Wedding Planned In 4 Months
Yes ... you read that correctly this wedding was planned in 4 months. With the help of family and friends this bride put together a beautiful destination wedding in California in around four months. Surprisingly with no theme or colors, every detail came together perfectly. All to create a rustic wedding with lots of DIY creativity to feel inspired from.
The beauty is in the details of this wedding, so don't miss them! View Hanna and Kevins rustic DIY wedding in California when you visit the full gallery here. All photographed by Kelsey Stewart for Ken Kienow Photography. Also don't forget to check out Hanna's full wedding budget breakdown of her gorgeous California wedding below.
Mixed and Matched Bridal Party
The bridesmaids all chose their own dresses, having been given a color pallet, and one girl even sewed her own. So for anyone who is planning their own wedding, there is no right or wrong, there is no template, there are no boundaries – it will come together as its own.
Handmade Wedding Details
Our wedding was nothing less than a family affair. We pulled together all the resources we could, we borrowed, we thrifted, we painted, we built, we created, and we purchased. And we did it all in 4 months! We had many helping hands and an army of people that were involved in the grand production of our wedding.
Details Decisions
I am a creative individual with a thousand and one ideas – the hardest part for me has always been narrowing it down, honing in on what I want. I never had a theme, I never had colors, I never had a true direction.
After a lot of hard work, I often tell people that, “My wedding was, the vision that I never had. It was beautiful and perfect, and I couldn’t have hoped for anything more.” All the different colors, styles, and pieces came together to make it one unified and beautiful event.
DIY Flower Arrangements
One of my favorite ways to save money was by doing our own flowers. I recruited about 5 bridesmaids to make all the table centerpieces, bouquets, etc... on the day before the wedding. Make sure you plan enough time to pick up the flowers and arrange them- it always takes longer than you think. It took us about 5-6 hours total to make all the bouquets, etc... with 5 girls working.
Read on to see how much this rustic diy wedding in California 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.
ATTENDANTS Tents on venue premises $175
Bridesmaid Luncheon $150
VENUE Venue + room/board for bridal parties + bride/groom families $7,125
Tables, Chairs, Linen Rentals (190 guests, 26 tables) $1,152
Paper Napkins $75
Lighting - venue came with lighting already installed $40
Heaters x 9 ($50/heater) $450
Parking $0
CEREMONY FEES Alter - handmade $0
bubbles - (for guests to blow after pronounced husband + wife) $27
Officiant + Wife Hotel room $384
Ice Trailer + Ice (1.90/bag x 40 -20lb bags) $265
RECEPTION Catering (Dinner + Appetizers) $3,862
Beverage (Lemonade) $20
Wine Kegs x 2 $500
Beer $325
Champagne was a gift $0
Alcohol - margaritas $2,000
Desserts (all homemade) $0
DJ/MC $1,100
Bar Tenders $340
Shawls for Guests $105
Sparklers $144
Water bottles $100
PHOTOGRAPHY Wedding photographer package (included engagement photos) $3,150
Photo Booth $706
DECORATIONS Table décor (vases, votives, fabric) $1,000
Additional Décor (dessert table, cowbells, etc...) $500
Signage (all handmade) $25
FLOWERS Bride, bridesmaid, boutineers, centerpieces, aisle décor, flower girls, etc... $600
GIFTS gifts for helpers/hosts $100
LEGALITIES marriage license $120
STATIONARY/POSTAGE invitations (price to print) $215
Save the Dates (price to print) $87
Postage $100
Seating Charts (homemade) $0
Ceremony Program (chalkboard - homemade) $0
WEDDING ATTIRE Bridal gown $1,500
Dress Alterations $385
Bride shoes $40
Groom's Outfit $200
Bride Hair Appointment $250
Bride Makeup Appointment $100
Nails $40
Rehearsal Dinner Dress $120
Bolo Tie groomsmen gifts $110
MISCELLANEOUS Day of Wedding Coordinator $300
Bridesmaid Gifts $160
day of coordinator assistant tip $30
Photographer tip $50
Assistant photographer tip $10
DJ tip $75
Caterer tip $200
Busser tips $40
Hair/makeup artist tip $50
Bar Tenders tips $75
Lighters for sparklers $40
Night of Wedding Hotel $300
Total $29017
- Accessories & Lingerie: ModCloth
- Bridal Boutiques: The Bustle
- Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropology
- Caterer: La Casitas
- Dj: Johnny Walker
- Dress Shop: The Bustle Bridal Boutique
- Flowers: Skyline Flowers
- Groom & His Men: Zara
- Grooms Shoes: Nordstrom Rack
- Groomsmen Bolo Ties: Rocky Mountain Western
- Health & Beauty: Danielle Roberts
- Photography: Ken Kienow Photography
- Prop/Furniture Rentals: Taylor Rentals
- Wedding Dresses: Free People