Green Wedding Theme
By Carla CarliseA green theme with a hint of purple perfect for an out-door Summer wedding ceremony and reception!
The Dress: $188.00

Bridesmaids Dresses: $64.99

50's Strapless Satin Long Gown Bridesmaid Prom Dress
The Centerpieces:
Flowers: $139.00 for 6 large centerpieces with a hint of purple

Vases: $5.99 each

For the wow effect (optional of course, but does add that little extra sparkle):
Put some green crystals in the vase and a put the purple submersible floralytes in the center of the crystals.
Note: You could do this to any center-piece to add a little "wow effect."
400 Mini Ice-Emerald Green - $9.99

and
Box of 10 Submersible Floralytes - $22.99



This is just an idea of what you can do with linens for a green wedding theme. However, since white is always cheaper, you can rent some white table linens instead, that's if it is not included with your venue since most do have at least white. Then you can also rent some chair sashes which you could get HERE at Weddinlinens.com in a solid cotton for $1.00 rental. Of course they do have satin ones there as well, so it all depends on what your budget will allow.

Candy Buffet Bars - Hot Wedding Trend
By Carla Carlise
I love this idea of having a candy buffet bar mainly because I have a major sweet tooth. The one pictured above is an easy one to replicate using the different colored candies and hershey's kisses to match your wedding.
You can find everything you need to create this piece at this link at save-on-crafts.com . If you look closely at the photo, the candy are in vases, not the fancier candy jars which cost more. So below I give you some examples of the size and height of vases you can use to give you a great looking candy table.
Instead of the hershey kisses on the table though, use acrylic ice crystals, since we are always going for that wow factor. You can find them in many different colors HERE including yellow, brown and many more.



The vases are at this link:
I am featuring them from the tallest to shortest.
Set of 3 Clear Glass Jars (10-3/8" - 8" - 7-1/2" tall) - $19.99

These jars come in a set of three: 10-3/8", 8" and 7-1/2". You can always just get two or three sets of these to use for your Candy Bar Table.
Clear Glass Cylinder Vase 10" tall - $6.89

9 " Vase: $5.99

Set of 3 Cube Glass Vases (6" 7" and 8") - $11.99

This one comes in a set of three 8, 7,, and 6 inches. You can always just get two or three sets of these too.
Glass Mini Apothecary Jar with Lid 5" tall - $3.99

Glass Mini Apothecary Jar with Lid 4-1/4" tall - $2.99

Of course it is important not to forget the favor boxes and the serving spoons or scoops for the guests. You can find some online on Amazon.com!
Make Your Own Amazing Wedding Cake!
By Carla CarliseStep 1.
Bake the cakes in the pans with the shapes you want. Leave to cool.
Step 2.
Add whatever filling you want on the bottom half of each layer. This could be chocolate icing, strawberry jam, custard, vanilla, coconut, whatever you filling you want. You can filling at Micheal's , Walmart or your local baking supply store.
Step 3.
After adding the top layer onto the bottom portion, you should cover it in a butter-cream icing. I will post the recipe and a video in the next post. The video below shows you how to do this step and get a smooth surface for your fondant.
Step 4:
Roll out your fondant. You can find fondant at a Michael's, at Walmart in the bride else, but the Satin Ice fondant is the best to use and taste better. That you can buy online HERE at fondantsource.com.
The video below explains how to cover the cake with fondant.
Step 5:
Put plastic dowels, cut to the height of the cake, in the bottom tier of the cake. Be sure to measure the cake from the side with the dowel and mark it before you cut.
4 pk Plastic Dowels - $2.75

This needs to be done so that the cakes do not sink into each other and stay looking straight and professionally made.
Look at the video below to see how this baker does it.
Step 6:
Add the next tier, put in more dowels and continue until you are done.
Step 7:
Decorate the cake with flowers, ribbons, however you want to to give it that platinum look!
You can find edible flowers etc. to decorate the cake HERE and find velvet roses that look like the real ones HERE at Efavormart.com!
My Wedding Cake
By Carla Carlise
his is the cake I plan on making for my wedding which should be quite simple since I just basically have to make it, cover it with the fondant, put on each layer, put the columns in, put the plates on till I get the top and the put the flowers around the top of each layer.
This is where to get each of the items I just mentions:
(Be sure to check out the earlier post with how to make a fondant, wedding cake.)
You can find rolled fondant at a Michael's, Walmart in the bride else, but the Satin Ice fondant is the best to use and taste better. You can buy some online at www.fondantsource.com, 5 lbs for $14.29 to cover your cake. The HERE to be linked directly to the satin ice fondant (it taste better).

