Did you watch the Oscars last Sunday?  We picked our fav looks from Gwenyth and Scarlett to Halley Berry, providing ideas on how you can show off these celebrity styles on your walk down the aisle (without paying the celebrity prices of course).

Asymmetrical Tulle: Halle Berry
We loved Halley Berry’s dress and whether you fancy the asymmetry or the tulle in her red carpet dress, we’ve got options for you when it comes to your wedding dress.

Left: Cymbeline Dulcine, Right: Pronovias Rialto

For the asymmetry angle, we’ve chosen this size 10 Pronovias Rialto wedding dress for $950 (regularly $1900).

If you’re more of a tulle girl, this size 10 Cymbeline Dulcine for $2900 (regularly $4200) is perfect.  Both of these dresses are boutique samples, in fabulous condition for your big day.

For more red carpet wedding inspiration, check out our full Oscar 2011 Red Carpet Wedding inspiration blog post.

Until next week!

I don’t know about you, but I feel like Spring is just around the corner, and with many of my friends heading south for a bit of sun to escape these last few weeks of winter, I’ve been thinking about destination weddings.  Lo and behold, I’ve got the perfect destination wedding dress to share.

{Jenny Yoo Sasha Wedding Dress. Regularly $925 on sale for $300.}

This Size 12 Jenny Yoo Sasha wedding dress is perfect for a barefoot beach wedding. However, it’s being discontinued so now’s your chance to get this simple but stunning dress at a fabulous price.  One of our fave shops, Frocks, is selling this sample dress for just $300. With the money you’ll save, perhaps you can splurge on a special honeymoon experience! Are you planning a destination wedding? If so, what kind of dress are you planning to wear?

Until next week! 

Maggie Sottero Amara Royale, regularly $998 on sale for $698

Happy Valentine’s Day! In honor of V-Day, I thought it would be fun to share a red hot sample wedding dress – not just because it’s a super deal, but because of its color!

This Size 8 Maggie Sottero Amara Royale wedding dress uses bold red fabric to create a unique wedding day look. It could be just the ticket for a Valentine’s Day wedding.

I’m curious…..would you wear a red dress to your wedding?

Until next week!

It’s February, a month just full of romance! When I think of romance in wedding dresses, I think of lace. In light of that, this week’s sample wedding dress has tons of beautiful lace comes to us from a Calgary boutique — Cameo & Cufflinks.

{Romona Keveza L195 wedding dress, regularly $3,600 on sale for $2,281}

This Size 10 Romona Keveza L195 wedding dress from the 2010 collection has a pretty sweetheart neckline and gorgeous Alencon lace actually has tiny polka dots for a unique take. Perfect for a elegant evening wedding.

This boutique sample has never been worn and is regularly over $3,600, but you can save almost 40% and get it for $2,281.

Go on, indulge your romantic side on the most romantic day of your life!

Not quite your style?  Check out more sample wedding dresses available at amazing prices.

Until next week!

{Adele Wechsler Fern wedding dress, regularly $3050, on sale for $1200. Photo courtesy Adele Wechsler Design.}

Looking for ways to be more eco-conscious when it comes to your big day? This week’s sample wedding dress comes from Adele Wechsler’s eco-couture line.

Wedding dresses with texture are a big trend for this year, so this week I’m showing you how to get the trend and be eco-friendly at the same time.

This Size 10 Adele Wechsler Fern wedding dress is made from 100% vegetable dyed silk and uses pretty vines wrapped around the bodice and skirt to add texture and romance.  Perfect for a summer wedding!

This boutique sample has never been worn and is regularly $3050, but you can save 60% and get it for $1200!

To sum it up: reducing the environmental impact of your wedding doesn’t mean scrimping on style!

Not quite your style?  Check out all of Adele Wechsler’s sample dresses available at amazing prices.

Until next week!

We’re so excited to be back guest blogging for Weddingbells!  Every week we’re going to bring you our top pick for an amazing deal on a sample wedding dress.  That’s right, the dresses we’ll showcase every week will be full of designer style, but won’t have designer price tags to match.

With awards season in full swing, our first pick had to be red-carpet worthy!

