Posts in the 'Bridesmaids' Category
February 14th, 2012 by tori
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Last time on {Can’t Afford It/ Get Over It} Sittin’ Pretty in Pink part I, Nicole wrote in to tell us all about her very own CAI/GOI success! We reveled in her superb style and slick spending when she told us about her obsession for this Valenciennes Dress at BHLDN $220.00.
But she opted to go an alternate route with the David’s Bridal dress (below) for half the price!
Strapless Tulle dress with Caviar Beading
David’s Bridal $139.99
And we, here at BAB, thought that we could expound on Nicole’s fab find by searching the inter-webs for cost effective alternatives for both gorgeous gowns! Last time we covered the Valenciennes Dress @ BHLDN.com. This week we have we have a multitude of muse worthy shear, gauzy, gam flattering B-Maid’s dresses for you, our Broke-Ass Readers! So if you Can’t Afford It…
Get Over It
Flair-y Godmother Dress
ModCloth $57.99
Title Sequins Dress
ModCloth $89.99
Midnight Blush Dress
ModCloth $84.99
Formal Invitation Dress
ModCloth $54.99
Heiress of Mystery Dress
ModCloth $52.99
Rope You In Dress
ModCloth $49.99
It’s SHEER genius, I tell you! But if you’r still not convinced about the wondrous world of ModCloth, then I have some other options for ya. Check it out! Victoria’s Secret has a sweet little number that might hit the sweet spot! Kohl’s has a casual B-maids worthy ensemble that’s sure to make your girls squeal with glee! There are a few frock from Forever 21 for your B-maids to beam over! Oh, don’t forget about Bluefly.com! I thought they were too expensive, but I was mistaken…
Strapless Lace Dress
Victoria’s Secret $89.99
LC Lauren Conrad Surplice Lace Overlay Dress
Kohl’s $50.40
Strapless Lace Sweetheart Dress
Forever 21 $24.80
Strapless Lace Dress
Forever 21 $24.80
Champagne Sateen Lace Overlay Dress
BlueFly $98.99
Strapless Purple Shimmer Dress
Bluefly $98.99
So ladies, if you want your gals to be smashing in their sheer toggery, dance your dainty digits to one of these web addresses and get those gals swathed in lacy loveliness. Happy hunting from your friendly inter-web Broke-Ass Bride honeys! And don’t forget to tune in next week for more smashing savings!
February 7th, 2012 by tori
Nicole wrote in to tell us all about her successful self executed CAI/GOI! So, What happened was…
“I fell in love with this dress from BHLDN last spring…
It is absolutely gorgeous, but the thought of asking my poor girls to pay $350 for a bridesmaid dress when my wedding dress was only $300 made me cringe. So, by happenstance in my bridal browsing, I stumbled upon this jewel from David’s Bridal with striking, striking similarity and a MUCH MORE broke-ass friendly price.
I knew the coincidence was too good to NOT share! Hope you find it worthy of sharing with your readers!
Cheers,
Nicole
Well, thanks a bunch, Nicole! You certainly are the savvy, smart, Broke-Ass Bride we strive to satiate. You did such an awesome job super sizing your results with a mini budget!
I adored both of these blush beauties so much that I thought maybe some other Broke- Ass readers might want similar pretty pink pinafores for their mavens and maids! So, I challenged myself to find similar swag alternatives for both of Nicole’s finds! This post is going to be a two parter ’cause I found so many cotton candy colored costumes that one post just won’t do them justice! First up is the object of Nicole’s personal CAI/GOI. The Broke-Ass gauntlet is thrown!
Can’t Afford It
Valenciennes Dress
BHLDN.com $220.00 (it’s on sale now)
Get Over It
My first few selections are from Modcloth.com because they are Freakin’ Mod! I do love their original designs and their super sexy prices! Hey, Broke- Ass readers, your gals will go GaGa for these frilly frocks! If you’ve never been to ModCloth, then get your dainty digits dancing on that keyboard and check ‘em out already!
