Sarah Danielle Wedding Dresses

I came across a Sarah Danielle wedding dress and the affordable price tag ($1,000 and under) and had to share with all of you! Check out some of these beautiful dresses:







You can find these dresses at I Do! I Do! Bridal in Phoenix AZ.

Any Sarah Danielle brides out there?

Look for Less: More Affordable Solutions for your Lounge Area

Having a lounge area at your party is such a great way to treat your guests and really create a fun environment. On the flip side, lounge rentals can get pretty expensive. A cheaper alternative if you are flexible and on a budget is to use furniture you already have or buy used furniture.

A quick search on Craigslist turned up these couches, all for under $100:



Find some pretty fabric or plain sheets in your colors to make an instant slipcover. Add some bright pillows:


Pillows from CB2 and West Elm

And you are on your way to a cheaper and more personalized lounge area for your party.

Are you doing a lounge area? Have you found any low cost alternatives?

Bottled Sodas for your Drink Display

Looking for a fun way to spice up your drink display? Whether it's for your wedding or your next outdoor picnic, these bottled sodas would add a beautiful touch of color and personality to your event. You could set a few of them at each table so guests can help themselves, put them in a bin filled with ice to keep them chilled, add a gift tag and give as favors, or display them at your bar.

**The Jones Soda on the left below can be completely customized with your own pictures!

Photos clockwise from top left: Source, Source, Source, Source, Source

How do you spice up your drink display or bar area?

Bridesmaid Dresses for Under $30

I read something recently that said the average bridesmaid spends over $1,000 to be in a wedding-this includes dress, alterations, hair/makeup, shoes, bridal shower, bachelorette party, gifts, and travel. Over $1,000?!? Ouch! We've all been there so we know it's true. Here are some great dresses I found at Forever21 that won't break the bank-AND-your bridesmaids will really be able to wear them again!



What's the most you've ever spent on a bridesmaid dress?

Pastel Centerpiece Idea

How cute would this watering can be for a centerpiece? The pastel colors would be great for a baby shower, Easter, garden party, or preppy themed wedding. And even better-it's at Walmart for $6!!!

Add a few white daisies or roses and you're done!

Bouquet Charms & Rosaries

A great way to honor a loved one during your ceremony is to add a charm, picture frame, or rosary to your bouquet.

**If you plan on doing this, be sure to let your florist know in advance. They may ask that you send them the charm/rosary so they can put it on before they drop the flowers off or they may need to know so they can give themselves enough time to put the rosary on your bouquet once they drop your flowers off.

Here are some gorgeous examples below:

(Clockwise from top left: Source, Source, Source, Source, Source)

Are you adding any sentimental details to your bouquet?

Cole Haan Shoes-New Bridal Collection

Cole Haan has just launched a new bridal collection that features fancy heels with Nike Air technology. Your wedding feet will be pretty AND comfortable all through the night. Cole Haan also offers a dye-to-black service where they'll dye your shoes to black for you after the wedding so you can wear them again and again.

Here are a few of their styles:


What do you think?

Fun Dessert/Cocktail Idea for Girls Night Out!

I found these Cosmo Bites over on Kraft Foods and I had to share! How great would these be for a girls night out/in, a bachelorette party, or a bridal shower?



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Prep Time:
15 minTotal Time:
4 hr 15 minMakes:
24 servings

1-1/2 cups boiling cranberry juice cocktail
3 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Brand Raspberry Flavor Gelatin
1/2 cup vodka or water
1/4 cup lime juice
STIR boiling juice into gelatin mix in large bowl until completely dissolved. Add vodka and lime juice; mix well.

POUR into 8-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set.

CUT into 24 triangles. Store in refrigerator.

Free Fonts for St. Patrick's Day

Looking for that perfect font for your St. Patrick's day party menus, signs, or invitations? I found these fonts on DaFont, my favorite FREE site for downloading cool fonts.



I'm loving the first one, and of course the last one since my hubby's name is Patrick!

St Patrick's Day Drink Ideas

Looking for some fun drink ideas for your St. Patty's day party? I just posted about some Irish themed drinks over on She Just Got Married where I guest blog.

Click here to read the full post.



1. Source, 2. Source, 3. Source, 4. Source, 5. Source, 6. Source

What's your favorite Irish drink? I'd have to say mine is the Snakebite. YUM!

What Color Bouquet works with a Champagne Wedding Dress?

One of my brides recently purchased her wedding dress and is at a loss for what color flowers to use that will go well with the champagne color. I, on the other hand, was at a loss for words when I saw her in the gown for the first time! Her gown is absolutely stunning-raw silk, champagne colored, delicate beading, mermaid style-and looks amazing on her! But I digress...back to the flowers.

With champagne dresses, you can really do any colored bouquet-ivory, bright colors, neutrals, warm earthtones. Below are some bouquet ideas:



Images (Clockwise from top left: Source, Source, Source, Source, Source)



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What color bouquet would you carry with a champagne wedding dress?

The Paper Mill Store-Low Prices on Cardstock!

I am always on the lookout for high quality yet affordable card stock for the various paper items that I print for The Savvy Event. Whether it's placecards, favor tags, or menus, adding that little personal detail is something I think everyone should be able to do-no matter what your budget.

This brings me to today's post: The Paper Mill Store has such great prices on card stock, envelopes, and labels. I wish I found them years ago!

You can search their site by color, size, weight, grade, or brand.

If you are a DIY bride who is tackling any paper projects, check out their huge selection and affordable prices! Oh yeah, and for you all you Green Brides out there, they use 100% Green-E certified wind power in all of their facilities.

Are you planning doing your own paper stuff for your wedding or event?

Branch Centerpieces

I am a huge fan of nature inspired centerpieces, especially those using branches. If you are lucky enough to live somewhere woodsy, then branch centerpieces are a great cost saving idea for your wedding. If you live in the desert like me, then you'll have to find them online at one of these places: Save On Crafts, Nettleton Hollow, or Ebay.

Here are a just few of my faves:


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If you're using branch centerpieces at your event, any tips for finding great deals on branches for us desert girls?

Do-it-yourself: Spring Brunch

I am a huge fan of DIY projects and love trying new ones whenever I am hosting. I found these Spring Brunch ideas on Michaels. Head over to the article to find tips and how-to's for making all these great items! Even better, this would be so affordable to recreate!


Click on Image to Enlarge-Photos courtesy of Michaels

What is your favorite DIY project when entertaining?

Bump It Up-Hair Products

Looking to bump up the volume in your updo or hairstyle? My sister sent me the link to Bumpits and told me I might enjoy-gee, is my hair really that flat?!?

The Bumpit is a self gripping haircomb that gives you instant volume! Check out some photos from the Bumpit site!





Easy Instructions:



I don't know about you but I'm a sucker for big hair. Have you ever used Bumpits? What is your secret to getting lots of volume?

Personalized Menus for your Reception

There's something about a menu at each place setting that just screams FANCY! Maybe it's because I find comfort in knowing everything or maybe it's because it is one of those unnecessary things that really can wow your guests. Regardless of why I love them, menus add an extra degree of personalization and an unexpected pop of color. There is no dinner party too small for this detail in my opinion!

If you are on the fence about doing menus, keep in mind that they can be extremely simple. Design them yourselves, print them on a heavier cardstock, and tuck them inside each napkin-or to be more eco-friendly, print a menu and frame it for each table.

Here are some menu ideas that I just love:


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Are you using menus at your wedding? Are you making them yourself?

If these images belong to you and I did not credit, please email me so I can credit or remove. Thank you.