10 Great Wedding Ideas That Don't Cost a Thing

When it comes to personalizing your wedding day, it's the little details that make all the difference—a reception playlist that includes handpicked songs from your friends and family, handwritten notes identifying your signature cocktails, a vintage clutch that does double duty as your something blue. These thoughtful items will be the things your wedding guests gush about, but they can also quickly add up to additional costs in your wedding budget.


As luck would have it, we happen to be "in the know" when it comes to how to save money without sacrificing style. (Consider these 30+ wedding dresses we love, all of which cost less than $1500!) In an effort to bring you the most creative ways to personalize your big day, we reached out to some of the wedding industry's most talented planners, florists and event designers along with a few of our favorite wedding bloggers for ingenious ideas that don't cost a thing. In other words, wedding freebies you can't live without! From a hardware store find that lends a colorful touch to your escort card table to printable drink straws that put a cheeky spin on your signature cocktail, we found affordable ways to let your wedding guests know you left no detail undone.


Here, ten extra-special ways to add personal touches to your wedding without blowing the budget.

There's a Band
"Why not turn the walk from the ceremony to the reception into a parade? Have the band lead the way for you and your guests. The pictures—and the moment—will be priceless."—Maria Baer, Ritzy Bee Events, Washington, D.C.

Family Heirloom Centerpieces
"Dress up reception tables with old wedding photos of family members and VIPs. You'll get guests talking and spread the love." —Kara Delay, Love This Day Events, Fraser, Colorado

Free Confetti
"One month before the wedding, collect flowers and hang them up to dry. When they're done, you can use them as flower confetti for guests to toss after the ceremony."—Kristen Caissie, Moon Canyon Design Co., Los Angeles

Creative (and Low Maintenance) Escort Cards
"Use paint chips for your escort cards! They're free at any hardware store. Grab a bunch in your color palette and either hand write guests' names or tape each card to letter-size paper and run them through a printer."—Nole Garey, Oh So Beautiful Paper

Original Vows
"The best way to create a day that's really you? Write your own vows. Feel free to be as funny—or sappy—as you want!" —Nicole Arena, the Green Ribbon Party Planning Co., Los Angeles
Follow Los Angeles-based event planner Nicole Arena on Instagram for even more thoughtful wedding décor details .

Free Printable Stationery

"There is so much cute—and free!—printable stationery online. Bribe your bridesmaids (wine helps!) to give you a hand with assembly." —Ami Price, Elizabeth Anne Designs

Something Borrowed Clutch
"I love it when brides break out the family heirlooms. Not only does using grandma's clutch or mom's veil cut costs, it makes the whole day more meaningful."—Linda Wright, Cedarwood Weddings, Nashville

Handwritten Notes
"Get personal with your guests by leaving handwritten notes at every place setting. So sweet—and totally worth the effort!" —Amy Nichols, Amy Nichols Special Events, San Francisco

Crowd-Pleasing Wedding Playlist
"Want to get everyone on the dance floor? Ask guests for their favorite dance song on the RSVP card. They'll go nuts when their song plays at the reception!"—Aimee Monihan, Mountain Occasions, Denver, and Tropical Occasions, Costa Rica

Homespun DIY Quilt
"Here's one for the crafty girls: Mail a fabric square to guests and ask them to write a message on it. Stitch them all into a quilt and hang it at your bash."—Amanda Nistor, Ruffled