I don’t know about you, but when I’m flipping through a fashion magazine and see a page where they’re patting themselves on the back for their awesome fashion finds under $100, I’m not really impressed. What they generally decline to mention in their flashy headline is that it’s not the entire outfit pictured that’s under $100, it’s each individual piece. That means that the lovely outfit they put together could easily set you back $500. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have that kind of money lying around to blow on one outfit.

I thought it would be fun to take the idea of the fashionable budget look, apply it to weddings and make sure the outfit is actually affordable. So I’ve put together two bridal looks for you. No catches, no surprises, just gorgeous looks at amazingly reasonable prices.

This first look would cost you less than $500 (including shipping fees to anywhere in the U.S.!!!)—most gowns alone cost more than that! Like most wedding day looks, the inspiration for it came from the incredible gown offered by Fab Gabs. Made in the 60s, this Nadine Jr. Petite floor-length stunner is a sequin and silk chiffon dream! The sparkling boat neck bodice is high and glittery enough to negate the need for a necklace.

To keep the sparkle factor going throughout the look, I chose to complement it with accessories that are just as glittery and luxurious looking. The feather and rhinestone hair comb, which is one of Tessa Kim’s handmade delights, brings an additional dose of glamour. This piece would look awesome with a low chignon or just about any up-do—which, by the way, would showcase the dress better than leaving your hair down.

With your hair up and no necklace needed, dramatic earrings are a must, no? If these sparkling chandelier earrings handcrafted by Connecticut’s Lizardi Bridal don’t do it for you, I don’t know what will. These dazzling sparklers are totally spotlight worthy. The cubic zirconia pave and brilliantly faceted Swarovski crystal dangles ensure that these earrings will shine from absolutely any angle.

Why stop the drama there? I thought adding a chunky, dramatic bracelet would be the perfect way to top off the look (just wear it on your right wrist so it doesn’t compete with your rock!). This four strand, vintage-style bracelet made by Jurgita Handmade is exactly what I was looking for. The drama of this bracelet comes from the vintage-inspired rhinestone brooch at its center. The sparkles there are complemented by the Swarovski crystals that are strung with Swarovski pearls to complete the bracelet. Gorgeous!

All you need now is a pair of fabulous shoes. Perhaps they could be your something borrowed? If you don’t have a friend who shares your shoe size, Ebay is a great place to check around for cool shoes at low prices. Peek around and sort by price to keep yourself in budget.

The second look would cost under $800. I built this look around the idea of the proverbial “blushing bride.” Soft pinks are undeniably romantic and add a princess-like quality that just can’t be beat!

I started the look with a dreamy tulle and silk gown from Holly Stalder. My favorite part of this dress is the cool antique lace and tulle ruffle at the top. Totally unique and drool worthy! I’m also loving the tiered skirt and the sexy silk cross straps in the back.

I thought the sterling silver and freshwater pearl necklace by Bella Lina Designs would be a gorgeous way to add to the uniqueness of the look. Where do I start?! The silver and pearls would be beautiful on their own, but the addition of the silk flowers, ribbon and sterling rings make me squeal with delight. I’m absolutely in love with this ultra-feminine, totally unique piece.

To play off the adorable flowers in the necklace, I chose this cute peony hair clip made by Emily Wooton. Not only would this clip look amazing with any hairstyle, but all of those layers add great texture to the look. It also happens to be adorably whimsical, which works nicely with the romanticism of the pink.

JBM Designs’ sweet Peony Pink dangle earrings play off the shine of the pearls in the necklace. The Swarovski baroque crystal briolettes sparkle brilliantly, as does the sterling silver ear wire. They add to the elegant femininity of the look and can certainly hold their own in combination with the necklace.

So, as you can see, you don’t have to spend your life savings to end up with a killer wedding day look. For less than most dresses cost, you can put together a jaw-dropping combination of pieces that you can wear again and again.

Jennifer Garry is a writer and accessories designer living in Westchester, NY with her husband and daughter. When she's not up to her ears in kiddie crafts, you can find her swimming in a pool of beads. Her obsessions include tea, chocolate, sarcasm and her daughter's giggle--any of which can be used to coax her from her little jewelry-making fantasy world.