Rose Dust Dress
Modcloth.com $99.99
Pretty in Mink Dress
Modcloth.com $99.99
Candy Counter Dress
Modcloth.com $59.99
Prettiest of All Dress
Modcloth.com $89.99
Love is the Answer Dress
Modcloth.com $64.99
Plum Rose Dress
Modcloth.com $54.99
Okay, I’ll get off my Mod Cloth soap box and try to convince you to jump on the department store band wagon! You don’t have to get the gals to buy a “Bride’s Maids’” dress! Why not have them search the dress department of Macy’s, Dillard’s, Khol’s, Heck even Target!
Calling all budget friendly frocks that evoke the same romantic ambiance as Nicole’s Valenciennes Dress in a blush wash! Let the parade of pink pigmented dresses promenade!
LC Lauren Conrad Color Block Pleated Shift Dress
Kohls.com $44.80
LC Lauren Conrad Faux Satin Wrap
Kohls.com $25.60
LC Lauren Conrad Empire Pleated Chiffon Dress
Kohls.com $25.60
Apt. 9 Pleated Chiffon Dress
Kohls.com $25.60
LC Lauren Conrad Ruched Chiffon Dress
Kohls.com $25.60
Adrianna Papell Lace Dress
Dillards.com $158.00
Strapless Wrap Front Chiffon Dress
Target.com $69.99
So there ya go! Bunches of Bubblegum, Mauve, Cotton Candy, Blush, and Petal Pink toggery to tickle your fancy! Tune in next time for the second installment of {Can’t Afford It/Get Over It} Sittin’ Pretty in Pink part II! We’ll explore our options for the David’s Bridal number with tulle overlay and caviar beading! I’m tingling with excitement and expectation! Until then, BAB’s, happy hunting Broke-Ass Beauties!
January 24th, 2012 by tori
OMG! Did you hear? Jesse G.’s got a crush! It’s totally tragic because her crush is utterly unattainable! As in, no longer on the market. (Single tear…) Here’s what Jesse confided in us:
“I need some of your CAI/GOI magic. In this case though it’s not so much can’t afford it as just can’t have it. I’ve got my heart set on black and white print bridesmaid dresses. I found this last summer at White House/Black Market.
And then I waited too long to tell the girls to go for it, and they sold out. I’m trying to stay under $100 because I know my maids aren’t rolling in cash. Help. I need to stop going back to this image over and over again, I can’t have it.”
Poor Jesse! I say we pop a bottle of wine, curl up with Ben & Jerry, and GET OVER IT! I’m here to help! Black & white bridesmaid’s dresses abound! Jesse, are you totally prepared to be smitten with something new?
Get Over It
Magic Black & White Sundress
Overstock.com $32.99
Onyx Nights Abstract Black and White Party Dress
Overstock.com $59.99
Dot Necessarily Dress
ModCloth.com $69.99
Make Me Wanna Shout Dress
ModCloth.com $94.99
Be careful with ModCloth, Jesse. They only have a limited stock. If you find something there that you absolutely must have, grab it! You can always get your gals to reimburse you. We don’t want you getting your heart broken a second time!
Sangria Sleeveless Dress
Amazon.com $67.93
Floral Scroll Empire Waist Knee Length Sundress by Annabelle
Amazon.com $24.99
Ever Pretty Spaghetti Strap Floral Printed Cotton Tulle Short Cocktail Dress
Amazon.com $89.99
PacificPlex Applique Ribbon Strapless Mini Dress Prom Party Formal Gown
Amazon.com & Sears $71.99
A. Byer Juniors Strapless Print Dress with Belt
Amazon.com $23.62
A. Byer Juniors Strapless CG Party Skirt Dress
Amazon.com $69.99
Corey P. Jacquard Empire Dress
Kohls.com $76.50
Adult Pillow Case Black & White Damask Dress
By KootieZ at Etsy $35.00
Folter Clothing STRAPLESS BLACK ROSE DRESS in Black on Black Rose Print
Pinupdoll.com $74.95
I know, I know! I cheated. This last one is black on black. But, I just liked it so much I had to throw it in! Okay Jesse, I gave you halter top, spaghetti straps, & strapless. You got to see black on white, white on black, black on silver, and black on black. And every last one is under the $100.00 mark!
