Help! I’m planning my own wedding

Vistaprint was the answer to our invites


Try eBay and other secondhand sites as often people have whole bundles of rustic decor - if you don’t want to buy it they will at least give you ideas.

Check out Hobby Lobby. They have tons of rustic decor items.

I recommend Etsy for your invitations. I was able to download a template and edit everything for our save the dates, invites, details card, and RSVP cards for $7. I have a quote from a local printer who will print everything we need for less than $120, for 50 invites.

Be aware that DIY is time consuming and expensive. It’s very rarely if ever a cost saver because most people don’t include their time, sanity, and (lack of) skills at minimum wage per hour in addition to cost of supplies.


Take a look at annsbridalbargains.come for invitations which have full sets at the cost that one invitation minus envelope sold separately costs (and no inserts) at Zazzle and other stores. Even a local independent print shop is inexpensive and allows creative freedom. Not everyone is tech savvy and websites such as Canva and Photoshop require that you learn a good amount before you can do anything and not everyone has the time or patience for it.

As a former bridal stylist who saw all the rustic/ shabby chic trends from the 2010's... please don't bring those trends back!

Ok, ok, in all seriousness, what I mean to say is this: In the 2010s, there was a HUGE push to make everything rustic with burlap and lace, and other elements that made it look like a gimmick. It is fine to like all of those things, but, I caution, and offer the advice that it is best to incorporate a few select items to let them "speak for themselves" to create a more timeless look. Sometimes, "less is more", and you can still have a very classy, and timeless look with 1-3 primary colors, and one metallic color such as a copper or gold for the fall.


Examples:

-Rather than having cameo colored everything, maybe incorporate your fiancé's love of hunting by decorating the sweetheart table with antlers (particularly those from shed hunting) with some strategic flowers and candles. (The picture I have has moose antlers with a head table).

-Stick to in-season flowers, or plants (like rosemary) if you can to save on costs too. See if your venue has linens you can use, or consider purchasing them second hand.

-Pick a template from Etsy, Minted, and/or Zazzle and take them to a print shop. I know you want to DIY, but certain things you just let the pros handle. Invitations and signage should be one of them.

-Incorporate hunting in smaller details, or 1-2 statement pieces. While you should consider your fiancé and his tastes, a wedding is not a hunting party, or to showcase everything about hunting- that is what Cabela's, Bass Pro, and Field and Stream are for.

-Places like Party City and Home Goods can have awesome looking plastic flatware and paper plates. The dollar store and Wal-Mart have glass champagne glasses that cost about $1 a piece too.

-I strongly suggest looking at Jamie Wolfer's channel as she has many ideas on wedding planning, including DIY.

https://www.youtube.com/@JamieWolfer

You can use real vines and shrubs as garlands. I'm using star jasmine, fern pine, magnolia, etc. Since you're doing a fall wedding, try getting maple, birch, and similar small branches, then mix with what's handy. Free!

To make a big garland or arch, you can take a pool noodle, spray it green or white, then attach fake flowers weeks ahead. Stick in the real leaves 2-3 days before the wedding.

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That's exactly the decor that my daughter wants. Thanks for the tip!

Vistaprints

is pretty good.

If you haven't done your save the dates...here is what I am doing (my guy is a big hunter too :

Photobooth styled 3 photos. Top photo is engagement ring with SAVE at top of the image. Middle photo is "snapchat" style: He is wearing the hunting gear I am wearing a costume deer antler headband with heart nose, etc with a little caption "got a keeper" or whatever you like, then THE DATE at the top. Bottom photo: traditional cute couple shot with your date at the bottom.

To save money I am putting a QR code on my RSVP card for responses (it links to a google spreadsheet - mine captures guest names and food choice) That way I am only paying for the invitaion to be shipped out.

I am also doing sola wood flowers and dying them myself. You can collect pine cones, wheat grass plumes, etc to add into your arrangements. Just ideas.