DIY Bride™

As I head off for a few days to spend Thanksgiving with my family and friends, I wanted to express how grateful I am for you, my awesome community of friends and colleagues.

All-in-all 2008 has been an amazing year of growth on every level (my 6th month pregnant belly is proof) for me and DIY Bride and you – whether you’ve known it or not – have been a huge part in this most challenging and amazing of years.

Thank you for sharing your stories, your talents, your resources, your support, and your generous, kind spirits with me and the other readers of this blog.

With all sincerity I do appreciate every single one of you!

May your Thankgiving be one of fun and love.

-Khris

As we in the US gear up for Thanksgiving this week, the inevitable barage of Black Friday ads are undoubtedly already on their way to your hot little hands. For those of you with DIY wedding projects on your to do list in the next few months NOW is the perfect time to stock up on crafting essentials. Coupons, sales, and discounts galore will be abundant for the next few months. Take advantage of this most wonderful time of year, my friends.

What you should you stock up on:

• Double-sided adhesives. If you’re doing stationery projects, you’ll likely need plenty of double stick tape. I go through several rolls a year.
• Printer ink cartridges
• Printer papers & cardstock
• Extra blades for your paper cutter
• Embellishments like ribbon, rhinestones, glitter, eyelets, brads
• Ink for rubber stamps
• Floral supplies
• Fabric and notions

Bigger-ticket items to watch out for:

• Inkjet printers
• Good paper cutter
• Heat embossing tool (if you’re going to stamp & emboss)
• Jewelry tool kits
• Die cutting machines
• Sewing machines

Where to look for deals:

• Newspapers. This is THE week for print coupons in the paper.
• Craft store websites. Some have downloadable printable coupons and some have online coupon codes.
• Sign up for craft and office supply store newsletters. The big guys are starting to send out 30% – 50% coupons on a regular or semi-regular basis to their email subscribers.
• Local store newsletters. If your favorite scrapbook or fabric store has a mailing list, get on it ASAP. Many send out notices of in-store events and sales on a short notice.

Thank you to everyone who entered this contest!

With all sincerity – I am amazed at how talented and resourceful you are! I admit to buying a pair of shoes that was showcased and found some nifty ideas for Xmas gifts.

I’ll be announcing the winner on Monday. Hopefully everyone will have had a chance to view all of the awesomeness that was turned in.

Notes:

• If you missed the contest and want to share your Under $500 boards anyway, please send ‘em in anytime! There’s no prize involved except the utter adoration of all of us DIYers on a budget. Wedding pros, readers, past-brides, etc. are all invited to participate. (Please, please, please do NOT put the links/sources in the .jpg/image file! Include them in the body of the email.)
• Etsy was, by far, the #1 resource for our readers’ boards. Nordstrom and Macys followed as go-to spots for wedding attire on a budget.
• If you entered and your entry is not displayed: it’s probably due to it not being in the format specified in the contest rules.

If you didn’t get enough budget-friendly ideas, my friend Liene of Blue Orchid Designs, will be announcing the winner of her Recessionista challenge – the under $1000 ensemble challenge. Check out the details: http://www.blueorchidblog.com/2008/11/recessionista-giveaway.html

From Marissa

Total: $306.93

See full image for sources (click above to make larger).

From Aleda & Anna

Total: $492

From Samantha

Total: $396.95

Sources

BRIDAL GOWN
Nordstrom
$228.00
Mary L Couture Notch Bodice Halter Gown

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

VEIL/HEADPIECE/HAIR ACCESSORIES
Rose Hair Clip
$34.00

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

SHOES
Nordstrom
$89.95
Orange Glint ‘Devon’ Slingback Pump

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

JEWELRY/OTHER ACCESSORIES
Clutch
ALDO
$30.00

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

EARINGS
Kohls Jewelry
sale $15.00  (regular $20.00)

From Lena

Total: $488.13

Sources

Dress: 128.00
Nordstrom

Shoes: 32.99
Overstock.com

Headpiece: 24.00
Urban Outfitters

Ring: 19.00
Etsy

Bracelet: 115.20
The Jewish Museum

Earrings: 69.99
Smart Bargains

Flowers: 60.00
FTD

Veil: 38.95
Something Bold

From Katarina

Total: $492.00

Sources

Shoes: Love Peep-toe Pump
Payless Shoe Source $20

Hair Flower: Red silk flower hair clip with chenille dots
Etsy $45

Purse: Peacock Zipper Pouch
Etsy $18

Bracelet: Red Wire Bracelet
Etsy $40

Butter Satin Ball Gown – Butter by Nadia
BennyandShaw $349

Oval Glass Necklace - Echo Jibe Jewellry
$20

From Ashley

Total: $274.00

Sources

Dress: “Quinceanera Dress Style 5713″ by Peridress, $143.99

Earrings: Coiled Silver Earrings from the etsy shop DianaKirkpatrickArt, $40.00

Tiara: “Swarkovski Crystal and Peal Mini Tiara-Custom Made-Bespoke” from the etsy shop PinkTigersDen, $42.00

Necklace: “Melancholy Lashes” from the etsy shop Untamed Menagerie, $25.00

Shoes: Payless Shoe Source, “Halden Hidden Platform Pump,” $22.99

From Amy

Total: $482.00

Sources

Dress:
Betsy & Adam Pleated Halter Gown from Dillards
$160.00

Earrings:
Powdered Almond Pearl Earrings from Etsy Seller MiaBeads
$13.50

Bracelet:
Powdered Almond Pearl Bracelet From Etsy Seller MiaBeads
$28.50

Veil:
Fingertip Diamond White Veil from Etsy Seller BellaBridal Veils
$24.00

Shoes:
Low heel Cherry Wedge Sandel from Mohop
$256 (half the budget, yes, but they are from recycled material and the ribbons are changeable and worn for many more occassions)