Do you like what you see? Circle: Yes or No. I hope this CAI/GOI got you through your dress dilemma, and now you’re totally head over heels for something that’s actually attainable. And in the event that this Get Over It didn’t knock your socks off, I have some tips for you. Don’t search for anything that says “Bridesmaid” if you want to keep the price down. Use key words like pattern names and dress styles (i.e. sundress, party dress, cocktail dress, & yes, even prom dress). So girl, stop pining away for something you can’t have. And revel in the endless choices you do have! You’re bound to find “The One”, just like you found your fiance. So buck up, Butter Cup! And lemme know how it turns out!
-Tori
January 19th, 2012 by christen
Oh! Was I drooling? When this beauty of a wedding landed in my inbox, I just stared … and stared … and stared. Heather and Jacob had a stunning peacock-infused and SUPER budget-friendly event in Seattle. They are one handsome couple and the camera sure does love them. Get your bib ready and throw some plastic over your keyboard, because you’ll be sure to soak it with your own dribble.
Name: Heather and Jacob
Occupation: Café/Wine Bar Manager
Wedding location: Tacoma, Washington
Wedding Date: April 2, 2011
Budget: $10,000, but I think we spent around $12K
How would you describe your wedding:
Our wedding was a total expression of our personalities. It was fashionable, funky and creative but with lots of traditional and personal touches. I knew I wanted to go with peacock feathers, and choosing them opened the door to a beautiful, jewel-tone color scheme. We chose over-the-top venues, fun outfits for our wedding party, but maintained tradition by marrying in a chapel and having our pastor marry us. We both wrote our own vows … we were both crying so much we could hardly make it through the ceremony!
What was your favorite part of your wedding? I think listening to my husband’s wedding vows. I had not heard them before that point, and he was crying so hard … it was the sweetest thing I had ever seen. I was so full of love at that moment!
My favorite “material” part of the wedding was our flowers. My bouquet was amazeballs!
What did you splurge on?
Photography and invitations.
Photography is really the only thing that really lasts forever, so we knew we wanted great photos. To me, invitations are really important because I believe they set the tone for the whole event.
What did you save on?
My dress was a sample gown that had been in the shop for six months and had never even been tried on. I think the owner was dying to get rid of it (guess no one else liked it!) so she gave me a huge discount.
I won an essay contest and got $300 off of our invitations (they still were pricey), we had a friend cater the wedding, and we DIYed as much as we could. I spent 13 hours the day before the wedding making our centerpieces and ceremony décor. I also made all the cake stands for the candy bar and had friends and family members make dessert. We even borrowed a cotton candy machine from a friend and spun our own cotton candy!
I also made all the table numbers and table squares, escort cards, the wishing tree and the bridesmaid’s hair fascinators. I had a whole year to plan, and I was literally working on crafts for an entire year!! Day of, I had friends do my hair and makeup, and stayed at a hotel that my parents’ friends own (free!).
Was there anything you would have done differently, in retrospect?
Honestly, everything went so smoothly that there isn’t anything I would change. We had help from a lot of friends and the day went off without a hitch. I still don’t get tired of looking at my wedding photos … I am still in love with the whole event!
What was your biggest challenge in planning?
Definitely having such a small budget for a wedding with 230 guests. We both had help from our families, but we still paid for most of the wedding ourselves. It took a ton of time, energy, and research to find the most cost effective version of everything. I probably spent thousands of hours on the Internet !! There were times when I thought it LITERALLY would not be possible, but it is! I managed to juggle full-time school, a full-time job, and planning a wedding and still did not come out completely broke!
What lessons did you learn from planning or from the wedding itself?
Organization. I am definitely more of a “free spirited” person than an organized person, but if you are planning a wedding on a budget, organization is key. You need to keep track of coupons and sales, as well as network with people. I used the homie hookup on whatever I could, and I think that’s part of the reason we were able to have such a beautiful wedding on a budget. We used connections through friends at church, our parent’s friends, and Facebook friends! I made lots of excel spreadsheets to keep track of how much we had spent and how much we had left to spend. I had to keep track of every tiny expense, even if it was 5 dollars!
