Budget Bride Blog

Budget-friendly Save the Dates

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:09:00 -0500

Save the Date Store is a great place to find budget-friendly ways to save your wedding date. It has great advice and save the date choices including postcards, magnets, photo cards and more.

There are no minimum orders so it’s great for smaller weddings plus with discounts for larger orders it’s a great option for larger weddings, too.

Best of all the choices are budget-friendly including some tips on cheap save the dates and even some tips on getting free save the dates. Check it out!

http://SavetheDateStore.com

Where I've Been...

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:19:00 -0500

I apologize for the recent absence in posts. I hate not living up to goals and commitments! I’m sure I feel worse about my hiatus than anyone else does, but a thousand apologies, nonetheless.

As I mentioned earlier, after being laid off for eight months, I finally accepted a position at a great nonprofit here in New York City. I’m so happy to be working full-time again, but it’s going to take some adjusting before I manage to get my many moonlighting gigs back under control.

In addition to getting Budget Bride back on track, my husband and I are shopping for an apartment, I have a book under deadline (not wedding related), and I’m directing a play I wrote for an upcoming Brooklyn play festival.

So…things have been a little crazy around here. It’s good crazy, though!

Please do keep an eye out for new posts…they are coming!

Jenn Bartell Photography

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:08:00 -0500

Wedding photographer Jenn Bartell is based in Sacramento, California, but she travels the country to photograph weddings. With rates starting at just $1,200, her services are already quite the catch, but if you mention this Budget Bride blog post, she’ll give you an extra $200 off!

A 2005 graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Jenn just recently started shooting weddings. Her original focus was children’s photography, but after shooting a friend’s wedding one year, she became hooked. Since relocating to Sacramento 8 months ago, she’s already shot 8 different weddings. Kinda tells you something, doesn’t it?

“I started loving how creative you can be while shooting weddings, and with each one being different, it never gets boring,” Jenn says.

My favorite things about her pictures is that while they clearly exhibit an artistic understanding of light, color, and texture, they never appear too “set up.” Instead, they possess an organic appeal that puts the viewer in the moment instead of outside the frame.

You can find more info and pics at JennBartell.com.

New to the Blogroll: Groomasaurus

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:43:00 -0500

By way of Bridelines, one of my new fave wedding blogs, I was introduced to Groomasaurus, a wonderfully entertaining wedding blog that threatens, “Move over, Bridezilla…wedding planning is for grooms, too!”

I love that Jeff, the husband-to-be behind Groomasaurus, is deeply involved in planning his and his fiance’s wedding, The way he explains it is this:

Groomasaurus Gal and I have decided to share the experience of planning a wedding together. We figured if we can do this without driving each other nuts, than our relationship can survive pretty much anything. And since I’m the talker in the relationship, I decided to document our wacky, unconventional journey toward the figurative altar.

Pretty thoughtful words for a dinosaur. But Groomasaurus is hardly saccharine sweet. His posts are brutally honest and wickedly funny, while still managing to provide sound advice to men and women alike.

I think Groomasaurus is an especially useful blog for brides. Jeff’s male perspective can help to keep us grounded. It grants us a vacation from obsessing over details like floral displays and chair covers, and reminds us that the men in our life have feelings about marriage, too. It clears the lacy, buttercream fog from our eyes and shows us weddings in an important, objective light. Definitely, definitely take a look.

And as if Groomasuarus hasn’t offered us enough of a helpful claw, he’s also developed a comprehensive wedding workbook that allows brides and grooms to easily create budgets, keep track of guests, and manage general to-do lists online for free. I can honestly say I haven’t seen a better web-based method for managing wedding details. Be sure to check it out by clicking here.

Non-Floral Friday: Candy Apple Centerpieces

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:59:00 -0500

Mighty readers, you have spoken, and Budget Bride follows suit!

Based on the results of our recent poll, today’s Non-Floral Friday will once again center on centerpieces. And because I received an email specifically requesting that apples be addressed, well, that’s just what I’ll do!