Now you're getting ready to pop the questions to the ladies who are going to support you through the planning process up until the big day. These women will be your go-to calls for all things related to the wedding. Once you’ve singled out the ladies that are most important in your life, it's time to ask the big question.

You could certainly just ask. I've been asked in an Instant Message before, and was more than happy to say yes. But how fun would it be to go the extra mile and let these special ladies know how meaningful it would be to have them with you throughout the entire process?

Have more fabulous ideas? Share them in the comments!

Ask them in person: Take them out to dinner or invite them over for a girl’s night in. Wait for the right moment and pop the question. You might feel more comfortable asking each lady separately, so that she feels less pressured. Definitely try ask your Maid of Honor(s) in advance and separately. She is the “honored” one and this will make it a bit more special; it will also assure that the other ladies don't feel slighted.

Send them on a scavenger hunt. A friend recently sent his girlfriend on a scavenger hunt for her birthday and she had a blast! This can be a bit time consuming, but what better way to let your ladies bond if they don't know each other?

You could create a custom hunt for each girl by sending them to a special place where you share some funny memories or good times. You can repeat this idea for the next location or start dropping some hints by sending them to a bridal gown shop or florist. Maybe you can have them stop by a cake shop or even the place you plan to tie the knot. Wherever the final destination, be ready to greet each one at the end of the hunt with the big question!

Maybe your bridesmaids don't live in the same town, or even the same state. Read on for ideas for the out of town ladies in your life.

Use humor. We’ve all heard the stories about being a bridesmaid (or experienced it ourselves): Ugly dresses, nail polish color restrictions, awful dyed to match shoes and having to deal with Bridezilla (hey, it could happen.) And while some bridesmaids may wind up at the end of a wedding day swearing to never be a bridesmaid again, others have looked back and just laughed…and created things like UglyDress.com. If you and your girls like a good laugh, try taking a humorous approach to popping the question.

You could make a DIY cards that asks the all important “Will you be my bridesmaid?” on the front and feature hideous dresses on the inside along with the saying “I promise. I’ll never make you wear an ugly dress.” Then follow through.  

If you’ve got the budget (or access to a bunch of old prom dresses - preferably from the '80s), pack up some of the most hideous dresses you can get your hands on, mail them to your maids, along with notes that read, “Will you be my bridesmaid? I promise I will never make you wear something like this!”

Ok, so maybe these ideas focus a little too much on the frightening and you want to venture more into the humorous approach? Try something like:

If you’ll be my bridesmaid, I promise to…

…never make you wear taffeta and tulle… AND lace on the same dress.

…not care if you change your hair color right before my wedding (unless, maybe, you go with a bright blue or purple…)

You get the idea.

Be sentimental. Are you or your friends suckers for sappy movies?  Why not rock it like middle school and get together like old times? Or maybe you’re just a sentimental group. You could get together (with or without movies) and create a small scrapbook of some of the good times you’ve shared as friends. The clincher can be on the last page you can have already pasted in a short note about what her friendship means to you along with the question of the hour – Will you be my bridesmaid?

Indulge the sweet tooth. I don't know about you, but sometimes all I need is a little bit of chocolate (yes, I know - cliche much?) If you have any bridesmaids like me, ask them very sweetly – with candies, cakes, or cookies! If you have the time to do homemade, even better! But no pressure. There are also a lot of good options out there for the girl who needs a quick solution. Check out cookies from the adorable Flour Pot Cookies and cakes from the fabulous Pink Cake Box.

Pamper them. They are going to spoil you as much as they can, so why not spoil them to get the ball rolling? You don't have to go all out with an expensive day at the spa. But maybe a home spa day (send the fiance out for an afternoon with the guys) complete with pedicures, mud masks and comfy robes would do the trick.

For the bride with a little extra cash to lavish on your ladies, a gift bag with a monogrammed tote full of spa goodies and wedding day essentials could do the trick. Some ideas are a robe, comfy slippers, a few candles, delicious smelling lotions, and a small zippered bag with things like stain removing pens, safety pins, mints, mini sewing kits, and whatever else you think your girls will need on the Wedding Day!

Jen Kiaba is a photographer and burgeoning crafter who lives in Rhinebeck, NY with her lovely boyfriend, two crazy cats and an adorable basset hound. When her hands aren't covered in tacky glue, she specializes in taking romantic portraits of happy couples in the Hudson Valley!