If you are working on a tight budget, but still want a memorable wedding day, this intimate DIY wedding from Plum Jam Photography is your perfect inspiration. This couple had a budget of $5000 and was still able to create something really special. They also kept their focus and priorities on the marriage vs just the wedding day. You can really feel all the love and meaning they put into the entire day.
I have a blog called Sacred Celebration and I must say, our wedding day and engagement experience can really be summed up in those two words. Early on in our planning a friend gave us some great advice: sit down and ponder the 10 things that are most important and the 10 things that are least important for our wedding. Rob and I went away separately to think about it and then came back together to compare.
Our vows and the ceremony were really important to us. Rob’s 49 and I’m 39, the story of God bringing us together at this season of life is beautiful. We wanted that grace and beauty to spill over onto our guests. We we were okay losing out on some reception time to make more room for the things we wanted to incorporate into the ceremony. Preparing for marriage, more than a day, would guide some of our decisions with time. For example, we immediately started pre-marital counseling and met every Thursday evening for about and hour and a half with another couple. Also, on Saturdays or Sundays we guarded at least a handful of hours where there was no talk of wedding plans. This. Was. Hard. But honestly, it is what helped keep us present to each other, the sacredness of what we were committing to, and ultimately the actual day.
It was important to a beautiful and inviting space within the resources we’d been given. We did not want to go in debt. After buying the dress, I had $5000 left for our wedding. Yes, you read that right $5000 for 175 guests. I loved the challenge! We saved a lot having both the ceremony and reception at our church. I was immediately inspired by the hanging Edison lights on the stage and “Dark and Light” became a guiding image for our decor. Our colors we’re blush, gold, black, and white. It was so elegant with just enough whimsy! Which leads to another value and money saver….Utilizing the gifts and talents in our community. We were surrounded by so many brilliant and gifted people, why not ask them to be a part of the day? My best friend did the appetizer catering, my cousin did the flowers, Rob’s buddy oversaw the big scheme and operations, my sis-in-law was the day-of coordinator, a customer at my shop (who happened to be an Austrian pastry chef) made some desserts, a handful of friends made my favorite cakes, my church small group held a Pinterest party where we knocked out the glorious pinwheels for the dessert table, and the list goes on…Utilize your friends and family!!! It blesses people to be a part of your story and contribute to the day! Don’t decide for them and steal their blessing.
I felt so present and in the moment that night, I consider that an incredible grace and joy! Our wedding was a beautiful reflection of who we are and what we value which I think every bride and groom should work towards. Our wedding was the best day of my life, not because it was all perfect and glittery, but because it told the beautifully imperfect story of us. And we pray that grace spills over to many!
Photography | Plum Jam Photography | Venue | Calvary Chapel, San Luis Obispo | Florist | Fluidbloom Floral Design | Desserts | Madonna Inn and family made | Cake Toppers | Lisa Leonard Designs | Dress Store | A Heart’s Desire | Hair and Makeup | Brit Tarr at Bluebird Salon | Vintage Rentals | Embellish Vintage Rentals
