Weekend Update: Project Bridesmaids

It's the weekend Budget Brides!!! I hope you all are enjoying it and getting your wedding tasks completely. From time to time, The BBH will post some weekend updates about events & promotions going on. Here is an event for next Saturday in NYC. Definitely take the opportunity to go if you have a chance to support this great cause.

PROJECT BRIDESMAIDS a new kind of event to benefit Planet Hope

Your lovingly worn bridesmaid dress* gets you a full day of:

• fashion shows
• refreshments
• giveaways
• makeovers
• discounted shopping

Plus the first 500 guests get a great swag bag full of goodies!

Hosted by Colin Cowie, Issac Mizrahi, Lela Rose & Vera Wang

Planet Hope offers new clothing for kids, counseling and image makeovers for homeless women and for women who have been victims of domestic violence. Created by actress Sharon Stone and her sister, Kelly, Planet Hope, which provides hope for a better life, has made a tremendous difference to thousands of homeless & abused children and their families.

RSVP by March 5th to Brides.com/projectbridesmaids

*Small suggested donation accepted in lieu of bridesmaid dress

Image & Information Courtesy Brides.com & Facebook

Kleinfield's March Sample Sale

Sunday, March 8, 2009

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
110 West 20th Street (Bet 6th & 7th Avenues)New York, NY By Appointment Only!!
Call 646.633.4300 today for an appointment.
Save up to 70% on select designer sample gowns from top designers.Also, receive up to 50% off a selection of accessories!
Participating designers including but not limited to:AmsaleAnne BargeBadgley MischkaCarolina HerreraChristosJim HelmKenneth PoolLazaroMelissa SweetMonique Lhullier
Attention Budget Brides: Appointment slots fill up fast. Make your appointment early so your can enjoy the savings and the dress of your dreams.

Images Courtsey of Kleinfield Bridal

Pantone Color Report: 10 Must Have Colors for Fall 09

Happy Friday Budget Brides!

Spring is looming near and summer is still a farway dream but Pantone has already released their Top 10 Fall Colors. Many of you are probably planning a fall wedding so here is some assistant in the color area. I saw a post about this on twitter from Fashion Tribes and I thought it would only be right to do a post of my own to share it with all of you.

Click image to get full report

Check back on Monday for our full week of 10 Must Have Fall Colors Look for Less...

A wonderful balanced, true red, speaks to the need for cohesiveness. Perfect for all skin tones, American Beauty is a feel-good color. Pair it with Purple, Cream, Mustard, Turquoise, Ocean Blue, Green & Black.

A sense of refinement and sensuality, adding a air of creativity and excitement. Pair it with Yellow, Sapphire Blue, Dusty Purple, Pumpkin Orange Spice, Honey Maple Beige.

A golden variation of the color of the year (Mimosa), Honey Yellow is warmer & more subdued. Pair it with Jade, Peacock Blue, Purple Heart and Pink Freeze.

Strong yet understated color which will serve as the new black. Pair it with Gold, Navy and Chocolate Brown.

A deepened, earthy shade of orange, reminiscent of an autumn sunset. Pair it with Nomad, Rapture Rose, Brick Red, Chocolate Brown, Sank, Gold, Khaki and Caramel.

Bridges the gap between biege & light grey which also speaks to the need for timeless neutrals. Pair it with warm biege, rich brown, deep jade, Raspberry Punch, Mulberry, Marigold, Plum and Rothko Red.

Captures the vibrancy of fuschia and the softness of pink. Pair it with black, pink, Desert Blossom Yellow and Vernal Clover Green.

A rich yellow-green which adds a touch of elegance and sophistication making all colors come to life when paired. Pair it with Majolica Blue, Warm Red, Creamy Brown, Fiery Red Poinsetta, Charcoal, White, Cobalt, Terra Cotta and Vibrant Fushica.

A deep mysterious teal blue with more vibrancy than the usual Navy. Pair it with Burnt Sienna, Purple Heart, Grass Green, Magenta, Pink Sand & Black Iris.

A grayed-down biege when paired with other colors can stand alone or serve as an anchor. Pair it with Amber, Violet, Caramel, Ebony, White, Fuchsia, Lilac, Grape, Burnt Orange and Electric Blue.

Post inspiration from Fashion Tribes and color information from Pantone.com

EXTENDED! "How I Saved My Wedding Budget Contest" to March 31st

Happy Thursday Budget Brides!

The BBH has decided to extend the "How I Saved My Wedding Budget Contest" to

March 31, 2009 that gives all of you brides and newlyweds another full month to submit your entries.

