It doesn't have to be new to be Fabulous!

These days many brides are looking for ways to keep their budgets down. For some, that may mean more do-it-yourself projects and for others they may have to trim their guest list slightly.  Another great way to accomplish this without having to sacrifice, is to buy used! Buying used for your wedding doesn't have to mean lowering your standards, there are tons of great deals out there if you are willing to look for them! Everything to used chair covers, votive candles, flower girl dresses, and even your wedding gown.  If you are thinking "no way!"; keep reading.

Many women decide after their weddings not to keep their dresses or change their minds after purchasing a dress and can't return it.  This is often the case when you buy an off the rack sale dress, but fear not because you still have options.  A search on *craigslist turned up a few great dresses at REALLY good prices!

We suggest you that you try on as many dresses that you need to in the bridal stores to get an idea of the style you like, and to make sure you know what size dress you will need. You can also research different designers that offer the style gowns that you like, so that you can narrow down what you are looking for.  Doing your homework will save you time, and it will also help you if you do start shopping for used dresses because you will know what you like!  Do you see yourself in a Maggie Sottero Dress, or possibly a Casa Blanca? A simple search online could potentially help you save a lot of money, and help you keep your budget in line.

This Alvina Valenta is listed at over a $1200 discount!

This dress would be awesome for a Destination wedding...and it is less than $100!

This dress from Allure Bridal is almost $1000 off  of the retail price!

Craigslist isn't the only option for finding pre-owned dresses. There are great sites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com and also Etsy.com and of course good ol' Ebay.

Stay tuned...in the future you may even be able to buy your fabulous pre-owned dress right here at The 530 Bride!

I'm the MOH!

Here at The 530 Bride our focus is on Northern California Weddings...but I am going to make an exception, just this one time... My Best Friend is getting hitched and I'm the Maid of Honor (MOH)!  

The wedding will take place next summer at a beautiful lakeside resort and  although it is still early in the planning process we've already decided on a Rustic/Romantic Country theme (like how I say We? I'm also the wedding planner!).

The Bride (and bridesmaids) will be wearing cowboy boots and carrying bouquets of  Sunflowers and Daisies. The ceremony will be in the evening and the reception will be casual and intimate.

Stay tuned for more MOH posts from me, The 530 Bridesmaid!

Bridal Party Fashion

As a bride you get to choose a few of your closest friends or family members to join your bridal party, and share a special part of your day with you. Part of the fun for both the bride and the bridesmaids, is choosing the bridesmaid dresses.  How can you not have a blast while trying on dresses 3 sizes to small for you in some very unflattering colors! Traditionally all of the bridesmaids will wear the same dress in the same color, and wear matching accessories.  More and More, we are seeing brides choose an alternate route.  Brides are opting for the bridesmaids to either wear varying styles of dresses in the same color, or have them wear any style of dress in a range of similar hues.  These options not only allow each bridesmaid to choose a style that best suits her body style, but it also shows a lot of personality and spunk.  Throw some flashy and colorful heels into the mix for some extra flare. It is never too early to start thinking details such as your bridal party's attire. In most cases it takes up to 3 months if not longer, to get your dresses after they have been ordered.  If your wedding falls in the prime wedding months such as April through June, or September through November, there may even be a bit of a delay because the manufacturers may get backed up. Think of colors, and styles that will compliment you and your dress, as well as your overall theme.

Chic One Shoulder dresses are in style right now, as well as gray, metallic, and purple tones.

Brides, if you are racking your brain on what to get your bridesmaids consider picking out matching necklaces or accessories for them to wear.  If you do decide to buy jewelry for your bridesmaids, consider buying jewelry that will stand out from far away and in pictures.

Here are some of the popular designers for Bridesmaid dresses that you should be able to find in your local Wedding Dress Shops.

Alfred Angelo Davids Bridal The Dessy Group (After Six, Alfred Sung, Lela Rose, & Cynthia Rowley) Jessica McClintock Mori Lee

For help finding local dress shops, check out our Directory!

To the Bride to be, from her Bridesmaids...

Dear Bride to be, We your bridesmaids, have a few things to say.

