When it comes to DIY wedding decor, this colorful spring celebration in Santa Cruz absolutely nailed it. From pressed-flower name tags to pet-themed table names and a handcrafted faux floral arch, every detail was bursting with personality and heart. The bride and her mom poured so much love into the decor—and it shows. If you’re looking for wedding inspiration that’s joyful, personal, and full of clever ideas you can make your own, you’re in the right place.
A Colorful DIY Tablescape Full of Heart
One of my favorite details from this Santa Cruz spring wedding was the vibrant and heartfelt table décor. Every place setting felt like a little work of art—with vintage-style plates, gold flatware, and pastel napkins folded just so. And those butterfly napkin rings? Handmade and totally magical.
The tables were topped with mismatched bud vases filled with the sweetest spring blooms—ranunculus, lavender, spray roses, and daisies, just to name a few. The pops of color against the clean white linens brought everything to life.
And here’s the part that truly made guests stop and smile: the table numbers were actually framed portraits of the couple’s beloved late pets. Coraline the cat made an appearance, and each frame was paired with a tiny hand-lettered easel place card. It was such a meaningful, personal touch—and a beautiful way to honor their furry family.




Sweet Little Details That Made a Big Impact
The personal touches didn’t stop at the florals and table settings. Each guest had a hand-crafted name tag made from clear acrylic, pressed with a tiny flower and calligraphed with their name in white. Propped up on the tiniest wooden easels, these doubled as both place cards and little take-home keepsakes. It was such a thoughtful, delicate detail that made the whole setting feel even more special.
The overall vibe was joyful, bright, and full of love—exactly what you’d hope for at a spring wedding in Santa Cruz. From the cheerful pops of color to the mix of textures and handmade touches, it all came together beautifully.




DIY Table Names That Celebrate Your Pets (Past or Present)
Let’s be honest: traditional table numbers are fine, but this idea? Way more meaningful—and a perfect DIY wedding idea if you want to include your pets in your Santa Cruz wedding. Instead of numbers, each table at this Santa Cruz wedding was named after one of the couple’s beloved pets who had passed on. Their sweet faces were printed and placed in vintage gold frames, creating a beautiful tribute and a conversation-starter all in one.
From Coraline the wide-eyed tabby to Luna the cozy black-and-white queen, every table had its own little furry mascot. Paired with the colorful florals and personal touches, it brought warmth and personality to the whole space.
It’s such a great example of how to include your pets in your wedding—even if they’re no longer here. It’s easy to DIY, budget-friendly, and it makes each table feel like its own little story.




A Sweetheart Table with a Whole Lot of Heart
Nestled in front of those big windows overlooking the cliffs of Santa Cruz, this sweetheart table was simple, sweet, and so full of charm. Framed by the ceremony florals repurposed as a bold backdrop, this sweetheart table was simple, sweet, and full of charm. But the real star here? That dreamy floral arch framing the table. It was lovingly made by the bride’s mom and originally used for the ceremony (more on that in a sec!). Repurposing it for the reception added the perfect splash of color and turned a simple two-seater table into a gorgeous little focal point.
If you’re planning your wedding and wondering how to stretch your floral budget or make handmade pieces go further—this is the move. Bringing your ceremony backdrop into the reception not only saves time and money, it keeps the magic going all day long.



A Faux Floral Arch That Stole the Show
This colorful ceremony arch wasn’t just a showstopper—it was also a labor of love. Handmade by the bride’s mom using high-quality faux flowers, this arch added a vibrant pop of color to the coastal cliffs of Santa Cruz without wilting in the sun or wind.
And yes, these are faux flowers! You’d never know from the photos, but that’s part of the secret: not all artificial florals are created equal. These were carefully chosen for both texture and color, and they photographed beautifully from every angle.
Because they weren’t real, the arch could be built in advance and transported easily—plus it was repurposed later in the day to frame the sweetheart table (genius). This is such a smart idea if you're dreaming of a statement piece but also want something you can keep, reuse, or even lend to another bride down the line.




This day came together so beautifully thanks to a team of talented vendors—and the creative vision of the couple and their families. Huge shoutout to the florist, planner, and everyone behind the scenes who helped bring it all to life. And of course, a special nod to the bride’s mom for crafting that stunning floral arch that stole the show (twice!).
Planning your own wedding and dreaming up ways to make it feel so you? I’d love to help capture it all.