I just love these fabulous Napkins from Plum Party that allow you to tuck your silverwear inside in such a cute way! What a great decor element to stand out at any Bridal Shower, Engagement Party, Backyard BBQ, Wedding, Baby Shower, Birthday Party, or pretty much any special event (can you tell we love them?)~

Pack of 50 Napkins from PlumParty = $16.00

I first have to mention an apology to my dedicated readers for being MIA on posting new blogs this past week... but there is a good reason ;) Aside from my busy work life of planning events, I have been hard at work to create a free download for all of you Chic Budget Brides out there!! Without further ado, here is our very first custom designed Invitation Suite - ENJOY!

*Click to Download ITB Invitation Suite*

I recommend printing on cardstock paper and using a paper trimmer for a more professional cut

Inspiration Photo (all items below are local and realistic pieces you can purchase for your wedding & use after wedding inspired by the image above)!

Sugar Molds - Rustic $29.00 at Napa Style

Roost Rustic Wood Shelves $36.00 by Roost at Velocity Art and Design
Made from colonial-era railroad ties procured from Northern India, Roost's recycled teak or other hardwood shelves have been waxed and polished to a deep sheen.

Roost Driftwood Vases $33.00 by Roost at Velocity Art and Design

Magioni Jug/Jar $1.95 at Crate & Barrel

Moreschi Signature Bands Printed Silk Tie $100.00$70.00 by Moreschi at Forzieri

Old Gringo Men's M175-145 Nevada Cowboy Boot $359.95$287.92 by Old Gringo at Endless.com

Maggy London One Shoulder Dress $128.00 by Maggy London at Nordstrom

Fergie Women's Quiana Wedge Sandal $89.95$49.47 by Fergie at Endless.com

Surace $12.00 at Aldo

Cast Aluminum Gazebo

$710.00$349.00 at Restoration Hardware

• Handcrafted of rustproof cast aluminum
• Welded joints
• Powdercoated with a durable, triple coat of UV-inhibiting pewter or bronze finish
• Weighted legs ground them firmly in place
• Glides allow for easy transporting
• Will be assembled at time of delivery
• Dimensions: 7' sq., 8'H

Shown in pewter.

Wood Risers, Set of 3 $99.00 at Pottery Barn
These unadorned wooden risers translate perfectly into rustic accent tables. Placed individually or incorporated into existing displays, they add an artfully natural element.

• Small: 8” square
• Medium: 10” square
• Large: 12” square

Iron Crowns - Imperial $44.00 at Wisteria

Horchow French Pedestal $195.00 at Horchow
Shapely French-design urn planter with basketweave rim rests on an exquisitely styled pedestal base with an abundance of scroll, lattice, and shell details. Both pieces are handcrafted of fiberstone and have a hand-applied white acid stain with aged accents for an established look. We recommend adding a drainage hole to base of urn. Both pieces are outdoor safe, but urn should be moved inside during freezing temperatures. Made in the USA.

• Urn planter, 17"W x 12"D x 21"T; weighs 11 lbs.
• Pedestal base, 12.5"Sq. x 30"T; weighs 18 lbs.

Why we choose manmade materials. Today's composite casting materials offer an unparalleled value for outdoor decorating:

• Great looks. They can be textured and finished to perfectly replicate a variety of natural materials at a significantly lower price.
• Mobility. Substantial enough to stand up to wind and weather, yet at approximately one-fourth the weight of cement or stone, can be easily relocated for changes in landscape or design preference.
• Easy care. Not susceptible to mold, mildew, or other problems common to natural materials.

Horchow Laurel Pedestal $245.00$122.90
Handcrafted resin urn holds up to an 8.5"Dia. pot. It rests on a coordinating pedestal, sold separately.

• Urn, 13"Dia. x 18"T; 18"W with handles.
• Pedestal, 14"Sq. x 19"T.

Why we choose man-made materials. Today's resin offers an unparalleled value for outdoor decorating:

• Great looks. It can be textured and finished to perfectly replicate a variety of natural materials at a significantly lower price.
• Mobility. It is substantial enough to stand up to wind and weather, yet at approximately one-fourth the weight of cement or stone, it can be easily relocated for changes in landscape or design preference.
• Easy care. It is not susceptible to mold, mildew, or other problems common to natural materials.
  
  

  

  The DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Bride - 40 Fun Projects for a One-of-a-Kind Wedding Book $19.95 at Bed Bath & Beyond
  Written by the founder of the popular DIYBride.com site, this do-it-yourself handbook will help today's bride-to-be cuts costs and put a personal touch on her wedding. Ranging in everything from handmade engagement announcements and invitations to one-of-a-kind place cards for the reception, centerpieces, and memento scrapbooks and photo cubes, this book is full of great ideas that are fun and economical. Features 40 fun projects. Soft cover. 215 pages.
  