Did you know that 66% of all weddings go over budget? Are you determined to not go over budget, not to sacrifice your monetary gifts or not to break your bank by having your dream wedding? Tell us your story on how you avoided a budget diaster and you can be the lucky winner of a Wedding Day Coordination!! This is a Day of Wedding Coordination valued at $800.00 and you can have it all for free!! This package includes distribution of your wedding day time line to all necessary vendors and bridal party members, coordination & direction of wedding day and by the hour listing of wedding day activities. We will ensure that you will have a stress and worry day that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Here’s how to enter:
In 1,000 words or less tell us all about how you saved your wedding day budget. Please be sure to include you and your fiancé’s first and last names, location, contact information, a picture of a DIY project (if applicable) and your tentative wedding date so I can ensure availability. The contest begins January 18th and has been extended to March 31st. The winner will be chosen on April 15th by The BBH staff. Your wedding must take place in the following areas Connectcuit, New Jersey, New York (Dutchess, New York City, Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk & Westchester Counties) & Pennsylvania (Philadelphia County) during 2009 or 2010.
Email your entry to contest@thebudgetbrideshandbook.com.

Good luck and happy typing to all the newly & not so newly engaged couples. We are so excited to hear all about how you saved your wedding budget.

NY Daily News Article: 5 Caribbean Escapes for less than $1,000

Hello Budget Brides!

I found a great article in the New York Daily News about inexpensive getaways to the caribbean. The article is titled "5 Caribbean Escapes for less than $1,000". I know that many of you do not live in the NYC area so you may not receive this information so I thought it was our duty to pass it on. The information in this article would be great for honeymoons or a weekend with the bridesmaids.

5 Caribbean Escapes for less than $1,000by Michael Nassar
The Caribbean is a lot closer, and cheaper, than you think. As one of the areas hardest hit by the economic meltdown, the Caribbean is having a serious sale. Even some of the region’s most notoriously exclusive resorts are putting up vacancy signs and making no bones about the deals and discounts being offered to lure timid travelers to the sun — everything from free airfare and free hotel nights to free meals and free spa treatments.
Which means if you’ve been dreaming of a weekend escape, you can make it a reality — and for less than a grand.
Here’s our guide to five quick and easy getaways that will have you on the beach before lunch and being treated like a princess or a prince without making you a pauper.
Sophisticated St. Martin
The Radisson St. Martin Resort, Marina & Spa is nestled on Anse Marcel, one of French St. Martin’s best-preserved and most secluded coves. It’s only four hours nonstop from New York City to an oceanfront resort that’s a quintessential island hideaway of brightly colored plantation-style buildings, lush gardens and lazy afternoons under the swaying palms.
Take advantage of the resort’s comprehensive enrichment program, highlighted by cooking classes with executive chef Bruno Brazier, French lessons and evening tastings of local rums and spirits. Or, head into the nearby village of nearby Grand Case, considered by many to be one of the culinary capitals of the Caribbean. Or both.
As part of the inaugural 2009 season, you’ll save up to 36% with a Winter WarmUp Sale if you book by Feb. 28 for stays through April 18. Rates from about $321 per night include daily breakfast at Le Marché. www.radisson.com/stmartin.
If you go: $107 each way via Continental; http://www.continental.com/.
Bask in the Bahamas
Music lovers will get together and feel all right at the Marley Resort & Spa, the former family vacation home of Bob, Rita and the whole Marley clan.
Undeniably cool, the resort is an elegant microcosm of African and Caribbean style, located on a private stretch of famed Cable Beach in Nassau, Bahamas.
Generations of Marley music infuse the entire resort, and each of the 16 themed suites centers around Bob Marley’s song titles, including Kinky Reggae, Nice Time and Kaya, among others. With sculptured hand-carved doors, mosaic tiles and intricate stonework, the accommodations and amenities are as beautiful and unusual as the setting.
Tropical rain showers and sumptuous whirlpool tubs come standard, as does unparalleled service that begins the moment you’re greeted at the airport.

