Modern DIY Fall Wedding Decor Ideas

I love a good wedding DIY, especially when it actually looks professional and stylish, not a craft fair.

Fall is such a gorgeous season to work with, and the colours and textures make it easy to create decor that feels warm, stylish, and personal.

If you’re looking for ideas that are simple to make but still look design-led (no glue guns and burlap in sight), these fall wedding DIYs are for you.

From sculptural branches to sleek signage and painted pumpkins with a twist, every idea on this list is easy to adapt to your palette and venue.

You don’t need loads of time or skills — just a few clever materials and a clear vision.

On a budget? Head to our budget fall wedding ideas.

Or if your looking for easy Fall wedding DIY ideas head this way!

DIY Fall WEdding Decor Ideas

1. Sculptural Branch Arrangements

These are so easy to make but add a bold, modern edge. Just grab some bare branches, birch, curly willow, or even foraged finds.

Spray paint the vases matte black, ivory, or terracotta. Let them dry fully, then arrange in tall, narrow vases.

They look amazing as ceremony aisle markers or standing centerpieces on longer tables.

You can keep it minimal with bare branches or add a single dried leaf stem or hanging tag for a styled twist.

2. Textured Linen Signage

For a minimal welcome or seating sign, stretch a piece of neutral linen (like flax or oat-toned cotton) across a wooden frame or hang it from a thin dowel. Use iron-on vinyl, printed acetate, or hand-painted lettering for your wording — think clean black font on soft fabric. You can style it with a single dried stem or a modern stand. If you’re printing instead of painting, try pinning your fabric to foam board to keep it flat.

3. Candle Platform Tiles

Buy a few travertine or faux-stone tiles from a DIY store and use them as simple risers to group pillar candles. Choose neutral or amber-toned candles in mixed heights for that curated look. These work really well on food tables, shelf styling, or even down the centre of a long table. You could even add a few sculptural florals or small ceramic objects to break it up. If travertine isn’t your vibe, try matte white or grey tile for a cleaner base.

4. Monochrome Pumpkin Stack

Instead of classic orange, pick a fall palette like ivory, taupe, clay, or even all-black.

Paint mini and medium and large pumpkins in matte chalk paint and stack them by size or cluster them around signage or stairwells.

For added detail, try tying thin velvet ribbon around a stem or writing subtle table numbers on the side. You can also use faux pumpkins for this so they last, no mould, no mess.

5. Simple Leaf Garland

Thread a black or gold string with just a few dried magnolia or oak leaves, spaced out to let the negative space show. Hang it along the front of your top table or across a bar shelf — it looks best when draped loosely. For variation, you can add minimal tassels or velvet ribbon strands. Don’t overdo it — the blank space is what makes it look modern.

6. Muted Terracotta Plinths

This one looks high-end but takes barely any effort. Use small cardboard boxes or MDF blocks and spray paint them in terracotta, rust, or clay shades. These work really well for styling the cake table, bar, or entryway. You can top them with candles, a glass of your signature cocktail, or small floral arrangements. If you want a moodier palette, try deep olive or matte black instead.

7. Wooden Hoop Vases

I love this one because it takes minutes but makes a big difference. Just wrap embroidery hoops around old jam jars or glass cylinders — two or three stacked depending on the size. You can leave the hoops natural, stain them darker, or even paint them for a modern twist. These work especially well for dried flowers, or even as part of a centrepiece cluster.
[Find the full guide with sizing tips on the blog.]

8. Painted Pumpkins

Mini pumpkins are everywhere in autumn, and they’re so easy to transform. I painted mine in a mix of colours that matched the rest of the wedding, soft sage, creamy white, terracotta with pops of blue. You can keep them matte or add a satin topcoat if you want a bit of shine. They work as table fillers, place settings, or sign decor.
[Full DIY and my favourite colour combos here.]

9. Acrylic Sign with Pressed Leaves

This works really well if you want a subtle autumn detail without it going full rustic. I pressed leaves between two acrylic sheets to make a floating-style sign — perfect for a welcome board, bar sign, or table plan. You can keep it super minimal or layer the leaves behind printed lettering for something more styled.
[Step-by-step guide and pressing tips on the blog.]

10. Tinted Glass Bud Vases

This is one of those DIYs that feels like magic. You just mix a bit of food colouring with Mod Podge or glue, swirl it inside a plain glass bud vase, and let it dry upside down.

The result is a beautifully tinted, vintage-looking vase in whatever fall shade you like, amber, rust, or even smoky plum.

They look especially good grouped in threes or paired with dried stems.

See the full DIY tutorial with color mixing tips here.

11. Gold-Top Candle Holders

These are perfect if you’re using lots of tealights or votives and want them to look a bit more polished. I used painter’s tape to mark off the bottom half of the holders, then flipped them over and dipped the tops in gold spray paint. They look great with glass, but you can also try it on ceramics or even jars. You can mix in a few with copper or bronze tones too if you want variation on your tables.
[Full step-by-step guide on the blog.]

12. Fairy Light Mason Jars

If you’re getting married later in the day or heading into a barn or outdoor reception, these are a must. I filled mason jars with warm-toned fairy lights and used them to line walkways and add glow to darker corners. Battery-operated ones keep it fuss-free, and you can even add dried leaves or acorns in the bottom of the jars for a seasonal twist.
[Check out the full DIY with styling ideas.]

Top Tips for DIYing Your Fall Wedding Decor

Stick to a palette. Choose 3–4 fall tones (like rust, fig, ochre, and cream) and repeat them across your decor to keep everything looking pulled together.