  

  Wilton Tall 6-Tier Cake Stand $45.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond
  Set on elegant lace-edged plates, the heavenly confections served on your special occasion will be dramatically and unforgettably displayed on this lofty 6-tier cake and dessert stand. Twist-together center columns make this stand easy to assemble and the strong plastic plates are interchangeable (except for footed plate) and offer superior stability. 13-piece set includes: 5 twist-apart columns 6.5"H, 1 bottom bolt, 1 top bolt, 18" footed base plate; 8", 10", 12", 14" and 16" separator plates.

Champagne Glass Entertaining Set of 12 $24.99 at World Market
Classic, restaurant-quality champagne flutes for entertaining and celebrations. Perfect for weddings.

• Packaged in a convenient storage box
• Set of 12

Wine Glass Entertaining Set of 12 $24.99 at World Market
Restaurant-quality wine glasses for entertaining and celebrations. This set features a classic silhouette ideal for red or white wines.

• Packaged in a convenient storage box
• Set of 12

Moorish Party Serving Tray $12.99$9.09 at World Market
The vivid geometric motifs of Morocco give these decorative home bar essentials beautiful aestethic appeal as well as their practical functional for entertaining and everyday use.

• Tray, 13"Dia.
• Sold Out: Set of 6 coasters, 4"Dia..

Bamboo Toothpicks or Forks Sets of 100 $2.99 at World Market
Take your pick. Party essentials especially if you're having a large gathering. Our bamboo toothpicks are perfect partners for olives, onions and other festive garnishes. Bamboo forks make it easy to serve appetizers and other party fare. Sold separately in sets of 100.

• Toothpicks, 3.5"L.
• Forks, 3.5"L.

Hexagonal Glass Beverage Dispenser, Stand and Glasses $140.00$19.99 at Chefs

I am a frequent Etsy.com online-window-shopper ;) and could literally spend hours upon hours in fascination at the unique creations the creative wedding and print shops have for sale... Stumbled upon the Belletristics - Aesthetic designs for the DIY Bride storefront and love that all of their items for sale seem to be pretty affordable and help cut down on costs if you visit your local Kelly Paper Company or other discount/wholesale paperies to get beautiful cardstock for lest and choose to print on your own at home (usually it ends up costing less by sending the file to staples since ink is so expensive these days and you may get a good price depending on the size of the bulk order - the only bummer is the price usually includes printing on simple matte cardstock or you just pay for their bulk printing and you supply your own upgraded paper). This shop seems to be flexible with personalizing colors, texts, and some other additions depending on the item and details of the order. Check em out~

'Belletristics is a design shop specializing in high quality, affordable designs for the DIY bride. Using Belletristics' design services will save you time and money while helping you bring together the vision that you have for your wedding. Designs can be created in a variety of file formats, so you can print at home or use a professional printer.'

Here are some of my Favorites from the Belletristics Storefront (Printable Wedding Invitation and Table Number Card Sets):

I was very inspired by O-Radio's very own Jean Chatzky and her excellent tips on keeping to a strict Wedding Budget! Check out her words of wisdom below....

"How much do you think a wedding costs these days? When you include the engagement ring, photography, dress, honeymoon and flowers, it can all add up really fast. Of course, you can spend as little or as much as you want—what you're really looking for is a memorable occasion that will carry you into a happy marriage.

Jean talks to three guests who share their best tips for planning the perfect wedding, even when you're on a budget. David Tutera is a celebrity wedding and party planner; Carley Roney is co-founder and editor in chief of the online wedding resource The Knot; and Katie Dunsworth, a recent bride and member of Smart Cookies Money Group, which has been featured on both Jean's show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Here are their tips for you:

• Overbudget, David and Carley say. When you're allocating the money, make sure to reserve about 10 percent in case you go over—it is very likely that you will.
• Use a wedding budget calculator (you can find them online) to figure out how much should be spent on each expense.
• Consider a destination wedding. These are often mistakenly pegged as the more expensive option, Katie says. The truth is, if you pick an all-inclusive location, as she did, it can actually be cheaper because you save on food and drinks.
• Bargain, bargain, bargain. You can negotiate for everything, from flowers to the band to the venue. Katie says she got a deal on her dress and the bridesmaid dresses by purchasing them from the same shop.
• Cut back on things that guests won't notice. Carley suggests eliminating a couple of courses from the dinner, limiting the bar by featuring a special cocktail, or only buying flowers that are in season.
• Don't lose sight of the purpose. The wedding is to celebrate your relationship, so focus on creating a memorable time as opposed to simply a lavish one." Source:Oprah.com

Dana from Broke Ass Bride just launched Bride$hare - a place for Brides to share costs with other brides who are buying the same wedding decor to split the bill. Check out this great new site for Brides to connect and save during these tough economic times. This is also a wonderful way for Brides all over to be eco-friendly when it comes to recycling their wedding items that they would hate to see go to waste... what a great idea!!