This fun, flirty ensemble comes in at $479.00!

Dress $122 from eCrater
http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=6026697&keywords=t-length#

Veil $28 from Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/listing/43804330/elegent-birdcage-veil-with-crystal

Shoes $88 from Zappos
http://www.zappos.com/rsvp-angelique-fuchsia

Clutch $148 from Nordstrom
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3089032?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=sondra+roberts&origin=searchresults

Earrings $48 from Macy’s
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=463727&CategoryID=50695

Necklace $45 from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Silver-Bezel-Set-Zirconia-Solitaire/dp/B002NWBRO6

Total: $424.00

Sources:
Lace and Luxury Dress $52.99
ModCloth: http://bit.ly/cj4jjt

Dutch Darling Cardigan $73.99
ModCloth: http://bit.ly/bF6jnR

Chelsea Crew Juliette Nude Tear Drop Peep Toe Heel $62
Lulu’s: http://bit.ly/8YewYh

Twiggy Wire Vine Crown $35
Esty Seller whichgoose: http://bit.ly/cHqint

Posy Drops in Dark Seafoam & Copper $7
Etsy Seller floatytoes: http://bit.ly/ayFtXp

Second Nature Necklace in Gold $16
Lulus: http://bit.ly/ckbl7d

Ring Around the Rosies Golden Bracelet $12.99
Ruche: http://bit.ly/b9WfDw

Golden Saddle Ring $36
Etsy Seller StoneCreekDesigns: http://bit.ly/ck5Ba7

Twinkling Night Clutch $128
Anthropologie: http://bit.ly/att6PX

Today’s entry comes from lroux;

Dress handpainted fantasy from Etsy Shop: marinaasta, Peacock Dress: $130.00

Steve Madden ‘Toppazz’ Heals, Gray Ruffle Shoe: $99.95 at Nordstrom

White Ivory Feather and Rose Bridal Hair clip with Something Blue from Etsy:  Feather Hair Accent: $19.00

Victorian ‘Vintage Style’ Silver Aqua Blue filagree Opulant Chandelier Faceted Rivoli Crystal long Sparkling Earrings from Etsy Shop: buildforfun2007, Blue Vintage Earrings: $20

Gold Bouquet Bracelet Esty Shop: Noaki, Golden Bracelet: $85.00

Total cost: $353.95

16 GB Apple iPad - Hello, you sexy thing!

Hello, you sexy thing! If the iPad is on your “must have” list, you’re in for a geeky treat of nerd proportions.

Beginning Monday, April 05 DIY Bride (that’s me) is opening a contest to win a 16 GB iPad. Since this is a serious chunk of change out of my blogging pockets, I’m gonna make you work for it. Don’t worry; it’ll be fun!

The Scoop:

Since the economy and wedding budgets are very much in focus right now, I’m asking that anyone who wishes to have a chance to win the iPad to submit an inspiration board with the theme of The Under $500 Bridal Ensemble into our new gallery. We did this a 1.5 years ago and it was a blast.

How To Enter:

Submit an inspiration board that contains the following:

• bridal gown
• veil/headpiece/tiara/hair accessories
• shoes
• jewelry/other accessories

When combined, the total cost of all of the pieces of the ensemble must be less than $500. All pieces must be new (no vintage, second hand, clearance/sales, or consignment). Entries must include links to the products and list the prices in the gallery submission form to qualify.

Entries in must be a single Inspiration board image in .gif, .jpg, .png,  format.

Entries must be put into the 2010 Inspiration Board section of the gallery. Posts anywhere else will not be accepted. You must be a member of our community forums. There’s no fee to register.

Deadline:

Submissions must be in by the end of day on Thursday, May 06.

Selection: On May 07, the winner will be chosen.

One entry per person. We track IP addresses.

The contest is open to anybody in the US (sorry, our international pals) who are not employees, advertisers/affiliates,  nor related to employees of DIYBride.com. No purchase is necessary.

The iPad will ship directly from Apple. Delivery time will be dependent upon Apple’s supply and fulfillment timeline.

Winners must provide a shipping address (no PO Boxes) and must be present to sign for the delivery. No exceptions.

The fine print is behind the jump.

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. ODDS OF WINNING
WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. VOID WHERE
PROHIBITED BY LAW. ONLINE ENTRY ONLY AND INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED.
ONE ENTRY PER PERSON.

All entries become the property of the DIYBride.com. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means are void. By becoming a member of DIYBride.com and a gallery entry in accordance with the entry process on DIYBride.com, you will be agreeing that your registration and any other information collected in connection with the Giveaway may be used by DIYBride.com in accordance with DIYBride.com’s Privacy Policy. Notwithstanding anything to thecontrary in the foregoing, information collected from entrant will only be used for direct marketing purposes if entrant consents to use in such
manner. DIYBride.com expressly reserves the right to disqualify any entries that it believes in good faith  are generated by an automated program or via scripts. By participating, all entrants agree to abide by these
Official Giveaway Rules.

PRIZES:

At the end of the Entry Period, there will be a one (1) drawing in which one (1) potential Grand Prize winner shall be selected from all eligible entries received during the Entry Period by random selection by employees or representatives of the Sponsor to receive the Grand Prize of one (1) 16GB Apple iPad device (estimated retail value: $500). The Grand Prize does not include 3G data plans, applications or other service or operating expenses.

