Learn how we pulled off our DIY $5k budget wedding!
Ted and I got married in September of 2010. We spent the year before DIYing our little hearts out in preparation for the big day.
This was long before I ever joined Pinterest…and for that I am actually happy because I can’t image how big my ideas would have gotten if I had that many amazing DIY ideas coming at me from all angles, ha!
Fun fact: I originally wanted to do a DIY backyard wedding, but unfortunately it didn’t work for our home setup at that time. This Ultimate Guide to Planning a Backyard Wedding will be very helpful for anyone planning a backyard wedding.
We were excited to have our wedding and engagement session featured on La Belle Bride (update: their site is no longer active, boo!).
You can read the articles below.
$5,000 Vintage Budget Wedding With DIY Details
A $5,000 wedding. In this decade. AND with adorable DIY style!!
Spending $5,000 for a wedding is practically unheard of, right? Which is why this vintage wedding is so crazy awesome. Audrey and Ted worked at their day from every angle to keep their budget in place. They wheeled, dealed but never compromised on style. AND we get to hear all their dirty little DIY secrets (more on this later).
Their Kansas wedding photographer, Rusty Wright was yet another perfect piece of their vintage wedding puzzle. As you’ll see from these wedding photos, he captured all the juicy DIY details in perfect vintage composition.
DIY $5k budget wedding tips from our dear bride, Audrey:
- I bought my flowers wholesale in bulk from this online company, which saved so much money!
- I designed, printed, and made our own cupcake toppers and candy bar print materials.
- I made our nine bridal bouquets and 12 boutonnieres.
- We made our own large cupcake stand out of thrift store plates and platters.
- I built my own “guest book” area. It consisted of a vintage desk passed down from my great aunt, a typewriter, and other cool vintage props that I also inherited or purchased at antique and thrift stores. Instead of a guest book I had my guests ink their fingerprints onto a picture of a dead tree with various fall colored inks and then sign that.
- Ted and I built our photo booth from scratch and had a friend take and print the photos for our guests…these photos served as our favors. You can read more about our DIY photo booth here.
- I collected all of my own antiques and vintage finds plus I am using all of the vases, glassware, vintage props, etc. that have been passed down to me from family members and purchased at thrift and antique stores.
- We got our DJ (valued at $1000) for free because I did some design projects for him.
- We got our officiant for free (valued at $300) for design trade of service as well.
- We booked our day-of event planner, Heather for free (valued at $300) because I did a design trade of service for her. She was amazing!
- I designed our own invites, save the dates, thanks you cards, programs, cupcake toppers, pennant flag, signage and all other print materials (got almost everything printed for free at a local printer).
- My friend, Sarah Sung hand drew our guest book tree at the entrance to the barn as a wedding gift.
- We had a fully stocked bar and a bartender. We purchased our own alcohol, which saved money.
(scroll dow to read more tips)
- I designed/created my own centerpieces and had friends help me set them up on the day of. they consisted of a mix of flowers, vintage vases, birdcages, vintage postcards, etc.
- I designed our candy and dessert bar to accompany our cupcakes (using vintage cake stands inherited from my grandma).
- I printed and mounted old family photos to hang from string near the entrance to play along the vintage theme.
- My sister-in-law made me paper cranes in various papers, which were placed around the venue.
- I got my corseted fit and flare dress for only $600 since I bought the “floor model” and added a vintage brooch to the chest to make it feel more personal.
- My dad wrote and recorded the song that we walked down the aisle to—so special!
- We had to rent a U-haul truck to get all of our decor and other items to and from the venue. It was kind of crazy, but very effective.
- Our wedding was easily worth $13,000-15,000, but with my designing, bargaining and trades of service we are paid only $4,800-5,000 .
If you are a creative, I suggest seeing if any potential wedding vendors would be interested in any trades of services. You never know until you ask.
Venue: Historic Lackman-Thompson Barn (Lenexa, Kansas) | DJ: Mike Westerman | Dinner and Cupcakes: Hy-Vee | Photographer: RJ Stills, now The Waldron Photograph Co. | Bartender: Erin Cook Bartending
Our Vintage Picnic Engagement Session
Get a load of this adorable couple! Graphic designer plus photographer equals artsy, romantic couple. Drop them into a picnic setting and it’s almost like a movie.
Rusty Wright sent me over these pretty little pictures of Ted and Audrey’s Kansas engagement shoot and they have me so excited for their wedding! Incidentally, Ted and Audrey are a DIY-ing their entire wedding. ALL for under 5k! WOW, right? Now I bet you’re excited to see their wedding too!
What do you think of our DIY $5k budget wedding? We’re pretty proud we pulled it off!
Anyone else have any budget wedding tips to share? I’d love to hear them!
xoxo
Audrey
You might also like these DIY floral pumpkin centerpieces —perfect for a fall wedding on a budget!
Are you planning your own DIY wedding? My friends at Wedding Paper Divas created a wedding planning guide perfect for DIY weddings at any stage of the planning process.
This guide simplifies all stages of the wedding planning process like setting budgets, picking themes, and choosing a bridal party. It’s even segmented into a month-by-month timeline and includes a downloadable checklist. I wish I had this tool when I was in the planning process.
love your amazing ideas. loved reading through your blog.
love your amazing ideas. loved reading through your blog.
yes this is really an amazing place.
This really is an amazing place for vows
Hi! I came across your blog through your link on Hey Love Designs. Love your DIY wedding! It's original and classy. Kudos! :]
-Alex
Hi Alex! Thanks so much for your nice compliment and for stopping by my blog. 🙂 xoxo