Wedding on a budget? No problem!

Last August when my sister, Amber, told me her and her partner had booked a date for their wedding and she wanted me to make and plan the decorations and set up the venue, I was honoured to be asked but terrified at the same time. After all this was going to be her big day, the happiest and best day of her life. I of course wanted to make it is as special and beautiful as I possibly could. No pressure then. I soon had the nickname 'The Wedding Planner.' 

She knew from the start she wanted a vintage wedding or 'cutes' as we started calling it, as it developed over time. They had a budget and didn't want to spend silly amounts of money and who can blame them. So I am hoping this is going to inspire and show you that weddings don't have to cost the earth. Amber and Aron's wedding is prove of this, it was the most perfect day.

We looked on the internet for inspiration and soon discovered we could use an item most people have sat in their kitchen cupboards. Jars. I know your probably thinking, "Jars, really?" but stay with me on this one.

So whenever we used a jar rather than throw it out we kept them. We had mum and grandma on board to, we were soon over flowing with the things. So I set to work.

Amber knew from the start she wanted a vintage wedding. Now, these pretty, vintage, on trend accessories can be expensive because it is such a popular trend at the moment. That's where places like Home Bargains, Poundland, The Range, Poundworld, Hobbycraft and local selling sites on Facebook come in. It is amazing the things you can find in these places. We love these shops anyway so we were like little kids in a sweet shop, hunting out all the treasures.

I got creative with ribbon, washi tape, material, pretty much anything that I could get my hands on and felt would fit the style of wedding Amber had in mind. All those jars were now looking wedding ready.

The wooden letters were from Hobbycraft and we used tester pots of Dulux paint on them.

The flowers were from Ebay and extremely good quality. 

A cup and saucer isn't just for tea.

 The birdcage was from a local selling page on Facebook and I added the flower garland.

 Photo frame was from Poundland, the print was Etsy and the lantern Home Bargains.

 The setting of Clay House lends itself perfectly for a vintage, shabby chic wedding.

 The sign was from Primark and the bird cage B&M Bargains.

 Card boxes or post boxes can get quite pricey. Why not make your own for less than £5. The wooden crate was from Home Bargains and the letters and string came in a pack from The Range.

 That window was made for those decorations. As the sun set and darkness fell the window came to life with the twinkle of candle light.

After the ceremony afternoon tea was going to be enjoyed, so of course the hunt for vintage plates and cake stands began. Luckily we knew someone who hires out vintage dinnerware however they didn't have the full amount we needed so trusty old Ebay and Ikea came to the rescue.

Table centre pieces added the finishing touch to a vintage afternoon tea.

       

 An alternative to a sweetie cart and favours is to have personalised sweet bags already
made for each guest to take home. 

Don't feel pressured to buy everything new, charity shops are a great place to find hidden gems but also look around your home. What can you use from there? Amber has a vintage, shabby chic home so we picked out pieces to use in the wedding.

The wicker heart was from Amber's living room and looked perfect next to the card crate.

 The bunting was from Ebay but the fairy lights we added to it, were ones our mum already had.

.The cream vase with flowers and the sign were sat in Amber's kitchen and were the perfect extras to the stunning windows.

Everybody commented on the decorations and how lovely it all looked, with some people thinking the decorations were bought and professionally made. So it just goes to show you don't need to spend a huge amount to have a truly beautiful and magical day.

I hope this has inspired you for your own wedding.