A woman has shared how she saved £6,000 on decorating her wedding – while still keeping it “classic and timeless” – using Temu.
Gemma Wright was quoted thousands of pounds when first planning her nuptials to husband Matt.
But she refused to let spiralling costs cast a cloud over her big day.
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The 34-year-old turned to DIY projects and low-cost shopping to bring her vision to life instead.
By using Temu for much of her décor, outfits and accessories, the HR manager saved thousands while still getting the black-and-white wedding she had always imagined.
Her money-saving approach began after being quoted £800 for a single flower arch.
“I just couldn’t justify it,” Gemma, who is from West Yorkshire, told What’s The Jam.
“I went on TikTok to see how people were making their own, then looked at local shops for fake flowers.
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“They were beautiful, but so expensive.
“That’s when I turned to Temu.”
Using hundreds of artificial flowers, Gemma created her own floral arch for around £300.
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After the wedding, she sold it on to another couple, recouping much of the cost.
She added: “Once I’d done the arch, I realised how much was possible.
“I went on to make plinths, a welcome sign, a seating chart – everything snowballed from there.”
Flowers were just the beginning, as Gemma says she had been quoted £550 for chair sashes by a supplier – but sourced them on Temu for around £100 instead.
Her DIY list grew to include table numbers, candle holders, a card box, save-the-date and invitation stationery, disco balls, glow sticks, sunglasses and children’s activity packs, with most of the decorative elements coming from Temu.
Gemma said: “Our invites cost me no more than £15 to make.
“I’d seen similar ones online for £5 per invite, which would have added up so quickly.”
Temu also played a big role in her hen party, which included a weekend away with friends as her bridesmaids put together gift bags filled with champagne flutes, sunglasses and sashes.
They also decorated the house with balloon arches and Gemma managed to snap up all her hen outfits from Temu too, including her dress, shoes, bag, veil and even a “bride” swimsuit.
She said: “Everyone was shocked when they realised how much was DIY-ed and where it came from.
“The venue even messaged us the day after asking if they could buy some of the items from us.”
Gemma and Matt’s wedding took place last summer in front of 60 daytime guests and 100 evening guests.
Despite the average UK wedding in 2025 being forecast to cost around £22,000, the couple spent £16,000 in total, without feeling they had compromised on style or atmosphere.
Across the entire wedding journey, including her hen party, Gemma estimates she spent roughly £800 on Temu.
Since the wedding, friends and family have asked Gemma to share links to the products she used, with some asking her to help create decorations for their own weddings and parties.
Gemma believes DIY and e-commerce marketplaces are becoming increasingly important for couples planning weddings.
She added: “There’s so much pressure to have the ‘perfect’ wedding but it doesn’t need to put you in debt.
“If I could DIY it, I did – and Temu made that possible.
“Stick to one task at a time and double how long you think it’ll take.
“And don’t underestimate how premium things can look with a bit of personalisation.
“I’ve genuinely enjoyed creating everything to my vision.
“I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone wanting to keep costs down without sacrificing the day they’ve dreamed of.”
TEMU SHOPPING LIST:
- Artificial eucalyptus leaves – £8.44
- Artificial baby’s breath flowers x six – £2.06 each
- Artificial white flowers x two – £11.40 each
- White fabric hydrangeas x four – £13.74 each
- Artificial mixed flowers – £4.99
- Electronic flameless candles – £2.73
- Self-adhesive photo corners x five – £1.48 each
- Pre-cut raw linen fabric – £4.45
- 100pc cable ties – £1.94
- Mixed eucalyptus leaves x two – £10.11 each
- White roses x two – £4.17
- 44pcs white hydrangea flowers x three – £15.72 each
- Two metal wall candle holders – £7.60
- Two-piece metal wedding arch stand – £18.24
- 10pc silver disco mirror ball – £3.76
- Four retro disco mirror balls – £5.97
- 400pcs self adhesive stickers – 99p
- Compact and lightweight portable fan x two – £1.58 each
- Six-piece heart shaped glasses – £4.36
- 10pc silk willow stems x six – £5.20 each
- Six-piece delphinium artificial flowers x three – £8.74 each
- Four-piece floral foam blocks – £4.79
- 10pc LED party glasses – £7.81
- Three-piece set disco ball mirror balls – £11.53
- 50 pack black disposable cups – £4.89
- 28-pack ping pong balls – £2.98
- 25pc white artificial roses x six – £3.89 each
- 40pc hydrangea artificial flowers x three – £17.39 each
- Self-adhesive pearl stickers – 66p
- 50pc artificial rose flowers – £17.89
- 22 metres woven ribbon – £1.60
- Roses – £5.49
- 60pc mixed eucalyptus leaves x two – £9.12 each
- 50pc ivory white artificial roses – £12.84
- 10pc realistic white roses bouquet – £5.76
- 45pc white hydrangeas x four – £13.70 each
- 50pcs artificial roses x two – £17.89 each
- 60pc mixed eucalyptus x two – £12.06 each
- Eucalyptus garland x 10 – £2.49 each
- 50pc glow sticks – £25.88
- 100g gift box paper x two – £2.68 each
- Five-piece gift bags – £3.60
- 6mm grommet tool – £5.28
- Three rolls chiffon ribbon – £4.49
- 100 A6 envelopes – £12.98
- Bridal bow veil – £3.92
- Women’s “bride” graphic t-shirt – £5.07
- Women’s bowknot slide sandals – £5.79
- Pearl rhinestone bag – £8.02
- Women’s satin night robe – £11.86
- Women’s lace trip pyjamas – £7.26
- Winter warmth fabric slippers – £3.29
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