What were your top 5 favorite things about your wedding?
1-the way my bridesmaids looked together. I think their dresses were amazing, and paired with the peacock fascinators, funky hosiery, sky-high heels, and lime green flowers… I don’t think I have ever seen a cooler bunch of bridesmaids!
2- our reception venue. We had it at a history museum and rented out all three floors. When we walked into our reception it was like being on the loveboat—looking up at three floors of balcony filled with our loved ones cheering and applauding us. It was a surreal feeling. I might be biased but I think it was the coolest reception venue ever (especially since it had a mummy display)!
3- My flowers. They were more than I could have imagined—simply perfect! I even was in love with the flower girl’s dark purple pomander ball! (I used vintage brooches on the front of my bouquet, given to me by my mom)
4-Our wedding video. A very talented friend of ours did a wedding video for us as a gift—it turned out beautifully!
5-Having a candy buffet. Because we had at least 30 kids at our wedding, we really needed to do something they would love. Having a candy buffet complete with freshly spun cotton candy was a huge hit! I loved going around and greeting all of my guests and seeing them all with blue tongues.
Top 5 least favorite?
1. The fact that it ended! We only had our reception venue from 6:30 until 11:00, and I was really sad when everyone had to leave. The party was absolutely insane at our reception, and I think most of our guests moved on to an after party. I am so glad that people had so much fun! (boring receptions are the worst)
2. That we couldn’t have live music at our reception. We just couldn’t afford it, and opted for a DJ instead.
That’s really all I can think of… everything else was wonderful.
What was the worst piece of wedding advice you received?
Well, we had a lot of unique ideas and almost every single person in my life bashed all of my ideas. People could not believe we were doing a candy bar instead of a traditional wedding cake, or that we were doing a wishing tree instead of a guest book. Someone flat out told me that those ideas were disrespectful to our guests! People also knocked the lime green flowers idea, and the fact that I wanted to wear polka dot tight sunder my dress. However, I think once they saw everything together, they realized they were wrong!
The best?
I didn’t get any great advice. However, I am a really independent person and just went on with my planning by myself and didn’t really listen to what anyone else was saying. Planning a wedding is hard enough, you can’t let other people’s negative opinions and comments get to you! I am glad I stuck to my gut because I am SO PROUD of how my wedding turned out.
If you’ve been married for more than a year, what have been some challenges? It’s been the best 10 months of my life! In fact, we are expecting a little baby girl in May.
{Eds. note: CONGRATULATIONS!!!}
Any other bits of wisdom?
Always go with your gut. Only YOU know yourself best. Don’t let other people tell you “that dress is just not YOU” or, “really? You want your reception in a museum? That’s so not you!” Only you truly know your taste, and if you let other people make decisions for you, you might regret it in the long run.
Check out Heather & Jacob’s totally gorgeous wedding vid (WARNING: it might make you a little teary)
Heather and Jacob | Every sunrise and sunset from james dean on Vimeo.
Budget breakdown?
Food and rentals: $4,000
Photography: $2,600
Ceremony Venue: $300 (score! My husband’s aunt was an employee at the venue)
Reception Venue: $1200
Dress: $800
Flowers: $1,000
Décor: (DIY) $600
Invitations: $500
Candy bar: $200 (lots of DIY, bought candy from bulk website)
DJ: $900
Videographer, wedding veil, and desserts were all gifted!
