BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

It's almost winter and it's already cold. For brides getting married during these colder months I thought a white, lovely coat would come in handy. I've found a few that's less than $160 and I hope you'll find them as cute as I do.

Luxe Rachel Zoe 3/4 Length Faux Fur Coat With Collar - $160

DKNY White Feminine Walker Coat - $149.99




Luxe Rachel Zoe Full Length Faux Fur Coat With Trim - $139.32

Miss Sixty Women's Belted Wool Pleated Trench Coat - $66.59

Woman's Real Fox Fur Collar Wool Jacket - $129.95

I've seen so many photos of brides holding their bouquet just below their bust line which unfortunately looks as though they are hiding behind their bouquet. You pay so much for your wedding apparel and your photographer that you don't want your bouquet taking center stage in your photos. The key to making sure that your bouquet is staying put to keep it over your belly button.  It may not feel natural which is why practicing carrying your bouquet may not be a bad idea. You don't want precious photos being ruined by a bouquet being held too high.

I love coming across beautiful, affordable wedding items! My heart actually races, it does, it really does because I'm immediately excited when I think about sharing the news with small budget brides like you.

My "fab find" today comes to you from Etsy and on it I've found one of my new favorite shops, Garter Boutique! Inside Garter Boutique you'll see some gorgeous, handmade garter sets for as little as $9.95 but most of them are only $14.95!















I've seen similar garter sets selling for as much as $40.00 and that is why I am excited by what I saw at Garter Boutique and you will too...check it out!

Bridal Guide is my favorite wedding magazine. It's informative, it has lots of inspiring wedding photos and they feature budget friendly items. My only complaint about this magazine is that the issues are not monthly because it's so hard waiting for each one. However, you can get a free issue here at ValueMags.com for a limited time! Hurry!

For your wedding, I am sure you will be walking down the aisle with Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue! If you want that something blue to be a beautiful, handmade garter then check out the Etsy finds I've listed for you below!

Cute and Sexy Lisette Garter - $6.95




Cute and Sexy Honky Tonk Garter - $6.95




Something Blue Wedding Garter - $7.00




Something Blue Ribbon Garter - $7.00




Lace Wedding Garter  with Blue Accent - $8.00




Baby Blue Lace Garter - $9.00




White and Blue Wedding Garter - $9.00




Gorgeous Blue Lace Garter - $9.00




Dainty White and Blue Gingham Print Wedding Garter  - $9.99




Engagement Ring Garter Set - $10.00

I personally love the look of Chapel Length Veils because not only do they make for the most amazing shots but they are just so elegant...so royal and here are some that I found on Etsy for under $30!

80" x 54" Cathedral Veil Single Layer  - $17.00




108 " White Draped Sides Cathedral Veil Cut Edge - $17.00




80" Single Layer Chapel Wedding Bridal Veil - $24.99




90" Cascading Chapel Single Layer Custom Veil - $28.99




90" New Ivory or Diamond Two Tier Chapel Veil - $29.99




34" x 90" Two Tier  Chapel Lenght Veil - $29.99




108" Custom Two Tier Cathedral Wedding Veil - $29.99

I've always loved the look of chapel length veils ever since I was a little girl and perhaps that is why I was a bit disappointed when I didn't see Kate wearing one on the day she married Prince William.
Chapel Veils run around a hundred dollars but those that are scattered with crystals or are trimmed with lace can cost you much more. However, I've found an awesome tutorial here at Rock My Wedding that you can use to make a chapel length veil for yourself! You will need a clear plastic comb, white tulle, white thread, a needle, a sharp scissors and some pins. If there is a Hancock Fabrics or Joanne Fabrics in your area it's easy to find all the items at any one of those two stores. However, some Walmart Supercenters still carry sewing supplies which are usually cheaper, so call around before buying the supplies anywhere else.

Here's a tip: If you would like to line the edge of your veil, you can also pick up some beautiful lace trim and apply it with a glue gun!

They are all around the web, the rustic, aged Bride and Groom signs.  I have seen them on Etsy and several wedding blogs. I often search the web for DIY ideas that I might be able to complete.  I am NOT crafty.  I am NOT artistic but I do like to think that I am at times. I am on a budget so DIY works for me.

I came across another DIY bride blog: Happily After All.  She had the perfect DIY project for me, DIY chair signs.  Mrs. Happily got her inspiration from a crafter on Etsy, The Back Porch Shoppe.

I decided to go to the craft store, Michael's, and purchase some supplies.

    * 2 wooden plaques (about $3 each)
    * dark brown acrylic paint (about $2) - enough to do multiple signs
    * off-white/cream acrylic paint (about $2) - enough to do multiple signs
    * Crackel paint kit (about $20) - enough to do multiple signs
    * medium grain sand paper
    * fine grain sand paper
    * tack cloth
    * sponge brushes
    *  brushes
    * stencil material
    * exacto knife
    * flat clear spray paint

I first sanded the two wooden plaques with the medium grit sand paper.  I used the tack cloth to remove the dust.  I then painted the plaques with the dark brown acrylic paint and allowed it to dry for 30 minutes.  I then applied a second coat and allowed to dry for about an hour.

I then sanded the painted plaques with the fine grain sand paper and again used the tack cloth.  I then applied the crackle medium and allowed to dry for 45 min to an hour and applied a second coat and allowed to dry about an hour.  I then applied a coat of the off-white paint.

The off-white paint started to crackle quickly.  I had read not to go over the crackled area more than once.  I applied a coat, and I wasn't happy with how thin the coat looked (be sure to apply a thick coat), so I applied another coat of the cream paint.  This, in turn, created very little of the crackled effect.  I then allowed this to dry for a couple hours, then sanded and used the tack cloth.

I then went through the steps again with the brown paint.  This time, when it came to the off-white paint, I only apply one thicker coat.  I allowed this to dry until the next day.

I then found a font on Microsoft Word that I liked and wanted to use for "Bride" and "Groom".  I used the Blackadder ITC font.  I thought it would work well for our Renaissance Festival Wedding.  I printed out "Bride" and "Groom" a few times experimenting with font sizes.  I then found a size that would work well for the signs.  I printed them out.  I placed a clear, stencil type material over the words and used an exacto knife to cut them out.

I centered the stencils I made on the signs and used a pencil to trace the words on the plaques.  I then used the brown acrylic paint to paint the words.

 I allowed the signs to dry over-night.  After they dried, I applied an antiquing wash over the signs that came with the crackle paint kit.  This gave a brown wash over the plaques which seemed to age it a bit.  I allowed the wash to dry for awhile and then applied several coats of the flat clear spray paint as a top coat.

My reception will be under a tent, with picnic tables; therefore, I won't use them as chair signs.  I will probably affix them to the side of the table.  Since I may not be hanging them, I won't put on the ribbon you would need to hang them.  For the ribbons, you could drill large holes at the top or use a light to heavy duty stapler to staple ribbon on.

Here is my finished project:

I've been asked to post more Plus Size Wedding Dresses and so here are some that I came across recently that I'm happy to share.



They are sexy yet elegant. The type of dress that plus size brides really want to wear on their wedding day and would you believe they are all under $300



Do you like them? Yes. Well, you can find these Plus Size Wedding Dresses and more here at Kalia Fashions.

These beautiful Garter Sets are unique and specially handmade with love by Hello Design Crew. Affordability is important to the artists behind this Etsy shop where each bride can find a set that matches their taste and wedding theme.











So on your search for the perfect garter don't forget to stop by Hello Design Crew for beautiful, stylist garters for the bride on a dime.