Try These Lovely DIY Save the Dates

Updated on 10/31/19

Water color painted cards with rock formations. — Guitar & Lace

For many people, there are few things more exciting than getting engaged. It’s a huge next step of a lifelong adventure with someone who you deeply love and care about. And if you just got engaged, marriage is likely top of mind right now. First of all, congrats! Second, it's time to get a kickstart on wedding planning. Financially, weddings can be a challenge. Brides and grooms on a budget often have to get extra creative when planning their ceremony and reception. But cutting down on costs doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a picture perfect event.

For a budget-friendly wedding, look to DIY. Making everything you can on your own will significantly lower the price tag on your event. DIY also allows you to make your wedding decorations, invites, favors, and more exactly how you like them. It's much easier than you think to create your own custom color schemes and font selections on your paper goods. Before you know it, you'll be DIYing your way to your dream wedding. The first things you’ll need are save the dates to make sure your guests are aware of the event itself. We scoured the web for beautiful, budget-friendly DIY save the dates for you to pull inspiration from.

01 of 15

Wood Slice Save the Date

Pretty Peas Paperie

The most difficult part of this DIY project is making a custom stamp for your event, but even that’s easy—especially with online craft retailers popping up left and right. Once you’ve found one that fits your aesthetic, all you need to do is stamp it on some wooden coasters (easily found at craft stores) and you’re good to go. This idea is extra cute for outdoor weddings.

DIY Wood Slice Save the Date from Pretty Peas Paperie
02 of 15

Balloon Save the Date

B.Loved

Talk about creative. This DIY is simple yet oh-so-adorable. Upon opening their save the date, your guests will find a balloon. They won’t know what date they’ll be saving until they inflate it. That turns your wedding into a fun activity right off the bat. Plus, they’ll have a cute balloon hanging around the house to put a smile on their face while reminding them of your upcoming event.

Rustic Luxe Bride's Diary: Save the Date DIY from B. Loved
03 of 15

Thumbprint Heart DIY

Something Turquoise

Thumbs are required for this DIY (and they will get dirty). This tutorial uses detailed photos to guide you through the process of making a thumbprint heart save the date. And they make the process even easier by providing a free save the date printable.

Thumbprint Heart Save the Date
from Something Turquoise
04 of 15

Luggage Tag Save the Dates

According to Elle

If you’re having a destination wedding, these are the perfect save the dates to kick off a lively event. They’re made to look like mini luggage tags with personalized information for each wedding guest to make them feel welcome and ready for adventure.

Our Save the Dates from According to Elle

Continue to 5 of 15 below.
05 of 15

Calendar Save the Dates

Her Heartland Soul

Rather than shelling out the dough to purchase custom-made stationary, make your own! Not only will it save you money, it will give each save the date a personal feel. This calendar save the date is just one example of what you can create on your own.

DIY Save the Dates
from Her Heartland Soul
06 of 15

DIY Stamped Photograph

Oh So Beautiful Paper

These save the dates check all the boxes. Personal? Check. Affordable? Check. Adorable? Double check! Find your favorite couple photo and get to stamping. Use your wedding colors to give your event a seamlessly fun vibe.

DIY Rubber Stamp Photo Card Save the Dates from Oh So Beautiful Paper
07 of 15

Tri-Fold Save the Dates

Idieh Design

Wow your guests with this classy tri-fold save the date design. You’ll need a paper-cutting tool, like a Cricut, to get this exact look. And these bloggers even have a downloadable template to make your job easier. Just download the templates and customize them with your event’s details. Easy as that!

DIY Whimsical Wedding Save the Dates from Idieh Design
08 of 15

DIY Paper Instagram Photo

Something Turquoise

Internet and snail mail are two terms that don’t typically go hand-in-hand. Until now. With the rise of social media, the image of the stylish Instagram photo post has become iconic. But if you want that look without resorting to a social media save the date, go for this DIY. Create your own DIY calendar, social-like post out of paper and pop it in the mailbox.

DIY Instagram Photo Save-the-Dates #2 from Something Turquoise

Continue to 9 of 15 below.
09 of 15

Save the Date Confetti DIY

Ducklings In A Row

Here’s another DIY that turns your save the date into a fun activity. Simply fill an empty egg shell with confetti (make your own to cut down on costs even more) and your save the date message. To find out your special day, your guests will crack the egg, which will cause a beautiful burst of colorful confetti. You may need to hand-deliver these ones.

Emily's Save the Dates & DIY - A Message in a Confetti Egg from Ducklings In A Row
10 of 15

Magnetic Save the Dates

Something Turquoise

With these DIY magnet invites, your guests will never forget to save your date. After they slap it on their fridge, they’ll be reminded of the upcoming event every time they go to grab a snack. Practical and good looking? Yes, please.

DIY Magnet Save the Date Invitations from Something Turquoise
11 of 15

DIY Scratch-Offs

All You Need is Love Events

It’s practically a right of passage to purchase a stack of scratch-off lottery tickets at the gas station on your 18th birthday. It’s a fun activity that has the potential for a big, big reward — cash money! Did you know you can create your own scratch-off tickets? And the project only requires a few simple supplies.

DIY: Scratcher Save the Date
from All You Need is Love Events
12 of 15

DIY Die Cut Save the Dates

Michelle Edgemont

Pull out your paper-cutting tool (or invest in one of the handy devices now). It’s time to make die cut save the dates! Don’t these look impressive?

Die Cut Save the Date With Cricut
from Michelle Edgemont

Continue to 13 of 15 below.
13 of 15

Mexico-Themed Save the Dates

Bespoke Bride

Mexican decor is known for its bright colors and fun shapes. If that’s the vibe you’re going for at your wedding, these colorful DIY save the dates are perfect. Even at first glance, your guests will be assured that your wedding is a celebration.

DIY Papel Picado Inspired Save the Dates
from Bespoke Bride
14 of 15

CD Save the Dates

Evermine

Making a mixtape for someone you love is the ultimate romantic gesture. Receiving one feels even better. But since tape players are no longer a thing, mixed CDs are a more relevant way of sharing your favorite tunes. Give your save the dates a nostalgic feel and create custom-made mix CDs for all of your guests. Choose songs that you love currently, or old jams that sparked the flame in your relationship.

Save the Date CD from Evermine
15 of 15

Watercolor Cards

Guitar & Lace

This tutorial breaks down everything for you—supplies, cost, and individual steps. By making these adorable watercolor save the dates herself, this blogger saved over $150. That proves that DIY is the way to go for a budget-friendly wedding!

DIY Save the Dates from Guitar & Lace