What are the best DIY wedding decoration ideas on a budget in the UK?

Budget DIY decorations work best when you focus on a few key spots, not every surface. Start with the entrance and the ceremony area, as those are where guests first look. Make a simple arch from branches or a wooden frame, and decorate it with foraged ivy, ferns or eucalyptus from a garden or a local hedgerow, with permission. For the aisle, scatter petals or leaves, or use fabric runners you can make from old sheets.

For tables, jam jars are your best friend. Collect them from friends and family, or buy them cheaply from charity shops. Fill them with candles, tea lights or a single flower stem. Wrap them with ribbon, twine or lace for a finished look. You can also make table numbers from old bottles, wine corks or wooden pegs.

Paper decorations are cheap and versatile. Make pom-poms, fans, or garlands from tissue paper or old book pages. You can also make paper flowers, which last forever and can be made months ahead. For the ceiling or walls, use fabric bunting made from old clothes, pillowcases or offcuts. Ask guests to bring spare fabric, or use a simple no-sew method with glue or tape.

Borrow what you can. Ask family and friends for cake stands, vases, lanterns and tablecloths. Charity shops and car boot sales are good places to find glassware and candlesticks. Keep your colour palette simple, so mismatched items look intentional. And remember, natural elements like pine cones, acorns and dried flowers are free and look lovely in autumn and winter weddings.