Chalkboard DIY Wedding: Budget Breakdown & Rustic Charm Details

Romantic wedding photo of a couple in front of a chalkboard sign

Get ready for Ryan and Tristen's crafty, chalked up, diy wedding. Their backyard wedding was overflowing with pastels, handmade chalkboard signs, and as always lots of love.
While planning their wedding Tristin was obsessed with having stylish chalkboard signs throughout the day, so she set out and created every last chalkboard that you see. Lucky for us she shares tips and tricks on how you too can create your own gigantic chalkboard sign. So, you must read on to learn how to make your own chalkboard wedding sign. Bonus! Read on to learn their full budget break down. Can't get enough? We don't blame you. See every last detail captured by Aimee McAuley Photography in the full gallery here.

Elegant wedding dress on a Mrs Brail hanger, ready for the big day

Bride getting ready with a beautiful updo hairstyle and wedding dress

Blown away by Tristin's wedding updo. If it wasn't so much work we'd rock these curls every day!

Stack of gift boxes and a heart necklace, perfect for a gift

Bride holding a beautiful bouquet of pink roses and succulents

Beautiful and unique floral designs such as Tristin's can be designed just for you by Va Va Bloom. You can expect the unexpected with everything from feathers, sticks, rhinestones, fruit and other fun accessories to your classic all flower arrangement. Incorporating uniqueness and style is what Va Va Bloom is all about.

Chalkboard wedding sign for Ryan and Kristin happily ever after 2013

Bride with bridesmaids at outdoor wedding with flowers

Bridesmaids posing next to a chalkboard wedding sign

Groomsmen showing off their colorful socks and having fun at a wedding

From the Bride:My parents ended up moving 8 months before the wedding and were crazy enough to let us have the ceremony and reception at their home. They completely re-landscaped the yard; adding a bar, fire pit, and large covered structure.

It was perfect and we felt more than gracious for them taking on that project. I'd also suggest utilizing what you already have at home and never being afraid to ask family and friends for help.

Outdoor wedding venue decorated with paper hot air balloons

Man and boy carrying Here Comes Mommy sign at event

Bride walks down the aisle with father on wedding day

Wedding ceremony moment, bride and groom kissing passionately

Happy couple kissing at their wedding in front of a chalkboard

I used decor from our home to decorate the sign-in table, gift table and bar. My grandpa cut and finished all the wood rounds, cupcake stands and the planter boxes used for the wedding party table. A family friend generously cut all the chalkboards and made the huge chalkboard wall.

Wedding reception with cornhole game set outdoors, ready for fun

Wedding bar menu sign with candles and flowers for decoration

Woman holding a wedding sign that says Eat Drink and be Married

I cut and my best friend's mom sewed all the banners. My mom and I did TONS of research on linen pricing and it was actually cheaper to purchase all our linens then rent them.

Rustic wedding table decor with flower arrangements and burlap

Rustic floral centerpiece with roses and antler decor on wood

Rustic wedding decor with burlap tablecloth and floral arrangement

Wedding reception with Mr and Mrs chair signs and fairy lights

DIY Chalkboards:
1) We went to our local craft store and found scrapbook stickers in the shapes of the boards we wanted. Size doesn't matter, just look for shapes you like.
2) Next we took a projector and blew up the shapes of the stickers and traced them on to white butcher paper for the wood cutout templates.
3) Cut the paper out in the shapes you traced.
4) Cut all the wood boards from the templates and round all the edges with an electric sander to make each board silky smooth.
5) Paint the boards with chalkboard paint and a sponge roller. We used Rustoleum Brand paint, most boards took two to three coats of paint.
6) I went in and asked a local coffee shop for their reference for who chalks their boards. The gal who did theirs was unable to do ours, but she recommended us to David and Jordyn Sorrell.

Chalkboard sign listing cupcake flavors for an event

Wedding cake and cupcakes with Mr and Mrs banner decoration

flower accented wedding cake by sugar cubed cake creations

To top off Tristin and Ryan's special day, a neighbor let them borrow his antique ford pick-up truck for a mini photo shoot. Such adorable and classic images to remember their wedding by!

Newlyweds holding a thank you sign, wedding day moment

Newlyweds in vintage car, kissing, wedding day

Read on to see how much this chalkboard wedding cost. Please note that costs change as the years go by, and prices are subject to change. This is just one couple’s breakdown to give you a rough estimate on how much a wedding like this may cost you.

Photographer: $1,800
Makeup: $55
Cake/Desserts: Cake was $60, cupcakes were $400 for 200 cupcakes DJ: $2,100
Dress: $1,100 (but I utilized a promotion at the boutique)
Flowers: $1,900
Groom's Attire: $800 Jewelry: $135
Shoes: $60 Garters: $26
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: $135
Groom's & Groomsmen's Ties: $70
Boy's Bow Ties: $15 each Embroidered Hanky: $25 each Vases: $2.50 per vase Chalkboard Writing: $540
Hot Air Balloons: we made a donation of $250 to a local charity of Anthpologie's choice Lanterns and Mercury Glass Globes: $800
Zinc Letter “B”: $90
Cake Topper: $36