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Barn Wedding in North Carolina with DIY Details

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From DIY bouquets to a vintage red car, this couple added so many personal touches to their day that also brought their theme together! We especially love the way they both honored their grandparents!

Ciarra + Jonathon

Morganton, North Carolina
- 10/16/2021
Total wedding budget $14,000

Budget Breakdown

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

  • Catering
    4%
    $600
  • Music/Entertainment
    3%
    $400
  • Photography
    28%
    $3900
  • Partner 1 Attire
    5%
    $750
  • Partner 2 Attire
    1%
    $180
  • Stationery
    0%
    $20
  • Hair & Makeup
    1%
    $135
  • Venue
    32%
    $4500
  • Videography
    22%
    $3105
  • Total wedding budget
    $14000

Did you do any DIY Projects or create any handmade items for your wedding?

My mom DIY’d all of our bouquets, centerpieces, and signs around the reception.

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

My mom DIY’d all of our bouquets from Hobby Lobby flowers. We had a memorial table for our grandparents that were watching from Heaven, and I also had small pins in my bouquet with photos of my papaw, as well as a piece of his shirt sewed into my dress for my “something blue”.

My husband had pins of his grandparents on his tux as well. Our grandparents were HUGE parts of our lives, but they passed away before our big day, so this is what we did to feel that they were still there with us for our special moment. We also had a guest book where guests would take a polaroid photo of themselves and then write a note in a book.

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

The most memorable moment was dancing at the reception with all of our close friends and family. Everyone was having so much fun and we wanted it to last forever. It was the perfect end to our day!

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

Using fake flowers was a definite saver. We also had my mom make all the food so we did not use a caterer!

What was your biggest splurge?

Photography/videography – but it is the one thing you have left at the end of the day so it is worth it!

What were your favorite details?

I don’t think I have one specific favorite. All the little things added up to make it the perfect day for our wedding. I really loved how everything matched so well and looked so cohesive – our attire, flowers, centerpieces, etc. It was everything I could have dreamed of.

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

Make a list of your must-haves and start there. I cared more about the photography/videography than anything else, so we actually picked our date based on the photographer’s availability.

Also, as hard as it can be, this is YOUR day, don’t let other people pressure you into doing things or spending money on things you don’t want. I also highly recommend a first look with your partner, it definitely helped ease our nerves before the ceremony.

Share any additional details you’d like us to know about your event:

I would recommend our vendors to anyone! They were all so amazing and made our day flow perfectly. I wish I could get married over and over again because of them.