Sunday Brunch: Memorial Day Savings

Happy Sunday Budget Brides!

Here is another segment of Sunday Brunch. It is Memorial Day weekend and we know that many of you are out at a BBQ or at an amusement park. However, this post is for you die hard shoppers. Oh you know who I am talking about. Those of you who crave for the holidays to come so that you could shop until you drop.

Somehow while doing our research we stumble upon My Craft Coupons. It is a wonderful website that gives you a listing of coupons for all of the craft stores. Isn't that great. No more waiting for the Sunday Newspaper to clip coupons.

Here is where you can save during this hoilday weekend:

JoAnn Fabrics: Receive 10% off your entire purchase with this coupon. Expires 5/25/2009

Michael's Arts & Crafts: Receive 20% off your entire purchase including sale items with this coupon. Expires 5/25/2009 from 9am to 1pm only.

AC Moore: Receive 50% off one regular price item with this coupon. Valid Sunday, May 24, 2009 thru Monday, May 25, 2009.

AC Moore: Receive 40% off one regular price item with this coupon.Valid Tuesday, May 26, 2009 thru Saturday, May 30, 2009.

We hope that all of you can enjoy the savings!!

Seat the Guest Contest Winner!!

Good Morning Budget Brides!

We are so excited to announce the winner of our 'Seat the Guest' Contest! We have received so many entries and it was so hard for us to pick a winner.

So the winner of our Seat the Guest contest is (drum roll please).......

**Danielle Mulligan**

Danielle sent us this great submission about her seating drama that included a fighting Uncle and Grandma.

Here's Danielle's Submission:

Name: Danielle Mulligan
Fiance's Name: William Kinney
Wedding Date: 09-19-2009
Color Scheme: red & orange (fall colors)

Ok, so here is my drama with seating... My dad has a huge family - he is one of eight kids - which never makes things easy. On top of trying to appease everyone by sitting them near each other, my uncle and grandmother have recently had a really awful falling out and haven't spoken in about 6 months. I obviously don't want to sit them near each other, but I can't put them on opposite ends of the room. I am planning on have 3 tables for his siblings and their spouses so I think I can put my uncle at table 1, have a buffer w/ table 2 and sit my grandmother at table 3. Hopefully this will work and there won't be any fighting!! Who said weddings were easy?

Danielle, please email us with your address so that we can send your prize.

Congrats from everyone at The Budget Brides Handbook!

Great Deals from Old Navy & Horchow!

Happy Tuesday Afternoon Budget Brides!

There were two great deals that were roaming around in the blogsphere yesterday and we wanted to make sure you knew about them.

Image from Horchow

Last Day to Save! Horchow is giving 25% off furniture & 30% off everything else in their online store. We snagged this 2-tier beverage server for some upcoming events. Use code MayDeals at checkout. Offer Thursday, May 21, 2009!! Happy Shopping!

Thanks Annette - Swanky Tables

Image from People StyleWatch

Get $1 solid color flip flops over at Old Navy this Saturday, May 23, 2009 only. 5 pairs per person so make sure you bring some friends. So if your looking to pack your bridesmaid bags, provide flip flops for a beach wedding or you just need a few pairs for the summer heres the deal for you.


Thanks Ashley - Bride on a Budget


Thanks ladies for blogging about these great deals.

Before You Buy... Do Your Research

Happy Tuesday Budget Brides!

We know that many of you have either found your perfect dress or are still in the process of looking for it.

Picture it! It's 2009 in Anytown, USA and you are in the bridal salon with your wedding party and mom. You have found the perfect dress and then you ask for the price. Whoa!! You didn't realize the dress of your dreams was so expense. Well before you give up let us give you a few tips and websites where you maybe able to have your dream dress after all.

Sample Sales - Many bridal salons have sample sales on a consistent basis. We would suggestion going to your favorite bridal salon websites and signing up for their newsletters so that you would be in the know. Also, if the website does not have a sign up field call the store and ask them when would they have a sample sale. Below is a listing of stores in various cities.

Atlanta
Kelly's Closet
Impressions Bridal Salon


Chicago
The Bride's Room
Wedding Belles Ltd.

