What was your budget?

• Photography: Gift from family member
• Dress: $550
• Cake: $150 (family gifted use our cake, we just gave a tip)
• Flowers: $200
• Decor: $200
• Groom’s attire: $240
• Organist: $300
• Vocalist: $100
• The rest of our budget was spent on catering, venue, and other expenses.

Our goal was to keep our budget around $8,000, but we came in around $6,000.

How many guests did you have?

We had between 150-200 guests.

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

We planned our wedding to be midway between Brandon’s grandparents’ wedding date (2/23) and my parents’ wedding date (3/9). I planned my wedding to be very similar to Kate Middleton’s Royal wedding. We used a very old, but very beautiful wedding script for the wedding ceremony instead of the traditional vows, readings, etc.  

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

I made all the bouquets for my bridesmaids and my bouquet from flowers from Hobby Lobby and Michael’s craft stores. I also put together all of the table arrangements from flowers from Hobby Lobby and Michael’s.  I used jars/vases from my aunt and I found the table runner linens on Craigslist.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

My mom and I did as much as we could by ourselves, from decorations to food to planning the smallest details of the day.  We always bought the flowers and decorations from Hobby Lobby when they were half off (which was pretty much at least once a month, if not twice a month).

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

Ensure you have a good wedding director who is on the same page as you at all times, and speak up if they are not.

Cut your cake right after you have left the wedding with your photographer and get those pictures. While you are taking pictures with your photographer elsewhere, guests can enjoy the cake when they want instead of waiting!

Other than that, I loved everything about my wedding!

What was your biggest splurge?

The honeymoon was Brandon’s biggest splurge. But really, the most expensive thing was food. We were very conscious of how much we spent, but still want to ensure quality and elegance.

What was your favorite detail?

I literally planned my wedding to be very similar to Princess Kate’s royal wedding, but in the smaller details. For instance, I walked in and exited as she did. Also, my dress was my style but also favored her elegant look.  

I just wanted to have a wedding that was elegant and beautiful, not focused on price but on what marriage truly should be – a very beautiful commitment of love and respect for another human as the Lord loves us.

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

There were so many that day! But probably the most raw moments of the day seemed to be the few moments when I was alone prior to walking down the aisle while hearing the pipe organ playing the music the wedding party was walking in to, and thinking of the commitment I was about to make to my love for my life.

VENDORS

Photography: Red Boat Photography  • Venue:  Kernersville Moravian Church • Flowers: Hobby Lobby and Michaels • Wedding planner and day-of-coordinator: Provided by church • Favors:  Hobby Lobby • Videography: Advance Videography • Catering: ALDI, Walmart + Chick-fil-A • Bakery: Mandy’s Cakes (no website) • DJ:  Spotify • Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist:  Chelsea Robertson with I Do STYLE • Bridesmaids Dresses: Christopher’s Formal Wear • Bridal Shop: Songbirds  • Veil / Headpiece:  Songbirds for veil + David’s Bridal for headpiece  • Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Cahill & Swain