Q: How did the décor planning begin?

A: We started like most couples — scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram, falling in love with setups that cost more than our entire wedding budget. Chandeliers, white roses, custom arches… it all looked so far out of reach.

But instead of giving up, we sat down one evening with a bottle of wine and said, “Okay. What do we actually love about these photos?” It wasn’t the money — it was the mood. The softness, the warmth, the way everything glowed.

So, we decided: if we couldn’t afford “luxury,” we’d create the feeling of it.

Q: What was your overall vision?

A: We wanted a modern romantic look — lots of candles, neutral tones, and greenery. The kind of setup that feels elegant but not stiff.

Our colour palette was white, cream, and gold, with natural wood elements to tie it to the outdoors. We wanted guests to walk in and feel like they’d stepped into a vineyard wedding, even though we were in a simple lodge just outside Harare.

✨ “We wanted it to feel expensive, but more importantly, to feel intentional.”

Q: So how did you make it happen for under $1,000?

A: Every single decision came down to three words: reuse, repurpose, and resourceful.

We started early — about six months before the wedding — and collected items little by little.

Here’s how the numbers broke down:

That left a little wiggle room for a few splurge pieces — we rented six gold candelabras for the head table and a neon “Happily Ever After” sign for $200.

Q: How did you make the décor look “high-end”?

A: Lighting and layers!

We quickly realised you don’t need 10,000 flowers or chandeliers — you need warm light and symmetry. We placed jars and candles in clusters on every table, mixing heights for depth.

Then, we added texture: fabric runners, a few sprigs of greenery, and gold accents that caught the candlelight. At night, everything shimmered.

Guests thought we’d hired a stylist. When we told them we’d done it ourselves, jaws dropped.

✨ “Lighting hides the budget. It’s the cheapest way to make anything look magical.”

Q: Where did you source your décor inspiration and materials?

The jars came from a restaurant that saved them for us each week.

The greenery came from our family garden.

The spray paint came from a hardware store downtown.

The fairy lights came from a cousin’s birthday stash.

Q: Did you have help setting it all up?

A: Yes! We recruited our bridal party and close family. The day before the wedding, the lawn looked like a creative workshop — friends tying ribbons, groomsmen hanging fairy lights, moms arranging flowers.

It became one of our favourite memories. We laughed, made a mess, and watched the venue slowly transform.

It didn’t feel like work; it felt like love in action.

✨ “Every person added something of themselves to that space — that’s why it felt so alive.”

Q: Were there any challenges along the way?

A: Oh, definitely. The biggest one was time. DIY saves money but takes effort. We underestimated how long it would take to clean jars, cut fabric, and tie candles.

And, there were a few misfires — like the spray paint that refused to dry and the fairy lights that blew a fuse halfway through setup.

But by the wedding morning, everything came together — better than we’d ever imagined.

Q: What moment made you realise it was all worth it?

A: The moment we walked into the reception just after sunset. The candles were glowing, the fairy lights twinkled, and everyone gasped.

It looked exactly like the luxury setups we’d pinned months before — except this one was ours. Made by our hands, with our people, and within our means.

We both cried. Not because it looked fancy, but because we’d made it happen together.

✨ “The décor wasn’t just beautiful — it told our story.”

Q: Any advice for couples trying to plan décor on a budget?

Start early. Collect and test materials months before.

Stick to a colour palette. It makes everything look intentional.

Invest in candles. Light changes everything.

Ask for help. Family and friends will surprise you.

Focus on feeling. Guests remember how it felt — not how much it cost.

🌟 Final Thoughts

This wedding wasn’t about saving money — it was about redefining what value means.

With $1,000, a few borrowed items, and a lot of love, this couple created a space that radiated warmth, elegance, and soul. It’s proof that you don’t need excess to create excellence.

Because when love and intention guide the design, every jar, candle, and flower glows just a little brighter.