Take advantage of a 50% savings with the Royal Welcome package — starting at $250 per night in a Deluxe Room — and get treated to an Akwaaba Welcome Touch Foot Ceremony for two. The foot massage with rose petals and Royal Rita bath brew will get every visitor jammin’ to the right vibe.
Valid through Oct. 31, excluding holidays. http://www.marleyresort.com/.
If you go: $99 each way via JetBlue. http://www.jetblue.com/.
Awesome Aruba
The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino contains Aruba’s only private beaches on its exclusive Renaissance Island — a 10-minute boat ride via private launch from inside the hotel’s lobby. Flocked with curious pink flamingos on one side and giant iguanas on the other, the island also has a man-grove-hidden Spa Cove that’s just right for side-by-side massages at sunset.
The Sexy & Sultry Package, good through Dec. 21 at Renaissance’s adults-exclusive Marina Hotel, offers a 40% savings — and every third night is free. Also included: a $50 credit at the in-house casino and $50 in cocktail credit, which might come in handy while you watch the sun set at the out-door pool overlooking the harbor.
After dark, the Miami-inspired martini bar lights up to complement the house specialty: blue martinis. Should you accidentally overindulge, a onetime hangover breakfast for two is also part of the package. Rates start at $424 per night through April 16; $245 per night from April 17 to Dec. 20. http://www.renaissancearuba.com/.
If you go: $97 each way via American. http://www.aa.com/.
Seductive St. Lucia
It might be cold outside, but there is one “freeze” you’ll cheer about: the price freeze and rate rollback to be had at the luxury, eco-friendly Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort in luscious St. Lucia. Couple that with “Sun Dollars,” a daily resort credit in effect on all new bookings through Dec. 20, and the savings climb to 50%.
Spread across 60 acres on an island known for its rainforest preserves and soaring volcanic peaks, Windjammer is celebrated for dramatic sunsets over a crescent-shaped, white-sand beach. Yet it’s also an ideal spot for families, featuring two children’s pools, specially designed menus for smaller guests, and a teen program where teenagers and adults can engage in recreational activities together.
Sun Dollars can be used for food and beverage, spa treatments at Serenity Spa, a sunset sail or zip-lining through the rainforest. Lily Suites, with four-poster beds and private terrace or sun deck, are $260 per night (previously $350) with $130 in resort credit. http://www.windjammer-landing.com/.
If you go: $190 each way via American. http://www.aa.com/.
Mayan Hideaway
Cocooned on a private beach and entwined in a tropical rainforest, the Tides Riviera Maya inhabits a pocket along the Yucatán Peninsula coast that’s as lush as its name: Playa Xcalacoco, which in the lyrical Mayan tongue means “twin coconut palms.”
With a select number of private villas, hypnotic spa and cuisine, and one of the best stretches of beach in Mexico, this secluded outpost is full of surprises like personal plunge pools, open-air showers, handmade hammocks and lush jungle flora blooming outside your terrace.
As if that’s not enough to seduce you, a Fly Free package will really get you in the mood. Book a minimum four-night visit by April 30 for stays through Dec. 18, and get a significant reimbursement on your airfare: up to $500 per person (that’s almost enough for business class!).
Simply present your airline ticket at check-in and the credit will be deducted from your bill at checkout. Limit two people per room. Lagoon suites from $570 per night. http://www.tidesrivieramaya.com/.
If you go: From $88 each way via American. http://www.aa.com/.

Article Courtsey of the New York Daily News & Image Taken by Sharise Finley

Bridesmaids Dresses for a Garden Party

Happy Hump Day Budget Brides!

Garden Weddings are definitely a trend that we see more and more as we get into the warmer months. Most brides are not daring enough to add florals to their bridesmaid dresses. However, here are some images of both floral & solid color dresses perfect for a Garden Party. The focus colors are Lavender and Yellow. Lavender is always a soft color that will bring just the right amount of softness to any wedding and yellow adds an unexcepted punch of color. By the way Bluefly.com is running a 15% off evening dresses sale perfect for bridesmaid dresses. All of the dresses below are under $300.

Maggy London Strapless Bead Bodice Dress $168.00

Slub Silk Penelope Dress $285


BCBG Maz Azria $159.79

Nicole Miller $204.00


Vera Wang Lavender Label $275.40

Karen Zambos Vintage Couture $122.39

Images courtsey of Bluefly, Nordstrom & JCrew

Essence Magazine is Calling All Brides!!!

Welcome to another day Budget Brides! I have some really exciting news for all of you newlyweds who just can't get enough of all things weddings. Essence Magazine is developing a new feature and looking for newlyweds to participate. See the information below & please be a doll and let them know you receive this information from The Budget Brides Handbook.

Looking for a way to share your big day with the world? Then ESSENCE.com wants you! We are creating an exciting new feature and would like newlyweds from all over to take part. Were you and your beloved both divorced and cynical about getting remarried before you fell in love? Is your new hubby an Iraq vet? ESSENCE.com wants all these stories and more.

All you have to do is send an email to realweddings@essence-online.com with your name, your husband's name, both of your ages, date of the wedding, city of residence and a 150 word description of your special nuptials and why they should appear on ESSENCE.com. Also be sure to include 10 to 15 photos from your big day.

