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Adoring Church Wedding for $5K

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Alexandra and Grant are a special couple with a special love. This wedding day came together with the help of family and friends and DIY projects that were simple, yet classy and special because of the loving hands that made them. Enjoy this Adoring Church Wedding for $5K!
Adoring Church Wedding for $5K

Alexandra + Grant

Richmond, Virginia
- 05/25/2019
Total wedding budget $5,000

Budget Breakdown

Below is an estimated wedding budget breakdown provided by the couple.

  • Venue
    15%
    $750
  • Attire
    7%
    $350
  • Flowers
    4%
    $200
  • Cake/Dessert
    %
    $0
  • Decor
    1%
    $50
  • Photography
    40%
    $2000
  • Videography
    %
    $0
  • Total wedding budget
    $5000

How did you meet?

We attended the same church. My housemate was the sister of one of the men Grant lived with, which made it easy to get to know each other at potlucks, worship nights, and movie nights.

What is your proposal story?

After a weekend in Norfolk with friends, we stopped by Virginia Beach to visit a couple who had loved and mentored us throughout our dating relationship. On the way home from that visit, he proposed at a rest area off of Interstate 64.

Tell us about your wedding vision.

Our heart behind the wedding was for it to be simple and not about us. We washed each other’s feet and took the Lord’s Supper to convey: “Greater love hath no man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friend.” We wanted our friends and family to see marriage as a picture of Jesus, God’s son, laying down His life for His people, who have broken God’s law and deserve the eternal punishment of death and hell. Marriage is a reminder that God, rich in His mercy, sent His Son Jesus to pay our fine and take our death sentence upon Himself so we could be free from death and walk into everlasting life. Our vision was for everyone who came to our wedding to know all they have to do is to confess they have broken God’s law, turn away from wrong, and turn to Jesus, trusting Him like you’d trust a parachute, and walk in a new life.

Tell us about your attire choices.

Bride: The goal was cheap and comfortable. Amazon was an easy route and the dress cost $50; so I bought it in cobalt blue as well.

Groom: New suit and a tie that incorporated the wedding colors. A similar tie was given to the father of the groom.

Bridesmaids: The goal was a dress each would be comfortable in, modest, and not cost an arm and a leg. Dresses were around $30. We had coral, mint green, and blue.

Groomsmen: Suits and ties corresponding to bridesmaid dress colors

What was most important to you two? Was there anything you chose to splurge on or skip?

The only major investment we wanted to have was photography, and Leah was amazing! We skipped catering and asked our local friends and family to bring dishes to share. It worked out wonderfully!

What were your favorite parts of the day?

Bride: Getting ready. It was so relaxed; we ate breakfast and drank coffee and sat and talked. There was no rush and no tight schedule for hair or makeup since none of us wore makeup and we did our own hair. There was a piano in our room, and one of my bridesmaids played our favorite songs and we sang as we got ready.

Groom: When the father of the bride came and led me under the church sanctuary, through a secret tunnel to meet my bride privately to pray before the service.

Tell us about your wedding flowers.

I caught sales at craft stores and picked up a variety of artificial flowers. Michael’s had higher quality than A.C. More. My aunt helped me arrange my bouquet. And my matron of honor and I wrapped my bouquet and the bridesmaid bouquets with scrap fabric I had at home. We “bedazzled” the stems of the bouquets with sequins, using hot glue. Table decorations were spare artificial flowers and fresh magnolia from a tree outside the church. A good friend of mine and a few helpers put it together for us.

Tell us about your wedding cake.

Dark chocolate with a raspberry jelly made by a dear friend!

Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now?

Find your venue first. When you know your numbers, decide on food. Then worry about clothes. If you’re in a pinch, order ties from Amazon. Chipotle caters a delicious spread for rehearsal dinners.


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