A Pronovias Gown…. OR dinner????
Posted by Jill in Bridal Gowns & Accessories on December 17th, 2009
I love thrift stores. I really do. I don’t mind digging through a pile of ugly 1980’s sweaters with ginornous shoulder pads to find one cashmere v-neck from Ann Taylor… for $3! I know people get freaked out by wearing someone else’s clothes, but after you wash it or dry clean it, it’s like new! Plus, how many people have tried on those brand new jeans that you’re trying on at Banana Republic??? Anyway, it’s like a treasure hunt. Its almost cathartic for me to find the name brand clothes for less than I’d spend for lunch.
Last time I was home, my mom and I went to Good Will in search of clear glass vases/candle holders to make some mock up centerpieces from. They didn’t have anything, which was a giant surprise, but they did have THIS…
Photo Courtesy: Wedding Gowns Galore
A Pronovias, mermaid, lace gown covered in crystals. It was beautiful. 100% not what I want, but some very lucky girl is going to get a stunning gown for… get this… $50! Of course, it was in desperate need of cleaning, and likely some major alterations. But still. The fabric alone would cost WAYYYYYYYY more than $50! I was tempted to buy it and make a knee length dress out of it, maybe for the rehearsal? Maybe resell it?
But I didn’t get it. I left if for some girl that’s dying for a Pronovias, mermaid, lace gown covered in crystals but thinks it’s out of reach. And I sincerely hope she finds it!
I feel sorry for the girls that don’t think they can afford a beautiful gown. All they have to do is look in the right places, have a bit of luck… and have the patience to dig through the puffy sleeved monstrosities.
Not for me… maybe for you?!?!?!
Posted by Jill in Wedding Planning on December 16th, 2009
Since J and I live in Birmingham, but are getting married in St. Louis, we have to squeeze a lot of venue searching into very short trips home. My first and only qualification for a space was that it was different. After some unsucessful visits, I’m wondering if it’s neccesary to have a unique space or if I can tranform a “cookie cutter” space into something magificent.
Here are some unique places that ended up being losers for us…. but maybe perfect for you!! 
1. The Landings at Spirit Golf Club: Dad’s #1 choice, since they offered him a free round of golf if we booked with them. This was the first place we visited. It was lovely, had nice views of the golf course, was in our price range… but it was just TOO small. Sorry dad. I love J, but I don’t want to have to sit on his lap during the reception because there’s no room for me.
![LandingsatSpiritGolfClub150x100[1]](http://weddingstylediva.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/LandingsatSpiritGolfClub150x10013.jpg "Not for me... maybe for you?!?!?!")
2. The Kemp Auto Museum: Very sleek, modern and sexy featuring some awesome old cars. Also a tad too big. I’m afraid it would feel cold and impersonal to our guests.
3. The Old Post Office: I fell in love with this venue from the outside, I mean, seriously, is that not a beautiful building?!?! But once inside it seemed kind of oddly configured and cramped. Ahem… I mean “intimate”.
4. The Crystal Ballroom in the Renaissance Grand Hotel: Where as the Old Post Office and the Landings were too small and the Kemp Auto Museum was too large the Crystal Ballroom was JUST RIGHT. I loved it. In fact I’m wiping the drool off my keyboard as I type, I love it so much. It has floor to ceiling windows that feature stunning views of my beloved St. Louis. It’s truly grand. It makes a statement. But, alas, if we went with the Crystal Ballroom we could only invite 5 people. And they’d have to byob. It’s way out of our price range…. so unless we win the lottery this one’s out.
Ack, who knows where we’ll end up… I’m leaving to the hands of fate. 
I refuse to stress out…. repeat it with me I refuse to stress out, I refuse to stress out, I refuse to stress out…..
