DIY Wedding Jewelry and Décor Treat Yourself and Guests to a Little Extra Love

It finally happened. The day you've been dreaming of—your wedding day—is about to become a reality. Now you need to decide whom to invite to share your special day. But perhaps your budget won't allow for a large venue and fifty-plus guests. Perhaps something unexpected has come up, and your dearly beloved guests will be considerably fewer. 

Keeping your wedding small and intimate may not be the celebration either of you imagined, but in the end, love prevails and presents a silver lining. A shorter guest list allows for elevated embellishment and more custom touches to your wedding day jewelry and décor. Spoil your chosen few with a decadent visual feast of romantic details as they settle into their seats at the table.

To help get you started, we've created a sampling of simple and sweet do-it-yourself designs. Let these examples spark your creativity and help bring homemade love and sparkle to your jewelry box and every inch of your tablescape. Re-create these projects exactly as they are or switch out elements to better suit your wedding palette and theme. Get together with a friend, family member or your soon-to-be partner-for-life and enjoy the joyful process of creation as you prepare for the special day.

Jewelry / Accessories

What's a wedding without wedding jewelry? Obviously, the bride's jewelry gets the main spotlight, but there's no reason why you can't make something snazzy for the groom, too. Jewelry is a popular and highly customizable bridesmaid gift, and with more resources to devote to DIYs, even the groomsmen can get blinged up for the big day.

String crystals, crystal pearls and other light-catching beads onto Accu-Flex® or similar flexible beading wire for elegant illusion-style necklaces.

Pearls are a classic staple for wedding jewelry, whether organic or made of glass or crystal. Add a touch of bling to a simple, knotted string of pearls with crystal or cubic zirconia accents.

Check out Almost Instant Jewelry® settings for quick-and-easy bridal and bridesmaid jewelry. Simply choose your settings, crystal fancy stones, chain and findings. Easy to assemble, these components are ideally suited to an afternoon of creating, whether on your own or as a group activity with your bridesmaids.

Show your appreciation for your bridesmaids with stunning Crystal Passions® pearl earrings they'll cherish long after your big day. These versatile earrings complement any outfit, making them perfect thank-you gifts. Select half-drilled pearls in colors that match their dresses and choose cup-and-peg earstud findings to fit the size pearls you’ll be using, in metals based on your color theme—14Kt gold-filled or gold-toned for warm colors, sterling silver or silver-toned for cool colors. Assemble the earrings with G-S Hypo Cement®, allowing them to dry in a supportive setting, such as an eraser, upside-down paper cup or similar object. Create personalized earring cards with craft paper (or purchase the ready-made kind if you’re in a pinch) and include a thank you note for a special touch.

Feeling extra creative? Stitch seed beads into unique bowties for the groom and groomsmen, or a pretty barrette for the flower girl or maid of honor.

Another unique design option is to construct a bowtie out of feathers! Bling it up with rhinestones and cabochons or add natural-fiber stringing material such a hemp, cotton or leather for a boho vibe.

Want the groomsmen to stand out? Bedazzle ties, pocket squares, boutonnieres, cufflinks and even sunglasses or other eyewear with flat-back rhinestones. If you prefer a more subtle (but still fabulous) option, make matching cufflinks and tie tacs or tie bars embellished with rhinestones, cupchain, cabochons and more.

Add crystal briolettes or hot-fix rhinestones to the veil, or craft a stunning bridal hair comb from beads and wire.

Headbands are a lovely alternative to the traditional veil or an extra-special accent to it. They can also add the finishing touch to the flower girl’s attire. Craft them from beads and wire, or attach beads, rhinestones, silk flowers, feathers and more to pre-made headband blanks. Go the textile route with macramé, kumihimo, finger-loop braiding and other fiber-art techniques. Materials for fabulous fiber headbands is almost as limitless as your imagination: satin cord, silk (real or imitation), cotton, hemp and more. Find the material that resonates with your theme and get creative!

Put your best foot forward on the big day with fabulous footwear. Bedazzle your shoes with beads, flat-back rhinestones, ribbons and other fun materials to match your theme. Or, if you're looking for something a bit less traditional and lots of fun, go for anklets adorned with glass beads, charms or crystals. For extra bling and diamond-like flash for less, you could even use cubic zirconia!

Cake Toppers / Centerpieces

Celebrate united love with stunning table centerpieces and cake toppers. Use silk flowers for arrangements that bloom forever, adorned with sparkling Czech glass or crystal beads. Personalize your tables with heartwarming photos of the bride and groom, from childhood memories to sweet engagement moments. Add a whimsical touch by writing love-filled messages in wire. These DIY touches will not only add charm to your special day but also create lasting memories.