Vendors:
Dress: Jasmine Collection
Veil: Vera Wang
Shoes: Paris Hilton
Hair Flower: Nordstrom
Bracelets: Forever 21
Groom’s Suit: Tommy Hilfiger
Groom’s Tie: Urban Outfitters
Groom’s Shoes: Steve Madden
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Betsey Johnson, XOXO, David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid’s tights: Nordstrom
Bridesmaid’s Shoes: Steve Madden
Hair fascinators: Made by bride
Cocktail rings: Forever 21
Groomsmen outfits: All H&M
Groomsmen ties: Urban Outfitters
Flowergirl dress: David’s Bridal
Ring Bearer’s outfits: JC Penney
Flowers: Debra’s Botanical Design
Ceremony Venue: Kilworth Memorial chapel
Reception Venue: Washington State History Museum
DJ/Lighting: Adam’s DJ Service
Photographer: Clane Gessel Photography
Videographer: James Dean
Invitations: Peacock Invitations on Etsy
-Christen
August 11th, 2011 by maddie
I have been in a wedding inspiration rut lately, until I asked the Broke-Ass Bride herself for a little inspiration. She gave me one of the BEST IDEAS EVER. Why not have a wedding based on Breakfast at Tiffany’s?! It’s an iconic movie and a lovely theme. Go with basic black and deck your bridesmaids out in sunglasses and classic sterling silver jewels… and you’re all set!
Is there any color dreamier than Tiffany blue? I think not. Instead of splurging on Tiffany jewels for your bridesmaids, get them the classic Holly Golightly sleep mask with big fake lashes! So fun and you could easily DIY these.
Every girl loves a little bling so be sure to buy some great fake baubles to wear on the big day. I love the look of this Tiffany box cake with the white ribbon, but it feels too cliche for me. I think it would be better if you spray painted some boxes Tiffany blue, tied them with white ribbon, and cut out a hole for guests to drop envelopes in!
Since the theme is Breakfast at Tiffany’s, why not serve up your favorite breakfast foods? Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and donuts! Don’t forget the mimosas either. Who says you need to have a dinner after your big day? I think brunch sounds fun (I would say breakfast, but if I were a bride there would be no way in hell I would wake up in time for hair and makeup and walk down the aisle before breakfast! But if you can do that, power to you!)
Forego the traditional cake if you’re having your wedding in the morning and opt for a donut cake instead! And if you happen to be in New York, check out the Tiffany Suite at the St. Regis Hotel! So dreamy!
What do you think about serving up some breakfast at your wedding? Are you and early riser who could have her big day in the AM? Let us know! Happy planning!
July 18th, 2011 by The Broke-Ass Bride
The most-fabulous Elsie, who you might better know as ElsieCake, or A Beautiful Mess, or from Red Velvet Shop… was kind enough to let us share her DIY bouquet tutorial from her incredibly awesome wedding… so here it is! Enjoy, ladies, and try to keep the drool from hitting your keyboards 
_____________________________________
When I started planning our wedding I knew right away that I wanted to make my own flowers. I love creative flower arrangements. I wanted something different. I also knew that if we chose not to hire a florist that we’d save thousands of dollars (hooray!) What I didn’t know was how much FUN I would have with my bridesmaids making our bouquets. It was so so much fun and didn’t take much time at all!
If you’re considering making your own bouquets, read on! I can tell you from my personal experience that this was one of the simplest DIYs that we tried (along with the DIY Boutonnieres and DIY Corsages too!) I’ll share some tips with you….
I loved what each of the bridesmaids created! We had a bouquet making party after the rehearsal dinner. Each of the girls made their own bouquet. They each had special details like the bird charm hanging from Holly’s bouquet and Katie’s berry branches. I liked that they were all a little bit different.
Rachel snapped this photo on the morning of the wedding.
Make Your Own Bouquet
Step 1: Collect Supplies. For my wedding bouquets I used fresh flowers, handmade velvet flowers, berry twigs, feather birds, feathers and vintage brooches. I also used some family heirloom ribbon (vintage tatting) and velvet ribbon that I found the first month we were dating! Choose accents that are personal to you!
Step 2: Start from the center and build the floral base of your bouquet. Work your way out by adding more and more flowers.
Step 3: Wrap the stems with floral tape. Use as much as you need to make it feel secure. The floral tape should go where ever you plan to wrap the ribbon. The ribbon will eventually hide it completely!
Step 4: Add accent piece such as feather birds (they have wires underneath that can secure them onto blooms) or feathers.
Step 5: Wrap the base of your stems (over the floral tape) with a pretty ribbon. I also tied some lace on mine as an accent.
Ta-Da! Here’s a finished bouquet.
Have fun creating your own pretty bouquets… XO! elsie
Photos by Arrow & Apple, DIY pics by Emma & I.
