DIY Wedding Decor: How I Brought My Terracotta Garden Vision to Life
Planning a wedding rooted in African tradition while also honouring my personal aesthetic was no easy feat. But one of the best decisions I made was choosing to DIY my wedding décor, and it turned out to be one of the most satisfying parts of the entire process. If you're a fellow bride with a clear vision and a serious eye for detail, I hope my story gives you the confidence to take control of your decor and make it unforgettable.
The Vision: African Garden Wedding with Terracotta Soul
I was very clear on what I wanted - an African garden wedding infused with natural elements and terracotta tones throughout. I had the look and feel of the day crystal-clear in my head: earthy, textured, elegant, and deeply rooted in cultural warmth.
But what I didn’t have? A decor vendor who truly got it.
The Vendor Struggle: Unresponsive and Out of Sync
I found myself constantly frustrated. Decor vendors were either slow to respond, quoted outrageously high prices, or didn’t seem to understand the cohesive look I was trying to create. It felt like no one could match the vision I had so vividly imagined.
The TK Maxx Breakthrough
One day, my now-husband and I decided to take matters into our own hands and popped into TK Maxx – and let me tell you, magic happened.
There, staring back at me, were the perfect terracotta pots, textured, earthy, beautiful, and completely in line with my vision. That little breakthrough made me feel more in control again, and reminded me that nobody was going to execute this vision better than me (well, me and my mother, my honorary decor stylist with a serious eye for detail !)
Soon enough, my parents were doing TK Maxx runs, and my angelic florist Helen was scouring garden centres. Piece by piece, we pulled together the look I wanted, and for a fraction of what vendors were quoting.
Owning the Process (and the Decor!)
Yes, we have a house full of terracotta now, but we own it, we spent far less and we can repurpose everything for our garden. It’s a win in every way.
Our secret? Having a strong, central theme that anchored every decor decision. Terracotta featured across our ceremony installations and table centrepieces.
Garden accents and floral arrangements
And with our amazing local florist, we brought everything together beautifully, without a single traditional decor vendor in sight.
Fresh or Faux Flowers?
One of my non-negotiables? Fresh flowers.
I know faux flowers can work for some people, but I needed the freshness, the scent, and the life they bring. Plus, with fresh flowers, guests could take home mini arrangements, a lovely memento.
Faux isn’t always cheaper either. And the presence of real flowers on our tablescape, buffet, and ceiling installation brought everything to life.
✨ My Top DIY Decor Tips
Here are a few tips from one very Type A bride:
Focus on Your Table scape
It’s the one thing every guest spends the most time looking at. Our rattan charger plates, table cloths, olive green napkins, menus, and terracotta centrepieces were game-changers.
Don’t Be Scared to Buy Things
The prices we were quoted vs. what we could buy items for ourselves? Insane. We found incredible deals at TK Maxx, The Range, and M&S.
Create Detailed Briefs
Florals brief. Tablescape brief. Ceremony setup brief. Be as detailed as you need, your vendors work for you.
Work With Local Vendors
Instagram is for ideas. Execution should come from local suppliers. They’re often excited to work on Black weddings, and we are a growing market people want to serve!
Consider a Wedding Stylist—Or Not
If you know what you want (like I did!), a stylist might not offer much creatively. But they can help centralise your ideas and align your vendors.
Final Thoughts: Own Your Wedding, Literally and Creatively
Although we didn’t have a single all-in-one decor vendor, everything came together. From rattan to terracotta, linens to lanterns and an array of outdoor parasols, it looked beautiful. Every item spoke to our theme and culture. Every decision was intentional.
And if you ever find yourself drowning in decor quotes that feel disconnected from your vision, remember this: you can DIY your dream, and you might just do it better.
(P.S. If you need some terracotta pots or rattan lanterns, I’ve got plenty! 😅)