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38 DIY Dollar Store Wedding Decor Hacks

Planning a wedding on a shoestring budget? Craft the chic celebration of your dreams with our low-cost, upcycled decorating projects.

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Budget-Friendly Wedding Decorations

Planning a wedding on a tight budget doesn’t mean you have to give up your vision of an elegant, impeccably designed event. With our dollar store wedding decor ideas, you can transform inexpensive items into DIY wedding centerpieces, cake toppers, photo backdrops and more. No one will know you didn’t spend top dollar on them! Take a look through our cheap-yet-chic wedding hacks and craft ideas, and get inspired to impress your guests for less.

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Before: Plastic Tablecloths

Plastic tablecloths have no place at an elegant wedding ... on the table that is.

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Cut Them Up

Take the tablecloths out of the package and, leaving them folded, cut two-inch strips lengthwise. Unfold to reveal handfuls of long, even, streamer-like strips.

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After: Sophisticated Chair Swag

Loop the cut strips over the back of a chair to create these stunning bride and groom chair swags. Once your swags are perfectly lush, attach a few pieces of silver dollar eucalyptus to take it to the next level.

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Before: Basic Picture Frames

One thing you can always find at the dollar store? Picture frames. However, they're hardly chic enough to be a part of your wedding day.

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After: Picture-Perfect Lanterns

You're going to want these lanterns everywhere on your big day. To create the look, start by removing the frame's glass and backing. Cover both sides of the frame in gold spray paint and attach the four frames together with hot glue. Replace the glass and style away!

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Before: Fake Flowers + Plastic Bowl

Before you say "ew" to faux florals from the dollar store, think again. When placed in water, even the cheapest flowers look like the real thing.

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After: Chic Floating Centerpiece

Aren't these easy centerpieces so gorgeous? Simply fill a plastic terrarium bowl (found in the floral aisle of the dollar store) 3/4 of the way with water. Pop three blooms off the stems and float them in the water. Arrange on your reception tables surrounded by store-bought or foraged greenery for an ultra-chic, two-dollar centerpiece that requires zero floral-arranging skills.

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Before: Garage Sale Alert

Sturdy and waterproof, this generic garage sale sign is simply dying for a matrimonial makeover.

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After: Must Be a Sign

Matte black paint with a vibrant geometric accent transforms this simple sign into an easy way to let guests know they're on the right track. Add a few balloons to grab attention from the road or walkway, and you won't have to worry about tracking down any wandering wedding attendees.

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Before: Floral Gift Bag

The dollar store has a surprising amount of truly beautiful (and sturdy!) gift bags. This little floral number was especially enticing.

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After: Creative Cake Topper

Whether you're serving traditional wedding cake, a tower of cupcakes or another decadent dessert, a clever cutout of colorful blooms is the perfect way to save big bucks without losing style points. To recreate this topper, cut the prettiest blooms out of your gift bag, then glue onto short wooden skewers. Arrange three or more on top of your cake for a lush, three-dimensional look.

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Before: Basic Bubbles

It doesn't get much more fun than a bubble send-off, but you can definitely do better than plain plastic bubble containers.

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After: Brush-Stroked Bubbles

Add a sophisticated look to dollar store wedding bubbles with a few strokes of liquid gilding paint. Not only does it create the most photo-ready bubbles of all time, but your attention to detail is sure to impress even the most obtuse guest.

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Before: Picture Frame + Chalk Marker

Table numbers don't have to be boring. Take your decor to the next level with yes, a picture frame.

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After: Take a Number, Please

Effortlessly beautiful table numbers don't have to cost a fortune. To create this look, remove the backing from both frames and the glass piece from one of the frames. Write the desired number on one of the glass pieces. Place a sprig of greenery between the two glass pieces and secure the glass into one of the frames using the existing tabs. Create legs for the frame by attaching small dowels to the back side with hot glue.

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Before: Fish Bowl + Rocks

Weddings and expensive florists seem to go hand in hand, but it is possible to create a striking tablescape without a single bloom in sight.

