The BBH Interview with Alison Rowe

Happy Monday Budget Brides!!

About a week or so ago, I had the opportunity to interview Alison Rowe, Jewelry & Accessories Editor for The Bride & Bloom, for some awesome tips on wedding editiquette and bridal tips.

Check out the video below for great tips on asking for monetary gifts, this seasons most trendy colors and budget minded tips.




What did you think about the interview? If you had the opportunity, what are some questions that you would ask Alison?

Alison Rowe
Bridal Jewelry Expert

Born in a small town in rural England, Alison and her family moved to Austrailia when she was nine years old. In her early teens she signed with a modeling agency in Sydney and her education in the fashion arena began. For the next fourteen years, Alison was fortunate to have a front row seat to the exciting world of fashion which took her all around the world.

In 1996,Alison met her future husband while modeling on assignment in Tokyo. They moved to New York where Alison shifted her career to the other side of the camara.

Her foray into the bridal industry began in the fashion and beauty department at Bridal Guide, where she was the Associate Fashion & Beauty Editor. Four years later, Conde Nast tapped her to serve as Accesories Editor at Modern Bride, where she had the opportunity to combine her enthusiasm for travel with her love for jewelry, covering acccessory and fine jewelry markets both in the US and aboard. When the magazine was shutter at the end of 2009, Alison became the Jewelry & Accessories Editor for The Bride & Bloom.

After almost 20 years in the fashion industry she feelsshe's found her niche specializing and working with bridal jewelry. Alison is thrilled to have the opportunity to work as a spokesperson for the Platinum Guild.

Images via Alison Rowe

Love Shots No. 6 Wedding & Undies

Happy Saturday Budget Brides!!!

I saw this photo when I woke up on Friday morning on one of the MSN feeds. I thought this was a fun way to break the tension and nerves that come along with a wedding day. I know our mother's told us good girls never show their undies but who cares on your wedding day you already snagged your honey. Right???

Image via MSN

Would you ever take a wedding photo like this? What is the craziest picture that you have ever taken?

Donuts + Weddings = Cool Favors

Happy Monday Budget Brides!!!

Have you ever been to a morning wedding and been so hungry? Well two Thursdays ago, I went to a civil wedding ceremony at City Hall for a very good friend/sister. Before we went to the clerk's office all I could think of was a good NYC street vendor coffee and a donut. It made me think about a post I saw from Style Me Pretty via Marry You Me about donut favor bags. I would have loved a warm donut and coffee that early in the morning. (It was actually before 9:00 am and I have turned into a person who is not a lover of mornings.)


So if you have an early morning wedding and want to provide a great snack for your guests this is a perfect option.


These amazing donut/treat favor bags were designed by Katherine from Twigs & Thistle. Check out here blog she really has amazing ideas for all types of parties.

Images via Style Me Pretty

Download the the DIY instructions for the favor bags here.



What do you think about this idea? If you are having a morning wedding, would you consider providing a small snack to your guests before the wedding?

Sunday Brunch: Pink Ruffle Cake

Happy Sunday Budget Brides!!

I am usually a holiday baker and not much a lover for sweets. But the cakes that I am seeing on the blogsphere are making me want to put on my apron. The cake below looks so amazing and yummy. I wonder if it would look just as good in another pastel color. Hmmm, maybe a Sunday afternoon project.

Image via Martha Stewart

Love this cake? Get the recipe here.

As seen on Pink Stilettos

Love Shots No. 5... When Weddings and Nature Collide

Happy Saturday Budget Brides!!

Here is a great shot from Juile Harris Photography. I see I am not the only person scared of furry creatures. This picture is priceless. You really can't see the chipmunk, in the picture he looks more like a scoripon but either way I would have been out of their. The couple will always remember a great laugh on this very special day.

Image via Julie Harris Photography

Have a great weekend and remember to check on wedding chore off your list.

Wedding Channel Bridal Blog Awards 2010

Happy Friday Budget Brides!!!

It is that time of year again. The Wedding Channel is hosting their 2nd Annual Bridal Blog Awards. And guess who has been nominated....... hopefully you guess The Budget Brides Handbook. We have to send a special shout out and hug to Ashley from Bride on a Budget for nominating us. Thanks Girlie.

This year we have been entered in the "Best Budget Wedding Blog" category. So please go to the Wedding Channel and nominate us the blogs with the most nominations will go to the finals.

