Wedding Shoes under $100.00

Don't let the economy keep from buying fabulous wedding shoes. Check out these deals and steals from around the web.

Love Me Tender


This lovely, dyeable pump boasts a beautiful satin upper with flattering knot detail over the toe. The tapered heel is pretty yet practical. Dye them to match your wedding colors for a unique surprise under your dress. Onlineshoes.com
$64.95
Love Me Tender Item # 150071



This shoe has dyeable silk satin upper which features a demure peep-toe front with pleating and rhinestone accents. A leather sole completes this formal-occasion look. Onlineshoes.com



Touch Ups
Saskia by Liz René

$89.95


The name sounds like it should cost a fortune, however this Enzo Angiolini shoe in its beautiful natural satin are quite a steal

Enzo Angiolini
$51.18
Find them at 6pm.com







You don't have to sacrifice beauty by paying less.

Check out Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose for Payless
$49.99


Claudia Satin Dress Sandal - French Vanilla

November Bridal Giveaway

November's Inspired giveaway is sponsored by Luv to Peek Bridal, an Etsy Shop. This month's winner will win a garter that she could use for herself or use as a gift to a bride-to-be. This contest will be open from Monday November 23, 2009 - December 4, 2009.

Wedding traditions are fun , but how did they start. Here is the history behind the wedding garter courtesy of Mygarter.com

Modern weddings are filled with customs and traditions. One of the most celebrated wedding traditions involves the tossing of the wedding garter. The practice of garter-tossing dates back to as early as the mid-fourteenth century. In order to confirm the union was consummated, it was customary for a family member to retrieve a piece of the bride’s clothing, particularly an undergarment. It was believed that the piece of clothing would bring good luck to the person who received it. Through the years the tradition was altered, as the bride was often rushed and had her clothing torn off as guests fought for the coveted prize.



The "garter," which was a garment used to hold up stockings, became the sought-after item. This tradition evolved as the groom began removing the garter and tossing it to the guests so they would not endanger the bride. Fortunately we still practice this very tradition today. The bride typically wears the garter on her right leg as the groom removes it during the reception. He then tosses the garter to the single men in attendance. The gentleman who catches the garter is the proud recipient of the "good luck" and is said to be the next to be married.

While some brides continue with the traditional garter custom, others will wear two garters: one to be removed at the reception for tossing and the other to be kept as a keepsake of her wedding day.

Many brides decide to make their garters blue so they have "something old, something new, something borrowed and something BLUE." However, this isn’t entirely necessary. Any bride can still use traditional white garters and even create garters in colors to match their wedding themes.


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Wedding Time Capsule: A moment in Time

A new wedding trend is a creating a wedding time capsule. Keep memorabilia from your wedding day, honeymoon and first year together. You can then seal the time capsule until a special anniversary many blissful years in the future. Wedding Kits are available from various websites. There is so much of your special day that you will want to capture, the difficult part will be choosing what makes it in.

You may place various mementos photos, videos, menu cards, wedding programs. Include a major world event, news story or sporting memory. You may even include predictions about your future, as well as predictions for the future:

How many children you’ll have?
what kind of household robots you’ll have?
how many career changes you’ve gone through?
what animal is the trendiest pet?

Have you ever watched a movie where the school decided to make a time capsule for future students of the school. They place all kind of items in and then….they bury it. Well you may not want to bury your wedding time capsule. Chances are that your newlywed home will not be your home in 5 years , two kids and a dog later. So keep in a closet where the temperature will not fluctuate and you will be sure to pack when moving.

The kits that are available will most likely be a festive tin that will seal with stickers and labels indicating when you should open it. Maybe it will be on your 10th anniversary or maybe your 25th anniversary. Stick to your commitment to wait until the time you set, you will be glad you did!!!

Adding personal touches to your wedding is something that you strive to do, you can carry this over to your wedding time capsule creation. Create your own! Pick out your own container reflective of you and your fiancé. Get close friends and relatives to make predictions….this should be interesting and fun.

Honeymoons on a budget

Wondering if you will be able to pull of a fabulous wedding and a go on a great honeymoon. In search of information that I could share with my readers I came across 4weddings.com A wedding and honeymoon travel resource. I found some fabulous deals, you could go on a fabulous honeymoon for less than $2000.00.

