Cheap Wedding Gowns

This is a painful post to write. Painful because brides all over the country, and possibly the world, fall for this scam. I even considered this myself and had to do a lot of research to find out why it was a bad idea. Like a lot of budget minded women, I looked to Ebay to see if I could find a bargain basement price on a previously owned wedding gown. I searched “Maggie Sottero wedding gowns” (my daughter and I are both designer junkies) and also “wedding gowns size 4”. Page after page (25 to be exact) was filled with entries like this:

Stunning Wedding Dress Bridal Gown “custom” SZ 4-28 (gowns manufactured in China)

Lo and behold, we spotted a Maggie Sottero that was as sweet as getting your first kiss. The gown, called Evita, is described by Maggie Sottero as one-piece, corset, strapless gown with a sweep train. A slim A-line gown is decorated with tiers of pleated tulle that cascade toward the hemline. The gown is richly ornamented with seed beads, sequins, and bugle beads. However, when looking at the description on Ebay, it didn’t mention any of these details. The minimum bid was $49 and shipping and handling from China was approximately $150. If not satisfied with the product, they requested you ship the gown back and forth before leaving them negative feedback. Back and forth. On a slow boat to China. One hundred and fifty each time.

"Evita" by Maggie Sottero

One person did bid on the gown and I decided to contact her. If the quality was good, I could get my daughter a smoking hot Maggie Sottero for less than $200! (Ebay frowns and this and they will send you an email with a little red flag because they get jealous if you’re trying to negotiate a deal behind their back.) The hopeful bride was good enough to get back to me yesterday and these were her exact words: Received the dress today and it's a complete piece o' junk, to put it bluntly. Guess I got what I paid for - not even close to the Maggie Sottero version. So don't do it!!! Think I'll just get the real thing.

She did me a big favor. I leave you with this final word. The photos they use are copyrighted photos from real wedding gown designers. Why don’t they use their own?

African American Designer Therez Fleetwood

Therez Fleetwood started designing bridal patterns in 1996 to reflect a more diverse collection of exotic and romantic Afrocentric wedding gowns and headpieces using beads, trinkets, embroidery, cowrie shells and lace. All of these stunning headpieces can be ordered separately, and made to order according to the bride’s specifications. The bride may also can choose the color, fabric, and trims that compliment her wedding gown.

Peau de soie (a silk or artificial fabric with a smooth texture and a fine grainy or ribbed surface) cap with embroidered lace trim and detachable chiffon veil. The attached forehead band is made of gold coins and pearls.

Chiffon veil with satin trim and cowrie shell embellishments.


Silk shantung fitted cap with ‘V’ shaped front. Cowrie shell adornments and detachable tulle veil. 3" height. Fully lined.

Peau de soie hat with gold cording, beads and embroidered trim. 6" height. Fully lined.

Brocade rouched fabric with decorative embroidery around the opening, front fan and pearl buttons.

100% silk shantung hat. Embellished with cowrie shells, feather and decorative pin. Fully lined. 4 1/4" height. Strap 22" long. (Isn't she gorgeous?)

It was her love of African culture that prompted Therez to write “The Afrocentric Bride, A Style Guide". When asked “What are the newest trends for weddings in 2009?” Her reply:

I don’t follow trends as a bridal designer. I think that is the beauty of being creative. What if the industry declares a “trend” for the season and I am not inspired creatively by what they say? I am more inspired by the fabrics and trims I find and then I begin to create from a place of creativity, excitement and passion.

I take chances, and move against the trends, to express my fashion sensibilities, both culturally and esthetically. My dresses are infused with culture and complexity. I set out to fulfill a void and unveil a dramatic, beautiful collection of gowns that would make a statement for brides on their special day.

Winter Wedding Favors Under $3

We looked at about a dozen online wedding favor retailers. Most of them carry the same products so you won’t have any trouble finding these adorable snowflake wedding favors for less than three dollars each. Most of these inexpensive wedding favors are even cheaper when ordered in larger quantities.

Winter Snowflake 2 Piece Coaster Set at $2.00

Snowflake Bookmark Wedding Favor in Gift Box at $2.00

Snowflake Candle Holder with Candle at $3.00

Snowflake Key Chain (minimum order 36) at $1.85 each

Personalized Happy Holidays Snowflake Tape Measure at $1.50

Beaded Snowflake Ornaments with Personalized Tags at $1.65

To read more visit Practical Wedding Favors

Groom’s Cake Ideas

Put the groom back in the wedding (planning)! What could be more fun than him with a mouth watering cake--just for him--that reflects his personality, profession, hobbies, or even his obsessions? Present it at the rehearsal dinner, alongside the wedding cake or enjoy it after the reception with just your bridal party. Forget the high priced bakery. You can do it yourself!

There are dozens of cake pan shapes, most of which take one store-bought cake mix and sell for less than $10. Today, I saw the motorcycle pan I bought last year to make my new son-in-law a Harley groom’s cake, for $4.99 on Ebay. Don’t want to purchase a pan to use only one time? Take a plain sheet cake and design your fiancé’s favorite sports team logo or alma mater on top. All you need are cake-decorating tips, disposable piping bags, and icing colors. He’ll thank you from the bottom of his heart.

I'm a die hard Red Sox fan but this cake is a winner!

University of Florida mascot

Pool table decorated on a plain sheet cake

Funny groom's cake

Does your man have a favorite super hero?

En Vogue Veils

We now have available best selling veils from En Vogue Accessories. These designer veils are available in white, diamond white and ivory. Within a few weeks you will also see amazing new pearl jewelry sets on our website. And soon to follow will be a stunning selection of En Vogue tiaras, including gold wedding tiaras and flower hair combs. Check back for special offers and discounts on these amazing new accessories.

Silver Scalloped Edge Veil This is a circle cut, waist length, 30/36/72".

Scalloped Edge Veil It is available in a single tier and measures 36x72" or a circle cut which measures 30x40x72".

To read more visit En Vogue Accessories

Wedding Cupcake Cakes

Let’s see why some brides are choosing cupcakes over traditional wedding cakes.

1. Pay approximately $2 per cupcake compared to $5 to $15 per piece of traditional wedding cake
2. Save on cake cutting fees charged by caterers and banquet facilities
3. Less cleanup for casual or outdoor weddings
4. Use cupcake centerpieces on each wedding reception table instead of expensive floral arrangements
5. Decorate your cupcakes to match your wedding colors
6. Make them weeks in advance and put them in the freezer in air tight containers
7. Use the top tier of your cupcake stand for a traditional round cake complete with wedding topper and decorate the bottom tiers with cupcakes
8. Pick them up at your local bakery and save on delivery and set up fees
9. Affordable cupcake stands are available with three, four, five and six tiers from Wilton and on Ebay
10. Find inexpensive cupcake liners at almost any grocery store
11. Guests that want to take their dessert home will find it easy and convenient

12. Save leftover cupcakes, put them in your freezer, and use them for other special occasions

To read more visit Unconventional Wedding Cakes

Maggie Sottero Wedding Gown

Off we went, mother and second daughter, for our first night of trying on wedding gowns. We both fell in love with this masterpiece by Maggie Sottero called Celestina. We loved the corset bodice and how the tulle gently accents the sweetheart neckline. The chapel train is embellished with Swarovski crystals, bugle beads, seed beads and sequins. The gown in this salon had been tried on many times, was priced $795 (“as is”) but we later found it online for about $300 less.

Images by Maggie Sottero