If potential Grand Prize winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, prize will be re-awarded, in DIYBride’s sole discretion. Other restrictions may apply. Decisions of the DIYBride are final and binding with respect to all matters related to the Giveaway. All prizes will be awarded. In no event shall the DIYBride be obligated to award more prizes than the number of prizes stated in these Official Giveaway Rules. DIYBride reserves the right to deliver prizes up to 6 months after the retail release date of the Apple iPad.  Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize.

Grand Prize winner must be present at the time of delivery to sign for the  package as proof of delivery. No exceptions.

SELECTION:

The winning entry will be chosen at random. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. The Giveaway will be conducted under the supervision of DIYBride. The decisions of DIYBride are final and binding in all matters relating to this Giveaway. The winners will be notified by an message to the winner’s email account provided at the time of sign-up to the community;  DIYBride reserves the right to determine the method of notification. Winners must claim their prize within seventy-two (72) hours after the date of notification of such prize. A Giveaway winner’s failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified seventy-two (72) hours will be considered such Giveaway winner’s forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of
eligible entries. DIYBride reserves the right to ship prizes directly to the email and/or mailing address provided by winners during their entry to the Giveaway. Each entry submitted in response to the Giveaway and in accordance with the rules will constitute an official entry. One entry per person. Duplicate entries will be void. All entrants agree to abide by these Official Giveaway Rules. All entries become the property of DIYBride.

GENERAL CONDITIONS AND RELEASES:

An entrant or winner may be disqualified from the Giveaway if he or she fails to comply with each provision of these Official Giveaway Rules, as determined in the sole discretion of DIYBride. Participation in the Giveaway is at entrant’s own risk. DIYBride does not make any, and hereby disclaim any and all, representations or warranties of any kind regarding any prize. Unless prohibited by applicable law, your entry constitutes your permission to use your name, photograph, likeness, voice, address (city and state) and testimonials in all media, in perpetuity, in any manner DIYBride deems appropriate for publicity purposes without any further compensation to such entrant.

By entering, an entrant agrees to release and hold harmless DIYBride and each of its respective parents, subsidiaries and affiliated entities, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any damage, injury, death, loss, claim, action, demand, or other liability (collectively, “Claims”) that may arise from their acceptance, possession and/or use of any prize or their participation in the Giveaway, or from any misuse or malfunction of any prize awarded, regardless of whether such Claims, or knowledge of the facts constituting such Claims, exist at the time of entry or arise at any time thereafter. Released Parties are not responsible or liable to any entrant or to the winner or any person claiming through such winner for failure to supply the prize or any part thereof, by reason of any acts of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action, regulations, order or request proves to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened terrorist acts, terrorist acts, air raid, blackout, act of public enemy, earthquake, war (declared or undeclared), fire, flood, epidemic, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane,
embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal) labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any other cause beyond the Released Parties’ sole control. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether
caused by entrants, printing, electronic or human errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Giveaway; (2) viruses or technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; failed, incorrect, incomplete,
inaccurate, garbled or delayed electronic communications or entry information, any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, failures or technical malfunction of any computer online systems, servers, providers, computer equipment, software, email, players or browsers, whether on account of technical problems, traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or on account of any combination of the foregoing; (3) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions or telephone or Internet service;
(4) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Giveaway; (5) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Giveaway or the processing of entries; ( 6 ) late, lost, undeliverable, damaged or stolen mail or other methods of delivery; or (7) any injury or damage to persons or property which may
be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Giveaway or receipt or use or misuse of any prize; or ( 8 ) late, lost, misdirected, illegible, incomplete or mutilated entries or for theft, destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries. Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with this Giveaway will be ineligible for prizes and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. DIYBride reserves the right to modify these Official Giveaway Rules in any way or at any time. Sponsor reserves the right, in their sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this Giveaway should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond their control corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Giveaway. In the event of cancellation or suspension, DIYBride shall promptly post a notice on the Giveaway entry page to such effect. This Giveaway shall be governed by California law. By participating in this Giveaway, entrants agree that California courts shall have jurisdiction over any dispute or
litigation arising from or relating to this Giveaway and that venue shall be only in San Jose, California.

Apple, AT&T and Twitter are not affiliated with the Giveaway.

{Edited to correct date 03/April/10}

To make good on my original contest rules, I’ve used Random.Org to select a random winner in addition to my picks from the other day. Using the integer generator, it chose #12. #12 corresponds to the 12th entry I posted and it was from Andrea.

Congrats, Andrea! Your entry is beautiful – very retro Hollywood glam.

Each of the winners will receive a copy of The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects For Your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding. (Email notification is on its way.)

Winner #1: Samantha G.

I loved this one because I thought the colors were fresh, the dress was gorgeous, and the total cost was under $400. For the sleek, modern bride who loves adding unexpected details, this is a great choice.

Winner #2: Samantha W.

This one caught my eye because it’s frilly and romantic … and about $326 for all 6 elements. For more traditional brides, this is a lovely option.

Samantha W.'s Entry

Winner #3: Emilia

For something fun, funky, and fresh Emilia’s entry is aces in my book. I love how daring and playful this ensemble is. Great dress, unique accessories. It makes a great statement.

Emilia's Entry

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

Total: $306.93

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

Total: $492