BHLDN On A Budget!

Like many women, my heart swoons whenever I step inside Anthropologie. Sadly, I cannot afford to shop there regularly, especially on a grad student budget in the middle of a recession! However, I was thrilled to recently learn that the team behind Anthropologie decided to venture into another one of my passions, the wedding world, with their new store, BHLDN.

A great feature of the BHLDN website is that it offers more than just a shopping experience for brides. It includes free interactive experiences to help inspire you while planning your wedding, and provide another great way to procrastinate ;-) For example, I took a fun quiz called "What Kind of Bride Are You?" and discovered that I am a Romantic Nostalgic bride, which was a very accurate portrayal of my vintage Cape Cod wedding. The website also offers MoodBoards, aka inspiration boards, where you can view their products based on themes or color palettes, or even create your own board!

Disclaimer: I guarantee you will love everything BHLDN offers, but like it's sister store Anthropologie, products from here do not come cheap. Since one of my goals is to provide wedding inspiration for brides on a budget, I have scoured the site and chosen the best wedding attire and accessories for budget-minded brides.

Here are 2 boards featuring my favorite dresses, that are all an amazing steal at $1600 or less!

Finally, another great way to incorporate the romantic, unique, and vintage products BHLDN offers while not breaking the bank is to carefully choose more affordable accessories for your big day. Here are my top picks:

Images from center, then clockwise from top left: Choose a lovely silk hat/birdcage veil for a vintage vibe ($120); Love coasters provide a romantic touch ($14 for 10); Don polka dot gloves for a unique look ($40); Brighten up your fete with colorful straws ($6 a pack); Eat your cake with a pair of engraved love forks ($24 a pair); Serve treats on lovely pedestals ($68-$88); Statement earrings are great bridesmaid's gifts ($66); Accessorize your cocktail hour with love stirrers ($22 for 24); Use adorable mini teapots as escort card holders ($52 for 6); Glam a simple pair of shoes with colorful pom poms! ($25 per pair); Choose simple but sophisticated letterpress invites ($26 for 8); Chalkboard vases make unforgettable table numbers ($18); Faux flowers are a great way to save money without compromising on style ($32 for 5).

Hair Inspiration: Floral Fabulous

Well, I promised to put up another post about using fresh flowers in your hair, and here it is.  I've included some of my favorite finds, though the bottom center picture of the first collage is my absolute favorite.  I love the beauty and elegance of natural white flowers, and am strongly considering using them to complete my wedding day look.  I also admire the brides of the second collage, who chose to add a colorful flower to their hair to create a bold, fun look. 

With my hair trial quickly approaching, I'm really excited about all of the possibilities for my wedding hairstyle, but also feeling overwhelmed at what look is more "me."  

What did you choose to adorn your hair on your wedding day, if anything? Do you prefer traditional, white flowers or would you go a more spunky pop of color?

Vendor I Heart: Emma Gordon London

I have a fantastic find today for all you ladies out there.  Of course, I found this vendor on Etsy.  But before you commit me to rehab for my Etsy addiction, you have to check out Emma Gordon London's fabulous collection of accessories.  Her handmade handbags are to die for, and would be a fun, chic compliment to your wedding dress.  If I didn't already have my wedding handbag, I would be ordering one of hers, stat.  And unless you want your bridesmaids drooling all over yours, I recommend ordering some for them too in your wedding colors (yes, she even makes custom bags *swoon*).  Plus, her matching headbands just scream Upper West Side chic (hello Gossip Girl).  Seriously, what are you waiting for?