For me that was picking out the style of cake that I wanted and found one on the internet that I liked. There are over 300 hundred of them at this HERE.
Step 2:
Next I had to figure out where to get the stands and columns that this one used. Click HERE for those that I found below.

It doesn't come assembled, the pieces are sold separately. For 4 plates: 12'', 8'', 6'', and 4'', that's $27.00. The columns are in a set of 12 and the one I'll get cost: $14.
Step 3: Find the decorations:
The ribbon is sold at Walmart for 33cents per yard, and for that cake, it looks like 15 yards to go around the cake and 10 for the bow. So I will probably just buy a 25 yard roll at Walmart, Michael', or a Hancock Fabrics.
The flowers: I will be using some of the velvet roses, that I am buying for my centerpieces from efavormart.com for $34.99 for 168. They look very real. Find the flowers that are pictures below HERE!

Old World HollyWood Theme - Silver
By Carla Carlise
It look simple, but it would be very difficult to find tables like that very affordable, but you can creat a version of that room that is sure to impress.
Since most venues already include tables, and white table clothes, we are going to work and adding the silver tones and we'll start with an over-lay!
Silver Satin Table Over-lay - $9.99

To give the mirror effect, we will add a round mirror beneath each foral pieces.
10" Round Centerpiece Display Mirror - $2.39 each


The next step is to add the floral arrangement. Watch the video on how to arrange them.
Watch the video below to see how simple it is.
200 Red Ecuadorian Roses : $199.99

7½" Jardin Glass Vase - $1.00
Add some votive candles to the table, at least ten to create that relax, romantic feel.
Candles and Heart Votive Holders-12/pk - $9.99
And the rings cost.....just $4.99!
By Carla CarliseThank you for all of those who participated in my little experiment. The lowest guess was $30.00 which was just $25 from the actual price but I did it to prove a point. I saw these rings in Kohl's and thought they were so beautiful but because they were out in the open like the other fashion jewelry, so I knew they were Cudic Zirconia. The price did still surprise me though because they do look quite genuine. You can see them for yourself online here at Kohls.com but in person, they look twice as stunning.
A little about me.
By Jenn SSo my future husband and I shall be married on May 15th 2009. I am so excited. We actually have been engaged for quite sometime. 6 years to be exact. lol. I was always scared of the thought of getting married. I have seen the best couple break up after a short time of being married. My sister for an example. Her and her husband were together for 6 years before they decided to get married, then 6 months later they got divorced.
My man and I have been through so much together, we fought, had money problems, been evicted, no electricty, no food and there have been plenty of times where we just wanted to give up and go our seperate ways and start over. All of that is a blur now and we couldnt be happier. Circumstances have changed tremendously. You know what they say though.......what doesnt break you makes you stronger and I will live by that forever because it's true. So if there ever becomes a time you feel like giving up. Look deep into your heart and remember the good times. Patience is a virture and if you just hold on things will change for the better.
Plus Size Wedding Dresses under $200
By Carla Carlise
I received a message from one of our bronze budget brides who is having a hard time finding an inexpensive, plus size "second" gown to change into at her reception "to dance in" as she puts it. Well, it was quite a challenge finding a cheap white, plus size gown, which is a shame. There should certainly be more options for our big, beautiful brides on a budget. I've listed the few I located online for under $200.00 that I think are really cute but I will keep my eye out from now on and keep featuring afforadble wedding gowns for the curvy gals. Shame on me for not doing so sooner, forgive me ladies and I hope you like the ones I added today.
Buy Wholesale Flowers Online
By Carla Carlise
One of our members here, Alanta, suggested fiftyflowers.com as a good resource for buying flowers online at wholesale prices. I do recommend it for those who must have real flowers at their wedding. Another fab wholesale resource for bulk flowers is Costco.com. Although the variety is limited, the prices are great and may be more affordable to most small budget brides since many of their bulks sell for under $100!
Check them out for yourself and keep in mind that making your own centerpieces is always cheaper than having a florist do them for you.
DIY - Wedding Bouquet
By Carla CarliseOf course you do not have to include the green stems if you don't like them. I personally would love to see just a full bouquet of red roses. Check out www.fiftyflowers.com to find all the wholesale flowers you'd need to create a bouquet and centerpieces for your wedding decor.
Click on the price to find each item.
25 Beautiful Roses: $49.99

20 yards, Wired Satin Ribbon: $5.99


Find pink ribbon here!
Dark Green Stem-wrap Floral Tape: $1.99

40 Round Pearl Headed Pins: $1.69


Find pink pins here.
7-1/2" Floral Bunch Cutters - Stainless Steel : $9.99