Photos Courtesy: The Landings, Kemp Auto Museum, The Old Post Office, The Renaissance Grand Hotel
(All venues in St. Louis, Missouri)
Paula and Jill
Posted by Jill in Real Weddings on December 14th, 2009
J and I have a favorite budget date location. It’s the dollar show, for ONE dollar you get to see a new film that is in that limbo period between real theatres and dvds. I love love love going to the dollar show. I even made up a little song about it:
I love the dollar show
It’s my favorite place to go
Four quarters gets you in
For ten more dimes you can bring a friend
Anyway, J was out of town this weekend, so I had to find something to do to distract myself from missing him (you’re either sighing or scoffing right now, depending on if YOU are a bride to be! Haha!) So I thought I’d take myself on a date to the dollar show (which is way more acceptable at a matinee). I saw Julie and Julia. Which is the story of a blogger, Julie, who decides to cook her way through Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”, and blog about it. It’s basically my new favorite movie of all time. It’s a perfect blend of some of my favorite things; cooking, blogging, and Paris! I thought it was genius! I think my favorite part of the movie was when Julie (the blogger) got SO excited about finally having a comment on her blog, she clicked on it to read it and it was from her mom!! Ha! I think all of us bloggers have been there (although it’s my dad in my case!) I also loved the way Julia Child’s husband toasted her as the butter to her bread and the breath to her life. I can think of no better description of J! haha! (We’ve been known to refer to ourselves as the Buttertons in private. )
So anyway, I got thinking about my favorite cook, Paula Deen. I’ve met her during her book tour for her children’s cookbook and I told her that when I started dating a southern boy I thought to myself “I better learn how to cook”, I also suggested that her next cookbook should be titled “How to Win a Man’s Heart”. Yes, to some degree I credit her with my engagement! Ha! I’m thinking about inviting her to the wedding! What do you think? Have you invited any celebrities to your wedding?
Its Official…
Posted by Jill in Real Weddings on December 12th, 2009
I have the best fiance in the universe. Seriously. Yesterday was the day from H E double hockey sticks. But his sweetness smoothed it over.
I’ve been working like a horse part time at JCPenney Portrait Studio taking photos of slobbering bratty screaming kids to try to save enough money for the wedding. I was proud of myself for saving so much $$. WELLLLL I go out to my car the other day and lo and behold my tire was flat. I said to J, “there goes my Christmas bonus” and he said “Nah, it’ll just be a $10 patch job”. Of course it WASN’T just a patch job. In total my tires/wheels/alignment were so messed up that it cost me all of the money I saved while working like a horse at JCP AND my Christmas bonus from my real job. I’m heart sick.
And it was also cold. Really cold. So I was complaining to J about not having a coat (how does he put up with my complaining? Saint? Maybe.) Anyway, he said “look under the tree” and there it was, my dream coat.
In fact I blogged about it earlier. Burberry. Black. Quilted. Oh that lovely plaid. It made me cry!
No matter how unlucky my days may seem, J is always there reminding me that its the people in your life that love you and care about you that make a person lucky!!! And when I remember that, I remember that I’m very very very lucky…. A lot poorer today. But warm and lucky.
Centerpiece idea
Posted by Jill in Decorations on December 9th, 2009
Today I spent my lunch hour at Garden Ridge. Yay! There’s a new one less than a mile from work. My heart breaks for you budget brides that don’t have a Garden Ridge in your town. Anyway, I forgot my debit card so I could only “look” and play (maybe I should forget my debit card more often!). This is NOT an original Budget Bride idea, I saw this on a blog or bridal magazine or television show somewhere months ago, so if it’s yours let me know so I can bestow credit upon your genuisness.
I mean, it’s kind of left my head swimming to come up with something different. Something different and cheap! Something different and cheap and beautiful! But these hit the jackpot! These are SUCH a simple and elegant centerpiece idea.
Take a flower (I used a fake one), a wine goblet and a pillar candle. Flip the goblet over, put the flower underneath, a candle on top and voila! Lovely! I don’t think we’ll be using this because my mom found a lady to do our centerpieces. More on her soon. But other Budget Brides, take note! Using finds from the Dollar Tree, you could end up with AWESOME $3 centerpieces!!! Maybe a little more if you surrounded it with votives or flower petals. It’s unique, creative, classy and CHEAP! Love it! And no one would guess how much you spent on them. . . These might make it to my Christmas table scape this year! Maybe with a poinsettia? Hmmm….
Giveaway Worth Checking Out
Posted by Chrys in Uncategorized on December 2nd, 2009
Brenda’s Wedding Blog is giving one lucky reader $100 towards the purchase of a signature plate. The contest ends Dec. 7th so jump over there and sign up now!
Jacket for Winter Wedding Dresses
Posted by Chrys in Uncategorized on December 1st, 2009
If you’re planning a winter wedding you’ve probably already come across a common problem: how do you keep warm and look great without compromising on the dress of your dreams? Even those dresses that have sleeves are usually lacy or shear so warmth is just not likely.
There are a number of options that you can consider. One of my all time favorites is this adorable faux fur lined jacket from Forever Yours. It’s available from House of Brides for $210 and not only does it look hot but it will provide a lot more warmth then lacy sleeves and it looks good enough that you might not want to take it off when you get inside lol
If this isn’t the look you are going for, there are other options you can look at. Other popular options include shawls which you drape over your arms while you are outside, shrugs (mini jackets) and full capes for a more traditional winter bride look.
