2 “Q&A: We Planned Our Entire Decor for Under $1,000”

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💸 Q&A: We Planned Our Entire Decor for Under $1,000

When Faith and Tendai, a couple from Gweru, Zimbabwe, decided on a R15,000 (~US$1,000) decor budget, people thought they were dreaming. Spoiler alert: they pulled it off—and it was stunning. Think fairy lights, soft neutrals, and florals that didn’t break the bank.

We sat down with them to unpack exactly how they made the most of every dollar.

💬 Q: What was your overall wedding budget—and how much of that went to decor?

Faith:
We had about $5,000 total, and we capped decor at $1,000. Honestly, it felt scary at first because Pinterest had me thinking we needed chandeliers, imported roses, and gold cutlery. But once we started planning intentionally, we realised how much beauty you can create with simplicity.

💬 Q: How did you decide on your wedding theme and style?

Tendai:
We went with a romantic garden vibe, using what we already had at my aunt’s farmhouse. The venue itself was lush with greenery and stone accents. We chose a palette of ivory, sage green, and soft gold. It felt fresh, natural, and timeless.

Faith:
Pinterest helped us narrow it down. We saved everything to a board and then said, “What can we actually DIY or thrift?”

💬 Q: Break down your biggest decor expenses?

Faith:
Here’s our full decor spend:

Item	Cost (USD)	Notes
Fairy lights (6 sets)	$60	Bought online from a local e-commerce site
DIY candleholders + candles	$75	Used old jars + tea lights in bulk
Fabric for table runners	$120	Purchased linen blend in bulk from a textile shop
Dried eucalyptus & greenery	$85	Bought from a farmer friend and local market
Ceremony arch (DIY)	$30	Built from scrap wood and draped fabric
Tables & chairs (rental)	$250	Negotiated a local vendor package
Printed signage (menus, etc.)	$45	Designed ourselves, printed locally
Flowers (mix of faux & fresh)	$140	Fresh white roses + faux filler flowers
Tableware (borrowed + rental)	$100	Borrowed plates from family, rented wine glasses

TOTAL SPENT: $905

💬 Q: Any clever hacks or things you’d recommend to other couples?

Faith:
YES!

Candles > flowers: They’re cheaper and give off a romantic vibe at night.

Use family talent: My cousin made our welcome sign and my sister-in-law set the tables.

Go faux and fresh: Mixing silk and real florals helped stretch the budget.

Thrift what you can: Our card box was a second-hand picnic basket!

Focus on impact zones: We put most effort into the arch, sweetheart table, and centerpieces—the rest stayed minimal.

💬 Q: What would you not spend on if you had to do it again?

Tendai:
Honestly, the menu cards. No one looked at them twice. We could’ve used that $45 on more candles or a DIY photo booth.

💬 Q: What part of your decor got the most compliments?

Faith:
The candlelit dinner tables. We did long wooden tables with fabric runners, eucalyptus down the centre, and floating candles in glass bowls. People said it looked like something out of a magazine!

💬 Q: Any last advice for couples planning on a tight budget?

Faith:
Don’t feel pressured to do everything. Pick a vibe and stick to it. Pinterest is your friend, but so are your family and community. The beauty is in the intention, not the price