DIY - Your Dream Wedding on a Shoe String Budget

Only when Greg and I married 7 years ago, did I realize the huge costs involved in planning a wedding! There were countless things to consider - it was overwhelming! Thank goodness I had the help of my friends and family which helped reduce the costs tremendously!

I can only imagine what a wedding might cost today considering the world's economy after the crash. So, I did a little more research. How do we cut costs and still have the wedding of our dreams?
I hope that through my research, you may find ways to cut costs in many areas of planning your wedding day.

The very first thing I want to share with you is an awesome "Spread Sheet" that I found that will help you with your budget. I wish I'd had this when I planned for my wedding. You'll be able to decide what stays and what goes :D

	How Much?	Who Pays?
Engagement Party
Location
Date & Time
Bachlorette Party
Location
Date & Time
Bridesmaids' Luncheon
Location
Date & Time
Rehearsal Dinner
Location
Date & Time
Out-of-Town Guests' Brunch
Location
Date & Time
Wedding Coordinator
Stationery
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Invitations
How Many?
Announcements
Save the Date Cards/Magnets
Thank You Cards
Reply Cards
Stamps
Maps, Calligraphy, etc.
Bride's Attire
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Wedding Dress
Hairpiece / Veil
Shoes
Accessories
Clothes for Other Parties
Undergarments / Garter
Hairdresser / Makeup / Nails
Alterations
Cleaning / Preserving
Groom's Attire
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Suit / Tuxedo
Shirt / Shoes
Hairdresser / Nails
Alterations
Photography / Videography
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Formal Portraits
Engagement
Wedding and Reception
Wedding Album
Parents' Albums
Extra Prints
Photos on CD / DVD
Videography of Wedding
Flowers
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Ceremony Arrangements
Locations
Bride's Bouquet
Groom's Boutonniere
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Mothers' Corsages
Reception Arrangements
Locations
Reception
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Food/Caterer
Drink/Bartender
Wedding Cakes
Cake Topper / Cake Serving Set
Rental of Facility
Rentals
Place Cards
Tips
Decorations
Card / Money Holder
Music
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Ceremony
Reception
Transportation
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Limousine/Carriage
Parking
Gifts
	How Much?	Who Pays?
For Your Groom (optional)
Maid / Matron of Honor
Bridesmaids
For Your Parents (optional)
Your Groom's Ring
Fees
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Church / Location
Officiant / Assistants
Attendants Accessories
Odds and Ends
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Guest Favors
How many / Type
Birdseed or Confetti Packets
Monogrammed Napkins
Hotel Accommodations
Guest Book and Pen
Aisle Runner
Honeymoon
	How Much?	Who Pays?
Transportation
Accommodations
Food
Fun Money



Another interesting and important fact that I found was concerning the date, day and season that you choose to get married. The day of the week and the season (high/mid/low) will have the first impact. 

Try and choose another day rather than a Saturday. Having your wedding on a Saturday night have premiums on them which affects your reception costs!

Photograph taken by Morne Marais



How about - DIY Wedding Flowers?


You will be amazed at what you may achieve with little or no experience. If you have an artistic flare then there is nothing holding you back. The average sum spent on flowers is between 5% – 10% of your wedding budget. Here are some ways to dramatically reduce your costs.

First it is necessary to decide whether to do some or all of the flowers yourself. If a beginner, it will be easiest to make the button-holes and reception table decorations yourself, leaving significant arrangements such as the bouquets to a professional. You may want to try making your bridesmaids garlands. Bear in mind:

- do a trial run of each arrangement
- calculate the time it will take to prepare all the arrangements
- research the lifespan of the fresh flowers you have chosen
- consider whether to substitute some silk flowers, particularly for the junior bridesmaids hair flowers
- unless marrying in winter ensure you have access to cold storage
- organise friends to deliver the flowers to the different parties and venues

 
Making A Bridesmaids Garland
Button-Holes are usually made of Carnations, Roses or Orchids with a spray of fern and gypsophillia. You will require:
- the flower of your choice
- ribbon
- florists wire
- box of pins
- plastic bottle with fine mist spray nozzle
Take a spray of fern. Place the flower on top. Cut stems to size. Bind the two stems with the florists wire. Wrap the ribbon over the bound stems. Place on a tray in a cool (or cold) room. Spray with a fine mist of water. Repeat this process according to the number required.

To make a corsage follow the same procedure as above. The difference is that a corsage involves more than one flower. It may also be worn on the wrist and secured with ribbon and a bow. 