Wedding Tool Kit: Nails
Posted by Jill in Bridal Style on December 1st, 2009
I am a total and complete girly girl. I love makeup and potions and lotions and feeling pampered. Obviously I’d prefer to spend the day at some hoity toity spa in a cashmere robe sipping sweet champagne and getting my nails done. But I’m completely okay gathering some of my favorite finds in my bathroom at home, in a cotton robe, sipping wine from a box.
#1. I love French manicures. I think they looks so elegant. But I work part 
time in a portrait studio as a baby photographer, so acrylics aren’t the most practical for me. One of my all time favorite beauty products in the Sally Hansen French Manicure pen, you can get it anywhere Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart. You simply draw on your French manicure, add a swipe of your favorite top coat and voila! Everyone will think you’re French. And it’s so convenient to just toss in your purse or makeup bag, so you always have it on hand for touch ups.
#2. Speaking of a swipe of your favorite top coat… My top coat of choice is also Sally Hansen, Hard as Nails. Also available everywhere… but it’s only $1.88 at Walmart. It’s 
wonderful! It dries SUPER fast. My nails are always strengthened when I use it and they grow noticably too!
#3. I love OPI nail polish. Yeah, it’s a little on the expensive side, 
but it seems to stay looking good longer than normal drugstore nail polish. There’s a cool interactive section on their website which allows you to “try on” different colors. My favorite is “Catch the Garter”, light pink and very
appropriate for a bride!
#4. A friend of mine was at the television network where I work (full time) last week taping a series. She had her nails done. I though they looked excellent! I love artificial nails and whenever 
I see a woman with french manicured artificial nails (in an appropriate length) it makes me think that she had just been “lunching” somewhere fabulous and that she has a Burberry jacket hanging in her closet. I asked my friend if she got her nails done all the time. She said they were glue on nails from Walgreens! Fake nails from the drugstore that looked fantastic and stayed on the whole week! For $6 I might have to give them a try!
I haven’t decided which I’ll choose for my wedding day nails, but it will likely be one of these options! What are you planning on doing with your nails????
Photos courtesy Walgreens, OPI, and Sally Hansen
Seriously Cute, Seriously Affordable Bridemaids Gowns
Posted by Chrys in Weddng Party Attire on December 1st, 2009
I originally found CutesyGirl when I was searching for shoes to blog about at If The Shoes Fit – and they definitely have an amazing selection of gorgeous, chic budget friendly shoes (remember the purple pumps from earlier this week?). Anyway – I was browsing the site today and decided to take a look at their dress selection and I am SO GLAD I did!
You’re going to LOVE this: gorgeous, formal styles at unbelievable price. Seriously – take a look at some of my favorites. All from CutesyGirl. All priced between $48-$69! Seriously!!
DiamonArt
Have you ever heard of DiamonArt from JCPenney?? They are lab created diamonds, simulated diamonds from the JCPenney jewelry collection. It has fewer inclusions than you would find in real diamonds so it is clearer than real diamond but looks just as nice if not better. According to JCPenney.com “Diamonart® jewelry is created with the highest grade of simulated diamonds and perfectly cut to reflect the maximum amount of light” and that“DiamonArt® jewelry is of the finest quality thanks to the patented polishing system of applying diamond dust to add more luster and shine”
I found a bracelet in the case of the JCP where I work part time as a portrait photographer. I LOVED it. I tried on my left wrist and it sparkled just as much as my e-ring. J offered to buy it for me for Christmas to wear on our wedding day. I was hesitant because it was essentially a FAKE diamond bracelet that was $829! I thought I’d prefer to have a real gemstone (white topaz maybe?) bracelet rather than a fake one. Well, we found out that the ring was 75% off and then they’d give us an additional 40% off for their pre-black Friday sale… on top of my 20% employee discount. So in total the $800 bracelet ended up being $100!! Yay! That’s my kind of sale! And it’s stunning! It is so sparkly and fits my wrist just right.
I’m such a new found fan of DiamonArt that I think I’d like all of my wedding day jewelry to be that brand. Definitely check it out! Today JCPenney.com is having a Cyber Monday free shipping sale and loads of great sales on other DiamonArt pieces. No one will know that you are not dripping in real diamonds!!! I’m thinking about buying these as my wedding day earrings, what do you think???
