Articles by Joanna Mercer

How to Safely Hang Fairy Lights Outdoors

The fastest way to make an outdoor party feel intentional is to get soft light up in the air. Fairy lights do that dreamy, golden glow thing better than almost anything. They also come with two realities I have learned the hard way while setting up backyard birthdays and “just a few friends”...

Silk vs. Fresh Flowers for DIY Wedding Centerpieces

I have made wedding centerpieces with fresh flowers in my kitchen at midnight, and I have also assembled silk arrangements on my garage floor a month ahead of time while binge listening to playlists. Both can look gorgeous. Both can also go a little sideways if you pick the wrong option for your...

DIY PVC Pipe Photo Booth Backdrop Stand

If you have ever tried to tape a backdrop to a wall five minutes before guests arrive, you already know why I love a good stand. A PVC pipe frame is one of those unglamorous party heroes: it is inexpensive, surprisingly sturdy when built correctly, and it breaks down fast for storage. I built my...

10 Dollar Tree Wedding Centerpiece Hacks That Look Expensive

I learned to decorate weddings the same way I learned to throw backyard luaus as a kid: start with what you have, then use a few smart “glow-ups” to make it feel intentional. Dollar Tree is one of my favorite secret weapons for centerpieces because the shapes are there, you just need to upgrade the...

DIY Organic Balloon Arch That Lasts All Weekend

The first time I made an “organic” balloon arch, I did what every eager DIYer does. I built it the night before, admired it for five minutes, went to bed feeling like a party goddess… and woke up to a sad, squishy noodle of balloons drooping into my snack table. Good news: you do not need helium to...

DIY Paper Lantern Upgrades: 7 Easy Hacks for Any Theme

I have a soft spot for paper lanterns. They are one of those “instant party” items I grew up seeing at backyard get-togethers, and now I keep a small stash in my garage for last-minute decorating saves. The only problem is the basic ones can look a little… cafeteria if you hang them straight out of...

DIY Walkway Decor With Canvas Drop Cloths

The fastest way to make an event entrance feel intentional is to give people a path. Not a “follow the crowd and hope you end up at the dessert table” situation, but a real, photogenic walkway. My favorite budget trick is also one of the least fussy: heavy-duty canvas drop cloths from the hardware...

Faux Metal Finish for Plastic Platters

The first time I tried to “upgrade” plastic catering platters, I got cocky. I grabbed a can of shiny gold spray paint, blasted a tray in my driveway, and proudly set it out for a birthday buffet. Under the party lights it looked less “antique brass” and more “toy robot.” Lesson learned: believable...

Hardcover Books as Centerpiece Risers

I started using hardcover books as centerpiece risers years ago when I was short on vases, short on time, and trying to make a folding table look like it belonged in a cozy vintage dining room. I grabbed a few sturdy thrifted hardcovers, stacked them, and suddenly my bud vases and candles had...

Budget Ceiling Draping With Tulle and Fishing Line

The first time I tried ceiling draping, I was convinced it would either look like a wedding tent or a tangled spiderweb. It can absolutely be the dreamy tent effect, even on a normal-person budget, but only if you plan two things first: where the tension will go and what your venue will allow ....

How to Make Baby’s Breath Look Expensive

Baby’s breath is one of my favorite “quiet heroes” in party decorating. I’ve used it everywhere from backyard baby showers to big birthday tables where I needed that airy, cloud-like volume without the cloud-like price tag. The secret is that baby’s breath only looks cheap when it’s treated like...

Plastic Tablecloth Photo Backdrop That Looks Expensive

The first “wow” backdrop I ever made was for a backyard birthday that outgrew my dining room. I had big dreams, a small budget, and exactly one day to pull it off. Enter: those crinkly plastic tablecloths from the dollar store. With a little braiding, layering, and a hot glue gun that worked...

Decorating Ugly Folding Chairs: Covers vs. Ribbon Weaving

I have a soft spot for folding chairs because they mean you have enough people to need extra seating, which is the best problem to have. I also have a long history of trying to pretend those chairs are not the visual equivalent of “community center at 2 pm.” The good news is you do not need a...

Thrift Store Decor Flips: 9 High-End Event Props

I learned to love a good thrift store hunt the same way I learned to love party prep in general: by jumping in, getting a little messy, and realizing the “fancy” look is usually just smart styling. When I was a kid, my parents would turn our backyard into a full-on summer luau with whatever we had,...

Rent vs. Buy Event Decor for Large Parties

I learned this lesson the hard way after a big backyard birthday where I "saved money" by buying everything. The party was gorgeous. The next morning was not. I had three bins of vases, a slightly bent arch frame, and about 400 feet of ribbon I will apparently pass down to my children. So when...

About Joanna Mercer and Gathova

Welcome to Gathova. I’m Joanna Mercer, an enthusiastic DIY event decorator with a deep love for making everyday spaces feel celebration-ready. If you’ve ever looked at a blank table and thought, “I want this to feel special, but I do not have a wedding budget,” you’re my kind of person. I’m not...