{Valencienne Mercedes wedding dress, regularly $5,200, on sale for $899. Photo courtesy Valencienne Bridal Store.}

This Size 10 sample Valencienne Mercedes wedding dress is full of drama and style — perfect whether your carpet is red or white!  The fitted bodice gives you a gorgeous silhouette before it flares out with layers of chiffon ruffles.

To sum it up: Sophisticated, sexy and just a touch of flirty.

This boutique sample has never been worn and is regularly $5200, but you can save over 80% and get it for $899!

Not quite your style? A little birdy told us that until January 22, 2011, there’s a big sale on custom-designed Valencienne wedding dresses and you can actually get 50% off any custom-designed gown. That’s pretty fantastic and a great way to get style on a budget.

Until next week!

Alita Graham

One of the trends hitting the Fall 2010 runways is the light and airy wedding dress.  Lightweight tulle and organza as the fabrics of choice. Whether the silhouette is big and billowing or a slim sheath, brides wearing this trend will look as if they’re floating down the aisle! Get the trend for a fraction of the designer price with these save & splurge options. 

Save: Brand new with tags San Patrick “Parabola” for $1,000

With a strapless empire waist A-Line silhouette, the beautiful lines and tulle skirt will float effortlessly as you take center stage for your first dance.

Save: Alita Graham from Kleinfeld’s for $1,500

If you’ve ever watched Say Yes to the Dress, then you’ll know about Kleinfeld’s!  This Alita Graham princess dress (pictured) actually combines two Fall 2010 trends: light & airy and layers & tiers for one great price!

Splurge: Lea-Ann Belter “Kaitlin” for $2,500

If you’re from Toronto you’ve likely heard of Lea-Ann Belter bridal.  This “Kaitlin” dress features a full organza overskirt that falls lightly over a slim A-Line silhouette. The sexy low back provides some added drama.

Splurge: Vera Wang “Dinah” for $5,000

This Vera Wang “Dinah” is a big splurge, especially if you consider what it was purchased for! But I just had to include it.  It’s a beautiful, voluminous dress with its full A-line skirt and softly tucked organza and tulle skirt, fitting Fall trends perfectly.

For more tips and resources to plan a smart and savvy wedding, plus local wedding classifieds, including gowns, bridesmaid dresses, shoes and accessories, check out SmartBride Boutique.

Photography courtesy of Big City Cupcakes.

As any smart bride knows, there are lots of traditions associated with weddings.  One of those traditions is the wedding cake.  Do you have a big, beautiful cake, or do you just offer guests a sweet after their meal?  These days there are so many options for you depending on your style.  Whether you want to go all out with a stunning cake cutting ceremony, or you want to save on sweets, here are some tips to help you have your cake and eat it too!  Mmmmmm.

Sweet Savings

When you’re thinking about your cake, a lot depends on how many people you’re planning to feed with it.  The larger the numbers, the more expensive the cake!  If you want to have a cake for the photo opp but are worried about the cost, why not get a small decorative cake done for pictures, and then a larger sheet cake for guests?  You get the memory without blowing your budget!

Another way to save costs on cake is to consider something that doesn’t involve a cutting fee.  Caterers often charge a fee per piece when you bring in a cake for your big day.  Save this cost by having something like cupcakes (no cutting required!)  If you live out in Vancouver, Big City Cupcakes is one yummy option.

Modern Squares cake photography courtesy of LPK’s Culinary Groove.

Delicious Splurge

If you’ve always dreamed of the moment when you cut the cake with your new man, you might want to splurge with something akin to a work of art.  Although there is no shortage of options for wedding cake designers, one place I can recommend is LPK’s Culinary Groove. They provide beautiful cakes that first and foremost, taste absolutely delicious but that are also works of art.

If you do decide to go this route, you can feel good about your splurge because LPK uses only certified organic ingredients, sourcing them from local and/or fair trade suppliers.  Plus, they do as much as possible to minimize their carbon footprint in their daily operations, from the design of the store itself to the packaging your delicious sweets are in.

For more tips and resources to plan a smart and savvy wedding, plus local wedding classifieds, including gowns, bridesmaid dresses, shoes and accessories, check out SmartBride Boutique.