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After: Stunning Succulent Centerpiece

We filled mini glass fish bowls with glittery white rocks and faux succulents. Not only will you not have to worry about keeping your classy centerpiece watered during your big day, but they will also make the perfect party favors for a few lucky guests. Additionally, real succulents would be a fabulous budget-conscious alternative, especially if you take the time to propagate your own. Just be sure to include a layer of soil beneath the rocks.

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Before: Paper Lantern + Fake Flowers

Grab a cheap paper lantern from the outdoor decor section of the dollar store, then walk over to the floral department for some peach-hued faux peonies, marigolds and daisies. Pop the blooms off the stems and hot glue to the lantern, covering it completely. You'll need 8-10 floral bunches to pull off this lush look.

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After: Oh-So-Sweet Kissing Ball

Replace the lantern's plastic handle with a length of silky ribbon (also from the dollar store) and you've got a gorgeous, handheld kissing ball — a traditional globe arrangement carried by flower girls or used as aisle decorations — for less than $10!

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Before: Plain Candlesticks

It's truly amazing what a coat of gold spray paint can do for a group of plain glass candlesticks.

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After: To-Die-For Table Design

Glamorous gold candlesticks, a touch of romantic candlelight and a few sprigs of moody greenery just might be the perfect recipe for a night you'll always remember. Pro Tip: We used plain putty in the bottom of each candlestick to ensure thin tapered candles would stay upright and in position.

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Before: Paper Doilies + Poster Board

Grab a pack or two of lace paper doilies (they come in a 32-pack) and a large, thick poster board or foam board that matches your wedding color scheme to craft this insanely easy backdrop. Lay the board out on a flat surface, then arrange doilies diagonally from the bottom corner to the top, mixing and swapping out sizes until you're happy with the look. Then, use a glue stick to secure each doily to the board.

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After: Luxe Backdrop

Perfect as a cake table decoration or pretty photo booth prop, guests will never guess that this gorgeous backdrop cost less than five bucks.

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Before: Clothespins + Twine

Tiny clothespins and twine are adorable dollar store finds that deserve a spot at your wedding. The hard part? Utilizing them in a way that boasts elegance and reins in rusticity.

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After: Natural Greenery Backdrop

Collected greenery from your own backyard makes for a stunning backdrop or art installation, whether you're a botanical-loving bride or a more modern missus. We love the idea of clipping attendees' names and table numbers on each leaf for a creative way to show guests to their seats.

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Before: Mini Red Party Cups

We know what you're thinking, what could you possibly do with those? Just trust us.

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After: Tipsy Cake Topper

Now this is a cake topper we can get behind. Start by cutting the base of the mini red cups at various angles and sticking them down into the cake. Add a tiny bottle of your favorite booze and finish it off with a drizzle of honey to give it the look of an extra good time.

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Before: Votive Candle

Ideal for weddings since you won't have to worry about dripping candle wax, glass votive candles are a versatile addition to your big day tablescape.

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After: DIY Wedding Table Number

Grab a friend with basic hand-lettering skills and put them to work for what might possibly be the cheapest wedding table numbers of all time. And it's just so gorgeous!

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Before: Votive Candle, Take Two

Need more proof a simple glass votive candle can be the decorative star of your wedding?

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After: Winter Wedding Wonderland

Cast all sorts of cozy winter wedding vibes by simply gluing an evergreen branch against a glowing candle. Start by hot gluing the stem and slowly gluing down the edges until it mostly lies flat against the glass. Safety Tip: Glue the stem at least half an inch below the lip of the glass to avoid an inferno on your big day.

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Before: Plastic Bin + Wrapping Paper

Sure, you could choose to spend your hard-earned money on a generic container to hold cards on your gift table.

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After: DIY Wedding Card Box

Or, you could craft a gorgeous, budget-friendly card box bursting with personality and coordinating perfectly with your wedding colors. Simply buy a plastic container that is tall and narrow and, using decoupage glue, cover it in an inexpensive patterned wrapping paper.

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Before: Just a Foam Board

In just a few easy steps, turn a 32" x 40" white foam board into an unforgettable photo booth prop. Measure six inches from the top, four inches in from the sides and eight inches from the bottom. Use a yardstick to mark lines with a pencil, then cut along those lines with a utility knife, popping out the middle section (save it for a later project).

