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Rustic Barn Wedding in South Dakota’s Black Hills

Rustic wedding couple posing in a sunny forest setting

Carly and Conner had a romantic and beautiful rustic barn wedding in The Black Hills, Rapid City South Dakota, a picturesque setting for an equally lovely day. Both the bride and groom were full hands on for their big day with plenty of help from their loved ones.

All of their hard work definitely shows from beginning to end of their wedding. You might be surprised at just how much this crafty couple did, we sure were! See everything in the full gallery, photographed by Riley Winter Photography.

Bridesmaids in lavender gowns with burgundy bouquets

Rustic wedding couple smiling at each other outdoors Groom boutonniere with photo memorial charm detail

Bride holding stunning white and crimson peony wedding bouquet

A Truly DIY Wedding

Me being organized and a planner was super excited. My husband who is crafty was ready to take on a year of doing DIY projects and whatever else I needed help with. I am blessed to have a husband who wanted to be involved as much as I wanted to be. We knew we wanted to have it at my father-in-laws property but we new there was work that needed to be done. The barn where we were going to have the reception was half-way done, so in the winter time Cooper refinished the walls with Pine Beetle boards and finished the ceiling in rough cut tin. We touched it off with two Edison light chandeliers and string globe lights.

Flower girl in sparkly dress and flower crown smiles

Rustic outdoor wedding ceremony setup with hay bale seating Carly and Cooper wedding sign on rustic wood in nature

Forest wedding kiss bride and groom under floral arch

Crafty Husband To The Rescue

Next was dealing with what we wanted to rent for tables and chairs. I love the vintage feel so I went with farm wood tables and white padded chairs. For the ceremony to save money we used hay bales and wood boards. It gave me the DIY feel that I wanted. We had a small barn to work with, so cooper came up with idea to make a head table for our wedding party of 14. It was at a angle in the corner and I loved how it turned out. Everyone was super impressed by it as well, and asked if they could buy his tables. Along with the head tables, my husband made the arbor, 2 tables for our gifts and photos, our cake table, guestbook, a sign, corn hole game, cupcake ladder, and our succulent boxes. I don't know what I would do without him!

Rustic pallet wedding seating chart with table assignments

Wedding reception in rustic wooden hall with lights Champagne flutes on a rustic wood table setting

Rustic wooden planter with succulents, table number one

A Group Effort Wedding

I also don't know what I would do without my moms help, she helped me find all the decor and the green vintage couch we used for pictures. She would go thrifting and find all this great decor! My cousins were also very helpful they helped me by doing my makeup, hair and also helped with all my bridesmaids. They even surprised me by making me a wedding video. I love how personal my wedding was and I would re live the day if I could. My advice for future brides and grooms would to have a day of event manager. I had a close friend who was able to handle the decorations and who talked to the florist to make sure everything was in the right place!

Rustic cupcake ladder display at Carly Coopers wedding White raspberry mini cupcakes with a red dot topping

Wedding cake with Carly and Cooper cake topper

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.

Photography - $1800
Venue - Free (My father-laws-place)

Rentals - $1500
Food - $3000
Dress - $1,264
DJ/Photobooth - $1200
Alcohol Open Bar- $1600
Dessert-$450
Flowers-$1800

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