We are your best friends (except for the 2nd cousin  that your Mom insisted on because you were a mercy bridesmaid in her wedding)

We adore you. We love you. We would do anything for you.EXCEPT wear that dress that you pointed out in the magazine last week.

We are so happy that you are getting married, and we love your Fiance (well all of us except you-know-who, but that's a different story all together), but if we have to hear the proposal story ONE MORE TIME we will gag you with that Tiffany's box you carry around in your purse to prove where that rock you wave around came from.

Helping you plan your wedding is our duty and responsibility and we will all pitch in and do all we can. BUT if you call at 3 am AGAIN to tell us about the epiphany you just had about floral arrangements, we will be forced to confiscate and destroy your iPhone with its "Bride to be" glitter cover.

When the big day comes, we will all stand by your side, hold up your dress when you pee, fetch you champagne in between picture sessions, apply your bandaids to the blisters that your gorgeous but one size too small shoes cause on your heels. We will dance with your new husbands weird cousins and put up with your drunk aunt and her stories about how she always knew you would marry so well.... but so help us if your creepy uncle tries to cop a feel, there will be a dance floor smack down.

Remember that being your bridesmaids is our honor BUT not our reason to live...and we will all get through this in one piece.

Love Always,

Your Bridesmaids

Planning your wedding on a Budget? Do it yourself!

Our lovely Featured Bride Melissa gave us some great tips for lowering your wedding costs by Doing some things yourself! DIY Tips: (ways to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars)

• Buy invitation kits online or at a store like Michael's or Bed Bath and Beyond and print them yourself.
• Use your photographers pictures from the engagement session to make your own Save the dates. Print them somewhere like Walgreens or Walmart
• Buy your linens online for cheaper than renting them through a company
• Find a venue location that is pretty all by itself and save on extra decorating expenses and time you would spend to make your own decor
• Order your flowers from Raley's or Safeway and put them all together yourself one to two days before the wedding
• Have a friend or relative cook your meal and save tons on catering costs
• Make your own centerpieces. Go online and look up wedding centerpieces and find what you like. Then recreate it. Stores like Michaels, Joann's, Ross, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods sell glass vases and products needed to create wonderful centerpieces. (Use their coupons Michael's and Joann's are always having 40 to 50% off one regular priced item or 20% off entire purchase)
• Meet with many vendors to compare prices to find the best fit for your money

Wedding Hairstyles

Whether you have short, medium, or long hair you have probably spent a lot of time thinking about how you would like to wear your hair on your wedding day.  If you plan on having a professional hairstylist or a friend do your hair, you should try to narrow it down to a couple different styles. Set up a trial with this person so that you can test out the different styles, and so that the stylist can get used to working with your hair.  If you have curly or extremely fine hair, the stylist will need to prepare by having the right products and pins etc to make sure everything goes smoothly on your big day.

Plan on bringing a veil even if it isn't the veil you will be wearing on your wedding day.  This gives you the opportunity to see the different options you have with your veil and see what feels the most comfortable and secure.

If you are considering using hair extensions, the trial would be a good chance for the stylist to determine the length and how many extensions they will need to complete your look.  Sally's Beauty Supply has an affordable selection of hair extensions of many different colors.

When considering if you should wear your hair up or down, make sure to think about the time of year if you are going to be outside.  If its the middle of August and its hot outside, you might not to have your hair down because you may get overheated. If its fall weather and there is a possibilty of wind you may want to have your hair secured in an up-do to avoid your hair being in your face for your wedding photos. 

You can add accessories like hair pins, clips, feathers or rhinestones to add a little drama to your ensemble, it's your day afterall!

My baby sister got married...

Veronica was reluctant to start out with a feature of her own wedding...mostly because she hates being the center of attention...welllllll....since I'm the one doing the typing today... I say we start with a feature on my beautiful little sister and her beautiful wedding. Veronica became Mrs. Enns on October 10th, 2010 in Chico. It was a gorgeous day and a gorgeous ceremony. Here is a little video slideshow I put together...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryQp9qWrEAU]

Just so all of you ladies (and gents) out there know that we know what you're going through. Planning a beautiful wedding is hard work...but so worth it in the end....and we hope that we can help!

-Alisha