New York
Kleinfield Bridal
Bridal Atelier


Portland, OR
Charlotte's Weddings & More


Washington, DC
It's All About The Dress

Running of the Brides - Filene's Basement broke the mold when they created their running of the Brides event. Below you can find a listing of upcoming events in various states. Don't see one in your area, check the website periodically for dates in your area.

Chicago, IL (State Street) - July 24th

Washington, DC (Mazza Gallerie) - July 31st

Boston, MA (Hynes Convention Center) - August 21st

Cleveland, OH (Warrensville Heights) - October 16th

The Internet is Your Friend! - Use the internet as your yellow pages. There are many websites out there that offer new or gently used wedding gowns at up to 70% off the retail price. We know that most Brides want to have a brand new dress for their special day; however, gently used could save you thousands and leave you room to use that money else where.

Bravo Bride

Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses

Scarlet's Closet Sample Sale

Sell Your Wedding Dress

White Xchange

Image from Brides.com

We Received a Blog Award

We Received a Blog Award!!!

We received a blog award today from Ashley at Bride on a Budget. This is our first ever blog award, so we're very excited!

Here are the rules:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 10 blogs that you think are lovely! Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are 10 of our favorites (not in any particular order):

1. After Yes, Before I Do & Everything in Between

2. The Perfect Palette

3. Bride on a Budget

4. Globetrotting Bride

5. Snippet & Ink

6. Pink Design Blog

7. An Atlanta Bride

8. Couture Events By D

9. LEPENN Designs

10. Wedding Bee

Seating Dilemma

Happy Monday Budget Brides!

In honor of the last day of the 'Seat Your Guest', we wanted to share a question that

The Buckeye Bride posted on here blog.

Here is the dilemma she was going through and the answer that The BBH provided to her question.

Question

On the right side bar of this blog I have our guest count listed and as you can see there are 11 unaccounted for guests. I have contacted a few of these guests, and received the response "we aren't sure yet because I may be (fill in an excuse here)--but please don't count us out". Umm...ok.I am assigning tables, and right now according to my chart there are 9 empty seats scattered through out the room at various tables. So should we go ahead and pay ($250.00) to have these 9 extra seats at the various tables just in case some of our unsure guests show up (or even other random guests that may happen to show up that weren't invited) and we will have empty spots to direct them to? Or should we go ahead and give our final guest count as the 121 that it really is--and if extras are there the venue will just have to drag out more seats and make room the day of?

Answer

Our suggestion is to talk to your reception venue. See if you can pay the additional money the day of the wedding once you find out how many people actually came and how many people you had over the allocated number if any. If you do this inadvance you may come out saving money. You don't want to pay for 9 extra people who may not show up. Especially when you may have a few people who already RSVP'd yes and they maybe a no show for whatever reason. I also suggest that if you are already willing to pay for 9 extras, just have the money set aside just in in case the 9 show up and if not more money for the honeymoon.

Do you have more suggestions to help a Bride in this situation? Leave your suggestions in the comments section so that all of our Budget Brides can benefit from your wisdom.

Image from The Knot

Last Week to Enter our 'Seat the Guests' Contest

Happy Friday Morning Budget Brides!

I just wanted to send all of you a little reminder that you have THREE days left for our Seat the Guest Contest.

Send us an email (contests@thebudgetbrideshandbook.com) with your name, fiance's name, wedding date, color scheme and "Seat the Guests' in the subject line along with a short message of the stress that creating your seating arrangements have caused you. Remember to provide us with all the juicy details of who you are trying to keep away from who and why?

Deadline for submissions:Monday, May 18th midnight Eastern Standard TimeContest is valid for mainland United States Only Winner will be chosen at random & contacted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Contest Rules:Contest is open to Brides' whose wedding date is June 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. Winner agrees to provide The Budget Brides Handbook with pictures of the table numbers in use the day of wedding for a future post.

We were able to win these table numbers through a contest that Alannah Rose had on their blog a few weeks ago. Click here to see the winners announcement.

Images and Prize from Alannah Rose

Great Wedding Day Purses All under $90.00

Happy Hump Day Budget Brides!

