TEN TIPS FOR BEING A BOHO BRIDE ON A BUDGET

Hey y'all!

Today as a part of my #WeddingWednesday series, I wanted to continue talking about some wedding tips and share my thoughts and tips on planning a boho wedding on a budget. I would call my wedding theme an intersection of boho, rustic, and a little touch of glam here and there. The 'boho' wedding trend is huge right now, and you can totally get the look without sacrificing all the added costs. Here are the few tips I have used to make my dream wedding a reality!

1. Utilize Pinterest.

Pinterest is incredible. There are so many great ideas out there, and you can gain so much inspiration from it. From cake styles, to dresses, to décor -- they have all the ideas and more you could possibly need to have a gorgeous bohemian wedding. One tip I did to make sure all my ideas could stay organized is to create separate boards based on different elements of my wedding I wanted to be sure to capture. Having separate boards for the cake, my dress, and different DIY's I wanted to do made it easy to share photos with people when I needed to.

2. Don't overuse Pinterest.

Contrary to my first tip, Pinterest can also be a source of anxiety. At least it was for me! One thing I think people don't realize is that a lot of the photos you see on Pinterest come from styled shoots or magazines that shared their photos to Pinterest. Of course they are the most stunning, gorgeous, and well-thought out ideas, because they had a huge budget to create them! Just remember that not everything can be perfect. 

3. DIY is the way to go.

I opted to have a longer engagement so I could really tackle the wedding planning well. That's one of my biggest tips -- give yourself time! It will allow you to DIY and try and save money that way. I personally think that I would rather save the money and spend the time crafting things myself. There are endless DIY's out there on basically anything you could ever dream of making. I DIY'd the calligraphy on my invitations, the décor signs, and the gold vases used in my centerpieces, just to name a few. Not only does it allow you to save money and make your own pieces, but it also allows you to have everything just the way you want because you can take bits and pieces of different ideas and combine them into one!

4. Less is more. 

The best part of the boho trend is that simplicity is welcomed. You don't need to do a ton of elaborate décor. I love the look of mason jars, wood accents, and pops of gold -- that is what I am doing for my décor. It is timeless and simple, yet still elegant and pretty. And budget friendly, too! 

5. Go green.

One big cost saving idea is to incorporate more greenery and simple flowers, rather than masses of colored flowers. For me, I wanted whites and greens and creams, and it just so happened that it was far most cost effective than doing large amounts of roses, peonies, etc. Plus, the green look fits a bohemian vibe perfectly!

6. Do your research.

I always try and check more than one place before booking or confirming a service. If something seems really expensive, don't say yes right away and do some research. I remember when I really wanted antique doors to walk through during the ceremony. A rental company was asking nearly $400 for me to have them for the weekend, when it was really only for the one hour or so that the ceremony would even take place. I did some research, found a DIY, and drove to an antique store near me. I snagged some antique doors for $20 and with the help of some handy guys in my life, I think I can make the vision come to life on my own. 

7. Let your venue speak for itself.

For a boho wedding, venues often include barns, stables, rustic lodges, or even a gorgeous backyard. In my opinion, if you're getting married or having the reception at a place with a ton of character, be sure to allow the venue to speak for itself. My venue is gorgeous (in my opinion) so it was easy to string a few lights, drape some white fabric from the rafters, and have some simple decorations and allow the woodwork, exposed beams, and simple décor shine. 

8. Don't be afraid to do something different.

The best part about the boho trend is that its just a little different and its always okay to try something new. Weddings these days are totally okay to be an extension of you and your personality, so don't be afraid to try something new that you love!

9. Save without sacrificing style!
I had the opportunity to try on Maggie Sottero Designs bridal dresses and I fell in love. Their Rebecca Ingram line offers gowns that are mostly under $1000, which allows brides to maintain an elegant, bohemian style without sacrificing price. Know when to splurge and when to save, and Maggie Sottero Designs gives you the splurge look with the save price point!

10. Buy secondhand.
One big tip that I didn't really know about until I got more into wedding planning is there are often bridal 'sales' where you can either shop online or visit a physical sale site where people are selling pieces they used in their wedding for a cheaper price. I don't live in a huge metropolitan area, but I know this was still an option where I live, so you can always check Facebook for events or search online! Many people sell their decor this way, so that would be a great option to find more affordable pieces to use in your wedding!

I hope you all enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading & checking out another wedding post!