After the ceremony, the wedding reception provides the opportunity for you to celebrate your love with friends and family.
Choosing the right wedding reception decoration ideas can really set the mood, whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or a more relaxed affair.
You can easily accessorise your venue by adding your own handmade decorations, from homemade seating plans to stunning photo backdrops.
We’ve found ideas to suit every budget! There are plenty of simple wedding decoration ideas for your reception to make, as well as more ambitious projects.
Making your setting truly personal for a special occasion that everyone will remember for years to come.
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20 DIY wedding reception decoration ideas
1. Flower wall
Whether you choose to use real or artificial flowers, a flower wall is an easy way to make a statement in your wedding venue.
If you decide to use artificial flowers and foliage, you can make your flower wall in advance of the big day, safe in the knowledge that it won’t wilt!
Find out how to make a flower wall with Gathered.
2. DIY wedding chalkboard
Personalise your wedding with a customised chalkboard! These designs look very professional, but they’re very easy to make and you can even download free templates to copy.
Learn how to decorate a DIY wedding chalkboard with hobbycraft.co.uk.
3. Rainbow origami cranes
Make a statement with a cascade of beautiful paper cranes. Origami cranes are very time-consuming to make, but the result is well worth it!
If you’re short of time, you can buy ready-made garlands to decorate your wedding reception.
4. Colourful paper decorations
Get crafty with paper and brighten up your venue! Paper decorations are so simple to make and look spectacular when hung from the ceiling.
Follow this easy paper fan decoration tutorial from thelistedhome.co.uk to try this technique for your wedding.
5. Macrame wedding backdrop
Bring hippie vibes into your wedding celebration by creating this fabulous macrame wedding backdrop.
The best part of making this lovely backdrop is that you can hang it in your home after the wedding as a permanent reminder of your love.
6. DIY illuminated letters
Everyone will want to stop to have their photo taken next to these cute DIY illuminated letters!
The word ‘love’ seems very fitting for a wedding reception, but you could spell out any word you like! Wouldn’t it be cute to have the couple’s initials in lights?
7. DIY hanging flower installation
Cast a spell over your wedding guests with this magical DIY hanging flower installation from sugarandcloth.com.
The flowers are cleverly suspended from a frame filled with chicken wire. You’ll have to check that you’re able to hang up these frames in your wedding venue before making them, as this installation will take time to make.
8. Spring wreaths
Planning a spring wedding? These DIY spring wreaths are the perfect way to show off seasonal flowers.
Display a few of them on walls around the room. They could also be suspended from the ceiling or hung on doors.
9. Photo booth backdrop
The most fun wedding photos are often the candid snaps that guests take during the day.
Putting up a photo booth backdrop will encourage your guests to take their own fun pictures during the reception. Why not give them some disposable cameras to use during the event? You’ll be able to get them developed later and it’s something to look forward to when you get back from your honeymoon.
Learn how to make a DIY photo booth backdrop with Gathered.
10. Outdoor lighting ideas
If you’re planning to celebrate your wedding outdoors, getting the lighting right is crucial. The right lighting can set the tone for the whole event, especially if the festivities carry on into the evening!
It’s important to make sure that there’s enough light for your guests to see, while creating an inviting atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
Explore Gathered’s outdoor lighting ideas and get planning!
Wedding decorations ideas to elevate your table
Host the crafty wedding of your dreams with these wonderful DIY wedding table decorations! Discover how to create everything from crochet bouquets to candle centerpieces.
11. Fiesta-themed decorations
Get your guests in the party spirit by decorating your wedding reception for a fiesta!
This fiesta-themed wedding idea from rockmywedding.co.uk is so much fun and everyone’s guaranteed to have a brilliant time.
12. DIY wedding card crates
Collect all of your wedding wishes in this charming DIY wedding card crate from hobbycraft.co.uk.
Place your crate in a prominent spot so your guests can leave their cards as they pass by.
13. Gold leaf photo backdrop
Make your wedding sparkle with this glorious gold leaf photo backdrop idea from sugarandcloth.com.
Not only is this a glittering backdrop for photos, but it makes an elegant wedding reception decoration too!
14. DIY wedding seating plan
Ensure that everyone knows where to sit with this stylish DIY wedding seating plan.
It’s a sweet way to add a handmade touch to your wedding – and it’ll make everyone feel welcome.
15. DIY paper wreath
Looking for a sustainable alternative to fresh flowers? You could try making this elegant DIY paper wreath designed by Sarah Louise Matthews.
Paper flowers will always look fresh and you can reuse them after the wedding.
16. Floral fillable love letters
These floral fillable love letters from hobbycraft.co.uk are blooming marvellous!
The flowers are made using soft felt, which gives the petals a natural, organic look. You can change the colour palette to suit your wedding decor.
17. DIY hanging flower wall
This DIY hanging flower wall project from sugarandcloth.com is an easy way to add a romantic touch to your reception.
We love the way it makes the flowers look as though they’re cascading downwards like a waterfall.
18. Blooming monograms
Spell out your feelings with floral monograms to celebrate the happy couple! Your completed monograms could be used as table decorations or displayed on the wall of the venue.
Learn how to make this clever blooming monogram DIY with roolee.com.
19. DIY sequin marquee heart
Give your wedding reception some extra glamour with these twinkling sequin hearts! They’re much easier to make than you might think and look very professional.
Find out how to make DIY sequin marquee hearts with sugarandcloth.com.
20. Hanging milk bottle vases
There are lots of ways to style an outdoor wedding, but we love this budget-friendly idea!
Save up old jars or glass milk bottles, then fill them with flowers and tie them to a tree for simple but stylish decorations.
Discover more outdoor wedding inspiration with stylemepretty.com.
Simple wedding decoration ideas for the reception of your dreams
Making your own wedding reception decorations is the best way to make sure that your celebration is unique and personal. It can often save you money too!
It’s a great way to build anticipation for the big day and you can get friends and family involved as well.
Keep your wedding sustainable by making decorations that you can use again or display in your home to evoke happy memories.
How to make DIY wedding centerpieces to delight your guests
Adding a handmade centerpiece will make your wedding table shine! It’s the finishing touch that all of your guests will remember long after the party ends.
Get creative with Gathered’s DIY wedding centerpieces.
