Ultimate wedding & party destination since 2009

Budget friendly Iowa farm wedding: Justin + Chelsea

February 19, 2013
white and cream fabric rosette bouquet

Aside from hiring their photographer, Jana Marie, Justin + Chelsea had the wedding of their dreams for a very sweet price tag of $2,500. Everything was handmade by their family & friends (their dads playing a huge part in this). Let us stress, everything. Really, they didn’t buy one piece of their decor. They couldn’t bear the thought of spending thousands of dollars on one day, but wanted their day to be personal, special, rustic, simple, cheap & memorable.

vintage lace wedding dress and blush pink bridesmaid dresses fabric rosette details and pearl clutch box gladiator wedding sandals and lace bracelet handmade rope and fabric rosette headpiece

tiered lace vintage wedding dress vintage lace wedding dress and long pearls

How Chelsea scored her vintage wedding dress for less than $300:

Aside from thrift stores, I hate shopping so I knew that wedding dress shopping would be a nightmare for me. I decided to stray away from trying on dresses to purchasing one online. It was a tough job finding the right one, but when I saw my dress online I knew it was the one! I thought about it for a few days & then BAM! Purchased it a couple days after first seeing it for $280. 

stone bridge wedding portraits vintage lace wedding dress grey groom's vest and vintage white lace wedding dress

We saw each other before the ceremony and that was the best decision we made! I know that, had I not seen Justin, I would’ve been sick! I was calm, peaceful, content, happy and just so joyful! Seeing him before was what made me so calm.

picnic table wedding portraits vintage yellow car father of the bride balloon reveal rustic outdoor home wedding scenery rustic wood door facade and potted flowers

That entire facade was made by both of their dads!

pink bow tie and rosette boutonniere blush pink bridesmaid dresses and fabric rosette bouquets vintage car groomsmen photo suspenders and blush pink wedding party wardrobe veil wrapped pink bike and chalkboard sign fabric streamer mobile wooden signs and flower trough "here comes the bride" wooden sign and tutu flower girls fabric streamer-covered altar groomsmen suspenders decorative mirrors and fabric streamer altar handmade wooden altar and fabric streamer background adorable pink mini bow tie and suspenders potted plants, rustic chairs and chalkboard sign pastel patterned photo booth sheet, colorful frames and quirky photo props pastel patterned photo booth sheet pink ruffled girls jumper and boys khaki shorts and button down decoupage monogram and drawer liners hanging "i do" sign and basket of wild flowers vintage drawer display platters and cake pops simple flower centerpieces painted empty frame wall decor vintage wedding chariot

We are living proof that it is possible to have your dream wedding (I had mine!) and not spend a fortune. You just have to get creative, call on the people you love most and who love you, and work hard! A wedding is meant to celebrate the marriage that is happening – not the fancy cake topper, not the pretty aisle decorations, not the gown. One thing I had to keep telling myself over and over again was that this celebration was for Justin & I, our families & friends who were present. It wasn’t about anything else aside from the uniting of two people becoming one. 

Photography: Jana Marie Photo / Venue: Groom’s parent’s house out in their pasture in a little town in Floyd, Iowa / Wedding dress: Vintageous / Rings: Eidel Precious on Etsy / Bracelet: Lynay Jewelry on Etsy / Necklaces: various garage sales / Shoes: Mod Cloth / Flower girls: handmade by bride’s mom / Bridesmaid dresses: all their own / Bow ties & boutonnieres: handmade by bride