DIY – an alternative method to having the pretty little things at your wedding without paying the hefty price tag.
Weddings are expensive and with inflation, it is increasingly common for couples to look for ways to cut down their wedding expenses. One simple and common way to cut costs is to avoid purchasing or paying for items that are deemed ‘unnecessary’ – typically, items such as the venue decor of your dreams. While it may seem disappointing to forgo these small luxuries, fret not; another popular solution is to DIY.
A word of caution from us, DIY can cost more if done wrongly so it may not be the most cost-effective solution. For instance, opting to DIY your florals is probably not the best idea because fresh flowers are already expensive, and if you make a mistake, you’ll likely need to purchase additional flowers and reattempt the DIY. You would be better off just purchasing a bouquet because it will save you time and money.
So, what are some things that are safe to DIY and can help cut costs? In this article, we will cover four things to DIY for your wedding and how much you can save by doing them yourself.
Disclaimer: The prices mentioned in this article are only estimates based on research and inquiries with various vendors. To ensure you get the best deal, we advise you to conduct your own research and compare prices to make the most informed decision
Read Also: Why It Makes Financial Sense To Have One Wedding Gown for Your Big Day
#1 Aisle Decor
A dream of many brides is to walk down a beautifully decorated aisle, but this dream can be rather expensive in Singapore. A simple aisle decoration, including a white runner and flower hedges, can cost anywhere from S$380 to S$1,000, and this is just an estimate for a simple setup.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you may consider DIY-ing your aisle decorations – only if it’s a simple decor. Here are some decoration pieces that can help you create a dreamy aisle.
| Decoration | Quantity | Cost (Shipping Excluded) |
| LED Flameless Candle | 24pc | S$13.90/ 24pc |
| Artificial Rose Petals | 10-15 packet | S$1.50 / packet |
| LED Transparent Balloon Luminous Decoration | 10pc | S$22.68 / 10pc |
| Total | S$59.08+ | |
With these materials, you can create a simple aisle like the image below, all at a low cost of S$59.08. The only thing you essentially need to worry about is setting up and tearing down the decorations – this is where your groomsmen and bridesmaids can help.
By choosing to DIY a simple aisle, you can easily save a minimum of S$300
Source: Pinterest
Once again, if you are looking for a grander aisle decoration, it will be safer to hire a vendor. Inexperience during setup could lead to possible damage, making it worth the investment to rely on the expertise of a professional. In addition, you won’t have to worry about the setting up and teardown.
It’s important to note that different vendors charge differently, and prices will vary depending on various factors such as your choice of flowers, the length of the white runner, the complexity of the decor and etc.
#2 Reception Area
Source: Shopee
Similar to aisle decoration, hiring a vendor to decorate your reception can be costly. Vendors may charge anywhere from S$300 to S$900 for decorating the reception area. Within this price range, the vendors could probably get your wedding photos printed on a fabric banner for display, in addition to simple decorations for the reception table.
For those who want a beautiful reception area without breaking the bank, DIY-ing it is a viable option. With the right sourcing of materials, you may even have some budget left to further enhance the aesthetics of your reception booth.
Below is a list of materials that can help enhance your reception area and tables! Please note that we are assuming your hotel will provide a flower piece for the reception table, an angbao box, and a guest book, which is usually the case. If you’re lucky, you might also have a wedding photo set in a frame from your pre-wedding vendor to showcase your wedding photo.
| Decoration | Quantity | Cost (Shipping Excluded) |
| LED Fairy Lights (1M) | 1 | S$1.99 |
| Acrylic Welcome Wedding Sign (40*60cm) | 1 | S$20.17 |
| Polyester Crinkle Table Runner | 1 | S$9.67 |
| Total | S$31.83+ | |
By spending only on what is necessary, you can save a minimum of S$250 on your wedding reception decoration. Even if you choose to splurge on more decorations, you will likely spend lesser as compared to if you were to hire a vendor.
Again, do note that you will have to do the set-up and teardown yourself.
#3 Photobooth
Source: Hitched
To spice up your reception area, you could also consider renting a photo booth for your guests to take memorable pictures. Unfortunately, these photo booths are considered to be pricier, as they usually charge by the hour. Depending on the vendor, the duration of your rental, the type of booth you prefer (i.e., photo booth, video booth, or GIF booth), and other add-on services like instant printing, prices can range anywhere from S$390 to S$900, or more.
Instead of DIY-ing a photo booth, we recommend using technology to help you save money and time! You’d be surprised at how much you can achieve with just a plain background and a smartphone.
| Decoration | Quantity | Cost | Notes |
| Photo Booth Apps | 1 | Free | Streamline the process of the actual photo-capturing with apps like Wifibooth. |
| Instagram AI Filter | 1 | Free to S$50 | You could engage with people from Carousell to help create an AI filter, usually priced below $50. Alternatively, if you are tech-savvy enough, you could create your own AI filter for free using SparkAR. You may check out a tutorial here. |
If using technology isn’t what you are looking for, here’s also a cost breakdown of a simple photobooth setup for your consideration. Here are some items you may consider getting for your booth.
| Decoration | Quantity | Cost (Shipping Excluded) |
| Spotlight Customisale Polaroid Photo Frame | 1 | S$42 |
| Wedding Photo Props | 1 pack of 22 props | S$9.90 |
| Wedding Background Arch Stand | 1 | S$20.06 – $31.39 |
| LED Fairy Lights (1M) | 1 | S$1.99 |
| Total | S$85.28+ | |
The total cost of a DIY backdrop with the above materials could cost you approximately S$85.28+. This saves you a minimum of S$300, or if not more.
#4 Wedding Invitations
Source: Shopee
Although hotels include the printing of wedding invitations in your package, you still have to pay for printing costs, which can range from S$60 to S$80. The quantity alone may not be sufficient, and the designs offered by the hotel can be quite limited. Opting for something fancier could further increase the cost. With such limited quantity and design options, printing wedding invitations with the hotel may not be the most sensible choice.
Instead, we encourage you to customize your wedding invitations from platforms like Shopee or Taobao. On these platforms, you can find invitations that are both elegant and affordable.
Here are some stores on Shopee offering nice wedding invitations at a lower price for your consideration. Of course, there are more options available; take your time to browse through them.
| Decoration | Quantity | Cost (Shipping Excluded) | Notes |
| Shopee Western Style Invitation Design | 50 | S$26.50 | Prices vary according to the quantity you need and the quality of the paper. |
| Shopee Chinese Style Invitation | 50 | S$54.94 | Prices vary according to the quantity you need and the choice of design. |
With that said, you should and can negotiate with the hotel vendor to exchange the wedding invitations included in the package for something else, such as three additional bottles of wine or a complimentary spa treatment.
Read Also: Unlock Big Savings: 4 Key Negotiation Points with Singapore Hotels for Your Dream Wedding
Words From Author
Choosing to DIY these parts of your wedding can easily help you save anywhere from S$300 to S$1,000, or more. However, factors such as where you purchase your materials, what you choose to purchase, and the quantity of the materials will affect your final cost.
In addition, it is important to calculate your estimated cost before deciding whether or not to DIY. If the cost exceeds the price range of hiring a professional, you should consider going with a professional. After all, you save a lot of time and manpower by hiring a vendor.
Another important point to highlight is that whether you choose to DIY or hire a vendor to decorate the wedding aisle or reception table, be careful not to damage the hotel’s property. Hotels will likely charge you for any damages incurred. If you choose to hire a vendor, make sure to check with them if they cover such damages or what the arrangements are.
