This sweet Southern wedding is sure to make you smile! Megan and Chase planned their big day on a budget of $10,000 — and with the help of some talented family and friends they were able to pull it together beautifully! I absolutely love all the DIY details and projects — and the barn makes a truly perfect backdrop for photos. I love Megan's advice to keep it simple and not overwhelm yourself with too many projects. How sweet are the photos of Megan's daddy seeing her in her wedding dress? Heart melting!! Love this wedding and I know you will, too! Congrats Megan + Chase!! xoxo, Jessica

Megan + Chase

May 10th, 2014

Pendergrass, GA | Price Mountain Barn

What was your wedding budget?

We had a budget of $10,000 and we came in just under it!

$3000 for venue
$3000 photography
$1000 food
$425 DJ
$100 invites
$800 decorations/table cloths
$30 favors
$1100 dress and suit
$120 flowers
$400 rings
$8 alcohol
Free Cake – made by coworkers as a gift
Free coordinator – family friend
Tables & chairs – borrowed for free from church
Hair & Make Up – done by a friend

How many guests did you have?

We had 200 guests

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

I had a lot of DIY items. I made all my mason jar centerpieces and hand cut wood slabs. I made all my signage and refurbished old furniture found for free.

What was the biggest thing you did to save money?

We were able to borrow all tables and chairs for free. My mom worked at a church preschool so we asked to borrow tables and the remainder of the chairs that we needed that the barn did not provide. The worst thing that they could have said was no and we would have continued to look. We asked and they said yes! Always ask and use the resources that you have first!

I am a cake decorator so the first question everyone asked was if I was going to make my own cake, No sadly I didn't. With all the other things I had to do making my own wedding cake was not on the list. My co workers as a wedding present to Chase and I all pitched in and paid for our wedding cake and my Assistant Bakery Manager decorated and delivered the cake to the barn!

Hair and Makeup were done for me, my girls, my mom and mother-in-law as a gift to me by my very good friend who does hair and makeup for a living! She does a fabulous job and I couldn't have been more happy with the way everything turned out!

My wedding coordinator was a friend of my moms who has had a lot of experiences with weddings and who had recently got married as well. She offered to help me in any way possible from decorating to making sure that everyone got down the aisle and making sure that our bags were loaded for the honeymoon! She was great!

Using my family and friends when needed saved us a lot of money. The main thing is don't be afraid to ask people for help and the use of their services, you may not always get things for free, but for a discount is a blessing too! The worse thing that they can say is no, but at least you tried!

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

Simple is not always bad. When doing a DIY wedding it's easy to want to do everything you see, but its not worth the stress. Stay organized and don't put things off.

What was your biggest splurge?

Biggest splurge was our photographer. I saw her work online and knew we had to sit down with her. We were in love and knew that if we didn't book her we would have regretted our decision.

What was your favorite detail?

My daddy's old blue Chevrolet pick-up truck. It was used all throughout the day!

What is the most memorable moment of your day?

Most memorable part of my day was when it was just my daddy and I in his truck driving up to the ceremony site. We were both so nervous! Then when he got me out and we headed down the aisle and I saw my groom all nerves disappeared!

VENDORS

Photographer: Andie Freeman Photography • Venue: Price Mountain Barn • Coordinator: Samantha Depue • Floral: Publix Supermarket • Cake: Publix Supermarket • Hair/Makeup: Devan Hightower • Videography: Daniel Parris at Speak Up Productions • Caterer: Iron Pig • Dress: David's Bridal • DJ: CG Sound and Lighting • Rentals: Hitched Wedding Rentals • Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Due to the pandemic, some of the general wedding planning advice we share may not be applicable or possible due to restrictions on events. Please adhere to all current regulations and stay safe and healthy! Get more resources for planning a pandemic wedding here.

Sweet Southern Wedding