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A beautiful arboretum setting and fun details to reflect the couple’s personality shine in today’s wedding. Sarah and Anthony stayed on a budget of $6K by keeping their guest list small and choosing a budget-savvy venue. And I love how they brought in their personalities through their wedding cake; make sure you check it out! Enjoy today’s summer arboretum wedding!  xoxo, Jessica

Sarah + Anthony

June 21, 2014

Ann Arbor, MI  |  University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum

What was your budget?

Our total budget was about $6,000.

Venue: $310

Photographer: $2,000

Cake and wedding favors: $500

Reception: $1,500

Dress and jewelry:  $610

Minister: $233

Flowers: $30

Cake cutters: $35

Invitations and save the dates:  $120

Hotel: $173

Limo: $100

How many guests did you have?

25 guests attended our wedding.

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

My husband and I both study beetles and had our wedding cake designed to include the beetles that we study as well as the beetle’s biology. These beetles live under the bark of dead trees and so the cake was shaped like logs with the beetle’s etchings visible where bark was ‘peeled away’. We also wrote our own vows and had our CSA farmer grow the flowers for my bouquet.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

Nothing in particular.  We didn’t go overly extravagant on anything other than food, but with such a small wedding it really wasn’t a huge expense.  We also drove ourselves to the wedding.

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

Etsy is truly a fantastic website where you can find anything and everything to completely make your wedding a reflection of yourself there.

What was your biggest splurge?

The reception which included an open bar.

What was your favorite detail?

We really loved our wedding cake and found custom made cherry wood cake cutters on Etsy that were perfect.

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

At the reception when my husband’s 6 year old son and my mother gave truly amazing and heartfelt toasts.

VENDORS 

Photography: Amanda Mae Photography • Catering: Zingerman’s Roadhouse and Zingerman’s Bakehouse • Venue: Nichols Arboretum • Car Rental: Metro Cars