DIY Wedding Decor Ideas That Look Professional and not DIY

DIY is a term that is prevalent in the wedding industry simply meaning, do it yourself. A lot of couples jump to DIY because it is deemed more affordable. But, if you’re truly going to do it yourself, there’s a few things that you must know. You’re going to want to do your research. Ensure that going the DIY route will serve a purpose. Whether you’d like full control of your decor, or you want to save money on the budget – be sure to double check your options that DIY is the right route for you. And last, you’ll want to make sure that you have the skills necessary to complete your projects and the time. Ok, now that we’ve got the fine lines out of the way– let’s talk about how to create do it yourself decor ideas that will look professional and not “DIY”. 

#01: Don’t Over Do It
We’ve all been to that wedding – CLUTTER. The bride may have gotten a little Pinterest and DIY happy. It’s over done, it’s overworked and there are too many pieces to be cohesive. The key to DIY is to choose a few key items that you can do yourself. Whether it’s your invitation suite, escort cards, or centerpieces. Select just a few items to complete on your own. Then leave the rest to the professionals. Going this route will create a polished and cohesive look. 

#02: Reuse and Take the Recycled 
One of the best ways to skip the professional is to reuse any extra wedding decor or signage, that fits your aesthetic of course, on your big day! Check with your family and friends and see what they can share or part with. Or spend a day date thrifting with your loved ones to find pieces that will fit your needs and wedding theme. If you’re on social media platforms, there are many groups that have individuals who are parting with their wedding decor. 

#03: Stay Away from Decor that is TOO Trendy
If you’re going to try some do it yourself decor pieces, it’s best to stay clear of items that are trendy. Trends come and go, and while it’s tempting to opt for trendy decor items, create DIY pieces that are timeless and look like they can stand the test of time. 

#04: Consider the Big Picture
Before you select your DIY projects or start your Pinterest hunt, you’ll want to start with the big picture and consider it all. Define the vision that you want to create, curate your color palette, conceptualize your space, and then narrow down your needs and wants. Determine what professionals you can hire and what your skill level is. You don’t want to get in over your head with DIY projects that you are not equipped to carry out. Consider your strengths. And remember to consider your venue and how it can be utilized.

#05: Create a Plan for Execution 
Alright, you just created a stunning arch, but what is your plan to execute it? Execution of the DIY is what makes or breaks it. You will need to plan on how to transport, set it up, tear it down, bring it home etc. And you definitely don’t want to be setting up your own wedding, so you need to ensure that you have a team of trusted friends or families (or wedding planner) that can help you with all of the DIY details. 

#06: Order Wholesale Flowers
If you’re planning to make your own bouquet, you’ll want to spend a portion of your budget on quality flowers. Many of the local grocers or box stores will have quality florals that you can order wholesale. But before you even try, we recommend trying to create a bouquet on your own before making the decision to DIY or hire a professional. You can create small affordable bouquets with big blooms such as hydrangeas, peonies, mums, or dahlias. Always, always, always pair it with lush foliage or greenery. 

#07: High Impact Florals
While we are on the topic of floral arrangements, one of the easiest and quickest ways to add luxury to your wedding is creating high impact floral arrangements. If you pour your effort and a good chunk of your decor budget into florals, you’ll create a statement. Skip the clutter on the table, say goodbye to the table runners, signage, and random favors. Create DIY centerpieces that can be used at the ceremony and reused at the reception that will create a high impact. 

#08: Create Quality Over Quantity 
As you DIY, keep your DIY projects on the minimalist side of things. As much as we love maximalist approaches to wedding decor, airing on the side of caution with DIY decor will ensure that your wedding keeps the professional flair. Create what you can, but then leave the rest to the beauty of the venue and the professionals. 

There’s nothing wrong with doing it yourself, but you should not opt for doing everything yourself. Consider the big picture and select the projects that are within your skills set that you can tackle yourselves. Choose items that will add to the details or create a high impact. Don’t create unnecessary clutter and keep your DIY basic, but high impact. Happy DIY’ing! 

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 19 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Favorite Fall Wedding Color Palettes

Everything seems to slow down in the fall with the holiday season approaching. It’s time to take a deep breath and breathe in the crisp air. Now, close your eyes and picture the perfect fall landscape. What do you picture? I don’t know about you, but when I picture fall, I think of looking out into dusk and seeing the vast colorful landscape. I envision warm fall leaves, dark rolling hills, and hints of green. Fall is the ideal time for many of our couples who are planning to tie the knot. In some areas, fall is the off-season. Venues and vendors may have off-season deals and there may be more availability on the calendar. This can draw attention to many couples to book and plan a wedding for the season. 

With the change of season, new fashion and style begins to emerge. We say goodbye to the bold bright colors of summer and dive into the warm and cozy color palettes of fall. We’ve done some research and forecasted what we plan on seeing this fall. So, grab a cozy apple cider and let’s explore some of our must have color palettes for the fall 2025 season. 

#01: Golden Hour is our Favorite Hour
Our first color palette reminds us of our favorite hour for wedding ceremonies and receptions – we’re channeling our inner golden hour. Golden hour is the hour in which the sun hits the horizon. It’s the time of day where we have the perfect glow effect and everything appears to have a slight sepia tone. We selected rich golden hues and played on tangerine or burnt orange. We’d love to see this color palette incorporated with not only bridesmaids dresses, but the overall floral theme. Using fresh fall blooms such as dahlias, mums or even marigolds would give a nod to this color palette. We recommend you use these bold, golden hues as the focal point to your decorating color scheme. You will also want to create some contrast with adding neutral tones, such as creams and whites to offset these golden hues. 

