DIY Bride™

I ran across this great little project from atelier v. {via Photojojo} this morning. The project could be used for seating cards, pictures, and table numbers. The metal bases can even be painted if brushed silver just isn’t your thang.

If you haven’t been to Photojojo yet, rush over there right away. They have great DIY projects that can be used for weddings and an abundance of tips for taking great pics.
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I admit it: I’ve not been a big fan of glycerine soaps. Most are a little too cutesy for me and the others just didn’t catch my fancy. Until now.

SoapyLove has completely converted me into a glyercine soap fan. Debbie’s designs are hip, modern, and downright fun. Her soaps would be PERFECT for shower favors, wouldn’t they? And they could easily be presented as favors to your wedding guests, too.

SoapyLove’s Petite Soap favors can be customized with shape, color, scent, and packaging so you’ll be able to match nearly any theme.

An exampe of the adorable Petite Soap Favor:

My fave SoapyLove soap is the Mod Squares bar:

SoapyLove can be found online at SoapyLove.Com.
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Are you looking for a pretty gown that doesn’t break the bank? I have some swell options that might tickle your fancy (and your pocketbook).

I’ve poked around the internets and found some great deals for under $300.00. All these gowns are new and currently available at retailers. Some are specifically labelled as bridal gowns, some are just formals, and some are bridesmaids dresses. These gowns are all $300 or under.

Purposelly omitted are gowns from eBay. Stock from there varies widely from day to day so it wouldn’t have been prudent to include them in this round. Do check out eBay, though, for excellent deals.

These gowns aren’t the only available on the cheap. Most of the retailers mentioned below carry other gowns in the under $300.00 price range. My other tip is to look at bridesmaids gowns. Most manufacturers offer them in white or ivory. Watters + Watters is a favorite.

Under $100.00

Sequin-Trimmed Gown (shrug sold separately)

Newport News

Sizes 4 – 18

Available at Newport-News.com

$59.00

Sleek Spaghetti Strap with Lace-up Back

GOJane

Sizes Xsmall – XLarge

Available via GoJane.com

$79.99

Halter with Rhinestone Pin

Sizes Xsmall – XLarge

Available from Amazon.com

$94.99 (Sale)

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Under $200

Beaded Halter

PacificPlex

Available via Amazon.com

$119.00

Twist-Back Halter

JCPenney

Sizes 4 – 16

$129.99

Chiffon Spaghetti Strap

Lane Bryant

Sizes 14-24 Only

Available at LaneBryant.Com

$149.50

Lace Halter with Sash

Sizes to 14

Bari Jay

Available at Nordstrom

$178.00

Grecian-inspired

Plus-sizes Only 14 – 32

IGIGI

Available via IGIGI.com

$189.00

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Under $300

Empire Waist Silk Gown

J. Crew

Sizes 0 – 16

Available from JCrew.Com

$295.00

Beaded Gown with Slit

Xsmall – XLarge (Whatever that means! Ask for a size chart.)

DCD

Available at Amazon.com

$299.00

Ruffle Gown with Cap Sleeves

Sean Collection

Sizes XXS – 3X

Available at Nordstrom

$299.00 (Plus sizes extra)

Cap Sleeve Charmeuse

A.B.S by Allen Schwartz

Sizes to 12

Available at Nordstrom

$300.00
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Hiya Brides,

I picked up the first issue of CRAFT Magazine yesterday. It’s awesome! They feature a fun, eclectic mix of projects. While there’s nothing specifically for weddings in this issue, they have a great tutorial on screen printing. For anyone considering DIY invites, screen printing opens up a whole new level of crafty goodness. You can print nearly any color of ink on any color of paper. I’ve been learning this on my own and can say their tutorial is really, really good.

Check out Craft’s website or pick up a copy of the magazine at newsstands now.
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Inexpensive, easy, and beautiful DIY centerpieces are hard to come by. (How many floating candles in bowls can you stand?) When something clever and on the cheap comes by my desk, I get giddy.

