Sustainable Sparkle: Create Your Dream Wedding Day on a Budget
Welcome to the Dream Day blog - in our 1st edition we give you our expert top 5 tips for creating your dream sustainable wedding on a budget.
Weddings are magical moments, but they can also come with a hefty price tag—and an environmental impact. At Dream Day Designs Boutique, we believe that with a little creativity and smart decision-making, you can have a beautiful, memorable, and sustainable wedding without the financial stress. In this blog post, we’ll share practical tips, sustainable ideas, and budget-friendly solutions to help you reduce costs and tread lightly on the planet while still achieving the wedding of your dreams. Let’s make your special day extraordinary—without breaking the bank or compromising on sustainability!
Tip 1: Real vs. Artificial Flowers
Did you know that the average couple spends in the region of $2400 (£1845) on real flowers? Whereas by comparison, with artificial flowers couples spend between $500 - $1000 (£380 - £770)! When this makes up approximately 10% of your wedding budget (based on a $20,000 wedding), you could have huge savings here - to spend elsewhere!
Pro's of artificial flowers:
- You can buy them in advance, which means less stress for the organised couple and you can relax knowing that your flowers are sorted well before your big day.
- There are so many different styles to choose from and they will look picture-perfect as you can be guaranteed each bouquet is going to look the same and won't go bad, no matter what the setting or weather.
- Top tip from a wedding florist - once your bridesmaids have used their bouquets at the ceremony, you can re-purpose these in cute mason jars at your cocktail reception or place into vases as stunning centrepieces on your breakfast tables.
- DIY idea - You can use 1 bouquet for your bridesmaids but order 3 bouquets for the bride and tie together with beautiful ribbon to make a stunning large bridal bouquet which will stand out but seamlessly match with your bridesmaids.
- You can use your artificial flowers to decorate tables at your hen parties and rehearsal dinners and then re-purpose for your big day which is a lovely sentimental way to tie in your theme throughout your celebrations.
- Once your big day is over, you can re-use as beautiful décor around your house/office, or alternatively you can re-sell or donate these which is not only sustainable, but can potentially make you money back from your wedding day.
Tip 2: Decorate your own wedding backdrops or arches
Wedding arches and backdrops are the perfect way to transform your special occasions into unforgettable memories. Buying a versatile backdrop frame is an ideal way to infuse your personal style by making beautiful arrangements. We recommend decorating with flowers, tulle, balloons, foliage, or lights to create a stunning entrance that will impress your guests.
Pros of DIY backdrops and arches:
- Big price savings - In the UK to pay a company to provide and style these backdrops or ready-decorated arches can cost a couple between £500 up to £5000!
- They are a perfect for using as a centrepiece at your wedding ceremony at the end of the aisle and then re-purposing to your wedding reception as a VIP area - perfect for beautiful photographs for you and your guests to enjoy.
- Decorating can be a fun and meaningful experience for you and your loved ones. It’s a chance to involve your friends and family in creating something beautiful for your big day.
- DIY projects let you opt for eco-friendly materials or reuse items you already have, aligning with the growing trend of sustainable weddings. Also, after your big day, you can re-sell or set up a beautiful corner in your garden to continue celebrating your big day for years to come.
- By doing it yourself, you have control over the setup schedule. You can decorate at your own pace rather than relying on someone else’s availability.
- Seeing your handcrafted decorations in photos and on the day itself will bring a strong sense of pride and joy. You’ll know that you played a direct role in making your wedding magical.
Tip 3: Create unique table numbers
Table numbers are a perfect way to manage guest seating and ensure smooth running of the day. If you're a classic couple who wants to keep things simple but effective whilst presenting an elegant style, you may opt for stylish table numbers at your wedding breakfast tables. Alternatively, you may wish to fill picture frames with alternative table identifiers which align with your wedding's overall theme, enhancing the visual harmony of the décor and adding a personal touch. Below we will share some unique alternatives to help get your creative juices flowing:
- All of the countries/cities you've visited together - for bonus points you can tie this in with your seating plan using a map of the world. You may wish to include a photo of where you have visited to share special moments with your wedding guests.
- Your favourite cocktails - a fun way to share your favourite tipple and to elevate this idea you could offer each of these drinks at your cocktail hour!
- Your favourite song titles / artists - a great conversation starter for wedding guests and you can play these specific songs throughout your wedding celebration.
- Different dances - a perfect idea for the dancers out there. These could include 'Waltz', 'Foxtrot', 'Jive' to name a few.
- A classic printout of your names using your wedding theme - after all the day is all about you!
Tip 4: Enhance your table linen
Table linen can really affect the overall appearance of your wedding décor. Often venues will offer basic white linen within one of their packages, but for anything extra or alternative colours this can come at an extra cost. If you want to enhance the elegance of your big day we have a couple of tips below:
- Reusable cloth napkins are an eco-friendly alternative to disposables, which is perfect for couples who value sustainability.
- Napkins are a simple way to align with your theme, while venue-provided linens may include service fees or higher rental costs.
- Personalisation options - you can tie a ribbon, twine or lace around the napkin and even display your wedding favours or foliage beautifully tucked within the napkin. This works amazingly too if you opt to secure a name tag with your napkin which doubles as a place card.
- To elevate a basic wedding chair you can opt to drape tulle fabrics in a variety of styles for example large bows at the back of the chair, sash and drape styles, or layered ruffles. All of these ideas will add extra charm and create a whimsical effect. This is also considered a cheaper and more modern option compared to complete chair covers.
- Ultimately purchasing linens instead of renting allows you to reuse them for future events or sell them afterward, potentially reducing costs over time.
Tip 5: Source biodegradable confetti
Most wedding venues have strict policies on wedding confetti, including hefty clean-up costs, which is why many couples are now opting for biodegradable confetti options. Here are our top tips when it comes to biodegradable confetti:
- We recommend dried rose petals as these not only provide a beautiful aesthetic for your wedding photos and come in gorgeous vibrant colours, but they are an environmentally conscious alternative to synthetic confetti.
- Rose petals also have the added bonus of having a gorgeous subtle scent, which can enhance the romantic ambiance of the day.
- Dried rose petals can often be sourced affordably, especially if purchased in bulk.
- Unlike synthetic or glitter-based confetti, dried petals are less likely to cause irritation or allergies for guests.
- We suggest pairing your confetti with cones and holders to ensure a stylish and functional addition to any wedding or event - this can ensure beautiful presentation whilst making it easy to organize and distribute confetti among guests, ensuring everyone has a portion without chaos.
Final thoughts
Planning a wedding on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on beauty, style, or sustainability. By prioritizing what truly matters, embracing eco-friendly practices, getting creative with DIY projects, and making thoughtful choices, you can create a celebration that’s memorable, affordable, and kind to the planet. Remember, a dream wedding isn’t about how much you spend, but the love, joy, and positive impact you share on your special day. With these budget-friendly tips and eco-conscious tips, we hope that Dream Day Designs Boutique can help your wedding be a perfect reflection of your unique story without breaking the bank. Here’s to making your dream day a reality—your way!
To explore our range of products mentioned throughout this blog, please check out our website. For further wedding tips, please follow our social media pages and reach out to us - we'd love to hear all about your Dream Days!
Wishing you forever happiness,
Dream Day Designs Boutique 💚