#02: PNW Vibes
Coming in next is a color palette that is a little more daring. It gives a nod to the golden hues of fall, but focuses on the richness and elegance that fall offers. We imagine rich pacific northwest forests during golden hour with forests peaking through to create the perfect ambience for your ceremony or reception setting. We suggest you use the darker colors as your focal point with brighter hues as your accents. You can opt for dark linens, or wedding party outfits, with bright bouquets to add dimension. For the greens, we recommend using nature’s beauty to adorn bouquets or table seating charts such as fern. 

#03: Give us all the Pumpkins
For our third fall color palette, we combine the beauty of golden hour with the deep burgundies of fall. This is for our traditional “fall” bride with a modern flair. These are for the brides that want to dive into their inner pumpkin spice latte - hayride - berry picking self. If that’s you – this color palette is it. For this scheme, I imagine lush reception tables, with burgundy berries, bold dahlias, and hints of brightness with burnt orange hues. Adding candle light and warmth to this color palette will tie it all together. This color palette would also be perfect with warm textures, such as velvet. 

#04: Sophisticated Fall 
The last color palette may not immediately scream fall, but we want you to trust us as we take you on this journey. This palette is elegant, it’s sophisticated, it’s black tie. We’d love to see a couple create a timeless affair with these hues. We envision dusty miller, rich textures such as crushed velvet, silk or satin and simple cream or white floral blooms. We’d love to see garden roses, filled with ample greenery and anemones. This would be perfect for a night under the stars, or at a winery where you can dance the night away. 

We could probably make color palettes all day, because there are endless options and hues in the color wheel. Although these are our favorites at the moment, don’t let it dictate your inspiration or the hues that you use on your wedding day. Let these palettes be an inspiration to start your planning journey and guide with decision making during the planning process. At the end of the day, you’ll need to close your eyes and let your mind help you envision the colors and accents on your wedding day. Now, if you need a little bit of a nudge in the right direction, or support with putting it all together – we’re your gals and are just a phone call away. So, let the colors of fall sweep you away and make much of creating your fall color palette. 

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 19 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

How to Create a Seasonal Fall Menu

When we think of fall and food a few key words come to mind: rustic, savory, and warmth. The arrival of fall is a change of the season and rhythms. It is a transformation of many things, from the changes of the weather, to the transformations that occur in nature. As the leaves change from green to red, orange, or yellow, or taste buds anticipate fall. For caterers, falls signals many changes with produce and ingredients that are found at the market. The market offers many ingredients that are not found in other seasons or that have been waiting for an opportunity to shine. Autumn foods and catering are rich flavors, often farm to table, and play off the season. Fall is often tied in with food, from football Sunday appetizers, to Thanksgiving tables, fall is about food and celebrating. So, why should your wedding day be any different? 

Creating a fall reception menu should begin at what the season has to offer. We recommend that you sit down with caterers and select a caterer who’s values align to yours. This could mean finding ingredients that are locally sourced, or exploring organic options. Whatever your core wants with a caterer are, being the hunt there. Then, once you’ve found a caterer that aligns with your wants and needs, it’s time to talk fall. 

As you create your fall menu, start from the top to bottom. You want all aspects of your food to be cohesive. If you’re serving an appetizer at cocktail hour, work to create a cohesive menu from start to finish. You definitely don’t want to serve your guests food that doesn't align to your overall theme, and season. If you’re planning to serve a salad, ask your caterer to explore warm salads, such as potato leek. You can serve your fresh greens with a warm balsamic vinaigrette that has hints of maple or bourbon. Or, you can opt for a pumpkin or squash soup instead of a salad.

At the dinner hour, some of our favorites to see on the table are green brussel sprouts, root vegetables that are fresh from the garden, and all the herbs. I don’t know about you, but when I think of fall I think of the richness of flavors. Autumn flavors are savory. They are savory due to all the fresh herbs and spices. Select items for your main courses that feature bold herbs such as a braised chicken, or a warm roast or bourguignon. Do not be afraid to add rich flavors with spices and create dishes that will warm your guests in all the right ways. One of our favorite dishes to see at fall weddings is risotto. Risotto is the perfect, creamy, savory addition to any fall menu. 

Now, for dessert… Now even if you don’t plan on having a dessert table, you can still incorporate fall into your dessert. Ask your baker for fall flavors in your cake such as pumpkin spice, spice cake, vanilla bean, or chocolate. If you’re craving a dessert table or larger spread, explore all the options that dessert can offer. We’re talking about pies, cupcakes, or even s’mores. 

Your seasonal menu can make one final stop at your bar. Meet with your bartender to curate the perfect fall menu. Add hints of cinnamon, select savory choices like a whiskey or bourbon, and offer some hot drinks as well. Your guests are sure to have the full fall experience at your wedding. 

Now, we can’t finish a post about fall catering menus, without sharing a few of our favorites. So, here’s our TOP favorites from weddings in the past.

Appetizers: 

• Filo tarts filled with cheese and veggies

• Bacon wrapped dates

• Berry or apple brie bites

• Potato Bar or a sweet potato crisp

Dinner: 

• Grilled chicken, or cornish hen with fresh herbs 

• Pork Chops with a maple peach glaze 

• Roasted pork loin with apple slices

• Wild rice

• Root vegetables roasted or as a puree

• Mushroom risotto 

• Butternut squash in any form 

Dessert: 

• Mini hand pies 

• Caramel apple bar 

• S’mores

• Spiced cake

• Carrot cake 

• Pumpkin cheese cake

…& MORE. The options are endless, but when it comes to planning your perfect fall menu, think of what experience you want your guests to leave with. With a fall wedding, leave your guests feeling cozy, warm, and full of goodness. 

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 19 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.