Creative DIY Wedding Ideas | Harrogate Wedding Photographer

Lockdown 3: One week down. I know, staying at home is pretty tedious but if you’re planning a wedding there are so many DIY projects you could be doing to pass the time. I thought it would be a great opportunity to show you some of the amazing DIY wedding ideas I’ve seen throughout my years of being a wedding photographer in Harrogate and Yorkshire.

1. Make your own bunting

There’s no better way to jazz up the walls of your wedding venue with some home-made bunting. Whatever your wedding theme, grab some material and start sewing. I love this bunting from a wedding at Fountains Abbey a few years ago; the theme was Alice in Wonderland and the Brides had made colourful bunting to go all around their reception room.

2. Make your own Flowers

So this might be for the more advanced DIY Brides and Grooms but if you’ve got the skills, use them! Imagine being able to keep your flowers forever after your wedding. One of my lovely brides, Shelley, made all her own bouquets, button holes and decoration flowers back in 2018 and they looked amazing!

3. Organise your own Wedding Candy Cart

Ask on local selling sites if anyone is getting rid of any old mason jars and then order bulk penny sweets online and hurrah, you’re guaranteed happy guests (and even happpier photographers!) Because who doesn’t love the combination of dancing to Saturday Night with a bag of sweets in their hands?

4. Print Photos of Absent Family

If you have family members that have passed away that you’d have loved to have at your wedding, there are lots of lovely ways you can remember them on your special day. One of my favourite ways to do this, is by having a really simple table with photographs of your loved ones. This is a table from Meriel and Max’s wedding in 2018 where they printed photographs of their grandparents that were no longer with us or were unable to travel for their wedding. They added a special touch by surrounding their photos with a sweet that they thought their grandparent would have always had in their pocket, ready to offer out.

5. Make an Alternative to a Traditional Guest Book

Guest Books are becoming less common than they used to be, with more Brides and Grooms choosing a modern alternative. I’ve seen lots of different ideas from guests taking photos of themselves on polaroid cameras, signing wooden hearts that go in to a jar or asking your guests to inspire your future travels. Get creative and think of something that will make your wedding original.

6. Create a Routine for your First Dance

Eek, OK, so this one isn’t for the faint-hearted. But if you think you can brave performing a routine for your first dance then there has never been a better time to get practicing. I absolutely love photographing surprise first dances and the faces of the guests! Do you dare?

7. Print Photos

It’s your day afterall! Why not print lots of photos of the two of you and use them in your special day. You could create a Photo Wall for guests to admire, create a guessing game for your guests to play or use photos of you at the age of the table numbers! I’ve seen some great creative uses so get printed your best (and worst) snaps!

8. Make Personalised Place Settings

These could be as simple or as creative as you fancy going but it’s a super easy way to add a personalised touch to every guest.

9. Paint Wooden Pallets

Wooden pallets make the cutest, shabby chic addition to any modern wedding. From ‘Welcome’ signs to ‘Order of The Day’ signs, if you have a message to give to your guests on your wedding day, paint it on a pallet!

10. Create Personal Wedding Favours

Forget the obvious wedding favours and think of what you two love! Top tip: guests love something they can eat or drink!

Hopefully this blog has inspired you to get creative! And remember your bridal party are in lockdown too and maybe they’d love to help! Maybe your next Zoom and Prosecco party? Let me know what you’re making, I’d love to hear!

All photography done by Rachael Fawcett Photography based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire featuring weddings at The Sun Pavilion, The Pavilions of Harrogate, Dower House Spa and Hotel, Headingly Stadium, Otley Chevin Spa Hotel, Fountains Abbey, Goldsborough Hall, Ripley Castle, Rudding Park and Marquee weddings.