When it comes to planning a wedding, we’re all for sticking behind the idea of “Spend as little as possible”. That’s exactly why we applaud today’s super thrifty and resourceful bride. With no budget set in mind, except for wanting to stay true to the above motto, Katie + John threw a 70 guest wedding, adorable DIY projects and all, for $10,000. This completely handmade wedding captured by Jodi Miller Photography is sure to get your creative juices flowing.
All paper goods were made by Katie herself. The invitations, programs, menus, signage – you name it! By the end of this you’re going to be asking yourself, “What didn’t Katie make?”. On top of that, Katie played it smart with her entire outfit. Get this – Her dress from David’s Bridal was $450 + altercations, $600. Her bright shoes (seen below) were bought at Off Broadway Shoe Wearhouse, earrings at Target, and her veil on eBay, making her total for accessories $50. Add it all together and what do you get? An entire look for just under $700! High-fives are in order.
That adorable burlap flower in her hair, that she sewed together herself using left over burlap from her table runners, saved her $50 that she would have spent on a real flower that would have wilted away after day was over. We’ve got a creative gal on our hands!
I really wanted the programs to be fun and unique, not something people would just toss after the ceremony. Knowing how much our families enjoy puzzles, I created a crossword puzzle and word search that featured clues about my fiance and I. All the paper I used came from Paper and More and had everything else assembled at Kinkos. After working so hard on them, it was so rewarding to actually see everyone working on the puzzles during the reception!
“In My Life” by The Beatles played as their processional song and as you can see tears were flowing once Katie met her man to say their “I Do’s”.
Listen to it here:
Ok, we’re thinking every wedding needs to have a parade (if your reception location is within walking distance, of course). Katie + John armed their guests with kazzos and handmade ribbon wands, and together paraded a celebratory march to the reception. The kazzos were ordered from Oriental Trading and all the ribbon to make the wands was from the Dollar Tree.
I was really excited about our card catalog escort cards. I have always loved libraries and books so I knew I wanted to incorporate something library themed into our wedding. I ended up typing the escort cards out on my vintage Royal typewriter a week before the wedding. The call number “090407″ stood for the anniversary of our first kiss.
One of the biggest cost savers was DIYing our flowers. I was kind of apprehensive about doing them ourselves, but it turned out to be pretty easy! We only spent around $450 dollars on the flowers used in 12 centerpieces, two altar arrangements, about 15 small mason jars worth of random arrangements, three bridesmaid bouquets, and a bridal bouquet. I’m also really happy (and proud) to say that the $450 dollar floral budget included my favorite flower…peonies! By buying local I got peonies for $19.99 for TEN stems. I cut even more out of our flower budget by sewing boutonnieres and corsages (see adorable image below).
Our guests had no idea where our cupcakes were from and still don’t believe me when I tell them that we got them at Sam’s Club. We spent $36 dollars on 90 cupcakes. Sam’s club has the BEST cupcakes…we get them for birthdays every year. They’re so moist and delicious.
If their wedding doesn’t get you excited and reassures you that a budget shouldn’t restrict your creativity, we don’t know what will. We’re simply in love with all the heart Katie put into every detail. Thanks for sharing so much helpful information to your fellow Cakelets, Katie! Congrats to you and John!
*We don’t think this has ever happened before, but today is also Katie’s birthday, so a very Happy Birthday to her!
Photography: Jodi Miller Photography / Dress: David’s Bridal / Veil: Venus Veils on eBay / Shoes: Sam & Libby from Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse / Flower in hair: Sewn by bride / Groom: Jos A. Bank / Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal / Flower girl dress: Macy’s / Coordination: Ashley of Coast Couture /Stylist: Lynn of Sunshowers and Rainshine / Ceremony Venue: Nelson House / Reception Venue: Freight Shed / Hair: Animare Aveda Salon / Makeup: Candi Valentine / Officiant: Dawn Kenny / Caterer: Green Leafe Catering / Cupcakes: Sam’s Club / Linens/Rentals: ABZ Rentals
34 comments
I love all the homemade details and how in love the happy couple look! Very beautiful!