Here are some great clutches for you wedding day. We know that many of you may leave finding your wedding day purse to the last minute but we have found some great finds that you wouldn't want to miss. Whoever said that you can't have a fabulous wedding on an even more fabulous budget. Enjoy!

Leigh Ann Kline - Bella Something Blue $72.00

Davie & Chiyo - Marshmallow Clutch $70.00

Emma Gordon - Olivia Bridal Clutch $65.00

Bridal Briar Keepbags - Ivory $87.00

Hope this helps all of you on your journey to the altar.

Images from companies indicated.

In the Know: Contests, Events & Promotions 5/8

Happy Friday Budget Brides!

Here is our next installment of In the Know: Contests, Events & Promotions. We strive to inform you about contests, events & promotions from mainstream companies as well as companies you maybe less known. See below for all of the entries that we received for this week.

Enjoy!

Image from Alannah Rose Stationary

Contests

Table Number to Die For! Enter to win a set of table numbers designed by Alannah Rose Stationary worth $110 AUD ($80 USD). Click here to enter.

Match the Wedding Gowns! Get Married & Alfred Angelo have teamed up to bring you a wonderful contest to win of all things a WEDDING DRESS. Click here to enter.

Garnish Your Guest with the Perfect Palette! Win a $25.00 gift certificate to Garnish when you enter to the giveaway at The Perfect Palette. Click here to enter.

Events

Indie Wedding is currently looking for eco-friendly, unique, independent designers and wedding professionals to showcase their products and services at their Chicago wedding show & market. Click here for more details.

Promotions

Fold & Stuff! Cards & Pockets invites you to save 20% off our entire online store* for 14 days only! Enter code "14day" at checkout. Sale ends May 21, 2009.

Great Bridesmaids Jewelry! Ariel Gordon Jewelry is offering 25% off all jewelry when you use code SHOPSTYLE.

Amazing Spring Bags! Angela Adams invites you to explore here Lulu Sprout Canvas Bags & receive 25% off when you use code MOM at checkout until May 11, 2009.

Can't Find What You Want? Go Custom! INK & WIT is offering 10% off custom designed wedding orders until August 1, 2009.

Explore Invites! Gartner Studios is offering 20% off any total order when you use code "SPRUNG20" at checkout until May 28, 2009

Evening Edition: Alfred Angelo and GetMarried.com Match the Gowns Contest

Good Evening Budget Brides!

We know! We Know! Three posts in a day is very big for us but we want to make sure you get all the information you need to make your wedding day absolutely fabulous on a savvy budget.

Get Married and Alfred Angelo have teamed up to give one lucky bride the wedding dress of her dreams. Brides can play a brand new wedding gown matching game in the vein of the classic Concentration. Find the matches as fast as you can, submit your score, and if you’re getting married September 2009 or later, you’ve got a chance to win the wedding gown of your choice from the Alfred Angelo or Alfred Angelo Sapphire Collection valued up to $1800.

For those brides whose wedding is before September 2009, you can still have fun seeing how fast you can match the wedding gowns!

Have fun & good luck.

Images and information courtsey GetMarried.com

Get Wedding Invitation Graphics for as little as $7.00

Happy Thursday Afternoon Budget Brides!

Did you ever think that you could get wedding invitation graphics starting at $7.00. Well it's true! Print N Things is an amazing graphic design company that designs wonderful semi & full package wedding invitation suites for $7.00 & $20.00 respectively. What's so amazing about this company is that you don't have to have any special programs like Photoshop because you can make your own adjustments to the suite package using Microsoft Word. Isn't that AWESOME!!!! The company offers two types of suite packages a 6 template package which is downloadable and a 14 template package which is sent to the client in CD form by mail.

6 Package Template includes:Save the Date, 2 types of Wedding Invitation Templates (5x7 Invitation and a Triple Fold Invitation), Reply Card, 2 Envelope Templates and A Thank You Card.

14 Package Template includes:Save the Date, 2 types of Wedding Invitation Templates (5x7 Invitation and a Triple Fold Invitation), Reply Card, 2 Envelope Templates and A Thank You Card, these include the graphics which you can edit the wording in a graphics program as well. 7 extra templates in word format for you to edit include; menu, favour tag, church program, table number, wine label, place card, Cd Cover.

