Should You DIY Your Wedding Decor? An East Texas Wedding Venue's Honest Take
If you’ve been on Pinterest for more than 10 minutes, you’ve probably seen DIY wedding decor that looks straight out of a magazine: hand-lettered signs, custom candle holders, floral hoops, vintage seating charts... and all for a “fraction of the price.”
But what starts as a fun craft idea can quickly become a source of stress, especially when wedding week rolls around.
At Wonderland Pines, we’ve seen it all—from full-scale DIY weddings to professionally styled setups. And here’s our honest take: a blended approach works best. Borrow what you can, DIY a few meaningful details, and skip the burnout.
💡 Why DIY Can Be Great (In Moderation)
There’s nothing more personal than handmade details that reflect your story as a couple. Some of our favorite DIY moments have included:
A bar menu illustrated by the bride
Family photo displays with handwritten notes
Custom signage with a favorite quote
Homemade favors (like mini honey jars or hand-tied seed packets)
Custom sign in tables (one couple use Lego mini figs to highlight their shared hobby)
These kinds of projects add heart to your day—and your guests will feel it.
⚠️ Why Too Much DIY Can Get Overwhelming
Here’s the part many couples don’t expect:
By the time wedding week arrives, you don’t want to be:
Painting 50 signs
Assembling centerpieces
Printing menus
Sorting through bins of mismatched ribbon at midnight
DIY can easily take over your timeline (and your mental bandwidth), especially if you don’t have help or a clear plan for setup and teardown.
We always say: if it can’t be done 2–3 weeks in advance or delegated to someone else, it may not be worth it.
🛠 What We Recommend Instead: A Blended Model
At Wonderland Pines, we’re big believers in "DIY the heart, borrow the rest."
Here’s what that looks like in real life:
✅ Borrow our decor – Lanterns, signage, easels, table numbers, and more are included in your rental.
✅ DIY just a few key things – Think welcome signs, favors, vow books, or one personalized backdrop.
✅ Focus your energy on what means most – Save your time and money for the moments you’ll remember: golden hour portraits, toasts with loved ones, and dancing under the lights.
💬 Final Thoughts from a Venue That’s Seen It All
You don’t have to do it all yourself to make your wedding meaningful.
You just need to do the parts that matter most—to you.
Let your creative energy shine where it counts, and let your venue (hi, that’s us!) or wedding planner support you with the rest.
✨ Want to see our decor collection or talk timeline strategy? Reach out to schedule a tour—we’ll help you envision a day that feels thoughtful, personal, and stress-free.
