Wedding Dresses $1,000 and Under (But Nobody’d Ever Believe It!)

Bridal Gown Bargains

Nobody loves their luxurious couture bridal gowns more than we do. OK, scratch that. Nobody loves their luxurious couture bridal gowns more than YOU do, Houston brides. Rivini, Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Monique Lhuillier, Badgley-Mischka…we get all tingly just thinking about those acres of sumptuous silk.

But, being sensible, practical Texas gals, we also love saving money when we can. Especially when we’re spending zillions already on things like weekly (OK, daily) spa treatments, custom linens and out-of-season peonies.

If you’re in the same boat, or getting married on one, or simply not into the idea of a voluminous confection of a wedding gown, we think you’ll like these dresses. All silk, all stunning, and all $1,000 or less (some–like the gorgeous BCBG Max Azria strapless, below left–MUCH less).

Bridal Gown Bargains

Photos: (Top, clockwise) Tadashi Shoji, Ann Taylor, J. Crew; (Bottom, clockwise) BCBG Max Azria, Nicole Miller, J. Crew

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Sweet Tooth: Little White Wedding Bites

Vintage Dessert Displays

We know a gal who swears that as a toddler she went through a phase where she’d only eat white food. Cottage cheese, rice, white bread. That sort of thing. Now that she’s all grown up, our formerly finicky friend has expanded her culinary tastes exponentially. Thank goodness, too. Because white food is blah food.

Except when it’s dessert. Wedding dessert, in particular. Picture a post-meal sweets spread, filled with exquisite goodies in different wedding-white shades from snow to cream, beckoning guests to dig in. Pretty, right? Especially when displayed on lovely, vintage-inspired tiered dessert trays and cake plates like these. Have your cake…and eat lots of other yummy desserts, too, we say!

Vintage Cake Stands

Photos: (Top, clockwise) Beau-Coup, Diary of a Mad Hausfrau, Sweetly Scrumptious, Amy Atlas Events; (Bottom, clockwise) Preston Bailey, Kaboodle, Re-Found Objects, Burlap and Blue

 

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Loungewear So Pretty, You’ll Want to Wear it Out!

Bamjamz Neiman Marcus

How yummy are these super-soft bamboo jersey tunics from Bamjamz? OK, you’ve GOT to slip into them to experience their fabulousness fully. But just check out that soft pink and dove gray. And those lovely lotus and butterfly designs? Our heart rate slows down just looking at ’em.

We think they’re perfect for kicking back in after a long, hard day of wedding planning. Bamjamz also makes deliciously comfortable leggings and lounge pants. Worn alone, their tunics make great sleep tops and swim cover-ups (honeymoon, anyone?)…and EXCELLENT bridesmaid gifts. Paired with pants, they’re perfect for lazy Sunday mornings at home with your hubby-to-be. They’re eco-friendly, too. And available locally at Neiman Marcus. Love.

Touche Bridal Sleepwear

And speaking of local loungewear, we’ve got a major crush on Touche Houston’s simple cotton PJs. How do they manage to be so fresh and soft, like a gentle spring breeze? But still crisp, and definitely sexy—bridal sleepwear at its sophisticated best. Sweet dreams!

 

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House of Blues Giveaway: Last Week To Enter!

Wedding Buzz April 2011 Giveaway

One more week to enter, so many incredible shows to choose from. Don’t miss your chance to snag tickets for two plus dinner for two at the legendary House of Blues, Houston’s hottest venue for live music and sensational Southern-inspired dining (not to mention a VERY cool place to have your engagement party, rehearsal dinner or wedding!

TO ENTER: Visit House of Blues online and select one show from HOB’s concert calendar that you’d skip your best friend’s wedding to attend (OK, you’d NEVER do that…but a show you’d love to see). Then, send us an email with the show date, performer or band’s name and your favorite song. Make sure to include your full name, fiancé’s name and date (exact or approximate) of your wedding.

ENTRY DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2011. Winner will be announced in the April 27 Wedding Buzz and on Facebook.
Good luck!

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Coming Up: NACE Houston Wedding Trends 2011

Willow Branches Wedding Centerpiece Purple Signature Wedding Drink

Photos: D Jones Photography

You may remember when we blogged about the amazing National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) “Indian Weddings”-theme wedding trends luncheon awhile back. Well this year’s annual wedding trends event promises to be even more spectacular, if that’s possible. First of all, the Thurs., April 21 “Sky’s the Limit”-theme bash is not going to be a luncheon at all, but a seriously delish dinner, starting with cocktails and hors d’oeuvre at the wonderful 1940 Air Terminal Museum. Next, guests will jet over to the museum hangar, which will be totally transformed for the occasion by members of NACE Houston—the nation’s largest NACE chapter, which counts Houston’s top wedding experts among its members. It also counts our very own Radhika Day, publisher of Weddings in Houston as one of its longest-serving members. And proudly so.

Naturally, we’ll be there, checking out the latest, greatest trends in wedding design, décor, catering and production from Houston’s finest wedding pros. And we’d love for you to join us. While the NACE wedding trends event is typically geared toward wedding professionals, this year’s dinner is open to brides, too. Buy your tickets, register for this year’s giveaway and you may just win yourself a luxurious Dominican Republic honeymoon package (there’s a reason they call it Paradisus Resort).

For more details or to register for the April 21 “Sky’s the Limit” even, visit WT2011 or NACE Houston. We’re ready for takeoff. How ’bout you?

 

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