You’ve  taken care of the hard part – found that special someone who complements you perfectly. The next task is planning a wedding as unique and special as your love.

You can have that Fairy Tale unique wedding, and it doesn’t have to bankrupt you. There are countless ways that you can have a do it yourself wedding, for a fraction of the cost! Don’t be intimidated by the cost of a wedding, you can do it all for much, much less than you imagine!

Obviously, you want your unique wedding to stand out from the crowd. The main way to ensure that it does is to make your own wedding – do it yourself!

Starting with DIY invitations, there’s no better way to make sure that the first impression your guests get will be unique and special. Whether you choose a traditional two-envelope approach (although this will cost more) or the more cost effective single envelope for your DIY invitation – little touches like hand-written addresses will make them stand out in this computer-obsessed culture. Think about checking your mail earlier today, seeing your name and address in a beautiful cursive handwriting would have made you stop and take notice. Another way to cut down on costs while keeping your DIY invitation unique is to use an RSVP postcard, instead of the traditional card and envelope. They’re clear and concise, and you can even put a personal photo of you and your fiancé (or a picture that one of you took) on the reverse side. Just make sure it’s one you love – you’ll be seeing lots and lots of them!

Other benefits of DIY invitations are that there is no end to the acceptable variations on modern wedding invitations. If you decide however, that it’s all too much and you can’t make another decision, then choose an invitation kit and personalize it. These are available at any office store and are usually inexpensive and easy to use. And it’s a great assignment to give your fiancé, too. Chances are he’s familiar with the computer, and it’s an easy way for him to contribute – just make sure you approve before he prints!

An easy way to cut down the cost of your unique DIY wedding is to create your own reception table DIY centerpieces. Here is another area that you shouldn’t be afraid to think outside the box – your wedding will be all the more memorable and special for it. DIY centerpieces can be anything, not just flowers. While a large bouquet may be the traditional standard, it is by no means the only acceptable one. Almost anything can be a unique and simple DIY centerpiece. One simple and elegant alternative is using a number of white candles, any shape and size will do – the golden glow will not only warm your spirits but also make you look extra beautiful! Fresh fruit is also a beautiful alternative to flowers, and is more traditional that you may think. Hundreds of years ago, fruit was a common centerpiece at weddings and parties, it was enjoyed visually and then taken home as favors by the guests.

Another simple but elegant do it yourself centerpiece can be a single blossom floating in a glass bowl of water. Gardenias and Camellias are classic choices, but any flower that you love is right (and if it’s in season, all the better!) Or for an especially sentimental touch, open up your family’s treasured china cabinet and fill up the dishes with flowers, fresh herbs, or even candy! Themed weddings, like a beach themed wedding, an outdoor wedding, or a holiday wedding, are fun and usually incorporate easy DIY projects.  Sand and shells, metal pails with flowers, or faux snowballs are all easy, quick, and fantastic theme wedding table centerpieces!

These are just some ideas for a do it yourself wedding. You want your special day to be remembered by your guests as much as by you. The best way to do this is to put as much of yourself into the planning of your unique wedding as you possible can. Make your own wedding and it will be talked about and admired long after. With clever touches like DIY invitations and do it yourself centerpieces; your wedding will stand out from all the others. And when you see some of your ideas pop up at friends’ weddings and parties it will be all the more rewarding.