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After: Instagram-Worthy Photo Prop

How fun is this giant Polaroid picture frame? Hot glue faux flowers and grocery store greenery to one corner, then sketch your wedding hashtag along the bottom for a fun, pretty wedding activity guests will love to post about.

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Before: Foam Board Scraps

Using the leftover foam board from the previous project, you can get the look of an expertly hand-lettered sign without the price tag.

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After: Fake It Till You Make It

With a little faux calligraphy love, some creativity and a gorgeous easel, you too can create show-stopping wedding signage. Don't forget the gorgeous greenery garland for a look everyone will be talking about.

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Before: Suit + Gown Gift Bags

Though ideal for easy gifting, these fun bride and groom gift bags might just be even more suited as decor.

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After: Dapper Door Sign

Sure, you could mark the men's restroom with a simple "Men's," or you could kick up the fun factor with a framed tuxedo gift bag that only cost you one dollar. The choice is clear.

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After: Pretty Powder Room

For the women's restroom, a coordinating framed wedding gown (also a gift bag) is a perfect match.

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Before: Frame + Candlestick

If you aren't quite sure where we're going with this dollar store DIY, just keep this fail-proof adage in mind: When in doubt, paint it gold.

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After: Pretty Pedestal Frames

Elevate precious photos of grandparents or show off your favorite engagement pics with a couple of DIY pedestal frames in varying heights. To create, first paint the frame and candlestick separately. Add in your photo and hot glue a dowel rod inside the candlestick so that the frame can be glued to sit on top of the candlestick and against the dowel.

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Before: Just a Clipboard

Watch as these uninspiring office supplies go from bland to glam by coating the metal clip in liquid gold leaf.

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After: Chic DIY Signage

While waiting for the paint to dry, print our free, downloadable quote onto cardstock, then clip a few stems of seeded eucalyptus greenery. Assemble it all to create gorgeous signage for the gift table, bar or any other spot that could use a pop of prettiness.

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Before: Fake Flowers + Grocery Store Greenery

Looking to save money on your or your bridesmaids' bouquets? Follow this smart tip. Arrange fake, dollar store flowers with real greenery and filler flowers from the grocery store for a gorgeous bouquet that costs less than $15.

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After: Not-So-Fake Flower Bouquet

When arranged with fresh greenery, even the cheapest faux florals look like the real thing. For this arrangement we mixed faux peach peonies, scarlet mums and red yarrow from the dollar store with real seeded eucalyptus and white waxflower from the grocery store.

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Before: A Glass Vase + Baby's Breath

There's nothing quite like the simplicity of a glass vase and baby's breath. And trust us, there is no shortage of glassware at the dollar store.

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After: Simply Stunning Centerpiece

Low-cost has never looked so good. Here, we placed a single sprig of baby's breath into glass hurricane vases and set them among silver dollar eucalyptus for a stunning and timeless centerpiece.

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Before: No Cones About It

Love the tradition of a send-off toss, but don't love the environmental footprint typical send-offs leave? Doilies may be the answer you've been looking for.

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After: An Eco-Friendly Send-Off

The best part? You don't need to break the bank to make this dream a reality. Simply roll a small doily into a cone and secure with a dab of hot glue. Fill the cones with flower petals and display in a basket or pin to twine strung between an empty frame.

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Before: Spinning in the Wind

When we found these multicolored plastic wind spinners in the clearance section of the dollar store (fifty cents each!), we knew they would benefit from a coat of glam gold spray paint.

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After: Head-Spinning Decor

Hung at various heights with fishing line, these glam ornaments make a gorgeous, art deco-inspired wedding altar backdrop. The lesson learned here? Always dig through the clearance bin!

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Before: Just Doilies

Would you believe that a variety pack of doilies can be transformed into an ultra-chic table runner? No magic required.

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After: High-Dollar Doilies

Doilies may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think chic, but they can be. When paired with gold candlesticks and some greenery, this table runner looks like a high-dollar display.

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Before: Champagne Glass Greenery

Give your wedding day an upscale touch with champagne glasses courtesy of ... you guessed it: The dollar store.

