BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

HOT Bride Award presented by HelperOfTheBride. Real Brides, Real Advice

I got a message from The Helper Of The Bride team letting me know that I was nominated for the HOT Award, the Helper Of The Bride award, for "having a great blog that features great DIY projects and centerpieces!" Of course I'm excited about it want to thank the HOT Bride team members for the nomination.

Well, I've accepted the award and as part of the rules I now have to pass on a few pieces of advice to brides- to- be and here's the list I've compiled to you from me:

• When picking your wedding party make sure that everyone understands what their roles are and what is expected of them. Don't assume that they will help because they are a bridesmaid, for example. They may be thinking that means that they'll have to wear a dress you choose and stand next to you on wedding day! So make it clear that you expect a little help!

• Your centerpiece doesn't have to be huge and over- the-top to make a statement, small centerpieces are quite beautiful too. Sometimes all you need is a bud vase and one beautiful flower, which could have even been growing wild, to create a stunning centerpiece.

• Yard sales, thrift shops are flea markets can lead to some fab finds so don't steer clear of them while wedding planning. I bought 14 clear, glass vases for 25¢ each at a yard sale and those are the type of wedding items that can even be sold again.

• Don't be afraid of your local dollar stores! You can buy vases, plates, wine glasses, favor boxes and more there for $1.00, even less sometimes.

• If you are trying to save money on your centerpieces and using mostly candles, remember to choose the ones that will stay lit for your whole ceremony or reception. You can find some on save-on-crafts.com

• If you want to get custom items for your wedding let Etsy be you first stop. Either you will find someone there selling what you want or are willing to make you that crazy thing you have your mind set on.

• On wedding day, try to hold your bouquet at your belly button while walking down the aisle and taking photos! I remember my mom telling my sister this when she was getting married and when I see brides walking down the aisle with their bouquets at bosom level, I never forgot that piece of advice.

 
Passing the award on...
I Nominate these Real Bride Bloggers for the HOT Award:
2000 Dollar Wedding, Budget Bride Chicago, Beer Budget Bride's Musings, The Office Bride, XOX, B, Lover's Waltz, and The Thirty Something Bride!

Did you see Kim Kardashian on the Red Carpet at the 2010 Emmy's...her dress was gorgeous and definitely puts here on the best dressed Emmy Lists.

In a month or less I'm sure there will be dresses circulating that looks very similar to her dress with the gold neckline however I've found a similar wedding dress that's a look for less than $200!



I know the shoulder is different but this J S Collections dress is less Red Carpet and more wedding for a price that I'm sure is less than 80% of what Kim paid for hers. It's only $198 at Nordstrom.com and if you can't believe it, go see if for yourself!


Photo credit: www.sawfnews.com

If you find these rings as stunning as I do and want to see more, you can see them at Jewelry By Johan's Etsy store!

Love these hand-painted shoes? You can find them at
Nora Karen, Studio Jelly Fish, Vino Gordiv, Rockococa, and Kez Birdie's Etsy Shop!

It's easy to plan a wedding Rustic wedding using Etsy since and there are so many cute things you can find there that will make it  more than ordinary! This wedding is $295 and you can find it at Wedding Heaven's Etsy shop.



Ooooo these are so cute, I love these toppers. They may be a bit pricey for a lot of you at $160 but you can always find something more in your budget if you search for rustic wedding items. These toppers though are available at Bthanari's Shop and they have to be custom ordered so you will get a bride and groom that mimic you and your wedding attire.



This is a dress your bridesmaid will love because it's a Convertible Wrap Dress sold at Caroline Beatrix's Shop and fits anyone from size 2 - 12! So you can buy this dress for each of your bridesmaids and they can wear it to your wedding in whatever version you agree on but the fabric and lengti will be the same. It's $79.99, so perfect for a bridesmaid on a budget and because it's convertible she can wear it this one dress at least 10 ways.



Isn't this ring pillow beautiful. You can order it at O Romeo's for
$16.99 in your wedding colors.



This is adorable and fits right into the Rustic wedding theme. This Unity Candle Set is on sale at The Peddler's Esty shop for $29.99!



I wasn't sure if I should include these but thought it would be a good example to see the jewelry you can find on Etsy. MNHince's Shop is selling these Rustic, Pearl Wedding earrings for $15.00 and they are perfect for the Rustic Wedding Bride.



These are cute, affordable and eco-friendly since they are recycled. For a set of 25 you'll pay $11.25 at Sillhouvette's Etsy Shop.



Hang these at the back of your chairs at the head table or hang them as decor, either way, they are definitely perfect for the rustic theme and they are available in Bragging Bags Etsy shop for $24.99!



If you want to go all out and have your cupcake stand say rustic too, then this one is perfect for you. It's priced at $12o at Jesse Dirk's shop but you can find a smaller version for $80 if you have smaller guests list.



One of the final things I want to show you was this Carved Wood Card Box being sold at Bragging Bag's shop for $49.99! Not only would this make a great centerpiece for your gift table it can also double as a guest book alternative or wishing chest . You can ask guests to write their well wishes for you and your groom, similar to what you would do with a wishing tree and just place it in the box. Then you can read all he well wishes every year on your anniversary. What a wonderful tradition that would be.

I don't know who does a Peacock theme better than Luly's Wedding Accessories! Every time I visit Luly's Esty shop there is always something new that makes me go, "Wow, that is sooo pretty" and some of her latest additions are no exceptions. Her Peacock designs are oh so beautiful and you can buy a whole wedding ensemble or just a ring pillow with the flower basket set. Go see Luly's Wedding Accessories and if you don't see anything that fits your theme or style, Luly takes custom orders too, keep that in mind!

If you're trying to be eco-conscious as you plan your wedding I've got some amazing things from the Etsy world to share with you today.  These wedding dresses are all under $500 and they're double duty by being environmentally friendly too. You can be eco-chic and cheap while keeping your style in mind. Who knew saving the environment you can be this beautiful.

Love June's Shop - Pleated Silk Chiffon Goddess Dress - $475



Natural Bridals - Jane Wedding Dress - $399




Abstract Pretty's Shop - Boatneck Audrey Dress - $415




Isadora Clothing Shop - Chameleon Convertible Gown - $360




Thread Head's Shop - Grace Eco-friendly - $499




Natural Bridal's Shop- Morgan Boszilkov Couture Dress - $499




Amanda Archer's Shop - White Strapless Dress - $500




Amanda Archer's Shop - Ivory Painted Rose Dress - $200

I found these gowns online at In Wedding Dress and although I don't recommend purchasing anything from this site, you can use it as a reference when searching for gowns that fit your style and taste. However, they do have some beautiful plus size dresses and when you go wedding dress shopping don't be afraid that you won't find a dress in your size that you'll love... there are beautiful gowns out there for everyone!

I just have to thank Pomela of The Ultimate Affair for sending these photos of the stunning plum perfect wedding that she did for bride S. Radclif. I'm in love with plum purple and I hope you all like these images as much as I do. Enjoy!

Just as the name implies, Party City, has everything you need to throw a wonderful, fun, theme party! However, they also sell some really nice wedding supplies as well! Here are some of fab things I've found on their website:

Pink Rose Topiary Centerpiece - $4.99




Rolled Edge Bridal Veil - $9.99




Jordan Almonds Favor Candy - $7.99




Blue Heart Wedding Garter - $4.99




Ivory Wedding Guest Book - $7.99



If you don't know if or where Party City is in your area, go to this page on their web store and enter your zip code to find the one nearest you!