Please note only weddings that have taken place in the last six months will be considered. Feel free to forward this email.

Wedding Inspiration from the 2009 Oscar Awards

Happy Monday Budget Brides! So as all of you know the Oscars were on tv last night and you know that I had to watch the Red Carpet show on E! to see who was wearing what. It seems like the tone for the night was all in the white/ivory family which is also perfect for any wedding. Here are some pics of The BBH best dressed and some not of pricey looks for less.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Dior Haute Couture Allure Wedding Dress at Best Bridal Prices $498

Penelope Cruz in Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Mia Solano Couture Bridal Gown from Best Bridal Prices $987

Jessica Biel in Prada ABS by Allen Schwartz from Nordstrom.com $438

Taraji P. Henson in Roberto Cavalli BCBG Max Azria at Nordstroms $298

Melissa George in Dolce Gabbana Winnie Couture Bridal 08 Collection $1500

Real Wedding of Kevin & Shanna Live from Mexico

Happy Hump Day!
So I am finally back from my much needed vacation and you know I have some juicy souvenirs from my travels. I was sitting on the beach at the Sandos Playacar Resort & Spa in Riveria Maya and my bestie Nicole calls over to me that a wedding is in progress on the other side of the fence. So you know I had to go over and check it out. It was the wedding of Kevin & Shanna. The Bride looked amazing in her beachy wedding dress and the groom look so clam & cool in his white shirt and khakis.
I was able to shoot three videos so take a look.


Real Wedding of Kevin & Shanna Pt 1


Real Wedding of Kevin & Shanna Pt 2


Real Wedding of Kevin & Shanna Pt 3
If you are looking to have a beach wedding it is a wonderful idea. It can be very personal and intimate for you and a few family and friends. There were about 20 to 30 people at Kevin & Shanna's wedding. I thought that it was very romantic for them, you could really feel the love that they shared. So whether you have a beach wedding in your hometown or at a destination keep it real simple and all about you as a couple.
*Budget Brides Tip: Looking for a way to cut down on your guest review the prospect of having a destination wedding. Destination weddings are a great way to have your family and friends support you on your special day. It will also cut your guest list down because not everyone is going to be able to afford the trip. Video of Kevin & Shanna filmed at Sandos Playacar Resort & Spa

Wedding Planner Survey

Hello Budget Brides! I am pretty sure most of you are celebrating the President´s Day holiday. Below you will find a post about a survey on Wedding Planner websites. Please participate in the survey and help me and others to understand our readers wants and needs.

A few wedding bloggers have banded together with this short survey to find out what YOU are really looking for when you visit wedding vendor websites. We won't record anything about you other than what state or country you are from - we don't even ask for your email address so no spam or anything like that. And the best part is: it only takes a few minutes of your time.

Click on the link below and answer nine (9) quick, easy questions about different design aspects of wedding vendors' websites--http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1152739
You'll likely see this link on other blogs and sites but please take the survey only once. If you have additional comments on the subject, please feel free to email me~ glitzandglamourllc {@} gmail {.} com and I will share them with the other wedding vendors who are participating. We can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Wedding Vendors: If you would like to participate, just copy this post to your blog and email Emilie Duncan the link at emilie {@} emilieduncan {.} com - She will send you the results once we have closed the survey in March.

Survey Courtsey of Glitz and Glamour Events

Update from Cancun!!!!

Hi Budget Brides! I am in Cancun right now but I decided to hop on a computer to give you a little update. While at the resort I had the opportunity to see two weddings. And guess what? I was even able to get some footage of one of the weddings. Check back tomorrow for all of the details.

Guest Blogger: Ashley from Bride on Budget

Happy Monday Budget Brides! Yes, I am still in Cancun relaxing from all of the stress back in New York. I have asked Ashley of Bride on Budget to be a Guest Blogger on The BBH while I am on vacation. Enjoy & Thanks Ashley!

Budgets are the evil of weddings. The average wedding costs $20,000, but not all couples can afford that. My fiance and I are both full-time students and are paying for our entire wedding ourselves. Therefore, we have a very small budget of $5,000.

Photography is a very important element to me in our wedding because it will be the only thing we have to look back on after the day is over. We're going to spend all that money to get our family and friends together and I want it captured on film. I really wanted a photographer for an entire day, but that is really hard to find for under $1000.