Transform the wedding cake itself into a sparkling centerpiece with crystals. Fashion stems from gold- or silver-toned wire to complement your wedding colors. Attach heart-shaped or other large crystal components using jump rings for a dramatic effect. Simply nestle these crystal-hung stems among fresh flowers atop your cake for a luminous, romantic flair that lights up the room.

Flower Girl's Bucket and Ring Bearer’s Pillow

And of course, we mustn’t forget the central elements of the ceremony: the rings! Even the ring bearer’s pillow can get decked out for the big moment. Sprinkle on flat-back rhinestones in your wedding colors, add matching tassels for playful, eye-catching movement or, if you’re feeling especially creative, braid or crochet embellishments from thicker sizes of silk thread for a subtle sheen and interesting texture.

Everlasting Bouquets

Modern brides can embrace the charm of lasting bouquet alternatives to fresh flowers, such as handcrafted seed bead bouquets, elegant paper flowers, creative wreaths and more. These sustainable options bypass seasonal flower constraints and allergies, proving cost-effective while adding a unique, personal touch to weddings. Not only do these bouquets offer a timeless aesthetic without wilting, but they also serve as lasting heirlooms that encapsulate the wedding day's essence. You can extend this personalized approach to bridesmaids’ posies, boutonnieres and special guest gifts, enhancing the memorable experience of this special day.

Another option for the bridal bouquet is a simple bouquet ring. All you need is a loop of heavy-gauge wire embellished with a few blossoms and/or greenery sprays and beads of your choice. Get your sparkle on with dewdrop-like crystal or Czech glass beads, or opt for a more boho or nature-inspired look with mother-of-pearl, wood or gemstones. Go monochromatic or incorporate your wedding colors. You could even choose contrasting colors for an eye-catching walk down the aisle. Really, the only limit is your imagination!

Whether you choose traditional fresh flowers or the everlasting variety, both look equally stunning blinged up with bouquet spikes. Simply twist beads or pearls onto long wire “stems” and insert into the centers of the flowers, or arrange them in between the blooms.

Place Settings

Add a touch of elegance to your place settings with embellished flatware. Jazz up plain forks, knives and spoons with filigree stampings and flat-back rhinestones for a hint of sparkle. Whether you choose colors to match your wedding theme or opt for shimmering neutrals, your glammed-up flatware will be a big hit. Use the same materials to make matching designs on the cake-serving utensils and napkin rings for a complete set of dazzling dinnerware.

For less bling and a more botanical vibe, attach silk flowers and greenery to the serving utensils to coordinate with the bouquet and boutonnieres. This is especially easy if the florals are of the non-wilting sort.

Wine Glass Charms

Personalized Champagne Flutes

While you’re at it, why not bedazzle your drinkware, too? Celebrate your new life together by decorating champagne flutes for the reception. These custom toasting glasses not only reflect personal design taste but also serve as cherished keepsakes for anniversaries. A popular choice is using Crystal Passions® rhinestone flat-backs, available in a variety of colors, which are easy to apply with hot-fix tools or glue. You can create fun shapes and initials, or cover the base and stem for a dazzling effect.

Alternatively, consider embellishing with pearls, satin flowers, tulle, lace, glitter, wire, charms or even burlap. Match your wedding theme with creative designs, such as nautical or steampunk. Add seashells, cogs, watch parts and filigree for a themed look, or use seed beads and thread to craft a sleeve around the stem. However you decorate them, DIY wedding flutes make for a memorable and personalized addition to the reception.

Wedding Favors

Give your dearly beloved guests a heartfelt thank-you gift to cherish from your special day! Simple yet elegant jewelry for the mother of the bride or groom makes for a thoughtful keepsake.

Bedazzle plain glass candle holders with sparkling flat-back rhinestones to decorate the place settings, which your guests can take home as a warm reminder of your love. Add colored pebbles or chips (glass or gemstone) to the bottom to hold the candle in place and add extra color.

Delight guests with glass bottles filled with sand in your wedding colors, candy or nuts. Decorate the bottles with ribbons, feathers, satin cord, crystal beads or meaningful charms to tie in with your theme.

Consider bags of dried flower petals for a beautiful, eco-friendly shower for the couple. Customized favor pouches with rhinestones, a fringe of seed beads or cupchain, or whatever fits your theme, add a unique, personal touch. Each favor becomes a cherished reminder of your joyous celebration.

Feeling inspired? Let your creativity bloom for your small wedding with DIY decor! Use these ideas as a springboard to add personal touches that make your day even more special. From handcrafted centerpieces to bespoke accents, your intimate celebration will be uniquely yours.

For more wedding inspiration, visit the Wedding Resource Landing Page.