We're all for cost saving when it comes to wedding planning, and if this can be done while also adding lots of pretty, personalised DIY touches, even better!

Jen and James were married in a chic, laid-back outdoor ceremony in Hillside Gardens, Colorado.

Their wedding day, photographed by Sarah Box Photography is a reflection of who they are as a couple, relaxed, creative and in love...

The Inspiration

James and I quickly agreed on the outdoor garden wedding location with the view of the mountain range; we both moved to Colorado for the mountains and sunny weather. James loves planting and gardening and I enjoy creating cohesive decorations and crafts. Ask any of our friends, we are casual people and appreciate a comfortable atmosphere. Mason jars with candles were the originating theme for our wedding and reception-casual, comforting, simply pretty-and we worked out from that idea.

The DIY Details

I spent many hours returning to a local antique marketplace to find the old wooden crates, used toolboxes, and wooden trays for the centerpieces. I ordered 50 succulents and replanted them in the small terra cotta holders to arrange in the centerpieces with the mason jars to give depth and variety. James and I made the seating chart frame from pieces of old fence that we had recently replaced, and then strung the twine between spray-painted hooks. I really got into wood-burning for the wedding as a way to personalize our celebration. The hanging signs were made with wood from a gate we had replaced at our home, and "give me your forever, not a day less will do from you" is from one of our first dance songs by Ben Harper. All of the wood-burning was free-handed, including the guestbook. I burned the clothespins that held the seating chart, the heart-shaped table numbers, the cake toppers and the card box. The candy box was our take on the popular candy vase table. This was made with the help of a friend, using leftover drywall we had from a previous house project and old fence pieces. The promise box was the only piece I purchased and did not make.

Uniquely Us

Many of these items are from various ideas I saw online and personalized; I knew I could make something similar for my price, which would then be true originals for James and I. We felt that our wedding, from our vows to the centerpieces, to the beer and roasted pig, were a reflection of us as a couple.

How cool is that food truck? And I love how Jen got so into wood burning for their wedding, such a great way to put your stamp (literally!) on your day.

Thanks so much to James and Jen for sharing their beautiful rustic, DIY wedding with us.

For more real wedding inspiration, hit our archives for Rustic Weddings + DIY Weddings.