The average wedding costs $36,000, forcing many couples to dip into their savings just to pay for their big day. While everyone knows weddings are expensive, some couples are choosing to go a different route so they can save money and still create a memorable event.
The easiest way to do that is to DIY as much as possible.
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You don’t need to be overly crafty or have a background in design to put together a beautiful, perfect DIY wedding. If you’re on a budget, all it takes is a bit of planning, help from friends and family, and a lot of creativity to put together a gorgeous wedding that won’t break the bank.
Let’s take a look at three key tips you can use to get started.
One of the first things you’ll do after getting engaged is set a date for the big day. Soon after, you’ll have to send out invitations to friends and family members. However, everything from putting together invites to mailing them out can be costly. While you may not be able to do anything about the price of postage, you can DIY your invitations and save money, rather than having a printing company or designer put them together.
Remember, your invitations will be a reflection of your wedding day. It’s a good idea to have a theme or aesthetic in mind before you send them out.
You don’t need to be artistic to put together a beautiful wedding announcement. The most important thing is to make sure you include all of the necessary information for your guests, including;
It’s also a good idea to let your guests know what they should wear or what they should expect. Many DIY weddings are more casual and comfortable. The last thing you want is for your brother to show up in a three-piece suit when you want everyone to wear cowboy boots. Informing people about attire is important.
Get creative with your invitations by sending out premade postcards, or putting the information on the back of a photo or Polaroid of you and your partner. The more creative and unique the invitations, the less likely they are to be overlooked.
Decorations are some of the easiest things to put together on your own without having to buy them from a big box store or specialty shop.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to putting together beautiful décor, but the best way to get started is to use what’s around you. Think seasonally and utilize wildflowers, leaves, or even pinecones and branches in your décor. Involving natural elements is free, and is especially effective if you’re having an outdoor wedding.
You can also create your own paper flowers using coffee filters and paint if you want to add a crafty touch to the day.
Another good option is to repurpose items that you already have laying around. Do you have plenty of old glass bottles and jars from perfume, food, or drinks? Use them as vases and allow a guest from each table to take one home.
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Finally, consider making your décor personal by utilizing pictures. You can set up a photo board with different family members and friends, or even have photos of you and your partner strung up on a clothesline for your guests to admire. If you’re having a backyard wedding, something simple and intimate like that can really tie the theme together.
Food is an important part of a good wedding reception. Most people go to a wedding expecting to, at the very least, have a piece of cake.
Unfortunately, catering is often very expensive. You don’t want to limit your guest list because you can’t afford to feed everyone.
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Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to provide good food to your guests without having to spend a fortune, including
You can also essentially “cater” your own wedding without having to put in a lot of work for the big day. Things like a baked potato bar or chili bar allow you to make food ahead of time and have someone else set it out during the reception. Your guests can make their own plates, and you don’t have to worry about paying a caterer.
There are so many additional DIY tips and tricks you can use to keep your budget in check on your wedding day. The most important thing is to get creative and prioritize where your money should be going. The more you can save on your wedding, the more funds you’ll have available to actually start your life together!