BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

We believe it is so important for a bride to find out what fits her body type and found this extremely helpful guide for brides, which will help determine what gown will fit and flatter your body the best (Real Simple, 2009). If You're Pear-Shaped Look for: A skirt that gradually flares out in an A formation from the natural waist to the floor, highlighting the narrowness of the midsection and floating away from the hips and thighs. (Sturdier fabrics, such as duchesse satin and taffeta, are especially effective, since they won't cling.) A spaghetti-strap bodice or a V neckline will also showcase a more slender upper body. Keep in mind: A classic A-line silhouette lends itself to formal weddings, but it can also be dressed down when made from a more casual fabric, like eyelet lace or raw-silk shantung. If You're Busty Look for: A dress with a scooped neckline. It will open up your face and display your décolletage without showing too much cleavage. If you love the look of strapless gowns, choose one that has a slight dip along the neckline, like a sweetheart, rather than a style that goes straight across (which will make your bust appear even larger and more shelflike). Keep in mind: Fabric on the bodice that has a sheen to it (such as organza, satin, or silk) will add volume and call attention to your chest. Material that is ruched will have the same effect. If You’re Plus-Sized Look for: An Empire dress with a skirt that begins just under the bust and flows into a gradual floor-length A-line. Make sure the Empire seam does not start on the chest and that there is no pleating of the fabric, which is reminiscent of maternity wear. The dress should play up your shape; if it’s too loose, it will add pounds. Keep in mind: Find fabrics like satin that provide structure, rather than anything too flowy. If you love the romantic look of airier fabrics, choose a gown with a stiffer base, then add an embroidered tulle overlay. If You’re Apple-Shaped Look for: A dress that cinches in at the smallest point on the waistline, then flares out into a gradual A shape. Opt for a bodice with a lot of texture to it―think ruche or lace detailing―that will camouflage and fit snugly, creating a corsetlike effect. The most slenderizing neckline for you is one with a deep V, which will draw eyes toward the vertical, not the horizontal. Keep in mind: Avoid trumpet dress styles, which emphasize the area where your body is widest and flare out at the legs and the knees, where you are most slender. If You're Tall Look for: A simple silhouette. The strategy is to emphasize your natural shape, so every aspect of the dress―the lower waistline, a floor-sweeping hem―needs to reflect your longer proportions. If you're wearing long sleeves, they should go past the wrist. You don't want to look as if you've borrowed a gown from someone shorter than you. Keep in mind: Because you are statuesque, you'll want to err on the side of simplicity when it comes to embellishments. Too many bells and whistles, like ruffles and rosettes, can come off as cutesy, particularly on a tall person. If You’re Straight-Lined Look for: A dress that will create curves where you don’t have them. Try a sheath dress in a wispy charmeuse that’s cut on the bias; the curving side seam will give you a va-va-va-voom silhouette. Or look for a ball gown that cinches in at your natural waist and descends into a full, flowing floor-length skirt: It will capitalize on your slenderness and camouflage a lack of hips. Keep in mind: If you have a small bust, look for a bodice with some ruching to create volume. If You're Petite Look for: Trumpet, sheath, and modified A-line gowns. Find a style with a waistline above your natural waist, to make the lower half of the dress (and therefore you) appear longer. The fabric is up to you―you can pull off a high sheen. But the detailing should be small (no huge bows) and limited to the bodice, to draw the eye upward. Keep in mind: Be wary of dresses with a dropped waist, which will make your legs seem nonexistent, and ball gowns―it's easy to get lost in that voluminous skirt. Also, avoid anything calf-length, which will make your legs look short. If You're Small-Chested Look for: A ruched bodice. Extra fabric up top will help fill out your upper body and create the illusion of curves. Lightly padded halter styles will also do the trick. Keep in mind: The right bra will always provide a nice boost, but as many wedding dresses are strapless or backless, your undergarment options may be fairly limited. Instead, try self-adhesive silicone bra cups by NuBra (available at nubra.com). For more wedding tips, wedding advice, or help with wedding planning, please visit http://thebudget-mindedbrideblog.blogspot.com. For gift baskets, candles, favors, please visit www.wicksncandlesticks.com.

If you  are looking for your something Blue, how about a shoe. I found this shoes on www.lovemyshoes.com and its $19.97, and today you can get an extra 25% off ( coupon code YW25). Good luck. I got mine.

This post is for a dear bride-to-be (who shall remain nameless) who wants to look her sexiest on her wedding night with a $40 Lingerie limit. I did a little research for you darling and the websites I liked best were Amazing Lace because most of the Bridal Lingerie were actually under $25 although there wasn't a very large selection.

