Kristina, The Hawaii Bride, has a ton of diy tips and advice for you today... Happy Monday!

I have just gotten used to this amusing new idiom that seems to be flung around every which way expressing both whimsy and woe. On a serious note, we hear about the recession daily: layoffs and pay cuts are splattered across newspaper headlines; businesses and shops continue closing their doors. We're living through a pretty tragic time. But, for the newly-engaged, this misfortune is exponentially worse. Weddings, traditionally, have been a time for indulgence and splurging. Now, it seems we need to nip every nickel and say goodbye to that lavish wedding of our dreams… or do we?

Lucky for the modern bride, it seems that wedding styles have moved in a refreshing direction. Venues are open and airy, themes are more organic and green, materials are sustainable. This need to be frugal is actually a wonderful challenge to be inventive and unique. As I was perusing one of our favorite wedding blogs, 100 layer cake, I found a Sacramento couple, Lisa and Geoff, who embody this creative mantra. This is truly the ULTIMATE Do-It-Yourself Wedding. The couple actually made EVERYTHING including the wedding dress, bridesmaids’ outfits, and even the cake-toppers. AMAZING!

Bride Lisa actually designed and hand made her wedding dress – complete with a layered, colorful tulle underlay – and hair pieces. Did I mention she is a photographer and designer herself?

Mustache mania! A little imagination can generate the most distinctive and memorable photos. Check out the handmade bridesmaid dresses.

What a happy couple. The bride wore the cutest be-ribboned red heels for the ceremony. But, I LOVE that she changed into these adorable yellow ballet flats!

You should definitely check out the rest of Lisa and Geoff’s unbelievable DIY wedding.

Besides being ultra-creative and designing a lot of the wedding yourself, there are other ways to keep you from breaking the bank. In fact, the Honolulu Advertiser online recently had an article about smart wedding budgeting. Some of the ingenious tips, perfect for the progressive bride, included:

· Getting married on a weekday or Sunday when reception site rents are lower

· Choosing an off-peak month, especially in Hawaii where the weather is beautiful throughout the year

· Outdoor spaces like parks, clubhouses, or your friend’s beautiful backyard are all less expensive, more imaginative, and much more personal than a generic hotel ballroom

· Save on postage by having guests e-mail their RSVPs – who wouldn’t be happy to save a couple trees (and dollars)

· Serve brunch or lunch instead of dinner OR make it a buffet or stations. A cocktail reception is chic and cheaper

Although I didn’t have this great article to follow for my planning, I did end up using many of the ideas and everything turned out beautifully. So, Recessionista’s, Plan On! And have a great rest of your week!

Thanks for stopping by today, Kristina!

pacific wedding guide
The guide to planning your destination wedding in the Pacific

Lisa and Geoff's wedding photos were taken by a very talented Sacramento photographer, Sarah Maren.