Making Table Decorations
 Collect various low dishes, e.g.: shells, fish bowls, flat dishes, terracotta pots, miniature metallic buckets, etc. The easiest decorations to make are to float blooms in the dishes with floating candles.

If you are having candelabra as a centerpiece variegated ivy is excellent to twist around the ‘arms’ or base. Other blooms may be attached with coloured ribbon.

If making a floral arrangement ensure they are low enough so that seated guests may see each other over them. In addition to the various low dishes you will require an oasis, (plastic water reservoir), cut to the size of the bowl/dish. For a beginner it is easier to make an effective display with one variety of flowers, e.g. roses. Alternatively you may use tulips, lilies, orchids, daisies, freesias, gardenia, gerberas, lisianthus, etc. For those whose stems tend to droop you may fix this by inserting fine florists wire to hold them erect. For a bridesmaid’s garland, or floral tiara, made of rose buds, you will require:
- florist’s wire
- alice band, or high comb, and hair grips
- rose buds
- green fern, gypsophilia, even variegated ivy
- coloured ribbon
Make a circle of the florists wire to the size of the child’s head. Secure the flowers using the wire. You may either do so by piercing the stem, or wrapping the wire around the stem. Alternatively you may use coloured ribbon as an anchor, securing the stems with small bows. Make sure any wire ends are wrapped with ribbon so they do not stick into your bridesmaid’s heads. You may wish to have some ribbons trailing down the back, particularly if the junior bridesmaids have long hair.

For those too young to keep a garland in their hair consider putting their hair up in a bun and fix some rose buds with hair grips around the bun.

Making a daisy chain garland:The daisy flower heads should be no more than an inch apart. Cut the stems to size and make a slit in the end of each stem. Pick up two daisies and thread through the stem of one daisy through the other. Pick up a third daisy and thread it through the stem of the second. Repeat this process until the daisy chain is large enough. Secure the daisy chain with white ribbon. You may wish to wrap a fine string of beads round the stems for added decoration or white/green ribbon.

Making Button-Holes, Or Corsages
- grow your own flowers
- ask friends to contribute flowers from their gardens
- choose flowers that are in season
- bearing in mind preservation laws, see what nature provides
- consider other non-floral decorations for your table settings
- instead of fresh cut flowers use potted flowers that may be reused, e.g. in your garden, as wedding favours, etc.
- consider hiring potted flowers  



DIY Wedding Cakes

More and more people are making their own, or asking their mum/dad, or a friend, to do so. The cost: whereas parents may do this for free, it would be considerate to purchase, (or at least offer to purchase), the ingredients if being made by a friend or extended member of the family. Having obtained help there are different options that you may choose from.

Photograph taken by Morne Marais

 Options

- make the cake in its entirety
- buy the base and do the icing and decorate yourself
- make the base and get someone else to decorate, or use professional cake decorator
- purchase a packet mix (ready to make) base, do the icing and decorate yourself
- go “Hollywood” only making the top two tiers, using Styrofoam for the rest covered in fondant icing. Behind the scenes have a long sheet cake to cut for your guests.

It is quite acceptable to break from the traditional tier wedding cakes that cost a fortune. Why not consider just having a sheet cake that may be made into any shape you want. If having a large number of guests join two or more sheet cakes together – under the icing no one will know!

Alternatives
Again, breaking away from tradition, you may wish to consider some of the following:
- offering individual cakes with different bases
- asking three people to make a single (one tier) cake of their choice the common denominator being the colour theme, cake base and if used ribbon
- just icing your cake and instead of decorating it, adorn it with a spray of fresh flowers in your wedding colours
- have a chocolate fondue instead
- dispense with a cake altogether



DIY Wedding Ideas

Wedding costs always increase. Any ideas to save on costs are worth exploring even if you don't use them in the end.

Make Your Own Wedding Jewelry:

There are numerous jewelry making kits on the market (and web) to choose from. Alternatively you and your bridesmaid(s) may collect various beads: glass, crystal, opal, pearl, diamante, etc. and just purchase the jewelry wire and one set of tools to share. For your "Kitchen Tea", get everyone to design their own earrings and necklaces and have a go at making them.

Make Your Own Wedding Veil:

To make your own Wedding Veil you will need:
- fabric of your choice e.g. net, lace, tulle, cut to your desired length and shape
- satin edging for your veil if desired
- decorations for your veil if desired, e.g. seed pearls, crystals, rose buds, etc.
- comb upon which to fix your veil and hold in your hair
- needle and cotton matching the colour of your tulle

Edge your chosen fabric. Sew on your decorations (a random pattern is better). Place the fabric over your head to ascertain the correct position of the comb. Attach the comb by sewing it to the fabric.