This first travel package might also be good for a destination wedding:

Riu Santa Fe

3 Nights from $359 with Air
+ taxes and fees Located in front of the famous arches and on one of the most beautiful beaches in Los Cabos, this new hotel contains first-class facilities, such as specialty restaurants, bars, a discotheque and mini-club with daily activities, as well as a fitness center, tennis court, sauna and Jacuzzi®. The incomparable services and amenities offer guests the opportunity to enjoy spectacular vacations for the whole family.
• Round trip airfare from Los Angeles - more cities available
• Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel
• Accommodations for number of nights selected
• All-Inclusive, includes all meals, drinks, activities and more!
• Reduced rate
• $25 Spa credit per person
• Kids 12 & younger stay FREE

Prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy. Rates shown do not include International Departure & Immigration Taxes up to $130, Passenger Facility Charges up to $18 and up to $10 in September 11th Security Fees. Rates based on published, NON-REFUNDABLE, retail airfares. Change, cancellation fees, and other restrictions may apply once tickets are issued. Rates & inclusions are subject to change, availability and any restrictions. .



Celebrity 4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Century Round Trip Miami

Inside from $219
Ocean View from $399
Veranda from $448

Cozumel has been called the gem of the Mexican Caribbean. The island is located approximately twelve miles off the southern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, just across from Playa del Carmen. The waters and coral reefs off Cozumel are world-renowned as a diving destination.
The capital of "The Conch Republic" is awash in sun, and home to part of the only coral reef ecosystem in the United States. This collection of sandy outcroppings was once a haven for rum smugglers and individuals shunning the limelight. Ernest Hemingway's Key West abode and haunts alone are worth the trip.
Cruise Ports: Miami, Florida, Key West, Florida, Cozumel, Mexico, Miami, Florida

Please see additional travel details at 4weddings.com.

Princess 7 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise
From $499

Few destinations boast as much sun-drenched tropical beauty or cultural diversity as the islands of the Caribbean. This region has a distinctive fusion of influences from Europe, Africa and Latin America, which make up a wonderful quilt-work of cultures amongst a breathtaking backdrop of lush tropical jungles, fresh water caves, white-sand beaches, charming cities and ancient ruins.

This region's histories and cities are fascinating, from the ancient Mayan city of Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula, to the Chacchoben ruins near Costa Maya. Hear the legends of Aruban gold, Jamaican voodoo or the origins of St. Maarten's half-French, half-Dutch culture. Each island has its own incredible story.

Please see 4weddings.com for additional travel details.




Barcelo Langosta Beach
3 nights from $625 with air

Situated on dazzling Playa Langosta, the crystal waters of Barceló Langosta Beach offer guests a sanctuary to renew their souls while delighting in the natural surroundings at our hotel. Awarded a Blue Flag for safe, clean beaches, the Barceló Langosta Beach hotel is a surfer's dream, ideal for warm-water surfing and scuba diving. Relax on the shore while you bask in the sun on a long stretch of warm, white sand or take a deep-sea-fishing exc
• Roundtrip airfare
• Includes reduced rate
• All-Inclusive: Includes all meals, drinks, activities and more!

Prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy. Rates shown do not include International Departure & Immigration Taxes up to $74, Passenger Facility Charges up to $18 and up to $10 in September 11th Security Fees. Rates based on published, NON-REFUNDABLE, retail airfares. Change, cancellation fees, and other restrictions may apply once tickets are issued. Rates & inclusions are subject to change, availability and any restrictions.


Be Inspired Honeymoon on a Budget!!!

DIY Wedding Blog Catalog

It is my desire to inform brides about new trends, information and ideas to enhance their wedding planning. During this tough economic times everyone, even brides, are looking for ways to save money. I took a walk around the blogosphere and found some DIY wedding ideas to help you with a budget friendly wedding.

DIY Printable Wedding Invites

Brenda's Wedding Blog shares information on printable wedding invites from Daisy Days. Daisy Days offers a variety of DIY kits ranging from Ranging in styles from classic pearl borders to colorful, pocket-fold invitations. Check out Brenda's Wedding Blog.

On One lovely Day by Project Wedding, you will find some beautiful and easy DIY centerpieces. These would be great for a bridal brunch or shower.



I fell in love with these DIY wedding ideas from Style Me Pretty. She added a new spin on the traditional fall wedding decor, very light and airy.




Be Inspired by DIY projects that help you save!!!!!

Bridal Showers: A- Z

A Bridal shower is a pre-wedding party where the bride-to-be is "showered" with love, good wishes, and gifts. Traditionally, is a party with the closest female relatives and friends, but today including the groom and his friends is very popular.


Traditionally, the maid of honor would be responsible for planning and hosting the shower. Today, the whole bridal party and even the bride’s mom are involved in the planning process. With hectic schedules everyone and anyone with the time and energy should be enlisted.

Select a date

Showers can take place from six months to a week before the wedding. It is up to you whether you want to make it a surprise or not, some brides-to-be may actually request that it not be a surprise. Keep in mind where most of the guests live and where the shower is being held; out of town guests should be given enough time to make their travel plans. If most people are local, you'll have more options. After setting the date it is important to make a planning schedule include time to meet up and brainstorm. Selecting special themes often make planning easier -- and more fun; it will be your starting point for many of the ideas to come.

