Did you do any DIY Projects or create any handmade items for your wedding?
We hand created our photo wall: a sweetheart backdrop with the neon sign. 200 photos on two 8 foot tall plywood boards were hand placed and measured by me and my grandmother. The photos displayed images from our proposal shoot and engagement shoot!
Our centerpieces were also handmade by me, my mother and my grandmother. All flowers were from Shein and Amazon. Vases were from Hobby Lobby.
The seating chart and polaroid wall were handmade. The lettering saying “Our Favorite People” was cut using cricut, the floral arrangement at the top was purchased on Facebook Marketplace, and the fishing wire was placed in evenly spaced rows to hold the place cards with polaroids.
The photo greenery backdrop was handmade by me and my mother! The greenery was purchased from Amazon which was then attached with floral wire onto chicken wire with a wooden fame. “The Hamletts” sign was purchased from Etsy and hand painted.
All stationary including the programs and thank you cards were DIY projects.
The arbor was hand created by the father of the groom by nailing wooden planks into the shape of a hexagon which was then painted white by the groom. Flowers were provided by Vogue Flowers.
Table numbers were 4×6 wooden rectangles which were cut and then textured with plaster. The numbers were cut on the bride’s cricut and placed on 4×6 plexiglass which were attached to the dried wooden pieces via spacers bought on Amazon.
All signs were also handmade!
What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?
For the ceremony, we created a DIY sand unity ceremony box in which the two colored sands used were from Virginia Beach, Virginia (the state where we grew up) and Siesta Key, Florida (where we live now) to represent our journey as a couple.
We also included two memorial chairs in the ceremony where the front two chairs honored two loved ones that attended from heaven, complete with a picture frame and florals.
What is the most memorable moment of your day?
The private last dance was the most memorable moment where the groom and I were able to take in every aspect of the day and spend time. It was just the two of us and our first moment as an official married couple.
What was the biggest thing you did to save money?
I DIY’d the florals & decor for the full reception. By creating our, designs we were able to save money with the florist as well as have personal designs unique to our wedding. Additionally, we were able to re-use flowers from the ceremony for the reception.
What was your biggest splurge?
Our biggest splurge was my dress, and it was well worth it!
What was your favorite detail?
The sweetheart table photo backdrop with the neon sign was definitely our favorite detail.
What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?
Soak in every moment of the wedding day and the planning process. It goes by so fast and we forget what all the stress and to-do lists are for.
Most of the time I spent planning my wedding were with my mom and grandmother, and I will cherish those many hours DIY’ing forever.
Share any additional details you’d like us to know about your event:
I have spent my whole life dreaming of my wedding day and it was the best day of my life getting to marry the one I love. I am so happy to share that special day with everyone!
