For Richer, for Poorer: 9 DIY Wedding Gifts

Making your wedding gift adds a personal touch (and saves money!)Listen up, folks: it's wedding season and that has got us thinking about the cost of a wedding... and we're not just talking about the costs to the bride and groom. As a guest, and a female guest nonetheless, you want a new dress, shoes and maybe a manicure or styled updo. If it's a destination wedding, you also have to factor in hotels, flights and other travel expenses. And there are often babysitters and bridal showers to think about as well. Are your eyes wide in shock? Don't worry, there are plenty of smart ways to cut down on costs, like making your own wedding gift. Making your own wedding gift saves a ton of money and is NOT as hard as you'd think (even if you're not particularly crafty).

Here are 9 inexpensive, easy-to-make wedding gifts:


1. Serving Platter
This simple white, rectangular serving platter gets a creative twist with some chalkboard paint. It's the perfect gift for a wine and cheese loving couple who loves to entertain-they will love the innovative idea of labeling the type of cheese or appetizer.
Get the tutorial


Related: 5 lessons learned from 18 years of marriage



Canvas Portrait2. Canvas Portrait
This is a great twist on the so-classic-it's-practically-boring gift of a picture frame. Take a picture of the happy couple and use it to make a canvas portrait for their home. It's personalized and artistic.
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Heart String Art3. Heart String Art
A beautiful gift that anyone-and I mean anyone-can make. You can also play around with the colors, size and shape of the design to customize it for the couple.
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Related: 9 ways to get out of your relationship rut






Chalkboard Wine Glasses4. Chalkboard Wine Glasses
Dress up a set of inexpensive wine glasses with black chalkboard paint. It looks chic and is a great way for everyone to keep track of their drinks at the couple's next wine tasting party!
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Anthropologie-Inspired Bookcase5. Anthropologie Inspired Bookcase
Make the love birds a book case they can use for years to come. We love the compact design and simple style, it really gives the couple the chance to customize it with they what they put on and around the bookcase.
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Related: 7 things I wish I knew about men before I got married





Instagram Scrapbook6. Instagram Scrapbook
Use pictures the newlyweds put up on Instagram to create a scrapbook dedicated to them. This is an especially awesome idea if they have done an engagement photo shoot and you have access to the pictures!
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Painted Spoons7. Painted Spoons
Every kitchen can use a large set of quality wooden spoons-and these brightly painted tips are the perfect way to customize the gift.
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Related: 11 hilarious tips for undressing in front of your lover (circa 1937)






Custom Tea Towels8.Custom Tea Towels
Follow this print on fabric tutorial to learn how to decorate one of a kind tea towels. Check out the couple's registry or do some subtle digging to get an idea for their style and color preferences and you will have a gift designed just for them that they're sure to love.
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Picnic Basket in a Suitcase9. Picnic Basket in a Suitcase
A picnic basket is a fun gift for couples who love to spend time outdoors and we love the quirky idea of creating one out of a vintage suitcase (which, let's be honest, is way more durable than a classic wicker basket).
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- By Jacinda Boneau
Follow Jacinda on Babble

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