I’m not surprised that centerpieces conquered the competition, even though they’ve been the subject of the majority of our Non-Floral Fridays. After all:

Centerpieces play a BIG role in the average floral budget. Many brides would prefer that this role be a little smaller.
There are so many ways to create beautiful centerpieces without using a single blossom…and yet, most of us still need a little extra encouragement in order to take such a nontraditional step
Non-floral centerpieces are terrific conversation starters, and a great way to make a personalized statement at each and every table

Apples can be incorporated into weddings year round. I like green and yellow apples for spring and summer, and red ones for fall and winter. I’ve definitely spoken of apples as centerpieces before. But what about the caramel variety?

I was stunned upon stumbling across Amy’s Candy Kitchen, an online shop that sells such a wide variety of caramel apples that it’s nearly impossible not to find a type that fits in perfectly with your wedding colors and/or theme. The colored toppings caramel and satin bows certainly are inspiring:

They even have bride and groom apples. It’s a whole candied apple universe.

Apples as pretty as these absolutely deserve centerpiece status, and can obviously double as favors. What budget bride doesn’t love turning two expenses into one? Of course, Amy’s apples are as gourmet as it gets, so they’re not exactly cheap. If you’re planning on having one apple per person and have a guest list of 100, you can plan on paying about $1,000 and up. For some, this is still better than the cost of flowers and favors combined. For others, it’s a lot of money.

If you have the time to DIY your apples, you can certainly save some moolah. And there are links all over the web that will lead you to caramel apple recipes and instructional videos. Here are a just a few:

A detailed guide to making caramel apples for weddings, complete with pictures, on Simply Recipes.

Caramel apple recipe video from About.com.

Instructions for making chocolate-covered caramel apples that also covers wrapping the finished treats.

Incorporate your wedding colors into your arrangements by tying ribbons to the sticks or wrapping the apples in colored cellophane. You can arrange groups of apples in rustic wicker baskets or on elegant platters, according to the feel of your event.

Here are some pictures to get you inspired:

Apples on a cake stand from Everyday Beauty.

A more natural looking set of apples, juxtaposed by a silver platter. From Country Living.

A simple assortment on white china.

Have you ever made caramel apples? Let us know!

Budget Wedding Venues: Retreat Centers

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:45:31 -0500

When it comes to business retreats, many places of work choose rustic retreat centers over chic hotels, often because retreat centers tend to have lower rates.

Have you considered holding your wedding at a rural retreat site? Many of these locations are well-versed in hosting outdoor weddings, and even those that have yet to do so may be open the idea.

Because retreat centers are all about relaxation and “getting away from it all,” I’m thinking a wedding at such a space would be serene and otherworldly.

Here are some pics of popular retreat centers that double as wedding locations.

Pompanuck Farm Institute, Cambridge, NY

The Essex Conference Center, Essex, MA

Covenant Heights Camp and Retreat Center, Estes Park, CO

The Sequoia Retreat Center, Ben Lemond, CA

Reblogging wedding Facebook drama posted by the following...

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:59:16 -0500

Reblogging wedding Facebook drama posted by the following tumbloggers:

taxidermychurch:

findlilyhere:

robot-heart: Facebook wedding drama « All things heinous, trashy, and hilarious in weddings!

wow. this makes me love facebook more.

Paper Source Pallette on Charmed Events

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0500

Paper Source Pallette on Charmed Events:

I’m a lover of colors (couldn’t settle on just one, two, or even three for our wedding) and a sucker for personality tests, so I was excited to come across this post about Paper Source’s Colorscope Color Pallette on Charmed Events (click the title link to read).

The pallette promises to tell you what your favorite colors say about you. I think it’s a great way to find wedding color schemes—read the descriptions and find the one that speaks to you and your fiance’s combined personalities!

Our colors were a combination of jewel tones, but the most prominent shades were wine and plum, similar to the beet and rhubarb pictured above. The corresponding descriptions are pretty accurate for both my husband and myself!

What Happened to Non-Floral Friday?

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:21:00 -0500

D’oh! How did I forget about Non-Floral Friday this past week?

My apologies, everyone! I guess my head was somewhere else that day…Actually, I know it was somewhere else, and I know exactly where that somewhere else was.

You see, last Thursday night, I was finally offered a permanent position at a really wonderful nonprofit here in NYC, after having been laid-off for about eight months. I guess you could say the result was my head being high in the clouds for the next twenty-four hours or so.

To make it up to you, the subject of next week’s Non-Floral Friday will be up to you. So tell me…what would you like to hear about?