Make Your Own Confetti:

Choose one of the following and put them in little gift boxes
- save the round cutout paper from any hole punches
- colour/dye some rice with edible food dye
- collect rose petals

Make Your Own Ring Cushion:

To make your own square Ring Cushion you will need:
- an off cut of velveteen fabric
- cushion stuffing (anything from old tights, etc.)
- needle and thread – the cotton to be the same colour as the fabric
- if feeling adventurous some edging for the cushion

Cut two equally sized squares from the fabric. Place the outside of the fabric back to back and sew along three of the sides. Turn the fabric the right side out. Stuff. Sew up the fourth edge. Add trimming if desired.

Make Your Own Flower Girl Basket:

To make your own Flower Girl Basket you will need:
- a basket (size and shape of your choice) with a hoop handle
- florists “oasis”, cut to the size of the basket
- waterproof lining for the basket, e.g. plastic bag
- ribbon reflecting your colour theme
- flowers

Line your basket with the water proof lining. Having soaked your oasis place it in the basket. Display your flowers. The ribbon may be wound around the basket handle, finished in a bow. The ribbon may also be threaded amongst the flowers.

And lastly, try to make as much time as possible to:-

- save for essential items i.e. those you cannot, for example, borrow, or have donated;
- travel to car boot sales, garage sales, cash converters, charity shops, school/village fetes, flea markets,    

 closing down sales;
- make various items e.g. your dress/outfit, table decorations, and homemade invitations;
- prepare in advance e.g. food which may be frozen, non-perishable bonbonairs.
- make your own invitations
- skip the wedding favours
- have a cash bar

Always keep to the KISS principal - “keep it simple st..id”.

Who pays for what?

- the groom purchases the engagement ring
- the bride and groom buy a wedding ring for each other
- the bachelor party is hosted and paid for by the best man
- the bride and groom purchase their own wedding outfits and accessories
- the groom’s family host and pay for the wedding dress rehearsal dinner
- the groom is responsible for purchasing the bride’s bouquet, mothers corsages, and buttonholes for himself, his groomsmen and ushers
- the bride’s family purchases the bridesmaids bouquets, grandmothers corsages, flowers for the ceremony, reception and any additional flowers wanted, e.g. pew ends, arch for the entrance of the church.
- the printing and stationery is the bride’s family’s responsibility
- the marriage license is paid for by the groom, as are the clergy/officient’s fees
- the church fee, choir’s fee and any soloist’s fee is paid for by the bride’s family
- the wedding breakfast (reception), catering, entertainment, cake, favours, photography, etc. is hosted and paid for by the bride’s family
- attendants in the bridal party pay for their own outfits. However, if a one-off specific colour and style of dress is to be made the bride’s family may pay.
- junior attendants outfits are paid for by their families
- the groom is responsible for paying for the gloves, ties, ascots for his attendants
- the groom also picks up the wedding transport and honeymoon expenses

Finally, when determining your wedding budget you will need to consider the following:-

- Announcements
- Bridal parties dresses/outfits
- Destination Wedding
- Diamond Wedding Ring
- Dry Cleaning
- Gold Wedding Ring
- Grooms attire
- Guests: numbers attending
- Hair for wedding
- Honeymoon and spending money
- Insurance & Legalities
- Living arrangements as a married couple
- Miscellaneous items
- Wedding MC

- Perfume & Cologne

- Postage
- Pre-wedding activities & hospitality

- Security

- Shoes
- Wedding Accessories
- Wedding Bouquets and Flowers
- Wedding Cake
- Weddding Catering
- Wedding Decorations/Ice Sculptures
- Wedding Dresses
- Wedding Drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic)& Corkage

- Wedding Gifts & Favors
- Wedding Jewellery
- Wedding Make-Over
- Wedding Make-Up
- Wedding Music & Entertainment
- Wedding Night/Bridal Suite
- Wedding Photography
- Wedding Printing & Stationery
- Wedding Transport
- Wedding Venues
- Wedding Videos

HAVE FUN AND TURN YOUR DREAMS INTO A REALITY

Always remember the old adage about the best laid plans ………… keep a sense of humor and your wedding day will be magical.

Please not that all information gathered has come from researched sources

I really do hope that you will find this of great value as you prepare for your dream wedding.

Love,
Challice