DIY Garden Wedding

Today’s bride, Erin, is truly a budget-savvy DIY queen! From the food to the bridesmaid dresses to the decor, Erin and her friends and family created this lovely wedding filled with sweet and personal details. Not only did Erin and Nick rely on DIY to keep the wedding budget down, they opted to get married on a Monday to save money on their venue and with vendors. Enjoy this lovely, DIY garden wedding! xoxo, Jessica

Erin + Nick

June 22, 2015

Colorado Springs, CO | Hillside Gardens and Nursery

What was your budget?

Our budget was approximately $4,000, but we spent around $5600.

Venue: $1900

Dress: $400

Bridal accessories: $100

Bride’s hair & makeup: $65

Bridesmaids’ dresses (DIY): $50

Flower girls’ dresses: $25

Flowers: $300

Decorations: $100

Favors: $125

Invitations: $300

Food: $1100

DJ: n/a (the Groom works part-time as a DJ and traded hours)

Photography: $1200 (the photographers are close friends and offered unlimited hours for their smallest package price)

How many guests did you have?

We had 170 guests.

What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?

Our wedding had many personal aspects to it. From lace from my grandma, to “Dial soap” favors (to celebrate our now shared last name!) to the bride and groom washing each other’s feet during the ceremony. My husband even coordinated with a friend that captures video of land from drones to fly over our ceremony site.

Did you do any DIY projects or create any handmade items for your weddings?

There were many DIY/hand made items at our wedding. My mom, sisters and I love creating things. My mom made the bridesmaid dresses, we made the wedding cake and cupcakes and my sister made the bridesmaids’ earrings to match their necklaces.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

Our wedding was on Monday, which made some of the vendors less expensive especially the venue.

What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?

Have a few hours between the ceremony and reception so that the bride and groom have time for pictures and to look at each other and say “we’re married!!”

Know that you can’t make everyone happy.

Take time during the day to drink in the moments. Enjoy! Look at all the people around you that love and support you.

Don’t rush to be on time. The guests will wait for the bride.

If you have a number of people helping you create a Google account where you can keep updated spreadsheets of ‘to do’ tasks, a calendar to keep things on track and upload important flyers or instructions.

What was your biggest splurge?

Our biggest splurge was the time and effort that it took to complete all of the DIY projects.

What was your favorite detail?

I really loved the ceremony. We took communion together as husband and wife, washed each other’s feet and poured different shades of sand together to symbolize the permanent mixing together of our lives.

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

I think the most memorable moment was when I walked down the aisle with my dad and caught sight of Nick at the front. It was a feeling of… we did it! we made it! and I get to marry my best friend! can this dream really be coming true? The best feelings ever!

VENDORS

Photography: TMDexter Photography • Venue and Flowers: Hillside Gardens and Nursery • Wedding Planner: DIY • Day-of Coordinator: Friend • Event Design/Styling: DIY • Stationery: DIY • Favors: DIY • Catering: DIY • Bakery: DIY • Linens: Borrowed from Friend • DJ: Celebrity DJ • Hair and Makeup: Natalie Spear of Prodigy Salon • Musician: Brother of the Bride • Bridesmaids Dresses: DIY • Bridal Salon: The Altar Bridal Consignment • Jewelry: JC Penney • Veil / Headpiece: DIY • Shoes: David’s Bridal • Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Groupon Deal