💍 Wedding Affordable Essentials and DIY Needs: From a 2024 Bride on a budget! 💍 ✨ Provided links are affiliate links. I may make a small commission from customer purchases. ✨
As wedding photographers, we often get asked what products our couples can buy in order to make sure that they get the best exit photos. Here are some of our best tips and recommended products!
As more couples opt for intimate weddings and meaningful experiences, elopements have become a popular choice. This collection of elopement cards features designs with and without photos, cards with custom announcement messages, and some with wedding reception/after party invite details, so that all your needs are covered!
Many wedding invitations look the same, and it can be difficult to find the perfect one for you when you're looking for unique ideas. So, I've compiled this list of invitations that are a little bit different, unusual, and original. ( sometimes quirky )
For a lake escape, destination wedding, check out these gorgeous locations for your wedding day. Lake of the Ozarks is it all for wedding venues. From lake side views to barn weddings with available cabins for the bride and groom. Visit Lake of the Ozarks for your wedding venue needs.
These are my tried and true gifts that I always fall back on giving during birthdays, engagements, you name it! These are mostly personal and customizable that you don’t want to miss
Here are all the things I purchased to prepare for my big fat Punjabi wedding. If you are a punjabi bride or you are someone who is planning on going to a lot of weddings this season, these products will be sure to help.
My favorite little amazon finds for the newly engaged couple! (many just for the bride to be!) that are perfect for an engagement party, or just because you want to celebrate their exciting news!
For all the 2026 brides-to-be, here's my list of potential welcome party dresses. I've been scouring the internet for months trying to find unique and fun dresses for the weekend!
Set her party apart from everyone else's with beautiful, carefully curated matching coquette pink bow graduation party decorations for an unbelievably magical evening!
Here is my guide to the perfect witchy event down to the cobweb 🕸️🐈⬛
This was the perfect party as a September Libra celebrating with an October Libra ♎️
A 2025 survey by theknot.com found the average wedding cost is an eye-popping $33,000! The good news is you and your significant other can have a nice wedding for far less money. (Hey, my husband and I got married for less than $5,000.) Here are resources to help you save money and have a wonderful wedding. If you make a purchase through my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
I'm getting married soon, and have been focusing on taking care of myself even more so that I can have an extra glow on my wedding day. These are products i'm loving for wedding prep, some provide immediate results and others are products i've been using overtime leading up to our big day!
My essential wedding photography kit; bags, harnesses, lenses, backups, and an emergency kit! Everything I need to capture every moment with ease and confidence!💅🏼
I'm Sarah Azkadyna, and these are (in my opinion) the best wedding venues in Virginia Wedding Richmond & Hampton Roads Area. They photograph spectacularly and have wonderful service!
I got married a few years ago and still see wedding dresses and accessories show up in my feeds. I have some friends now going through the search so here are styles we have found that we love!
Wedding guest dresses and jumpsuits from my favorite brand! I own at least 6 of these. Lulus never disappoints! Their fabrics are luxurious and flattering, and the styles they release are never boring or plain. Even the most simplistic dress has small details that make it stand out.
Turn heads with this curated edit of wedding guest dresses worth stealing the show. From romantic florals to sleek silhouettes, these picks strike the perfect balance between elegant and eye-catching—ideal for black-tie soirées, beach ceremonies, and everything in between. Chic, flattering, and photo-ready, these are the dresses that guarantee compliments all night long.
Here are the things I bought/used for my grad party! I took the NCLEX days before and did not really have anyone who could help me create/make some of these things so I bought and planned things days before my party!
As a wedding and couples photographer who prioritizes comfort while still looking professional, these are my tried and true go-to repeat outfits! As someone who tries to be money-conscious, I do try to find cheaper options of my favorites, or buy clothes when they're on clearance from my favorite name brands.
Valentine's Day cards that celebrate passionate and romantic love. Please skip the dollar store this year! It feels so nice to receive a beautiful and meaningful card from your partner on Valentine's Day! I found some awesome designer cards that express romantic love in a cool way, so you don't have to go looking yourself! :)
Out with anything that says Bride or Miss to Mrs, in with thoughtful, curated engagement gifts! Here’s a basket I put together for my friend (it was a hit!)
Showpo has the cutest, best quality dresses I’ve found. Although they can be pricey, they’re well worth their money with the comfortability, material, and chicness.
Prepping for you wedding is so fun but can feel super overwhelming - putting together my favorites in different categories to help you during your bridal era
Your ultimate guide to summer wedding recovery outfits — also known as Day 2 looks. These dresses and sets are beachy, relaxed and polished enough for post-wedding brunches, recovery pool parties or coastal celebrations. Expect white, cream and crochet moments that say “I made it to Day 2… and I still look chic.”