J. Crew Goldwyn Dress

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:55:00 -0500

This dress is not a piece from J. Crew’s wedding line. It’s not long, it’s not pure white, it’s not satin, it’s not silk. But still…this budget bride thinks it would make a darling wedding dress! And right now, it’s on sale on the J. Crew website for just $99.99!

“Goldwyn” it’s called. The name alone is almost enough to sell me. It sounds like the sort of celebrity baby name you actually end up wishing you’d thought of first. I can see this dress in a courthouse with a birdcage veil and a modest bouquet of gardenias. LOVE! Will someone please where this to their wedding?

Recession Friendly Wedding Event Recap, Part II

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:38:00 -0500

Some more great vendors featured at NYC’s Recession Friendly Wedding Event, held June 13tth and 14th at Cupcake, Beer and Wine bar Sweet Revenge:

I was blown away by these floral designs by Denise Fasanello. I couldn’t stop staring at them, and wished so badly that she had been in business when I was planning my wedding. Denise’s centerpieces are so unique, gorgeous, and cost-effective. She explained to me how using interesting vessels or putting a creative spin on a simple arrangement can make even a bunch of baby’s breath look, well, breathtaking. To see more of Denise’s work, visit her webpage at www.dfasanello.com.

Beautiful jewelry by Peta of Koru DesigNZ. Peta’s work is inspired by the indiginous Maori of New Zealand, and the way they view the fern frond “koru” as being a symbol of new beginnings. Because a wedding is all about two people starting a new life together, Koru DesigNZ’ creations make for powerful, symbolic wedding accessories.

Joshua Freiwald is a talented young photographer with a remarkable ability to play with light and color while capturing little details in a big way. Joshua is working to upload more recent pictures to his website, but you can view his earlier work at www.joshuafreiwaldphoto.com. Joshsua is incredibly sweet and sincere about his love of shooting weddings. I look forward to featuring more of his work in the future.

Here’s Joshua at the event, setting up some pics for viewing.

And here’s just one great example of his work.

Here’s the Orangia Collection table at the event. Orangia’s clothing, which includes a breathtaking bridal collection, is all eco-friendly and feels so good against the skin (I was able to get up close and personal with a number of the beautiful garments). Orangia is a collaboration between fashion designer Janelle Funari and graphic artist Rodrigo Londono. Its wedding dresses are custom-made with love, and can run well below $1,000.

Real-life bride Madoka Suzuki in an Orangia creation made just for her.

"Really Good DIY" on Practical Posh

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:47:20 -0500

"Really Good DIY" on Practical Posh:

Click the title link to learn why I love this post from wedding blog Practical Posh. It’s chock full of great DIY wedding finds, including the secret to knocking off your own Christian Louboutin petal sandals like the sight for sore eyes below:

And the Winner is...

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:11:12 -0500

The winner (by random selection) of our giveaway with Riotous Pink is Natalie of Dollar Saving Diva!

Thanks to everyone for entering! Natalie, please expect an email from me today letting you know how to clam your very own custom-made brooch from Riotous Pink!

Last Day for Riotous Pink Giveaway!

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:17:13 -0500

Today’s the day we announce the winner of a custom-made brooch by Riotous Pink, but you still have until 7:00pm EST to enter. Be sure to click here and comment in order to throw your veil into the ring! Also, Riotous Pink has some wondrous new additions to her gallery, including this little beauty. If you’ve already checked out her site, you’ll definitely want to stop by her site for a second round! Remember, she makes fabulous bouquets, as well!

Win Your Own Wedding Song!

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:26:26 -0500

This has got to be the coolest contest I’ve seen in quite some time!

Click here to check out Bridal Tweet’s current Wedding Deal, featuring songster Brian David.

You can also learn more by visiting www.BigDaySong.com.

One lucky couple will receive Brian’s “Big Day Song Package #2,” valued at $495. Brian will take your love story and turn it into a song for you to play on your wedding day. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions about you and your mate!

And guess what…just for entering, you can receive $100 off the package. Just for entering!

What a great idea. If I were a talented, guitar-wielding songwriter, I’d be wishing I’d thought of this first!

Belated Non-Floral Friday: Parasols by Fox and Prince

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:45:37 -0500

Truth be told, this Non-Floral Friday is a day past-due. My apologies—the holiday has gone to my head, I suppose.

