A little lighting

As I was flipping through a magazine the other day, I saw some of the cutest ideas for lighting and centerpieces! The one that stuck out the most was super easy and wouldn't be too expensive.

First, fill large vases in various sizes with sand and then take random sized candles that match your wedding color(s) and place them in the vase. You can also choose to use white candles for a really clean and simple look.

If your wedding is an outdoor event, consider using citronella candles in the mix too. Places like Crate and Barrel and Pier1 usually have them out for the Summer. This way, everything will look pretty and your guests won't have to worry about bugs while they're enjoying the time outside with you!

Here is a tip for those of you want to be a little greener these days - consider using soy candles! While they may be a little more expensive, keep your eye out and try to catch them on sale. Yankee Candle does a semi-annual sale and you can find some great deals there!

For my wedding we did something similar. The difference was that I didn't use glass vases, we used galvanized buckets with sand in them. As an added bonus... since we were at the beach, sand was free and easy to find!

You could use this idea for simple things like cookouts or dinner parties too!

And remember, while most of the places I mention in my blog are bigger chain stores, because that makes it easier for everyone to get what I am suggesting, always remember to shop those local stores in your hometowns!! It's a great way to get to know your community and put money back into it!

RSVP please

Hey everyone! Hope you had a good weekend! Sorry I have been MIA lately... classes started back up and work is... work. haha

Recently, I started following my favorite stationary store on twitter and it reminded me that I haven't given ya'll any tips on your invites!

Picking out my invitations was a really fun part of my wedding planning. I went my local stationary store, The Cordial Cricket, and those ladies really know their stuff! If you live in the Richmond, VA area I highly recommend them. Check them out on their Web site, facebook, or twitter! They know everything and can definitely help you pick the right invites for you event. They even have all the etiquette tips you could ever need to make sure you do things right. But I think one of the biggest/best things about them is that they will help you stay in your budget.

They have more than just invites to order too... they do a ton of printing at the store too! So make sure your MOHs and family know they can shower invites there too!

Stationary can get really pricey, for sure. So put your bargain bride hat on and make sure you stick to your budget! My invites were perfect for my event - light, fun, and bright! And best of all... they fit me and my checkbook!

Getting fit for the big day!

All of us struggle with weight and health on a daily basis, but I am willing to bet, that as your wedding day gets closer, you are stressing out even more than usual about your weight! I have even heard of girls buying their dresses a size too small, just to make themselves get skinny for the wedding! Crazy, I say!! If you lose weight before the wedding - awesome!! Get that dress taken in!

But as gym memberships can get pricey, I have an alternative solution for you. A friend mine has a healthy cooking blog called "Cookin Fanatic" where she posts healthy recipes and some exercise ideas. It's a great one to follow and I definitely think you should check it out.

Good luck, ladies!! I know all of you are going to be make gorgeous bargain brides!

Who needs a DJ...

When you've got an iPod?
Sure, it may sound a little crazy at first, but DJs are expensive! Why not pick your own music and play it from your iPod at the reception? Most of us have some sort of docking station that can definitely get loud enough to fill a room. We did this at one of my sorority formals and it worked great!

Since my reception was outdoors by the pool, the iPod worked just as well there as it did at my formal in college.

It may not be as glamorous as lights and a fancy DJ, but we are bargain hunters here. We splurge where we need it and cut back on others.
photo from apple.com

Every bride needs a little bling

Girls love jewelry! It's true and you know it. What bride doesn't need a little sparkle in her life?! I would love to recommend to you one of my favorite jewelry artists... Bridget Camden. She can be found on etsty under the shop name "One Sweet Peach." Or on facebook too!

Her work is extraordinary and to die for!! She handcrafted my perfect wedding necklace and I know she can do the same for you. From earrings to necklaces to bracelets... you won't be disappointed with any of it. For my wedding, she created a piece that was filled with kashi pearls. It fit my beach wedding perfectly. She has several pieces that she makes specifically for brides.


Here is the piece I wore for my big day....gorgeous, right?
This photo was taken by Bridget for her facebook page.