I got engaged on December 5th, 2021, and married on October 1st, 2022! Planning my big day was such a journey, especially finding the perfect outfits for all the special moments—engagement party, engagement shoot, bridal shower, and of course, the wedding day! For all the brides-to-be, I’ve put together a list of my favorite outfits to help make your events unforgettable! 💍👰✨
I've tested countless party products and curated a list of my absolute favorites to make your next celebration unforgettable. These picks, from dazzling decorations to thoughtful favors, will elevate any event.
I was a DIY bride and my husband and I planned and executed our whole wedding by ourselves. So this list is for any brides doing the same on a budget and needing some ideas! If you have any questions about how we executed our backyard wedding on a budget, let me know! <3
This is such a unique bridesmaid proposal idea! I've put together everything you need, all you need to do is remember to say pretty pretty please with a cherry on top!
What to get your mom and mother in law on your special day… she is the woman who birthed you and raised you and raised your soon to be spouse. Giving them a sweet gift is a special gesture and a tangible takeaway from your big day. It’s best to be intentional and consider something they would really love.
Start here! Whether you're getting married, moving in together, or just want to refresh your everyday home essentials, this list is full of timeless, stylish, and practical finds. From elevated kitchenware to cozy home upgrades and thoughtful entertaining pieces, these are registry-worthy picks you’ll actually use (and love for years). Even if you're not tying the knot, it's a great place to find gift inspiration for a loved one—or treat yourself to a little upgrade.
When asking my bridesmaids to be in my bridal party, I had no idea where to start in curating the perfect box of goodies. As someone who has been on both sides of the bridesmaid proposal box - here are my top picks that are sure to be useful to your bridal party :)
Planning your bridesmaid proposals or bachelorette? Start here!
Consider this your quick guide to the all-in-one bachelorette gift bag or the perfect starting point for your bridesmaid ask plans.
These are all the things I loved having and leaned on after I got engaged and leading up to our wedding (and nothing that I didn’t bc there is a LOT of stuff you really don’t need, I promise)
I've planned and attended several destination bachelorette parties, including my own, my sister's and my cousins! I know planning a memorable girls' weekend for a group can feel overwhelming. In this list I'm compiling bachelorette itinerary guides for destination inspo, ideas on party favors, bachelorette party outfit ideas and more. Hope this helps you with your planning!
When registering for items to create your lives together you always think about what you're currently missing, but not about how the quality will stand up over time. This list has items that we have been using for years now as well as what we wish we had registered for in the first place.
if you are getting married this year, you know that shopping for all your wedding related events and activities is a full time job! as someone who works in fashion and design, it is secretly the part of wedding planning i enjoy the most. i definitely did splurge on a couple items, but you only get married once - right? i put together a list of my recent purchases and favorites for all things bridal.
These dresses are so beautiful and amazing quality. I love shopping showpo and they have the best selection no matter your style or size! Dive in to the sale rack or new arrivals any time and always find the perfect dress
These are all of the things I had or did at my high school graduation party that I loved. Every High School graduate should celebrate to honor all of their accomplishments in and out of the classroom. This is, however, the balling on a-budget version!
Fall is literally the most popular time of the year for weddings. So it would stand to reason that it's one of the most popular times of year to elope too! Most of the country has ideal weather in the fall (there's a reason Tennesseee Fall is my favorite season) and there's always so many fun things to do when you go somewhere fun in the fall, I mean what town or city doesn't have some sort of fall festival? Here's my list of the top places to elope in the fall based on their weather and potentially how busy it'll be around that time of year.
The perfect blend of Boho and Farmhouse charm for my dream wedding with my handpicked recommendations and favorite finds, with weathered wooden signs, and vintage-inspired lace accents. Elevate your tablescape with a mix of greenery and babies breath florals. My collection includes a boho-farmhouse vibe.
My style is a blend of vintage and simplicity. I love gemstones and mix gold with silver—my wedding band is gold, while my engagement ring is white gold. In this guide, I’ve curated rings that are both eye-catching and timeless.
Things that make a great bridal perfume:
1) Performance - you want to be able to create strong scent memories of the day and need it to be long-lasting as well.
2) Scent (obvs) - when I think of a bridal scent, I think elegant florals. Something unique, complex, mature, classy, and sexy.
3) Bottle aesthetics - how will it look in those bridal flat-lay wedding pictures?
