What was your budget?
Our overall budget was about $3,000.
- Dress and alterations: $550
- Groom’s Suit: $200
- Food: Gifted
- Cake: $50
- Floral: $400
- Rentals: $100
- Hair: Gifted
- Gifts: $200
- Décor: $500
How many guests did you have?
We had 16 guests.
What creative or personal aspects did you include in your wedding?
I wrote the entire ceremony myself. I’ve been chronically ill for two years now and my husband has an autoimmune disorder as well as chronic pain so we had “In sickness and in health, but mostly in sickness” as part of our ceremony. We also wrote our own vows, had fake hummingbirds to represent my husband’s late great grandmother, a blessing tree which my mother in law’s friend made for us, and I got my dress in my favorite color.
Did you do any DIY projects or create any handmade items for your weddings?
I made five arrangements of my own using faux flowers, created fairy gardens on moss rocks, designed the stationary for the wedding day, and made accommodation baskets for the bathrooms. My sister-in-law designed our wedding invitations. My sister crocheted an accessory for my hair.
What was the biggest thing you did to save money?
We bought almost everything used or on sale. We also used our resources to their max extent. A friend was our photographer, another friend was our officiant, my mother in law’s friend catered, my dad’s coworkers were our florist and pastry chef, my husband’s grandmother rented two tents for free through her work, and we had the wedding on his family’s property.
What’s the best advice you have for planning your wedding now that you’re on the other side?
Plan time to relax in the days leading up to your wedding. I had a massage scheduled for the day before my wedding and it was exactly what I needed.
What was your biggest splurge?
My dress. I ended up getting the dress I wore only three weeks before my wedding and had to have it hemmed by about six inches.
What was your favorite detail?
The fairy gardens. My husband and I love fantasy, adventure, and sci fi type movies and tv shows and we wanted to incorporate some magic into our day.
What is the most memorable moment of your day?
Our first look photos… up until that moment everything felt so surreal!
VENDORS
Photography: Leah Kessen • Venue: Private Residence • Flowers: Tulalip Resort Casino • Favors: Kat’s Kreations • Bakery: Tulalip Resort Casino • Rentals: Bellingham Wedding and Event Rentals • Hair Stylist: Sarah McCort • Wedding Gown Designer: Maggie Sottero • Jewelry, Ties & Shoes: Amazon.com • Groom’s Attire: Macy’s • Groomsmen Suits/Tux: JCPenney • Men’s Shoes: Nordstrom Rack
