Save Money with a Rustic Themed Wedding and Decorations

The Venue

You have the perfect venue on a mountaintop in the Rocky Mountains that can only be reached by helicopter.  That’s not realistic, is it?  There are TONS of gorgeous wedding venues, and some that aren’t technically “venues” but just beautiful places.  Doing some research online or asking around can help you find a beautiful place to get married at.  The reception can be held elsewhere either outdoors in a friend’s nice big backyard, or a church or another building.  There are ways to save on the venue; you just have to look and get creative.

Make Your Own Decorations

Yes, you can make your wedding decorations.  Using wood pallets, mason jars, metal buckets, décor from friend’s weddings, etc. can all be done to lower your wedding costs but still have it look fantastic.  Creating wood signs, tables, frames, and tabletop items from pieces of wood or pallets is easy and costs almost nothing. If you have a drill, a hammer, and nails, wood stain or paint, then you are good to go.  Use caution when creating wood décor items because drills and saw blades can cause damage.  Wear safety gear so you can look fabulous on your day.

Meaningful is Priceless

You don’t have to splurge thousands of dollars on gifts, décor, or even meaningful items.  Doing something simple and from the heart, either for your bride (or groom!) and guests will mean more to them than any price tag.  Traditions are a great way to make a statement of love.  In Celtic weddings, a coin or token is usually given to the bride from the groom.  This means that the groom will always look after her and protect her.  Something traditional, simple, and meaningful not only saves money, but it is a direct and meaningful message from the heart.

Donate to Your Fund

Another way to save on costs is to ask for monetary assistance instead.  This can be a delicate subject for many, but many have started a “honeymoon fund” in lieu of wedding presents.  Guests, if they so desire, can place a donation in the honeymoon fund instead of bringing a wedding present.  If the couple generally has a lot of what they need for their household already, this is a great idea to cut down on the costs of traveling or having a honeymoon.

A simple, rustic wood décor item or creation can be built for this purpose.  A drop box created from pallets or something similar can be built easily.  It can be painted, stenciled, etc. for a look that suits the wedding and for guests to place their donation.

Your special day doesn’t have to break the bank.  Incorporate something traditional or memorable that your significant other will remember.  Making your decorations is a great money-saver, and you can recruit friends and family to help, just make sure to be safe and use protective wear and watch out for extension cords.  

Recruiting assistance, scouting out good venues, and planning your décor ahead of time can help you save money.  Building your decorations is fun and can bring family and friends together, and when your wedding day is over, you can sell them to help start your life off with less debt.                                                                                                                                                          Bio: Sarah is the author of The DIY Hammer. Her goal is to help anyone who wants to do home DIY by sharing what she’s learned for a safe, enjoyable, and exciting DIY project outcome.