Yeah.. I think it’s a brilliant idea. Not that the professional ones aren’t a great idea too.. In fact – they’re pretty inexpensive.. But for someone like me who doesn’t want to get all sensual in front of someone else.. or who has an FI who doesn’t want you to get all sensual in front of someone else. I have a few tips.

1. Lighting, Lighting, Lighting. The best way to get great shots in your own room is to make sure the lighting is JUST right. You have to try different things – opening a curtain, turning all the lights off and using the flash, putting a lamp by the bed but out of the shot, etc.

2. Clothing Optional. You can strip tease on film. Start in something he loves to see you wear and make it all the way to ALMOST Bare! (yeah – I rhymed that myself). Some guys like to be teased. Some guys like to see it all – and if you do them yourself – that IS an option. Just make sure you don’t let them get into the wrong hands.

3. The bed.. Make it pretty or pretty messy. Set the scene. Take test shots to make sure the bed looks the way you want it.

4. Creative angles. A tripod is ideal.. if you don’t have one – try sitting the camera on a movable table, the dresser, a drawer chest, etc. That’s what an automatic timer is for.

5. Set the mood. Have a glass of wine and play your favorite Jill Scott, Norah Jones, etc CD. Light some candles and remind your self how beautiful you are.

6. Try poses and faces. Take as many shots as you like.. Look them over and try again. They don’t have to be perfect because you’re the only one who’ll see them – until you’re ready to share them with your FI.

7. Have fun! Don’t be afraid to be daring in your pics. And laugh at yourself if you catch yourself in an awkward pose. It’s a chance to have fun with yourself.

If you’re really daring.. Get your FI to take the shots! It could turn into a REALLY fun date night.

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Technorati Tags: Candles, Cheap, DIY, Free, Inexpensive, Pictures

For all you crafty brides and even the wannabees like myself, Glidden Paint is giving away free paint that can be used for your next project.

Through July 2, 2009, got to Glidden.com and choose the color that you like. Glidden will send you a free quart of your favorite color in 3-4 weeks.

Think creatively on this one. After you get your paint, feel free to share your DIY pictures with us and I’ll be sure to post them.

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Technorati Tags: craft, Decor, DIY, Free, Glidden, paint

Now I know it’s not a set of custom letterpress invitations or a honeymoon trip to Fiji, however, I figured it’s the thought that counts.

So, here’s how it will work.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post. Doesn’t have to be anything super-inspired but here are a few suggestions:

Your comment could be about:

• why you want the book
• what kind of stuff you’d like to see me write about
• what budget obstacles you’re facing
• or anything else, as long as it’s remotely related

The contest will end Friday at 6pm ET. I’ll randomly choose a comment and that person gets the book. Easy Peasy.

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Technorati Tags: Bargain, Book, Bridal Bargains, Free, giveaway

With our economy in such a dismal state, brides aren’t the only ones who need to save money. Don’t forget about your girls/bridesmaids/ladies in waiting. Just like you want an affordable bridal gown, they want affordable bridesmaid dresses.

1. Look for dresses not labeled Bridesmaid Dress. Everything made especially for the wedding industry will always undoubtedly cost more. Cocktail dresses come in different lengths and colors and will work fine for bridesmaid dresses. A lot of designated bridesmaid dresses will look cheaper than a cocktail dress anyway.
2. Shop clearance. JCrew, Ann Taylor, etc. A lot of the major retailers now have wedding/celebration sections and will stock certain dresses in a variety of colors and sizes with the idea that they will be worn as bridesmaid dresses.
3. Resist the urge to match exact colors. Chances are Blue Sky During a Perfect Dawn probably isn’t available in the dress you want. So let it go. I promise it won’t ruin the wedding.
4. Order online and use coupon codes. I’m a sucker for a good coupon code. Sites like retailmenot.com provide codes for percentages off purchase and shipping discounts on lots of online retailers.
5. Buy in bulk for a discount. If you can purchase all your bridesmaid dresses at once, you could work out a discount with the retailer.
6. Let go of the brand/designer name (Bill Levkoff, Hilary Morgan, Jim Hjelm, Alfred Angelo). Even if you like the style of a certain designer, don’t let the name become the determining factor. At the wedding, no one will no what brand your bridesmaid dresses are and that dress will probably sit in the back of the closet with every other brand name bridesmaid dress after the wedding anyway.
7. Let your bridesmaids have some input. If they like it, it softens the financial blow. Plus, if it’s something they feel comfortable wearing again, they really do get their money’s worth.
8. Let them wear what they already have. They can choose colors complimentary to the wedding and you an tie them all together with matching shawls, cardigans, or just their bouquets, depending on your style. This is probably the most inexpensive option. Shoot – it’s pretty much free.
9. Buy at the end of the season. It’s the best time to find a discount. When retailers have new stock to bring in, they’ll slash prices to get the old stock out of there.
10. Choose short dresses. These are less likely to need hem alterations. Although these are usually the cheapest of all alterations, every little bit helps.

To help bring my points home, here we have a lovely little number from JCrew that comes in a few different colors and can definitely be worn again. It was $150, but is now on sale for $69.99. So get out your little checklist and get ready to check another thing off. Following these rules, your girls will be outfitted in no time. I’m sure there are other ways to save, but I’m tapped out at the moment. Share your ideas in the comments. We could all use the help.

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Technorati Tags: Affordable, Ann Taylor, Bridesmaid, Bridesmaid Dresses, Bridesmaids, Cheap, Clearance, coupon, discount, Dress, Dresses, Free, Inexpensive, JCrew

Since our invites will be diy style and I don’t how *fancy* they’ll end up being, I wanted to use a nice typeface to make up for it. I’d found one on Veer a while ago called Rambler. It costs $50. Boooo. I can’t bring myself to pay for a typeface. Not when there are sites like 1001FreeFonts.com. I’d looked all over the site and couldn’t find anything like so I decided to put that task to the side and pick up the font finding later.

Well later came when I found out about DaFont.com
from Miss Sweet Tea at WeddingBee. She used the Honey Script for her Save the Date Cards. It looked so

familiar to me and I finally realized it’s because it looks so similar to Rambler. Here it is in all its glory. The best part is it’s a free font and it’s available for Mac.

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Technorati Tags: Free, invitation, typeface

I don’t think I’ve told you guys about Blurb yet, but I came across it a few months ago and of course I was immediately taken. The tagline explains it best: Real Books. Made by You. They look so artistic and professional and are all listed at pretty reasonable prices. I planned on using the site sooner than later, but I hadn’t quite decided for what.

Well today, I found out that WeddingBee is giving away 3 Blurb gift certificates! So I entered (sidenote: I was entry #504) and commented that I would use my Blurb books as bridesmaids gifts. We’re all very close and have known each other for so long, what better way to document the occasion than with a bounded picture book.

Even I don’t win WeddingBee’s contest, I still plan on doing this. It’s too perfect an opportunity to pass up.

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Technorati Tags: Free, Idea

Look for opportunities to enter contests for free giveaways. Often blogs or companies hold contests to give away all kinds of things.

I’ve seen:

• Honeymoons
• Favors
• Flowers
• Photography
• Bridesmaid’s Gifts
• Bridal Gowns
• Shoes
• Headpiece

Here are a few running currently

• Wedding Stationery by Whitney English
• Gift Certificate to Invitation Consultant

Of course there’s probably only a slim chance that you’ll win, but some chance is always better than no chance at all. So take a few minutes and enter the two contests above. And keep your eyes peeled for others. They come up every day.

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Technorati Tags: Budget, Free, Inexpensive, Invitations