by Brittiny
Real Bride & Wedding Designer
I cannot help myself. I have to share my low-cost, DIY hair fascinator. If you have a Claire's, you're in luck!! A few weekends ago I scored this great fascinator for $2.75.
Here she is in all of her splendor.
Here she is after I did my thing: 
Here's what I used to make it:
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A flower or fascinator of your choosing ($2.75)
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An old bracelet, some crystal beadings, loose crystals, or a brooch ($9.00)
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a great pair of scissors (I had these already so free for me)
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glue dots or Zots (I had these already but prices range from $4.00-$8.00)
First, I removed the center pollen, stigma, plastic stuff from the center. I must admit she was pretty cute with it, but I wanted some bling.
I used my handy zot (see picture above) to place the stone of your choice in the center (stone/bling, whatever you want to use). You can also use a glue dot or glue gun to attach your baby, if you are feeling really adventurous you can use a hair pin and bend it at the prongs when it goes in. I am lazy and decided to see what a glue zot could do. And below is the result. Total cost $11.75.
Now, this is way different from the original one that I liked but being $118.00 cheaper, I definitely think it was a steal versus splurge moment. Here is the original piece:
Road to the Altar: So Fascinating!
Save the Date, Save Money?
by Brittiny
I think I may have figured out an awesome way to save money while saving the date. Here's what you'll need to complete this easy project:
* a google account
* pictures of you and your fiance, your reception site, etc
* an idea of accommodations for out of town guests to include
* everyone's email address
Yep, that's it. No fancy software, no learning curve, nada! Here are the steps to creating your very on slide show save the dates:
1. Log into your google account or create one at google .
2. Click on the documents tab, it will open a new window.
3. There is a drop down tab labeled create new, click on that.
4. You would like to create a new presentation.
5. You can begin working on your document from there adding new backgrounds etc....
6. BUT I'm lazy and decided to see if someone else did the work for me :o)
7. Sure enough after searching for wedding in the template section, I found Tony and Rita's wedding album and decided to use the template by clicking the button entitled use template.
8. After deleting a few pictures that I didn't need and the first page, I was able to complete my email-able slideshow for my guests.
Total Cost: $0.00!! Here's the completed project, so let me know what you think!
Road to the Altar: Dress Shopping
- by Brittiny
After speaking with my assistant and friend, I agreed to go to Alfred Angelo to just "look" and get an idea for what type of dress I like. If you view my previous posts you know that the look is slim and ruched and oh-so-sexy. I literally wanted a dress that made me sing the brilliant lyrics of Right said Fred, "I do my little turn on the catwalk..."
"I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah"
"Sophia", aka Alfred Angelo 2047, was actually the first dress I tried on and yes I heard several different songs while looking at her from various angles. She conveys everything I ever wanted to convey in being a 30 year old bride. As Bey infamously put it, "some call it arrogant, I call it confident." By the way, Sophia comes in SLIGHTLY over budget at $625.
Did you hear music when you tried your dresses on, what were you looking for when you began dress shopping?
Wordless Wednesday On Wax
Another fantastic shoot from our good friend Carlton D. Mackey at Vision Photography in Atlanta, GA. He rocks. 
Fully Engaged!
One woman starting off the new year as a bride-to-be is our own contributing blogger and event designer Brittiny . She just got engaged to her sweetie and we will be following her journey to the altar, so stay tuned for frequent updates on her planning activities from the woman herself! Brittiny is a DIY queen, budget fashionista, and inspiration board virtuoso. So if you're newly engaged you're guaranteed to learn some creative money-saving tips along the way. Today she gave us a first peek at her vision for her wedding:
Much more inspiration to come from this wedding planner -turned- real bride!
Seasonal Centerpieces: Part 1
- by Brittiny
Silver bells...
Silver bells...
It's Christmas time in the City...
In honor of the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, I'm planning a series of inspiration boards dedicated to Christmas. Let's begin with the centerpieces, which in my eyes definitely lay the atmosphere for your tablescape. 
Here, I have chosen to go with apothecary jars because they can do double duty as your candy buffet for your wedding! However, if you have received three billion four hundred eighty six million two candlesticks as wedding gifts, why not keep a few and use them as holders for a few well appointed ornaments to create the eclectic and sophisticated centerpieces pictured on the upper right? The same look can easily be achieved by hunting (or "stalking", like me) the Dollar Tree, Goodwill, or thrift stores in your area. The branch centerpiece can also easily be replicated by going to your yard or the park and gathering great branches. Hang a few ornaments from it, stick it in a glass vase and you're done. You can dress it up with a ribbon and a vintage brooch if it suits your taste. Happy Hunting! Next week we will focus on finding luxurious table linens for an affordable price.
Inspiration: Taste of Spring 2010
- by Brittiny Mays
It's cool right now, but Spring will be here before you know it. These florals are fresh, fun and flirty, and the sky is as blue as the sea. Kelli Magliucca is gorgeous fresh and pretty in a tea length gown from Gabrielle's salon in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The only things missing are the mint juleps! 
Stay tuned next week when we will take a departure from the usual bridal fun and elegance and delve into holiday soirees.
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Wordless Wednesday: Rebirth of Cool
- by Erica
Courtesy of Kari and Carlton Mackey
VISION Photography
Atlanta, Georgia
www.mytruevision.com
Wedding 2010 Color Scape
- by Brittiny Mays
I know that the Northern winds are blowing in, but that means proposals and new engagements will begin! In anticipation of summer weddings, I'm introducing my twist of the colorscape that Martha modernized:aqua and poppy. The center tablescape is my own. Remember, don't be afraid of color, you can always tone it down with a basic like black or white if it's too modern for you! This is a fresh and new version of the traditional summer garden wedding!
(Click image to expand.)
Tuesday Inspiration: Parasols
- by Brittiny
Parasols aren't just for shading the sun! You can use them as a chic and budget-savvy alternative to a bouquet for your bridesmaids or for your guests during an outdoor wedding. 
Brittiny Mays is Chief Designer at Amour Toujours Event Design. She is available for weddings in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Inspiration Board: Formal With A Twist
- by Brittiny
I really like this black, white, and green board. I call it formal with a twist because of the formality of the black and white, in addition to the lime green accents.
Brittiny Mays is Chief Designer at Amour Toujours Event Design. She is available for weddings in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