Lingerie Gifts and surprisingly Amazon have everything to help a new bride make her honeymoon night fun, sexy and/or romantic. You can choose from bustiers, corsets, honeymoon kits, lingerie for him, plus size sets and fun tees too.

Yandy, Fredrick's of Hollywood,and Electrique Boutique are worth browsing too although there wasn't a lot to choose from in the Bridal Lingerie department, they do carry a vast selection. You may not want your sleepwear in white anyway, you may want something red or black instead. If that is the case, between these five websites you can find something for under $30 that you'll love... and that he'll love too!

If you are on the prowl for wedding shoes and want something elegant with a bit of bling then check out the strappy rhinestone sandals online at DebShops.com. You can usually find a Deb stores offline in a mall near you and this store locator will help you to find one in your area so you can go in and try them on before you buy.

Wedding planning is so stressful and if a bride cannot afford hire a wedding planner, the bride is planning her own wedding.  Usually, the bride is very anxious before the big wedding day and she has hundreds of wedding details that need to be completed before hand, such as taking care of family members  or checking the wedding flowers and the tasks are endless!  However, a bride needs to take time for herself by creating some stress free days, so she does not burn herself out before her own wedding.

The bride needs to devote at least two nights a week for a relaxing and stress free evenings and we have come up with some stress free and relaxing activities that the bride will truly enjoy! 

Schedule a Message and Spa Appointment-Nothing says relaxation like a weekly massage to help relax the bride’s entire body.  If a bride cannot afford a message, Homedics has a five-motor full body mat massager with heat for around $50.00 dollars.  Another option is a spa appointment.  Many spa and salons offer a day of luxury by providing therapeutic full body massage, spa pedicure, spa facial, eyebrow arch, haircut and also includes a light lunch.   If a bride cannot afford a spa appointment, many websites offer inexpensive bath salts, face scrubs, and body lotions to create the spa experience at home.  Wonderful and relaxing scents are lavender, sandalwood, and jasmine!

Relax with Yoga-Bride get in tune with your mind, body, and spirit by relaxing with Yoga.  This is a great stress reliever and provides an inner calm and relaxation before the wedding day.  A Bride can also sign up for classes at yoga studios, wellness centers, or purchase yoga home DVD’s on Amazon.

Breathing Techniques-There are many websites on the internet that offer breathing techniques to help a bride learn how to do deep breathing to relax.  There are many free articles on Web MD or You Tube has a variety of breathing exercises. 

Drink Herbal Tea-Find herbal tea at your local store or Better Health Store.  Wonderful and relaxing teas are chamomile which helps calming and peppermint is good for rejuvenating.

Try Acupressure-Acupressure is applied through clothing and this technique requires no needles.  A practitioner uses the thumbs, hands, and elbows, knees and applies firm pressure on pressure points in the body.  Many massage therapists, wellness centers offer acupressure, and there are many wonderful books on acupressure on Amazon. 

Exercise by Walking-Help relieve tension by working out!  Working out helps a bride stay healthy, but provides stress-relief.  Walking is free and a bride can either go walk outside, walk in the mall, or take a walk in a park.

Get Crafty-Some women truly enjoy relaxing by creating a craft and there are many craft projects that a bride can purchase at Michaels or Joann Fabrics.   Good craft ideas would be knitting, crocheting, jewelry making, scrap-booking, or painting. Whatever a bride chooses make sure it is fun and nothing too complicated.

For more wedding tips, wedding advice, or wedding planning visit www.theweddingdiaryonline.com or for wedding candles visit www.wicksncandlesticks.com.

I love it when I can bring you Red Carpet looks for less and in this case I'm featuring some sparkly, sequined high heels similar to the ones seen above on movie star, Renee Zellweger! Those the star are wearing looks to be from the designer Christian Louboutin and they cost as much as $595. They peep-toe version you can find here at SaksFifthAvenue.com for $725.

I just had to share this video with all of you because it teaches small budget brides just how easy it is to make a wedding veil. It can cost anywhere from $50 to $300 to purchase a veil at a bridal boutique but as you see in the video all you need is a few yards of tulle, a 4 1/2" bridal comb and matching thread. You can find tulle at Walmart in the fabric section, or at a Hancock Fabric for about $1.39 per yard.

If you are feeling ambitious, you can sew a lace or satin ribbon trim along the border of your viel and it will look like you spent at least $150 bucks for it.

Want to make sure you look your best in that perfect dress? Go here to Spanx.com read about what control garment you should wear with each style of wedding dress, that will help you to look your best.