticker seals. Each bag measures H 21cm x W 15cm.

Hearts Treat Boxes - These pretty Hearts treat boxes are perfect for adding some extra fun to your next themed party. Fill with sweets, toys or even popcorn. Perfect for Valentine's day, Weddings, Anniversary celebrations and Birthday parties. Pack of 6 treat boxes. Each box measures 5.25" Height x 3.75" Width x 2.5" Diameter.

 

 

Other Wedding Table Money Saving Ideas

Silver Candy Buffet Striped Cello Party Bags - Inspired by old-fashioned sweet shops, our Silver Striped Treat Bags are silver-and-white striped and made of cellophane to show off the yummy treats inside. Whether you choose to colour-coordinate or mix and match, these charming food-safe treat bags make every gift look as good as they taste! Package contains 10 Striped Treat Bags and 10 matching twist ties. Measuring 27.3cm x 8.3cm.

 

I've just realised I haven't got enough cheese boards or serving platters for the wedding tables, then came across these fantastic card cheese boards in a pretty china print.  These 3 boards are only £6.90 so £2.30 per board - an absolute bargain! These Porcelain Blue Cheese Boards has a beautiful porcelain blue design and includes 3 disposable card cheeseboards and 20 canapé flags.

These vanilla cream bowls are perfect for ice cream and puddings, but also work well for sweets, dips, chocolates etc. They come in a pack of 20.

For more money saving wedding ideas, see the previous blog posts in the DIY Wedding Series:

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