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After: A Touch of Elegance

If you want to take those dollar store champagne flutes to the next level, forage some greenery in your backyard and attach to the stem of the flute with twine or ribbon.

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Before: Wicker Vase Fillers

Forget flimsy name place cards and opt for something that's sturdy, stylish and budget-conscious.

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After: Find Your Place

Transform a wicker vase ball into a crowd-pleasing place card with some cardstock and a little creativity. Using a white chalk marker, write guests names on small pieces of cardstock. Attach a toothpick to the back of the cardstock and once dry, insert the toothpick into the woven ball.

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Before: Candlestick + Glass Plate

If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times: There is no shortage of inexpensive glassware at the dollar store.

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After: Classic Cake Stand

By simply attaching a glass dinner plate to a glass candlestick with E6000 adhesive, you can create a cake stand that will rival any in your grandmother's collection.

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Before: Paper Tassels

What takes a wedding to the next level? Photo ops, and lots of them. So why not add a giant balloon into the mix?

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After: Balloon Upgrade

Although on its own, a giant balloon would make for an adorable photoshoot addition, by tying on paper tassels from the party aisle, this prop will take your wedding photos to new heights.

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Before: Clipboard + Cardstock

Do you and your partner love to travel? Then this DIY is for you. On regular computer paper, print out a map of a place that's significant to you — think your honeymoon destination, the city you got engaged in or even where you shared your first kiss. Attach the printed page to a dollar store clipboard, then cut a heart out of the center of a piece of cardstock. Place the cardstock directly over the map, clipping it in place to reveal a heart-shaped relief of the map.

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After: Send Us Packin'

Adorn with foraged greenery and a hand-written quote for cute, custom signage you can use long after the wedding day.

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Before: Boring Books

Believe it or not, the dollar store has a plethora of book titles available. But on their own, they're nothing special.

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After: Bookworm-Worthy Stack

By simply removing the dust jackets and creating a curated stack, these random titles got the decor upgrade your wedding deserves. Not sure how to style? A vintage vase of blooms and some greenery should do the trick.

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Before: Plastic Bucket

Cute on its own but not exactly bridal, this bright teal bucket was in need of a little love.

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After: Bridesmaid Gift Basket

With a can of white spray paint, this dollar store bucket just went farmhouse chic. Here, we've filled it using only dollar store items for a sweet bridesmaid gift your gals will love.

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Before: Crayons + Clipboards

Small packs of crayons and sturdy clipboards are in abundance at the dollar store. So why not transform them into kid-friendly favors with the help of some twine and our free, downloadable coloring sheets?

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After: Grab-n-Play Display

Place a basket full of these fun coloring packages on the kid's table or favor display for instant fun.

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After: Keep Little Hands Busy

Allow little ones to express their creativity (and focus some of that extra energy) with this sweet, low-cost activity.

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Before: Black Candle Holder

With an entire aisle devoted to candles and candle holders, you might be surprised at the interesting options you can find for just a dollar each.

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After: Faux Air Plant Display

To up the glam factor, pop out the glass candle holders and coat the metal in a shimmering gold hue. Then, simply reattach the glass and top with a real or faux air plant for instant whimsy.

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Before: Darling Doilies

As we've shown, there are so many pretty things you can make with doilies. For this project, all you need is a stack of small paper doilies, a glue stick and a length of twine.

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After: Vintage-Chic Banner

Fold doilies in half over the length of twine, securing with a glue stick, to create a vintage-inspired banner for your rustic-glam affair.

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Before: Rolls of Streamers

If you only associate streamers with children's birthdays, it's time to reevaluate.

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After: Backdrop on a Budget

A few rolls of streamers in subdued shades that complement your wedding color palette might be just the ticket for a textural photo backdrop that can be crafted just about anywhere. Here, we attached streamer pieces in various lengths to a metal bookshelf for a lusciously full backdrop that only cost a few bucks.

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Before: Plastic Metallic Serving Platter

Remember those cheap plastic "silver" trays you find at potlucks and birthday parties?

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After: Dessert Decor

Transform them into cute dessert bar signage with a quick coat of spray paint and a chalk marker. We especially love this clever quote for a pie buffet. Not confident in your hand-lettering skills? Get our top tips below.