Beautiful DIY Wedding for $4K - say it ain't so

For all of you happy couples who are just about to be, or have just become,  newlyweds you have gotta check out the blog of Sherry and John Petersik - Young House Love. They are a young couple who covet everything DIY, especially when it comes to their home. Their blog details the many projects they have tackled since becoming a team. Upon their engagement they considered "the Wedding". So, being creative and handy they put on the gloves and held a personal backyard affair with 75 of their closest friends and family - on a budget of $4,000. Yes, you heard me right, $4K! Take a look at the event they pulled off. Truly inspiring. See how they managed to host a beautiful, personal celebration that is perfectly suited to these tough economic times. 

    

 

Sherry and John have been kind enough to give a play by play of their budget breakdown. 

Venue: Free (backyard)
Music: Free (family friend played ceremony music on guitar & we used an iPod for the reception)
Photography: Free (brother-in-law is a photographer)
Officiant: Free (cousin got certified online)
Food: $500
Wine & Drinks: $100
Cupcakes & S’mores: $125
Table & Chair Rentals: $350
Centerpieces: $70
Save The Dates/Invitations/Thank Yous (With Postage): $260
Favors: $75
Servingware: $250
Fabric For Tablecloths & Runners: $300
Lighting & Candles: $120
Flip Flops/Photo Clothesline/Welcome Sign: $75
Mosquito Sticks/Candles/Spray: $50
Bouquet: $20
Attire: $500
Photo Booth: $1200 (the one big splurge- and so worth it)

TOTAL: $3995

They even got to donate a bunch of the serving ware that they purchased from Ikea (it was cheaper than renting it) to charity afterward, which was a nice little tax write off.

I thoroughly recommend you visit their complete listing of details and photos for great tips at

http://www.younghouselove.com/wedding-album/