Bottles are the perfect items to not only recycle but also upcycle! With a little imagination, and often a very little amount of money (it's usually free!), you can take this everyday item and transform it into something that will make your event amazing. From rustic outdoor weddings to elegant summer parties, using glass bottles as decorations offers the perfect eco-friendly way to enhance any event theme!
1. Delicate Dangling Decorations
Creating delicate dangling decorations with glass bottles is a creative and sustainable way to add a touch of elegance to any space. This DIY project involves repurposing small glass bottles, such as those from beverages, perfumes, or condiments, and transforming them into beautiful hanging ornaments.
Think about decorating with flowers, twine, and beads, or even filling the bottles with colourful materials to match your event theme. To hang them, securely attach twine or metal wires around the bottle's neck or through a small hole drilled carefully in the glass. These delicate ornaments can be displayed indoors or outdoors, and add a unique charm to weddings, garden parties, or any celebratory event.
2. Flower Poles
Creating flower poles is a perfect way to guide guests around an outdoor venue, especially for weddings. Simply gather clear glass bottles, secure them to poles or stakes, and fill them with water and fresh flowers for a beautiful floating effect. You can also add fairy lights for a charming, illuminated path. This easy and eco-friendly DIY project requires only bottles, poles, water, and flowers, and can be customised to match your event's colour scheme.
3. Table Numbers or Settings
Using glass bottles to craft table numbers or settings is a super easy DIY and adds a rustic element to any event. These bottles could be decorated or left in their natural state to suit the aesthetic of the event theme. The numbers or names can be displayed in several ways: by painting them directly onto the bottles, attaching tags or cards with string, or inserting a labelled stake into the bottle. Filling the bottles with flowers, coloured water, or fairy lights can also enhance their beauty and compliment the event's theme even more! These can be a great choice for award ceremonies, weddings or gala dinners.
4. Fairy-Light Lanterns
Creating glass bottle fairy lights is a magical and cost-effective way to illuminate any event with a warm, enchanting glow. Choose fairy lights that are battery-operated and don't forget to make sure they're small enough to fit through the bottle's neck! Before inserting the lights, you can decorate the bottles by painting, wrapping with twine or lace, or filling with colourful beads or sand for an added touch.
5. Candleholders
Turning glass bottles into candle holders is a super easy and sustainable method to add a unique touch to your event's look. The bottles can be customised using various techniques such as painting, etching, or wrapping with decorative materials. The choice of candle—be it tea lights, votives, or taper candles—depends on the bottle's size and the desired effect. Placing these candle holders throughout your event space can create an intimate and enchanting atmosphere, making it a memorable experience for all attendees. Be sure to watch out where the candles drip and form a waxy sculpture around your bottles- An insta worthy shot for sure!
6. Table Vases
This one is the easiest of them all! Again, like all of these DIYs, think about adding extra touches like painting the bottles, wrapping them with twine or applying decorative stickers. To create this beautiful and sustainable table piece, all you need is your bottles (Ensuring they are clean and free of any labels), flowers, branches, pampas or whatever you feel will suit the theme of the event. Arrange them to your liking, and place them around centrepieces, tables or buffet areas.
7. A Truly Personal Wedding Favour
Creating wedding favours with glass bottles is an elegant and thoughtful way to thank guests. Personalise by filling small glass bottles with items that reflect the couple's tastes or theme, such as homemade oils, loose-leaf tea, spices, or liqueur. Customise each bottle with a label featuring the wedding date and names, and add a decorative ribbon or twine. For a sentimental touch, include a small note with a favorite memory or message of gratitude. These unique, eco-friendly favours offer a lovely memento for your guests to take home with them and cherish the special day.
8. Plant Terrarium
Creating a plant terrarium as a centerpiece adds a vibrant, eco-friendly touch to any event. Use a clear glass container, layer gravel for drainage, add potting soil, and plant small ferns, succulents, or mosses. Enhance with pebbles, shells, or figurines. Place terrariums around your space for eye-catching decor that purifies the air and sparks conversation. They can also double as unique guest favours, extending the personal touch. This project promotes sustainability and a connection to nature.
So there you have it! Eight simple DIY ideas for using bottles at your event. Don't forget to recycle them - making your events as sustainable as possible is now more important than ever!
For more ideas or guidance planning your events, submit your event brief to us or take a look at all our venues below!
Author
Gemma Baker
Gemma loves all things social media and keeps busy by creating lots of Hire Space content. When she’s not creating content, you'll find her shopping, exploring or at the gym!
