The secret to staying within a 9k budget for a 60 guest wedding, based off what we’ve seen in this wedding, is DIY, DIY, DIY, and weekly craft nights with friends and fam! Sarah + Steve made it work for them and walked away with only the best things to say. Like how the small size allowed their day to feel like a homegrown, cozy backyard celebration. Or like how all the decorations were so special they looked like they could have been pulled out of your grandmother’s china cabinet. Read on for more of their pretty budget secrets!
We saved money on our invitations by making our own pocketfolds out of card stock instead of buying them pre-made. I decorated them with ribbon and a logo I had created. Inside I featured my hand lettered text (calligraphy ink and I are now besties), some folk art inspired illustrations of succulents (a la my sister) and a banner of tiny fabric flags up at the top. We had the main card printed professionally, but the cost was manageable since we provided the paper and did the trimming (and embellishment) ourselves. The rest was printed at home – cards detailing travel information, details on our website and a postcard response card. (Loved the postcards – you save on paper and postage! Win!)
My bouquet was really something. I had told Erin I wanted it to look a little wild. Like we had picked flowers and foraged in the woods to pull it together. Her creation was beautiful – some smaller succulents mixed with fluffy light flowers and vines – all wrapped up in beautiful eyelet ribbon. Absolutely perfect.
This mason jar chandelier was also a DIY project that Steve took on. Came out amazing!
Some lasting DIY wise words from Sarah: I held a few weekly craft nights where my sisters and girlfriends would come over and drink wine and help me tackle every project on my list. We made banners and flags, napkin ring placecards, paper fans that acted as programs – even hairpins for the bridesmaids! Every DIY bride needs help! I was incredibly fortunate to have a crafting army to back me up every step of the way! I even had help from far away – my mom made patchwork mats for the centerpieces in Florida, my youngest sister made little mustaches for beer bottles and wine glasses in her college apartment and out in Santa Cruz, my friend Amy made little fabric hankies for the ceremony! Steve jumped in anytime he saw an opportunity to make something I had my eye on that wasn’t in the budget – from that incredible photo booth to a chandelier made of mason jars. That’s amore!
It’s so nice to hear how much everyone pitched in. Sometimes you just have to remind yourself that friends and family are more than happy to help when it comes to your wedding. Most of them at least!
Congratulations Sarah + Steve!
Photography: Nathan Russell Photography / Venue: 12 Oaks Ranch / Hair Stylist: Lauren DeWalt of RoarSalon / Makeup artist: Maris Malone Calderon / Floral Designer: Rosehip Flora / Officiant: Rev. Kim Session / Custom Ring Bowl: Paloma’s Nest / Catering: 12 Oaks Ranch (Bert’s BBQ) / CentralMarket / Cupcakes: Lick It Bite It or Both / Custom Cake Topper: Together Forever / Rentals and Bartender Service: Whim Event Rentals (formerly DS Rentals) / Bride’s dress: BHLDN / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hairpiece: Which Goose
