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DIY Ohio Wedding for $10K

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DIY Ohio Wedding for $10K

Emily + Jordan

Sugarcreek, Ohio
- 08/26/2017
Total wedding budget $10,000

bride getting ready

red and pink wedding flowers

groom getting ready

first look

wedding photos

church wedding decor

church wedding decor

church wedding decor

church wedding

church wedding

red wedding colors

couple wedding photos

couple wedding photos

elegant bridal look

red wedding attire

table setting

DIY reception decor

DIY reception decor

wedding decor

kid activities

naked wedding cake

dessert table

dessert table

wedding exit

What was your budget? 

Below are very rough estimates. Some we ended up paying more for and some we ended up paying less for.

  • Venues: $1,550
  • Photography: $1,600
  • Save the Dates, Invitations, & Programs: $600
  • Flowers: $1,500
  • Dress: $1,000
  • Food: $1,900
  • Table & Chair Rentals: $300
  • Plates, Cups, Silverware, & Napkins: $400
  • Tablecloths: $300
  • Candles & Holders: $200
  • Favors: $150
  • Decorations: $500

Total: approximately $9500

How many guests did you have?  

We had about 250 people at our wedding.

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

Both Jordan and I love music from the 70’s and 80’s, so he created a reception playlist of our favorite old school songs for the reception. We even had some playing at our ceremony as well.

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

Um, almost everything! I hand wrote all of our signs, the guests’ names on our invitations, and also the place cards for the bridal party table, desserts, and drinks. The only things I can’t take credit for was the scroll behind our table and the stamp we used for our coffee favors. Speaking of the coffee favors – Each bag was hand-stamped and fill by my wonderful bridesmaids.

My mother also spent hours putting coffee beans through our coffee grinder. Our house smelled like heaven! My father and Jordan cut all of the wood slices for our tables and created the backdrop for our bridal party table from old fencing we found at our neighbor’s antique shop. We also went through a LOT of gold spray paint for the hoops on the backdrop and the ladders that we used for the ceremony backdrop.

There were a number of people who spent hours helping me hot glue all of the ribbon wands that we used for the boys to wave as the Exceptionally Cute Children walked down the aisle and for our guests to wave as we left the reception. And last but not least, the unity candle holders were made by my oldest brother.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

DIY was definitely a money saver. It did take up a lot of time though. We found that buying the tablecloths and serving utensils was cheaper than renting them out. All of our candle holders were purchased from thrift stores & previous brides.

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

As much as you think that you won’t stress out or have a freak-out moment, you will. So gather up your coffee and/or wine, enjoy a couple of pieces of chocolate, and just let that moment riiiiide on past. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your family, your fiance, and your friends are there for you – put them to good use. Also, it is okay to be over organized. Ladies, lists and timelines will be your BFF on your wedding day. You will be thanked for them in the end.

Lastly, nothing will go perfectly. Even if you make all the lists and timelines in the world, people are human & unpredictable things happen. But make the most of every moment of your big day because it will fly right before your eyes. And remember, the goal is to get married. So really all you need is yourself, your groom, and someone to tell you to say “I Do!”

What was your biggest splurge?

Originally, it was the flowers. I love flowers and knew that I wanted the majority of our decorations to be flowers and greenery. The original quote was well over our budget and we had to make a lot of changes to what we originally planned. Even with removing some flower arrangements, we were still over budget. Soon after we decided to cut cost in a different area of our budget, a very kind & generous person called my florist and told her they would like to cover the bill for the flowers and to go with what we originally had planned. Many, many tears were shed and I will forever be grateful to that person.

What was your favorite detail?

The music at our reception. It was so fun to hear all the songs that my new husband had picked out for our celebration!

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

The entire day was perfect and amazing but I think the First Look was my favorite moment. As soon as Jordan turned around, all the nerves completely went away and I felt like the happiest person on earth. And boy, he sure did look handsome!

VENDORS

Photography: Susie & Becky • Ceremony Venue: Walnut Creek Mennonite Church • Reception Venue: Legacy Christian School • Flowers: The Flower Fountain • Wedding Planner: n/a • Day-of Coordinator:  Friend of the Family • Event Design:  DIY • Stationery: Carlisle Printing • Calligraphy: DIY • Catering: Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen • Bakery: Stacey’s Cakes • Hair Stylist + Makeup: Rig & Co. • Bridal Salon or Shop: Lavender Bridal • Groom’s Attire: American Commodore