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Outdoor Farmhouse Wedding

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Outdoor Farmhouse Wedding

Kara + Justin

Waterman, Illinois
- 06/25/2016
Total wedding budget $20,000
orange bouquet
bride getting ready photos
bride getting ready photos
bride getting ready photos
simple bridal look
simple bridal look
bride getting ready photos
pink bridesmaid dresses
bride and flower girl
khaki groomsmen attire
khaki groomsmen attire
khaki groomsmen attire
khaki groomsmen attire
khaki groomsmen attire
outdoor wedding ceremony
wedding decor
wedding program
rustic wedding decor
outdoor wedding ceremony
outdoor wedding venue
wedding processional
wedding processional
wedding processional
wedding processional
wedding processional
Outdoor Farmhouse Wedding_021
outdoor wedding ceremony
outdoor wedding ceremony
outdoor wedding ceremony
first kiss
wedding recessional
country bride and groom photos
country bride and groom photos
arbor wedding photos
barn wedding photos
ring shot
orange rose bouquet
country bride and groom photos
country bride and groom photos
country bride and groom photos
country bride and groom photos
country bride and groom photos
khaki and blush wedding party
barn wedding reception
smore bar
gift table
rusutic wedding decor
memories table
wedding place settings
barn wedding
barn wedding reception
cutting cake
cake cutting
farm wedding
toasts
first dance
mother son dance
father daughter dance
big dance

What was your budget? 

Justin and I went into wedding planning with a budget of about $20,000. Justin was a single dad working hard to get on a full time fire department. We were in the process of buying our first house together and money was tight. Of course we wanted our wedding to be beautiful, but it made the most since with our circumstances to watch our spending. This included a lot of shopping around and DIY projects!

  • Venue: ~$6000
  • Food: $5000
  • Photography/Videography: $3000
  • Flowers: $675
  • DJ: $625
  • Transportation: $500
  • Alcohol: $1500
  • Culver’s Ice Cream Catering: $350
  • Small Cake for Cutting: $30

How many guests did you have?

Our final count was 178, but 200 were invited.

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

I’ve been planning my wedding since before I was even engaged! Since day one, I knew that I wanted a rustic barn feel. I spent a ton of time on Pinterest and used that for ideas or at least to get me started. I bought plain vases from the dollar store and used burlap, twine, lace and other things to make them my own and to match the feel I was going for. Mason jars were my best friend. I would buy them at garage sales and spray paint them, glue things on them, or stuff them with flowers. I used sticks, décor from around my house, literally anything to prevent me from spending.

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

All of the vases for the centerpieces were DIY projects. I glued twine, burlap, lace or other things onto them. I bought baby’s breath from Jewel (insanely cheap!!!) and filled the vases with those for half of the tables. The other tables I spray painted wine bottles and wrapped those in twine, burlap and lace. I put sticks in the wine bottles to give them a little more character. I also had small mason jars with fairy lights inside. I hot glued the battery pack to the lids of the mason jars and they lit up the tables beautifully! My cocktail tables had spray painted mason jars on them. I bought fake flowers from Hobby Lobby (almost always 50% off!) for them. My card box was all handmade. Justin’s grandma was getting rid of an old tool box. I took out all of the drawers, propped it open, hung twine across the top and clipped on the letters we made with the Cricut. It was perfect! All of my signs (sparkler send off, bar menu, etc.) I made on my computer. I downloaded free fonts and played around with them using ideas from Pinterest. I used frames from home or purchased frames I would use in my home for these signs.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

The DIY projects saved a lot of money. I also started planning early. We were engaged for a year and half, so I had plenty of time to collect things without having to purchase large amounts of things at once. I rarely bought anything full price. I shopped mostly at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and they rotate their 50% off sales often. I always watched for those. They also have really great coupons through email. When I would purchase things, I would try hard to only buy things that I would use in my house again (frames, fake plants, wall décor for decorations, candles, etc.). There is also a lot of wedding re-sale Facebook pages. I bought quite a few things from other brides!

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

Start planning right away, buy a little at a time, and only buy things you will use for yourself or that can be easily resold! Some of the best advice that was given to me was to not overthink or stress about things. I stressed a ton about my centerpieces and it was such a small part of the big day, it was totally not worth it! They turned out beautiful and I’m sure no one even noticed the little flaws!

What was your biggest splurge?

Food and alcohol, but they’re both necessities! We could not have been happier with the choices we made. The food was delicious and both vendors were phenomenal to work with! Prestige Liquors was great because anything we didn’t use they bought back from us. Of course, we didn’t have much left, but it was a great incentive!

What was your favorite detail?

I loved how all of my décor, all of the DIY projects I spent so much time on looked with the venue. I had spent so much time looking at them in my garage and basement; it was nice to see how great they turned out and fit the venue perfectly!

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

Seeing all of my hard work put together was the best feeling. The few months prior to the wedding were so stressful, and to see it come together, everyone enjoying themselves and spending the best day of my life with my closest family and friends was truly amazing.

VENDORS 

Photography: Jonathon Brust • Venue: The Mora Farm • Flowers: Kar-Fre Flowers • Day-of Coordinator: You Name It  Events • Stationery: LoPo Creations • Favors: You’re That Girl Designs  • Videography: Jolie Images • Catering: Uncle Bubs Catering • Bakery: Latsis Bakery • Rentals: Top Notch Rentals • Transportation: First Student • Officiant: Rev. Jeremy Heilman • Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal • Wedding Gown Designer: Mikaella • Bridal Shop: The Crystal Bride • Jewelry: Francesca’s Boutique • Veil: The Crystal Bride • Shoes: Tilly’s • Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse