Budget-Savvy Bride Saves $25k after Buying Décor from Kmart, Planning Own Wedding

You don’t to spend all your money to pull off the best wedding you could ever dream of, because you can find excellent bargains to save you a lot of money, if you just know where to look!

Photo credit: Cherie Riley / The Sun

Budget-savvy bride Cherie Riley saved $25k after buying décor from Kmart and planning her own wedding! She initially sought a wedding planner but felt that she could save if she made her own décor and planned the rest of the wedding.

Photo credit: Cherie Riley / The Sun

Thanks to Pinterest and her DIY skills, Cherie was soon able to transform cheap Kmart finds into elegant décor that looked like she spent thousands of dollars on!

For instance, knowing that mason jars are cheap, she bought a lot from Kmart; then, she spray-painted these with pink and added some Kmart flowers – creating beautiful centerpieces!

Photo credit: Cherie Riley / The Sun

She had help building the arch, but she used sheer curtains, Kmart flowers, and some ivy and Desflora brand blooms to achieve an elegant effect that’s less than the price of the package you get from a wedding planner.

Photo credit: Cherie Riley / The Sun

Hubby Norman Riley was fully supportive of his wife’s Kmart trips as they planned this thrifty wedding for 89 guests.

Photo credit: Cherie Riley / The Sun

They didn’t have a lot of money to pay for a 5-tier wedding cake, but Cherie’s DIY skills came handy as she created the illusion of having an elegant 5-tier cake! Can you tell the difference?

Photo credit: Cherie Riley / The Sun

Many of the flower arrangements were made from Kmart flowers that were glued together or tied with wires. It’s hard to tell the difference, especially if you’re just looking at the pictures!

Photo credit: Cherie Riley / The Sun

To achieve stunning visual effects, Cherie also got some water lily and lotus candles which she lit up inside large glass jars – all from Kmart.

Photo credit: Cherie Riley / The Sun

You don’t need to bankrupt yourself to throw the wedding of your dreams,” Cherie said.

And while she wasn’t able to find a wedding gown and dresses for her bridesmaids at Kmart, she got these on bargain from eBay! She even got a Stella York gown at a huge bargain!

Photo credit: Cherie Riley / The Sun

Are Stella York Wedding Gowns expensive?

Inspired by the world’s hottest red carpet trends, Stella York bridal gowns are imagined and handcrafted with stunning detail. Each gown is constructed to provide an exceptional fit and give the body perfect form, all at a competitive price,” One and Only Bridal Boutique wrote.

Dressed in spectacular beading, glamorous laces and enchanting fabrics, the Stella York bride is assured to be the center of elegance and attention. Whether she is graced in soft organzas, chiffons and charmeuse or romantic satins and taffetas, the Stella York collection is an extraordinary accompaniment to her every desire.

With that in mind, the gowns usually range from $1,000 to $1,700 each.