Hot off the high street and easy to add to a variety of themes, we’ve collated a list of inspirational items to add the finishing touches to a wedding day. From pom-poms to parasols, there are plenty of creative ideas to be realised with any of these accessories 

1. Paper pom-poms

©House of Hud

©House of Hud

Scatter them across a marquee ceiling, pin them to trees, mix them up with Chinese lanterns, drape them across a string of fairylights, or create garlands: there are so many ways to incorporate tissue paper pom-poms into a wedding. From  frilly to  honeycomb, they will suit almost any wedding theme and colour scheme.

2. Suitcases


©ARJ Photography



Pick up a vintage style suitcase from a high street store, or from a charity or secondhand shop. There are plenty of prime places for such a decorative statement during the reception. Fill them with bags of retro sweets as wedding favours, add photo frames with nostalgic family pictures, invite guests to post their cards in them, or pack with props for fun photo moments with friends and family.

3. Bunting

Bunting is the firm favourite for traditional, folk-inspired weddings with British charm. If a close friend or family member is a seamstress or DIY crafter, why not ask them to contribute a handmade bunting decoration as their wedding present? Alternatively, there is an array of online creations to choose from in every material and colour imaginable, all of which can look stunning on cakes, tables, wrapped around trees or a placed on a dessert table.

4. Glass bottles



Ok, so bottles don’t sound super-stylish, but pop some herb sprigs, candles, fresh roses, dried flowers or gypsophila in them and they become a contemporary centrepiece for tables.

5. Record players

Couples with musical interests could hint at their tuneful nature with a vintage style record player prop. 1920s-themed weddings would suit gramophones, while modern weddings with pastel tones could opt for a retro boxed turntable. Turn up the musical theme with CD favours for guests with the wedding soundtrack as a memento.

6. Lanterns


©ARJ Photography

Romantic and atmospheric, lanterns are an easy way to create glowing ambience. They work especially well at woodland weddings and there are so many ways to use them. Dot them down the aisle during the ceremony, place them on a ladder with other jars and vases, or hang from branches.

7. Photo frames

When guests waltz into the reception and glance at the seating plan, it makes all the difference if it looks and feels like the rest of the wedding theme. Photo frames can be an inventive way to display table plans, but they can also be a playful prop for guests to play around with if they’re empty. They’ll have heaps of fun just holding them up and taking pictures in them.

8. Stickers





DIY brides hoping to add a personal edge to wedding décor should consider stickers as there are options covering every theme, from eco-inspired Kraft paper to sparkly glitter styles. Stick them on jars for homemade jam favours, mini sweet bags, paper lanterns, table place-cards, invitation envelopes or confetti cones – there are so many reasons to get crafty.

9. Garland





Lush green garlands strung across high ceilings at a venue can look breathtaking at nature-inspired weddings. For a more current setting, they can be used as a table decorations stretched across trestle tables, pinned to a camper van, or to anchor balloons and add a splash of colour.

10. Parasols

Imagine guests looking up to see a rainbow of eclectic parasols at a vintage wedding…need we say more? Well we will, because bridesmaids look fabulous holding them in photos, tipis and marquees adorned with them can look exotic and they’re a useful ornament for destination weddings in the sun.

Where to buy:
Paper pom-poms: Set of two, £4, Amara, www.amara.com; Set of three, £11, Wedding in a Teacup, www.weddinginateacup.co.uk; marquee, House of Hud, www.houseofhud.com
Suitcases: Decorative suitcases start from £40, Oliver Bonas, www.oliverbonas.com; 
Fun Photo Booth Prop Kit, £8.50, Wedding in a Teacup, www.weddinginateacup.co.uk
Bunting: Dotcomgiftshop, bunting from £5.95, www.dotcomgiftshop.com
Lanterns: Gold and glass votives from £15, Oliver Bonas, www.oliverbonas.com
Glitter stickers: Gold alphabet stickers, £5, Wedding in a Teacup www.weddinginateacup.co.uk
Garlands: Tassels garland in coral, white and gold, £19, Amara, www.amara.com; Shimmer Gold Confetti Garland, £6.50, Wedding in a Teacup, www.weddinginateacup.co.ukParasols: Bellagio parasol, Marks & Spencer, £109, www.marksandspencer.com

Follow Bride Magazine's board DIY Wedding Ideas on Pinterest.