Budget Wedding Tips from Nancy Jaeger

"It’s no secret that purse strings are getting tighter. With all eyes on the struggling economy, people everywhere are feeling the pinch and watching their wallets. For brides-to-be, planning for the biggest day of their life, their budgets have to stretch even further than ever before.

Bridal stylist and founder of USABrideWeddings.com, Nancy Jaeger, shares her tips on fashion finds for brides on a budget. No bride should have to sacrifice her dream look on her wedding day!

Great Gowns for less…
Many people think that they have to break the bank when purchasing a wedding gown. How about buying a bridesmaid dress and using it as your gown instead. They can be just as lovely and come in white and ivory—for a fraction of the cost! Add a brooch or a sash, or even creatively placed barrettes to create your own designer gown for less! An added tip – if you've fallen in love with a silk gown but can't afford a silk price, ask if the manufacturer could create that same dress in a different, more affordable fabric.

Rhinestones are forever….
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend…. but the cost makes them the enemy these days! There is a wide variety of high-quality jewelry available--earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more--made with much less-expensive but great quality stones, such as Cubic Zirconia, Austrian Crystals and Freshwater Pearls. These types of materials will give you the same kind of sparkle as diamonds! Also very trendy right now is to pair a bare neckline with large chandelier earrings and a bold bracelet to really make a statement.

Headpiece without the headache….
Many brides love the traditional look of a tiara—and even though there are many affordable options, there are also many gorgeous hair pins and combs available, hand crafted with Swarovski crystals and natural Keshi pearls that will add a special sparkle to bridal style at a lower price!

Another option is to go for the super trendy feathers and flowers headpieces. These are worn instead of the traditional tiara/veil combo and are really beautiful, unique, and best of all, affordable!

Va-va VOOM veils…..
You don’t need a long veil to make an elegant statement! Cathedral veils, that drape the bride to the full length of her train, can be very pricey. A shorter veil, such as an elbow or fingertip length, embellished with lace trim or crystal detailing will be just as eye-catching at a lower cost. Also super hot right now are birdcage veils which work well with a variety of bridal styles – classic, vintage, glam and more – and are much more affordable and less cumbersome than a longer veil. "