7 Way Bridesmaid Dress for Under $100

Happy Wednesday Budget Brides!!

I am extremely excited about this post. Many of you have seen the new convertible dresses that have hit the market for the wedding scene. However, I have noticed that many of these dresses

are pricing in the $250 to $400 range. So once I saw this dress from Victoria Secrets for under $100. What's even better is that you can purchase in a ruched or flowy style.

Image from Victoria Secret's

The Rouched Convertible Dress comes in 6 colors and in sizes XS - XL. It can be purchased for $79. Click here to see more.

The Flirty Convertible Dress comes in 8 colors and in sizes XS - XL. It can be purchased for $85. Click here to see more.

Maybe you want a more high-end convertible dress.

Two Birds Bridesmaid offers three collections which include Classic, Rosette and Two-Toned. These dresses also come in a variety of lengths. Pricing ranges from $270 - $295. I love the fact that TBB has a tutorial video.

Butter By Nadia also offers convertible dresses in 7 different styles, a variety of colors and one size fits all. Pricing ranges from $268 - $360.

Be Safe: Insure Your Wedding Jewelry

Happy Monday Budget Brides!!!

Can you believe that today is the first Monday of 2010? Now that the holidays are over we have to get back to the business of ALL THINGS WEDDING. Many of you are continued readers of this blog; however, some are you are new. Welcome!!! So I wanted to start the new year off discussing insurance. Getting engagement ring insurance is so important to the wedding planning process.

We all know that we live in a world where caterers are always on time, flowers are never damaged and thieves never break into our homes...... Sike!!!

It is for all these reasons and a thousand more that you should insure your wedding jewelry.

Engagement & Wedding Ring Insurance

Q. What is engagement/wedding ring insurance?

A. Engagement/Wedding Ring Insurance is insurance to cover you in case of theft, damage or lost that can occur.

Q. What does this insurance cover?

A. You should want your insurance to cover damage, lost, theft and mysterious disappearance.

Q. If my jewelry becomes damaged, lost, or stolen will the insurance policy replace or repair my jewelry?

A. Depending on the jewelry insurance company that you choose, some companies will replace or repair your damaged, lost or stolen jewelry.

Note: In replacing or repairing your jewelry some insurance companies will only repair jewelry to the condition that it was originally and will only replace your jewelry to the likeness and quality that it was originally.

Q. I already have homeowners' or renter's insurance should I purchase jewelry/ring insurance?

A. I would suggest that you call your insurance company and request reading materials for adding jewelry/engagement insurance to your policy. I would also contact a couple of jewelry/engagement ring insurance companies for reading materials. Compare your findings and determine which is best for your individual situation.

Note: No one can tell you what type of insurance you should acquire. Everyone has different circumstances and situations. It is best to obtain all the information possible and make an informed decision. Homeowners insurance usually covers up to $1,000 of your jewelry lost while renter's insurance usually covers up to $500.

Q. Typically, how much is jewelry/engagement ring insurance?

A. According to my research, jewelry/engagement ring insurance cost about 1.25% - 1.75% of the appraised value of the ring each year.

Note: If your ring cost $15,000 then your insurance cost will be between $187.50 - $262.50.

Here are some questions The Knot advises you to ask before committing to an insurance policy:

Is the ring covered if you lose it accidentally, or only if it's stolen?

How will the company replace the ring? By check or will they require you to obtain a replacement through a specific jeweler?

What if it is a vintage ring or other unique piece? How will the quality and size of your diamond, and that of a replacement if needed, be documented?

Is the ring insured to full cost or a fraction of it?

How will you need to prove the ring vanished if you need to prove a claim?

Are there any circumstances that are not covered under the policy?

Jewelry/Engagement Ring Insurance Companies

Jewelers Mutual - Specializes in personal and retailer insurance coverage. Jewelers Mutual offers repair and replacement coverage. All jewelry must be appraised before the application is approved. Policy is not available for unset stones, antique jewelry and previously damaged items.

The Chubb Group - Specializes in a few different types of insurances; however, they have policies for jewelry specifically. You can obtain a policy through independent insurance agents or jewelry retailers. The Chubb Group recommends jewelry appraisals for all jewelry but only recommends jewelry appraisals for items worth $50,000 or more. Coverage does not include loose diamonds.

Sources include About.com, Jewelers Mutual, The Chubb Group and The Knot

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Happy New Year!!!! Let's Welcome 2010.....

The Budget Brides Handbook

wishes all of you much

success and happiness

in the New Year.

May this year bring you

much joy during your

wedding planning process.

We'll Be Back Soon : A Note From The Editor

Happy Wednesday Budget Brides!!