For several years now, parasols have been blossoming above the heads of bridesmaids at spring and summer weddings. I think they are excellent alternatives to bouquets, provided that your ceremony is out-of-doors. Fox and Prince makes impressive, personalized parasols for just about $50.

Let your maids show off your monogram while keeping the sun off their backs and having something to hold. The color of the monogram, or message, if you prefer, is entirely up to you when ordering from Fox and Prince. How pretty is this picture?

Check out more of Fox and Prince’s work by clicking here. They also sell accessories, stationary, decor, and gifts.

Riotous Pink Giveaway: Extended Deadline

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:14:46 -0500

If you haven’t had a moment to enter our giveaway with Riotous Pink (the prize is a floral brooch designed to your specifications!) then you’re in luck—we’re extending the deadlne until Thursday, July 9! Scroll down or click here to learn more and/or enter.

Rock 'n Roll Bride Answers the Big Question...

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:21:00 -0500

I think several bridal bloggers and their readers have been wondering for months now…

…Just who was it that designed this remarkable dress?

I myself asked this question when I posted about the wedding in which the dress was featured.

Well, Kat of Rock ‘n Roll Bride has managed to answer the elusive question. She explains it all here. Be sure to click through, especially if you haven’t yet discovered the coolness that is the Rock ‘n Roll Bride blog.

I’m so happy to finally know the answer!

Crazy, Crazy Cake Time!

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:36:00 -0500

I have my friend Beth of “Welcome to Bethville” to thank for this one.

I can’t decide if this cake is tacky and terrible beyond repair, or if it’s actually “In your face, Tradition!” enough for me to kinda love it. I’m sure plenty of traditionalists and hard-working cake makers would practically faint upon seeing this at a wedding, but if your reception is all about partying down and not at all about playing by the “wedding rules,” then hey, why not, right?

Seriously, with all the “rules” out there about what’s acceptable at a wedding and what’s not, sometimes a stressed-out, individualist bride just wants to throw up her hands, roll out a crazy cake like this, and let her guests have at it, whether that means digging in or leaving in a huff.

Of course, the fact that this cake comes from a blog titled “This is Why You’re Fat,” kind of sways me towards the more civilized take on this cake.

What do you think?

Recession Friendly Wedding Event Recap, Part I

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:32:00 -0500

I’m so happy to have partaken in NYC’s Recession Friendly Wedding Event earlier this month. The brainchild of a group of talented, driven, forward-thinking vendors, this particular event was oh so refreshing compared to your average bridal expo. And even though the vendors are all based in NYC, most of them provide services to couples throughout the US …and beyond.

I suppose you could hardly call the event an expo—there were under ten vendors in attendance, and it took place at Sweet Revenge, a deliciously charming cupcake, beer and wine bar, rather than a boring, putty-colored convention center. Of course, if you haven’t guessed yet, that’s just the way this budget bride likes her events. The two-day afternoon affair was intimate, personal, and very, very cool. Oh! And most importantly, it was “recession friendly.” Finally! An NYC bridal event that’s about saving rather than shelling out.

Here are some pictures of the grand old time, courtesy of NYC event planner Events Beyond’s Facebook page.

Here we have some beautiful cardboxes from one of my all-time-favorite vendors, Creative Custom Cardboxes. On the left is the company’s new cake-shaped box, and on the right is a large, two-tiered box. All boxes are created according to the customer’s exact specifications. You can learn more about “CCC” by clicking here. Just read the story behind these cardboxes, and you’ll already start to see why I’m such a big fan.

This set-up comes courtesy of Scissor Paper Stone Invitations, which is run out of both the US and the UK. I can’t wait to tell Budget Bride’s reader’s more about this seller’s stylish, modern, well-priced paper products, but if you can’t wait for the full write-up, please do check them out at their website.

Here’s Courtney Kern of Event’s Beyond! We have her to thank for bringing many of us NYC wedding folks together. When Courtney isn’t working to unite New York’s circle of vendors, she caters to brides by offering a variety of affordable wedding planning packages You can visit Events Beyond’s website here.

Take a look at these tasty treats from Sweet Revenge, the event’s great location! Sweet Revenge offers catering services to locals. You can learn more about them by clicking this link.

Stay tuned for more great vendors from this awesome event!