I started looking at photographers in my town and they were all overly priced. The only thing you could get for under $1000 was a few hours of photography. I decided then it was time to look in neighboring cities (no more than 2 hours away) and see if there was a cheaper photographer in those areas. I found one photographer in Jacksonville, FL (2 hours away from my wedding) who shoots for an entire day for $1000 and does not charge travel fees anywhere in the Southeast. I was ecstatic. It gets even better though. My fiance is in the National Guard. Our photographer offers a 25% military discount! So, we're getting a full day of photography and nice album for only $750!

If photography is an important element to you, try some of these tips to help get one for cheaper:
1. Don't just stick to photographers in your town. A lot of photographers will travel and will charge no or very little fee to do so.
2. Ask about discounts. Businesses often offer discounts to military, students, AAA, elderly, etc. They are normally 5-10%, but sometimes they range as far up as 25%!
3. Determine how many hours you really need the photographer. Do you have to have pictures of the entire ceremony and reception? If not, only have your photographer shoot the important moments and rely on your friends to take the candid shots.
4. Don't give up! You will find someone who works for you.

I used these tips to find the perfect photographer for me and I can't wait to see the pictures she shoots on my wedding day. I was very lucky and you can be to.

- Ashley, Bride on Budget

Article: Bubbles That Won’t Break Your Budget

Hello Budget Brides! I am probably relaxing on a beach in Cancun as you read this post. Here is an article that I found in the beginning of this year. So, if you are deciding to serve champagne at your wedding this is definitely an article that you want to read. Enjoy!

Bubbles That Won’t Break Your Budget
Toast the New Year with the fabulous Champagne alternatives.
By Ashley Hymore

New Year’s Eve is a night that sparkles—from the Waterford Crystal covered ball in Times Square to the cocktail dress you wear to the party. Even the bubbly you pour in your glass--for midnight toasts--sparkles. However, with these difficult economic times being what they are, it can be hard to stomach the hefty price tag that comes with a bottle of authentic French Champagne. Luckily, there are quite a few delicious and affordable sparkling wines being produced all over the world, and a lot of them right here in the United States.

You may not know it, but prestigious Champagne houses such as Möet & Chandon, MUMM, Louis Roederer and Taittenger have all made homes in Northern California wine country. These winemakers are all creating ultra-premium sparkling wines that don’t break the bank. For instance, MUMM Napa Blanc de Blanc delivers rich, complex flavors that offer elegant pear, lemon cream and cinnamon, and will only cost you $18. Most of these producers are making sparkling wines in the French tradition, so the quality is often much better than a bottle of Prosecco.

Domaine Carneros was founded by the renowned Taittinger Champagne House, and they are known for producing some of California’s best sparkling wine. Their estate is situated in the Carneros region of Sonoma, California—famous for production of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, two key ingredients in premium sparkling wine. I love their Domaine Carneros Brut 2005 ($20) for its beautiful notes of ripe green apple and lively lemon. Another great thing about Domaine Carneros? Since its inception, the winery has been helmed by the same woman wine maker, Eileen Crane. Having spent more than 30 years in the industry, she is the most experienced sparkling winemaker in the United States.

Whether you are looking for great sparkling wine, or just a great value, I say toast the New Year with something domestic! All of these bubblies will be easy to find at your local wine shop. And for a blow-out event, look for large format versions of these sparklers—called magnums. In fact, sometimes the cost of a magnum is less expensive than purchasing two bottles, and you’ll definitely have all eyes on you when you show up to a party with a bottle that size!

Mumm Napa Brut Napa Valley Prestige NV $19
Creamy, yeasty aromas mix with baked pearMumm Napa Blanc de Blanc 2003 $18
One of the most elegant sparklers out there for the priceRoederer Estate Rosé NV $26
Taste rich cherry, peach, pear and floralDomaine Chandon Brut California Classic NV $22
Apple blossom and citrus lead to crisp and creamy flavorsDomaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs $16
This award winning, top sparkler of the world gives lots of soft strawberry and spicy vanillaDomaine Carneros Brut 2005 $20
Fresh and crisp ripe apple with lively lemon and mineral flavorsPiper Sonoma Brut Sonoma County Select Cuvée NV $17
Crisp and creamy with floral jasmine and citrus

Article found on We.TV

Wedding Inspiration featuring Emplume Bouquet

I received a comment from Jen Huang at Jen Huang Photography commenting on my "Emplume: A new Spin on the Wedding Bouquet" post. She photographed the wedding of Isabelle & James and guess what mentionable item was apart of the wedding. Yes! You guest it right an Emplume Bouquet. Isabelle took a totally different spend on the color of her bouquet by choosing black & fuschia but nevertheless it was beautiful. Check out the images below. If you like what you see give a call and tell her you found her through The Budget Brides Handbook.

Images Courtsey of Jen Huang Photography