July 7th, 2011 by maddie
Rainbow weddings, pretty pastel palettes, cool color combos: I’ve given you broke-ass brides almost every color and theme option under the sun, but maybe you still can’t find something that’s right for you. Maybe you want something simple and classic, but also crafty and fun at the same time…. That’s why this weeks wedding inspiration post is just for you! Basic black and white, folks. Simple, understated elegance doesn’t have to be boring or over-the-top expensive though!
Have all of your bridesmaids pick out their own black and white party dresses. I think mixing stripes, solids, and polka dots is a great way to have a little fun and also let everyone feel unique. As for footwear, let your ‘maids don anything from sandals to stilettos, and oxfords to chucks. Tie everyone’s looks together with jewelry or with similar bouquets. Voila! You have an incredibly stylish bridal party.
Of course I can’t have black and white wedding inspiration without a picture of Audrey Hepburn. I’d love to see a bride rock a great black and white ball gown! As for the cake, I LOVE this idea. Stack up some Oreo cookies and serve up some delicious milk (and soy milk too!) I also love the use of big white balloons. It’s a cheap and easy way to decorate and they look soooo fun bouncing around on the ceiling as your guests dance the night away. Lastly, that bouquet in the corner is gorgeous… and? It’s made of only carnations. I know they are a filler flower and some people turn their nose up at them, but I love them. And when you bunch them tightly together, they make an absolutely stunning bouquet.
There you have it brides to be. A unique take on a black and white wedding! Will you go with pops of color for your big day or are you a classic black and white bride?
-Maddie.
June 18th, 2011 by Dana F.
The latest reader request is inspired by this purple gown by J.S. Collections.
Source
Our reader would like to see some affordable ivory or white dresses with a similar shape. And here you go – a handful of affordable, flowy, flattering gowns in white and ivory.
Oleg Cassini, $218:
Celebrations David Tutera by Faviana, $498:
Betsy & Adam, $160:
Calvin Klein, $218:
Nicole Miller, $730:
J. Crew, $600:
David’s Bridal, $145:
Good luck with your search, and come back to tell us what you chose!
-Dana F.
June 12th, 2011 by Robin
When this post goes live, I’ll probably still be sleeping off my bachelorette party. I am writing from the night before my bachelorette party, though, with hope in my heart and excitement in my belly. So as I lay me down to rest, I pray my party is the best:
Our Woo Girls Who Art in Heaven
A Prayer on the Eve of my Bachelorette Party
[Advantage Bridal]
May I get drunk, but not too drunk. Sub-prayers:
- I would rather not turn into a crying mess of “I’m so sorry for [transgression from college years]! I love you sooooo much!”
- I would also like to not become physically ill.
- A hangover is OK, though. I have purchased pre-emptive Gatorade.
- I would like my memories intact. Because I intend to make some memories.
May I not be the drunkest one there. Or god forbid the only drunk one. For saddest is the Woo Girl who Woos alone.
May I make it through the daytime winery-visit portion without spilling any vino on the borrowed white dress I will be wearing.
May I pull off the little black dress I have planned for the evening bar-hopping portion, despite my fears that a little black dress is too boring for words no matter how rocking the underlying bod may be.
May my feet not hurt despite my unreasonably-tall shoes.
And despite all the dancing I wish to do? And may some of that dancing happen on a bartop or at least a table?
May I fight off DrunkFace and manage to look cute in photographs even into the more slurred hours of the evening.
May the people I meet on the South Side [for the non-Pittsburghers, the South Side is the clogged storm drain of the city collecting a filmy puddle of under-dressed women, Ed Hardy enthusiasts, and Blue Curaçao] be skeevy in the blog-worthy stories way, not the “I need to file a police report” way.
May I run into another Bachelorette Party and have a bonding moment, but also clearly be having more fun than they are.
And Woo Girls, most of all, may I have fun? And may all my bachelorette-ettes also have fun? Let it be a great party.
Oh, and one more thing: May I be spared from penis-shaped novelty items, generally.
What are your hopes for your bachelorette party?
-Robin