From pre-wedding parties to the big day itself, this list is packed with everything you and your bride tribe need to celebrate in style. From chic bachelorette must-haves to wedding day essentials, these picks will keep the vibes high, the memories beautiful, and the weekend stress-free.
In your bride era and ready to celebrate on the green? Look no further! This curated list of recommendations includes the best favors, outfits, and decor to make your golf bachelorette party unforgettable. Whether you're aiming for elegance or fun, these picks will ensure your celebration is a hole-in-one.
This is a list of fun ideas for gifts (and experiences) you can buy for a romantic couple. Little to large trinkets for both of them to enjoy, even if they already have everything they need. These gifts celebrate their love for each other, and give them another opportunity to cherish their time together. Maybe you can use this list to inspire you think about how you can celebrate your own relationship with your husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend. You can use these ideas as Anniversary or Valentine gift ideas. Many of these ideas are very similar to (or exactly) gifts I have purchased before. In face, I have a pair of Korean wedding ducks sitting in a shelf at my front door! Some of the links associated with this list may be affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase something by following my link, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you're heading to a black tie wedding and have no idea what to wear—don’t stress, I’ve got you. I rounded up the most stunning black tie wedding guest dresses that are chic, classy, and totally photo-worthy!
These venues are all located downtown, or west of Indianapolis, and I have personally attended weddings at each one on this list. I hope this helps out all of you Indy area brides!
Spring and summer weddings are the perfect excuse to bring out bright colors, soft pastels, and flowy silhouettes. Whether you love soft blues, fresh greens, blush pinks, or bold shades like purple, yellow, and orange, there’s a wedding guest dress for every vibe and venue. I rounded up my favorite dresses by color to make shopping easy—just pick your palette and find the style that fits your mood.
Whether you're into timeless elegance, modern simplicity, or free-spirited boho vibes, I've got the perfect wedding gown for every bride's unique style. I've curated this selection of dresses to help you find your dream dress for your big day. Hopefully you'll find the one that speaks to you – Stay gorgeous!
Weddings are expensive! My fiancé and I could not find what we wanted that wouldn’t break the bank, so we decided to make our own, budget-friendly wedding decor! Don’t let yourself get too stressed. This is a beautiful time in life. Enjoy the process and allow it to bring you closer to your partner.
It's a love story and she said yes! If you're like me, you cried finding out that Taylor would finally have her fairytale. And you also probably started daydreaming about incorporating Swiftieism into your own big day! Here are some picks to help you do just that, sorted by era. I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase with one of these links - thank you for your support <3
Has she found her main squeeze? Then check out these zesty finds that I used (and a couple I couldn't make room for) for my little sister's #mainsqueeze bridal shower this summer!
We are planning an international wedding in Indonesia, and these is my current inspo for perfect recovery looks for sipping drinks and eating amazing food by the pool/ ocean. A mix of cover ups to complete outfits to suit stunning tropical festivites.
From stylish invitation suites to creative themes and custom signage, this curated collection is your go-to guide for planning a memorable bridal shower. Explore fresh ideas, personalized decor, and thoughtful details to celebrate the bride-to-be in style.
I did my own makeup for my wedding and it was super easy to do with a few good products. Even better, because these products are yours to keep! Here is a list of everything I used
Hi!! I often find the best places for natural/relaxed family and engagement sessions are locations that mean something to you; hence why I love photographing people in their homes and yards - especially kids. But if you're looking for somewhere a little different, then I have some suggestions below. I've also tried to include links to my blog posts in most of the descriptions, so that you can see more photos. As always, for more general info please click here - darcytroutmanphotography.com
I was a 2024 bride and work in the wedding industry so I see weddings every day and am always keeping up with what's trending. I love seeing brides show their personal style! Whether it's a bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, or reception dress change I love to see people's style. Because when else do you get to wear all the white glitz and glam?!
Ever feel that your relationship has turned cold? Do you feel more like roommates than a couple? Here are some items to help spice it up in your love life and bring that spark back to life!
I’m on a mission to learn how to make crepe paper flowers for my wedding decor. I plan to make the flowers for table decoration, chair posies and to decorate the cake.
My dad owns a printing business, so paper has oddly been a big thing in my life. From helping him when he brought work home (e.g. stuffing envelopes, glueing photos and binding calendars) to asking him to bring paper home for me to draw on.
The art of paper flowers is a beautiful but personal incorporation into my wedding day. Of course, if I had the budget I’d rather not do the manual labour but wedding tax is real 🤣. Creating this list for anyone starting out the new hobby!