DIY Cake Pops!

Cake pops are super-trendy right now at weddings, and for good reason! They're tasty, and can be decorated to match any color or theme! Check out the tutorial at the bottom of this post to make your own!
Stick them in a flat piece of styrofoam, or place them upside-down on a pretty tray!

You can find a basic cake-pop recipe with step-by-step pictures by clicking HERE!

Also, there is this great video showing exactly what to do-

Fun, cheap candies

Want to add a bit of fun to your reception or favors? Everyone likes lollipops!

Minty twist pops from Oriental trading-$4/doz- HERE

Black & white swirl pops with personalized stickers! $12/ 24 pops- HERE
They have these available on their site in several different colors also!

Beautiful little touches for your cake!

Check out these Edible Butterflies by Sugar Robot on Etsy They're handmade and amazing!
Weather you're having cupcakes or a plain cake that you'd like to dress up, these lovely edible butterflies come in almost any color and size!

Tiny yellow butterflies $9.95/20

Only $4.95 for 15 white lace butterflies!

They even have edible leaves for a fall wedding! 8.95/doz

October Giveaway winner!!

Thanks everyone for entering my first giveaway! I got lots of entries right here in my basket.....

*drumroll please*

The winner of the Swarovski crystal earrings is.............................................

JAYME MYERS!!!! 

Congrats, Jayme I hope you enjoy your earrings from Size Love Creations!!!

Don't worry if you didn't win! I'll be posting a new GIVEAWAY soon! Keep your eyes peeled!

October Giveaway-CLOSED

, Hello friends! Welcome to my first giveaway! I'll be hosting at least one per month, so be sure to "follow" or join to keep up with all the FREE stuff you can win! This week you can enter to win THESE lovely handmade Swarovski crystal earrings from SizeLoveCreations on etsy! (click here to visit her shop)

There are three ways to enter to win:

1. Visit her shop and leave a comment here (on this post) telling us what your favorite item is
2. Become a new follower or subscriber to this blog- just click the blue "join this site" button on the right-hand sidebar or "follow by e-mail"
3. Share this post via Facebook, twitter or e-mail, so your friends will have a chance to enter and WIN, too! (on right below this post Just click the appropriate button)

That means you have THREE chances to enter and WIN!!! A winner will be drawn at random from all entries  next Monday, Oct. 17, 2011 (if you enter all 3 ways, your name is in 3 times!)
Go enter today!!! Good luck!!

Awesome photoshoot!

Today I took some great shots of my friend (and always-willing model!) Rebekah at her vineyard/rural wonderland! Here she is wearing my handmade hair-stuff!---

Butterfly clips - available HERE

So elegant!

My Favorite shot of the day! She looks like Kiera Knightly!
Check out the rosebud tiara HERE 

Bridal Show 2011 !

You can check out the butterfly veil HERE

I was SO excited to have many of my designs featured in the Bridal fashion show in Feburary! Here are a couple of the models in my new teardrop veils, just before hitting the runway!

This hair comb looked so cute!
This style is available in my store HERE

The classic wedding arch

Click HERE to check out a basic arch from afloral.com, (I've ordered from them before, and their shipping is super-fast!) for only $20.00! That's less than you'd pay to rent one! And it includes net lights. I have one just like it and have set it up at almost a dozen weddings, including my own!

Yep, that's me!

Check out that arch set-up at my wedding- decorated very simply with lengths of ivy, yards of tulle, and the net lights it came with. Notice that the base is sitting in planters full of rocks (covered with ivy, somewhat) this kind of cheap arch isn't stable enough to stand up on it's own, so be sure to steady it somehow-- for an outdoor wedding, you might be able to pound the legs into the ground. A wedding arbor is a very classic, and cost-efficient decorating choice. The easiest way I've found to add decorations is to use white or green zip-ties and snip off the hanging ends of zip tie (don't pull too tight), then afterword, use some small scissors or wire-cutters to snip them off and easily remove the stuff.

Here's some examples of how you can decorate an arch for your wedding-

Great deals on Etsy!

Greatfinds at JCPenny.com!

THESE earrings are only $7.20!

THESE earrings add classic sparkle for just $5.40!

Get THIS big crystal bracelet for only $7.00!

There are lots of deals in the dress CLEARANCE SECTION (click!) on the JcPenny website, many would work for bridesmaids, some are as low as $13.99!! Check out what they have in stock today.

Cake toppers

HERE is a simple cake topper -only $2.99

LOVE rhinestone cake topper- $3.69- HERE

Acrylic Monogram topper- customized- $3.95-HERE

Impressive heels&deals from Kmart!

This is the LAST place I expected to find glamorous bridal shoes....
HERE is a pair of rhinestone smothered slingbacks that look WAY more than the $9.99 price!
(it's in red HERE for only $4.99!!!)

HERE is a pair of minimalist heels with little rows of bling, also in black and red- $9.99

Strappy, white HEELS!

I found a few great deals on some adorable shoes-
THESE strappy, floral  3.5" heels come in white or black- $13.50

For those who aren't loving the big flowers- HERE is similar pair, sans blooms- $15 

comes in white, beige or black

THESE have an adorable, Lolita look to them, with the big bow to one side -in white or ivory- $13.49

Gotta Have it! Accessories

I stumbled across this soft, feminine, kiss-lock clutch festooned with frothy flowers, and I was in LOVE!
 $19.99

 Feel like you need a bit more coverage with your strapless? Check out this cute lace shrug for $11.99!

Bridesmaid dresses!

Each of these dresses would make a great, and affordable bridesmaid dress. They're also available in white for a casual wedding dress!

This cute halter dress will flatter most body types, great for a morning/ afternoon/casual wedding!
available in sizes
2-26W and in over 20 colors, from YesBridal. Only $59! See it HERE

This V-neck chiffon dress would also be flattering on most women.
Great for an evening wedding. Available in sizes 2-26 and in more than 20 colors from Milanoo.com, $56.99! See it HERE

First Post!

Here it is...my first post!
I guess I'll begin by telling you a bit about me and why I'm starting this blog.
I discovered my passion for wedding/event planning as a teen. Since then I've planned and executed dozens of non-profit events and weddings on the cheap. Often crafting and cooking many things myself. I've been called The Ben Stein of Shopping.
In July, I planned my own cheap wedding in 2 months; spending less than $700, including the dress (A Maggie Sottero Couture for $100!)

Over the years I've amassed knowledge and resources to plan beautiful weddings quickly and cheaply, and this is my place to share what I've learned through experience with you!