I wanted to address to you all the reasons why I haven't been blogging within the last two months. My life has been through many ups and downs since March 13, 2009. This was the day that began the downturn of my life. I lost my job at a well known furniture and jewelry retailer who ended up going out of business. I know many of you would think well this was the perfect time to begin blogging with a passion. Well my passion of blogging, business and life in general began to decrease more and more. Now I have found myself a little over two months out of my original layoff date and still unemployed. Not only have I been unemployed for almost the last year but a very special person departed this Earth on November 20, 2009. I lost my friend, fighting partner and confidant in my grandmother Mrs. Lucille Wright. So life has just not been the same.


I know that many of you maybe wondering why I am sharing all of this. But I truly love and appreciate my readers. In not leaving you hanging, I just felt it was super important for all of you to know that I have not left or forgotten you. However, life does happen and sometimes it hits us a little harder than other. In saying all of this, I am pushing past all of my negative feelings and getting back to the old me. In 2010, The Budget Brides Handbook will begin a new beginning and we are looking to all of you for amazing support.


Thank you for taking the time to read my heartfelt note.......


Yours Truly,
Sharise

An Evening at Lion in the Sun with the Wedding Pros

Happy Thursday Budget Brides!!

So last night I trecked out to Brooklyn for a blogger networking event at Lion in the Sun Paperie.

First, let me say how wonderful this little stationary store in Park Slope, Brooklyn is so warming and welcoming. On the corner of 4th street and 7th Avenue it's so inviting to those of us who love stationary and attractive to the invitation seekers. Go, visit and let them know The Budget Brides Handbook sent you.

Here are some tips from the experts:


Anne Chernoff (From I will to I Do)

Anne told a great story of how she went to a wedding and unexceptantly had to pay for valet parking. She didn't mind so much that she had to pay for the parking but the fact that no one (Bride, Groom or Valet Attendant) mention that the valet had to be paid by each individual guest. Her suggestion was that you don't necessary have to pay for valet parking for your guest but you need to tell them whether it is already paid for or should be paid by the guest.

Xochitl Gonzalez (Always A Blogsmaid)

Xochitl discussed allowing Bridesmaids to choose their own bridesmaid dresses. She thought that this trend was every thoughtful for the Bridemaids and allowed them to show their personality. All of the panelist agreed that this new trend should be done with much preparation and direction.

Sarah Pease (Brilliant Event Planning)

Sarah reminded all of the Brides to be realistic about the day of their wedding. If you wake up the morning of your wedding and it is raining outside. You should probably rethink that outdoor ceremony. Sarah told us a story about a couple she worked with and how it had rained earlier in the day with chances of raining again during the wedding ceremony. The Bride and Groom were deadset on having their wedding ceremony and cocktail hour outside. Needless to say Mother Nature won that battle. Good thing for the couple, Sarah was thoughtful even to set up another 200 chairs in a room on the property and the couple was able to repeat the ceremony for all to hear.

Loren Michelle (Naturally Delicious)

Loren heighten all of our taste buds with her delicious food that she provided at the event. I love the chocolate brownies the most. One of Loren's tips was to make your wedding menu your own. She told us of a story about a couple whose wedding menu was their first date meal. She also talked about another couple who had lots of help from their friends from their wedding website to the Groom creating his own beer for the special day.

Melinda Morris (Lion in the Sun)

Melinda gave us a budget saving tip with tear away RSVP cards. She even showed us an example of an RSVP card that tore away from the actual invitation. It's a cute and chic way to to save money; however, please remind that this type of RSVP card should be used for more casual weddings.

Vane (Brooklyn Bride)

Vane discussed including both families culture into the wedding. For her wedding, Vane and her husband decided to have a New Orleans band at the wedding while performing some of the dancing rituals from her Turkish family.

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Crown Invitation Templates from Wedding Chicks

Happy Thursday Budget Brides!!!

Here is an amazing DIY wedding invitation courtsey of the ladies over at Wedding Chicks. These invitations are great for regal and fabulous Princess wedding that a Budget Bride may want to achieve. The Wedding Chicks give you directions on how to print these invitations through VistaPrint. But I think that these invitation would come out even better on some shimmery card stock and if you got them printed at a print shop. I can see the shimmery champagne cardstock and raised printing. Just smiling at the thought.

Click the image to download template.

Love this post! Let us know what you think in the comments!!

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FAB!!! Eye Candy from Christan Dior Haute Couture

Happy Wednesday Budget Brides!!!

I saw this dress, Belle De Delft by Christian Dior Haute Couture, on a few other blogs and I just had to share with all of my Budget Brides. Just think of all the creativity ideas you can develop for your wedding from this picture. You never know you may see this dress in an upcoming segment of Sunday Brunch.

Do you love this dress? Would you wear it on your big day?

Leave us a comment letting us know what you think.

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