Click image below to go to the nomination page.

Image via Wedding Channel

Thanks so much for helping us out. No matter if your a design blog, stationary blog, fashion blog, etc. please nominate us and pass the word on to your readers.

DIY Martini Bar from Sunday Suppers

Happy Wednesday Budget Brides!!

What is hump day without some talk about Martinis? Okay so I don't drink but when I did I was an Apple Martini girl. I found this great Martini Bar idea on Sunday Suppers. I thought this would be a great addition to an intimate wedding reception or a small engagment party.


The set-up that the wonder people over at Sunday Suppers put together was clean and very modern. I would have opted for some flowers, fruit and a little color but everyone can add their own special touch.




Sunday Suppers is a great company that marries cooking classes and dinner parties to top off a great Sunday evening. Classes are taught twice a month in a loft in Williamsbridge, Brooklyn by a chef with 14 to 20 strangers.


Here is a short bio from their website:


Snippet from Sunday Suppers


"Sunday Suppers are class-cooking-dining experience, pairing friends and food. The classes are held in a waterfront loft in Brooklyn, NY and are taught by local chefs. The food is market fresh, local and organic and the approach is to create seasonal and fresh meals together."





Click here for the entire post on this Martini Bar.



Below I thought it would be cool to add some of the DIY Martini Bar accessories that a budget bride can afford. Remember it's not how much you spend than it's about decor and layout.

Image via CB2

I found this pitcher on CB2 for $5.95 which is a great price and it holds 50 oz of liquid. In my research I have seen smaller decanters for twice as much.

Image via Dollar Tree

Found these martini glasses on Dollar Tree which are selling for a 12 for $12. Isn't that a steal and you can have them in your china cabinet for years to come.

Image from Dollar Tree

Here are some candleholders that can be use to hold your lemons, cucumbers and olives or any other fruit that you would like to add. Also selling for $12 for $12.

Dollar Tree is a great source for budget brides would are looking for vases, candleholders, etc at an awesome price.

So Budget Brides, what do you think about a Do It Yourself Bar? Which bar would you favor a margarita or martini? You know what was my favorite martini, so what is yours?

Some Images via Sunday Suppers

Target Invitations REMIXED!!

Happy Tuesday Budget Brides!!

I know that I have been gone for a while. I am still trying to juggle working crazy shifts and bringing you fabulous posts. I also went on my very own 4-day weekend staycation. I will definitely post on it later on this week. Well enough about me and on to the next.

Everytime I go to Target I love to browse the stationary section. It is a great way to see what's new and it gives me inspiration for new ideas. Since last year I have seen the Green Flat Invitation below and I thought it was so cute. One of my clients even used it as her wedding invitations. Click here to see post.

While roaming the blogsphere I saw the invite below from a great Green House Wedding. What I love about these invites is that the couple purchase the Target invites and made them their own by adding other creative details.

Image via Design Sponge

These invitations are so cute, right? I think the couple may have used a stamp to add more detail to the invitation as well as other stationary items such as ribbon and a trim cutter to create the "we are one" feature.



Below you can find the invitation that the Berti's used. Even though they didn't add any addition detail one thing they did have was raised lettering. I thought that this was a great option. It gave the invite and added touch as well as a great feel. I still have mine. I know I know I am a boarder line hoarder. Definitely need to make my way over to to my favorite design blogs (GIGS and Blu Label Bungalow) for organizing tips.

Image via Sharise Finley Events

Here are some great tips about store bought invites:

• Make sure you buy pre-designed invites that are on great paper.
• Try to determine the paper weight before buying. This will help you when you go to a printer for raised-lettering or more creative detail.
• Remember to used the creative resources at your finger tips. Don't forget ribbons, stamps and paper cutters which can take your design to a whole new level. (Sidebar: Always get the Sunday paper Michael's craft store always has a 40% off coupon.)
• When visiting your favorite retailer, ALWAYS stop by the stationary and clearance sections. You never know you may find invites and stationary on sale. Now that would be the perfect GOAL!!! (Sorry so into the World Cup right now. LOLOL)
• Always buy a little more than you need, open as you need it and then return the extra after the fact. This will help you just in case your local store sells out or you make some mistakes.
• Lastly, this should probably have been first create a plan and stick with it. You will definitely spend more money if you change your mind.
  
  

Image via Sharise Finley Events

What do you think about these invitations? Would you ever by invites from a local retail and then add your own touch?