Budget

After or in conjunction with the party plan you should set a budget, determine who is paying for the overall event or how you can divide the cost amongst the co-hosts. Make sure if you divide the costs make sure to get money before booking or ordering so that you are not left “holding the bag” or the bill in this case.

The Planning

Don’t get so excited planning the shower that you forget to think about the bride’s likes and dislikes. Is she a traditional or contemporary girl? Would your location choice be something she would like? Does she have any special interest, favorite colors or places she likes to travel to?

Guests

Everyone invited to the shower should also be invited to the wedding. If you are going with a “just girls” invitation list, make sure the bride's and groom's close female relatives are invited, as well as all the women in the wedding party and the bride's close girlfriends. If it's a couple shower, make it a coed guest list.
Suggest that the bride and groom register for gifts prior to the shower. Include registry information in shower invitations; include any special instructions in keeping with any theme you might have selected.

Food

Consider having the shower catered if it will be done in someone’s home. The philosophy of value over economy will play a big part in the success of your shower. It might be cheaper to have everyone involved in the planning chip in and cook a dish; however if for any reason one person is unable to fulfill their responsibility and does not let you know ahead of time, it will leave a major deficit in your showers. You can also consider asking a special person in the brides life to contribute one of their most popular dishes, for instance if the bride-to-be’s grandmother makes an excellent apple pie or dessert consider asking them to make it for the special occasion, they will be honored.

The favors




There are many fun items you can get as favors for the bridal shower. You can get them based on the theme (fall theme, beach theme) or a general favor like a cookie favor, edible favors are always a hit. Cookies can be decorated in bridal colors and presented in cellophane paper with coordinating ribbons, such as the ones below by Two Sisters Bakery

Renting Bridal Jewelry

Looking like a Platinum bride on your wedding day is possible even during a recession. Thanks to Adorn Brides leasing wedding jewelry is easy. Adorn Brides is a trailblazer in this new exciting concept, you will not find any other jewelry giant bringing this to you. You can now wear the finest elegant bridal jewelry on your wedding day.

Here is the process as listed on the Adorn Brides Website:

Rent Bridal Jewelry in four easy steps

1. Go shopping and pick out the pieces you love and add them to your “shopping bag”. Check their availability by entering your event date.
2. Check out using a credit card to order the jewelry for your event date.
3. Look amazing wearing the jewelry on your wedding day

Adorn will call you a few days before your event to confirm shipping information and review the details.
Your jewelry will arrive 2 business days prior to your event.
Best of all, the jewelry is insured while in your possession and the insurance is included in the rental price! (If the jewelry is not returned, Adorn will charge a 33% deductible.)
Please note that an amount equal to approximately 5% of the retail value of the jewelry will be reserved on your credit card while you have the jewelry as a temporary security deposit.



4. Send it back on the first business day after your event using packaging and pre-paid label Adorn provides for you.

Simply drop it off at the closest UPS store.
Once we receive the jewelry we will remove the security deposit.

Wedding Jewelry: Investment of a lifetime

Investing In the Marriage

A woman's dowry, in many countries, is worn around her neck and wrists in the form of gold chains and bracelets. While in modern countries, a woman doesn't require a dowry to marry, some of the jewelry purchases made during this time can be a sound investment. With gold prices at record levels, any jewelry bought for wedding purposes can be a nice way to invest a portion of wealth in an appreciating asset. Even diamonds have a way of retaining value over time, making them ideally suited for putting money aside into commodities that remain viable for years to come. Just be sure they're real diamonds as the dollar value is the difference between diamond and cubic zirconia.

Choose Gold or Platinum

The setting of your wedding jewelry is traditionally gold. Gold, however, is a soft metal that wears away easily. Platinum has become more popular, even as it costs more. That may also be a good reason to choose platinum, over gold, as the value is intrinsically higher. It also goes well with modern looks that favor a chrome or silver finish, rather than a yellow gold for fine jewelry. If you can't afford platinum, but want the look, there are white gold alloys, but they are less in value than purer forms of gold.

Diamonds Have Staying Power

Diamonds have long been used to launder money because they can easily be smuggled across borders. While you're probably not into any criminal activity, the same reasoning to choose diamonds over other stones exists for the serious investor. They are more easily liquidated and sold into cash, should hard times strike. While it would be tough to trade in a ring, even if you were struck with misfortune, it's a viable way to lock wealth away for a period of time, and still enjoy it.

Don't Forget The Wedding Bands

Bands can have diamonds studded into them now too, for both men and women. There are fancy colored diamonds that can have a higher value and more market appeal. If you survive the wedding, why not increase your jewelry holdings each year with an anniversary gift of fine jewelry? By the time your reach your 50th wedding anniversary, you'll already have a nice stash of gold set aside from previous years.