Very sweet wedding! Beautiful touches… like those table settings! Gorgeous!
FINALLY a Virginia wedding near me! I live in Williamsburg and have always loved Yorktown. I’ve considered this location as a potential venue, but have never seen it utilized. The Freight Shed has officially moved to the top of my list.
What a lovely wedding–so many thoughtful touches. It’s homemade, but still so elegant. I’m going to have to try those Sam’s Club cupcakes!
that word search on their program is sooooo brilliant! adorable wedding! love all the crafty details!
What a beautiful couple and wedding!!! I love interracial couples, and her creativity and effort are really extraordinary. I can’t believe the whole wedding cost only 10K!
The bridesmaids dresses are so unique!!!
Beautiful Wedding! These pictures turned out simply stunning and the budget that you were able to stay under is very impressive.
Happy Birthday to the Bride. Lovin’ all the burlappy goodness!
I just wanted to add the “Just Married” sign was made by lynn lindsay of Sunshowers and Rainshine
Lynn also brought the beautiful desk we used as our altar and sewed a bunch of handmade flowers not pictured here.
She did an amazing job! The wedding was beautiful and she is a DIY pro for sure! I love the Just Married Sign and the kazoos- adorable!
What a beautiful wedding! There are so many truly unique details that make this wedding special. I loooove the word search on the program, the Just Married sign is perfect, card catalog as the escort cards is so clever, and not to mention the bride and groom look so happy. Nicely done to all who was involved
Beautiful wedding! And happy birthday Katie!
Just wanted to add that I have worn that bridesmaid dress in a wedding! I got tons of compliments and no one could believe that it was from David’s Bridal as it is so different
love this. was thinking about burlap table runners as well….yours look so good, you’ve got me inspired!
My dad’s from Pittsburgh but I haven’t had Rita’s in years. Anyone that’s had it can imagine my jealousy that they served Rita’s at their wedding (I live in Scotland). Such beautiful handmade touches in this wedding. The photos are stunning!
David’s Bridal has rare gems, and those bridesmaid dresses are definitely one of them. I’ve looked at the style for ages, wanting a reason to need it. Your girls look lovely!
Absolutely beautiful. All the details are perfect, the photography is magazine-worthy, and the couple is so cute. Congratulations!
Oh my goodness! This inspires me so much! I really wanted to do a lot of things myself, but gave up a little when I realized there was so much to do, but this really make me want to do everything!
Katie, how did you make those amazing invites!! I really wanted to make my own as well and I just don’t even know where to begin. Do you have any advice?!
wow you’re photography is amazing
I got emotional while listening to their song. what a LOVELY wedding. I wish the both of them a happy, healthy, LONG marriage with many many babies to surround them.
Such lovely ideas !!! Beautiful wedding.
Such a beautiful wedding! I cannot believe that she did her own flowers! They look terrific! Along with all the other wonderful things she made, great job Katie!
B – E – A – UTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perfect! I love so many aspects! Anyone have an easy template/instructions for the cloth flowers? They are beautiful!
I love the details… but I think I love the tears a little more. What a beautiful celebration in every way – this one will stick in my mind I think. (For romance, for being real – and I’m almost ashamed to admit, for the brilliant idea of white personalised wedding pencils!)
@Kim I actually designed the invitations on PowerPoint. I just picked out a few fonts I loved on dafont.com and played around with them til I liked them
I guess for DIY invites its best to keep them sort of simple.
This is wedding has soo many cute fun ideas. I love the use of hemp, it is such a cool yet pretty fabric. And i LOVE how it was used in the bouquet with the little charms. Such a beautiful couple. My sister has a website that has craft supplies that would be great for stuff like this too, CAcraft.com
Where did you get the flowers? I am getting married in VA in April 2012 and am looking for good local wholesalers. thanks!
Absolutely love the celebration set-up and ideas that went into this one. The ribbon & kazoo walk was a lovely way to kick off the evening party.
You two make a beautiful couple – almost felt like I was there with the music and fantastic lovingly handmade touches. wishing you two a lovely future together.
I love, love, love the card catalog escort cards – what a creative idea!
Simply Breathtaking. xo
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