Checkout the Print N Things website to see more designs.

Images and information from Print N Things Shop on Etsy.com

Postage Goes Up Next Monday, May 11th!!!

Happy Thursday Morning Budget Brides!

As many of you may know the US stamp postage is increasing from 42 cents to 44 cents and postcard stamps increase to 28 cents.

Remember that the Forever stamps never decline in value. So you can be smart and buy the number of stamps you will need now and save them for when you want to use them.

We know that many of you would love to use the stamps made especially for weddings but just think about the amount of money you would save on postage if you buy the forever stamps now.

Image from The Fun Times Guide

Display Your Cake/Cupcakes: Great Cake Stands at Great Price Points

Happy Wednesday Budget Brides!

Many of you maybe downsizing on the size of your wedding cakes. You may even be considering having cupcakes or a variety of desserts instead. Below you can find some beautiful cake plates/stands to display your sweet treats which would compliment any wedding. All of the cake plates/stands shown are a great buy coming in under $115.00.

Pottery Barn $30.00

Macy*s $14.99 - $29.99 (Depending on size and shape)

Sur La Table $14.95 - $24.95 (Depending on size)

Pottery Barn $38.00

Vessels and Wares $112.00

Cake plate/stand can also be used for other purposes like chips and dip

Whitney Smith $84.00

Images from vendors noted under images.

Great Bridesmaid's Gifts from Angela Adams

Happy Tuesday Budget Brides!

Here is one item that you can cross off your checklist. I found these beautiful bags from Angela Adams on M&STETSON blog. The Sprout Lulu bags featured below are from the Canvas Collection which are constructed from stylish hand silk-screened fabric with classic silhouettes that will delight you everyday. These bags would be lovely as Bridesmaids and Maid of Honor gifts. They are durable and can be used for many purposes.

Angela Adams is currently offering a 20% off discount when you use coupon code MOM at checkout until May 11, 2009.

Sprout Lulu Mailbag $85.00

Also available in additional colors

Sprout Lulu Mini Totes $45.00

Available colors include Black, Green & Orange

Sprout Lulu Weekend Totes $145.00

Available colors include Black & Orange

Images and Information from M&Stetson and Angela Adams

Enter to Win a Set of Table Numbers from Alannah Rose Stationary

Happy Monday Budget Brides!

We are happy to start the month of May off with a great giveaway from stationer Alannah Rose.

So as many of you know creating seating arrangements for your wedding can be both worrisome and stressful. Your mother does not want to sit next to your father and his new wife. You have two friends who no longer get along and would rather die than sit at the same table. Does this sound like you? If so, enter to win our 'Seat the Guests' Giveaway Contest for the opportunity to win a set of table numbers shown in the image below from Alannah Rose at a value of $110 AUD ($80 USD).

Here's how you can win:

Send us an email (contests@thebudgetbrideshandbook.com) with your name, fiance's name, wedding date, color scheme and "Seat the Guests' in the subject line along with a short message of the stress that creating your seating arrangements have caused you. Remember to provide us with all the juicy details of who you are trying to keep away from who and why?

Deadline for submissions:
Monday, May 18th midnight Eastern Standard Time
Contest is valid for mainland United States Only Winner will be chosen at random & contacted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Contest Rules:

Contest is open to Brides' whose wedding date is June 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. Winner agrees to provide The Budget Brides Handbook with pictures of the table numbers in use the day of wedding for a future post.

We were able to win these table numbers through a contest that Alannah Rose had on their blog a few weeks ago. Click here to see the winners announcement.

Images and Prize from Alannah Rose

Sunday Brunch: SATC Edition "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?"

Happy Sunday Budget Brides!

We hope all of you are having a great weekend. While searching Etsy.com for some budget friendly ideas we came across these great "Will You Be My Bridesmaid/Maid of Honor?" stationary cards that pay homeage to the ladies from Sex and The City. Since the weekend is usually the time when most of us meet up with our girlfriends we thought it would only be fitting to create this post. Below you can find a few images of the cards, if you like them click through to Artsharyne's Etsy Shop for $3.00 & under a piece.

We thought that this Bridal Shower invitation was great as well.

Images from Artsharyne Etsy Shop