Brandon & Lily’s Dreamy Garden Wedding: Budget Breakdown & DIY Details

Bride and groom holding hands in front of a blue door

When Brandon and Lily first got engaged they laid out all their options. Big wedding, small wedding, indoor, outdoor, destination, courthouse. They considered all possible options, which made them realize what they really wanted - a wedding that was not fussy, a wedding that was truly Brandon and Lily. As you will soon see, they got exactly that thanks to the incredibly talented YEAH! Weddings.
They were runners up in the YEAH! Weddings Free Wedding contest. So they got hooked up with the Smilebooth for capturing their photobooth, along with Cruz from The Flashdance to get the dance party started, and Shark Pig to film said dance party. Amazing ... right? Read on to hear so much more from Lily and you have to see all the photos in the full gallery from YEAH! Weddings.

Wooden gate with address, plants, and building in sunny location

Bride adjusts her sandals on red rug before a photoshoot

Beautiful woman in white dress with red lipstick smiling

What would of done differently:I wish I would have planned for me and my bridesmaids to get ready at the venue before the wedding. We got our hair and makeup done off site, so I felt really stressed out and anxious sitting in LA traffic trying to get to the venue in time to get dressed and take pictures before guests started to arrive. It would have been nice to sit back and relax a little bit with my bridesmaids and reflect on my last hours as a single lady and all of the excitement ahead. I think it would have made me more present that evening. Once we got to the venue, it felt like I blinked and the night was over.

Bridesmaids in coral dresses with bride, holding bouquets, smiling and happy

Bride holding a beautiful colorful bridal flower bouquet

Bride and groom share an intimate moment on their wedding day

Bride and groom playfully pointing at each other on chairs

Bride and groom share a fun moment before their wedding ceremony

Group of groomsmen posing in suits and bowties

Wedding welcome sign with eucalyptus and Yay flag

Our wedding truly was a labor of love. There were very few pieces of our wedding that weren't created by us or someone we love dearly. Our amazing friends at Cotton Flower Press created our invitations, menus, name cards, and all other printed materials. My grandfather officiated the ceremony, which added a really lovely personal touch. Lets just say there were lots of tears and laughs.

Wedding guests waiting for the groom at a outdoor ceremony

Bride and her father walk down the aisle in a garden setting

Wedding ceremony with bridesmaids and couple smiling together

Couple celebrating their wedding day with a kiss

Guests celebrating with YAY flags at an outdoor event

A stack of books including Los Angeles River guide next to succulents

A newly married couple walks hand in hand on a sunny day

I pictured a simple evening dinner party with 90 of our closest friends and family. And that is exactly what we ended up having. We found Elysian near one of our favorite parts of town that had a cozy courtyard space with climbing vines and draping lights. The moment I saw it, I knew our perfect evening dinner party wedding would become a reality.

Elegant wedding place cards with names and table numbers

Outdoor dining table with floral arrangement and painted chairs

Elegant table setting for a celebration with a floral arrangement

Delicious Mediterranean mezze platter with various tasty small dishes

Even our food was made by our friends who own ungry Bear Catering! This part was super important to us. We got to work with the chef directly to create a menu of family style plates for the dinner. Our wedding was in August in Los Angeles (read that HOT) so we wanted lots of light salads and vegetable dishes. The food was inspired by Mediterranean tapas, so it was perfect for our little garden dinner party.

Outdoor wedding reception with people at tables under a glass roof

Wedding polaroid camera station with guestbook and floral decor

Party banner with cake and sweets on a table

Bride cries during a wedding speech at an outdoor reception

People dancing and celebrating at a party in a lively atmosphere

Read on to see how much this 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.

Some vendors didn't want me to share since the amounts have changed since we worked with them. And also since some vendors were friends we got discounts, or paid only for cost of items used but not for cost of time/ labor, etc.
Flowers: $800 for table table arrangements and brides bouquet. $100 for flower jars/ pots from IKEA. Made bridesmaids bouquets myself ($50) and purchased additional greenery ($40)
Venue: about $3000
Valet: $600
Wedding Dress: $600
Flags: Purchased canvas tarp, paint and wooden sticks (about $100)
Catering and Dish rental: about $8,000
Rentals: $1500 for about half of the chairs, tables and bar (other half were already at venue)

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