While flowers in a vase certainly aren’t new, the BlumeBox container is. What is it, exactly? It’s a recyclable vase for fresh (or silk if you’re so inclined) blooms that comes in a rainbow of colors and can be dressed up to fit your decor. The BlumeBox is available in 2 sizes. The tall retails for $4.99 and the short for a mere $3.99 each.

Check out the BlumeBox gallery for some lovely ideas and inspiration.

{found via Witty Whimsy}
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I just returned from a short trip to NYC to shoot the first half of the projects for the upcoming DIY Bride book. NYC rocks my little crafty world, y’all.

For anyone planning a wedding in/around NYC, you are in the mecca for all-things-DIY. Some highlights I can share with you:

The Flower District: On 28th and 6th. 28th Street houses a row of wholesale flower shops. Though I understand the local merchants are being pushed out to accommodate posh hotels and residences, there are still some great vendors doing business in the area. The prices were excellent and the shop owners were helpful and fun. While you’re *supposed* to have a business license/wholesale account to do business with these guys, I was never asked for my creditentials in the several trips I made to the market. (I happen to have a state reseller’s license, so I would’ve been ok. Your mileage may vary.)

One retail spot I recommend for anything garden-y is Jamali Garden Supplies at 149 W. 28th St.

Paper Presentation: If you’re doing your own invites, get thee to PP on 23 West 18th St between 5th & 6th. They have a fabulous selection of pocketfolds, cardstock, and all sorts of papery goodness. You’ll find lots of tools, a fair selection of ribbon (do not cut it yourself!), and a ton of interesting and fun embellishments.

Trims, Rhinestones, Ribbons can be found at an abundance of shops around W. 38th and W. 39th Streets in the Garment District between 7th and 8th. Ask at each shop if they have minimums (wholesale-only establishments usually require a $300 minimum… best to find out before you hit the registers). I recommend retailer M & J Trimming at 1008 6th Avenue. Helpful service with a nice selection of goods.

Tinsel Trading was closed when I stopped by. I reaaaaally wanted to shop there. Be a doll and stop in for me, ok? 64 W. 38th St.

For fabrics, go to Mood (where the Project Runway contestants get their fabrics) at 226 W 37th, 3rd Floor.

Cake Decorating Supplies can be found at New York Cake Supplies. 56 West 22nd St.
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Pulling off a themed-wedding can be tricky, especially if the theme happens to be Halloween. Will you dress in costume or not? How do you convince your guests to get into the not-so-ghastly wedding spirit? What if you want to DIY?

From the ever-great Create My Event blog, I surfed over to a great site for Halloween-themed weddings called, Halloweddings (of course!).

Jenna has some really fun ideas for throwing a ghoulish fete. Everything from ceremony suggestions to diy recipes to very a nice resources section are available to visitors for free.

Visit Halloweddings at http://www.halloweddings.com

{found via i*heart*paper blog}
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Finding a fun, fabulous gift for your maids can be a challenge. Most of us buy matching items for our wedding party (no jealousy = path to nuptual nirvana) but finding something everyone will love is tough. Enter My Favorite Mirror.

Give your glam squad a custom-designed pocket mirror for those who need to primp in style. My Favorite Mirror offers fun and pretty stock designs but also has a custom design service. They’ll put your design on one of their mirrors. Cool! Prices start at $6.50 (where else are you gonna find an original BM gift for under $10.00?) and discounts are given for bulk purchases.

My Favorite Mirros is offering DIYBride readers 15% off any DIY or Favor Order. If you spend over $50, US customers get FREE ground shipping (USPS), too. Use code: diybride
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A hearty thank you to the lovely folks at Bridal Depot!

Sal Tenorio, store manager of Bridal Depot, has offered to help brides in and around the Houston area who’ve been affected by the Bridesave.com closure.

Sal says:

” We would like to help those we can in the Houston and surrounding areas.
They can bring in their recepits and we will gladly extend a 20% discount in addition to any other sales in the store. Come and see us for more details or call us at 713.668.3100″

Bridal Depot : http://texasbridaldepot.com/
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