Wedding Shower Style on a Budget!

As much as I love weddings, I might love wedding showers even more. In addition to friends, family, and food, there are also games. Games with prizes. What's not to love? One of my favorite parts of a shower, in addition to winning Bath and Body Works products, is seeing what the bride-to-be is wearing. And like the wedding, the style choices can seem endless. Here are some of my favorites that are easy to find and won't break the bank!

These classy ASOS dresses are the most expensive on the list, but still come in at under $100.

1.  ASOS Cami Swing Dress with Pleated Skirt - $85.74

2. ASOS Picnic Skater Dress In Texture - $85.74

ModCloth is having a sale, so these beauties might not be available too much longer. 

At 70% off, you can't afford not to!

3. ModCloth’s Neutral Understanding Dress - $34.99(Orig. $114.99, 70% off!)

4.  ModCloth’s Rare Rosettes Dress - $28.99 (Orig. $97.99,70% off!)

5. ModCloth’s Classic Stunner Dress in Floral By BBDakota - $29.99 (Orig. $99.99, 70% off!)

Both of these Dorothy Perkins dresses prove blush is not only a great color for a wedding dress, 

but also for a shower dress!

6.  Dorothy Perkins’ Floral Neoprene Pencil Dress - $49

7.  Dorothy Perkins’ Pink Embellished Fit And FlareDress - $69

 Department stores can werk it, too. Need a dress fast? JCP, Target, or Kohl's might have a budget friendly solution. Really digging that Liz Claiborne, which just so happens to also be available in hot pink!

8.  JCPenney’s Liz Claiborne Sleeveless Eyelet LaceFit-and-Flare Dress - $49.99 (Orig. $70, Sale!)

9. Target’s Merona® Women's Sleevless Shift Dress  - $24.99

10. Kohl’s LC Lauren Conrad Lace Fit & FlareDress - $31.99 (Orig. $64, 50% off!)

Five Fabulous First Dance Songs

The newlyweds' first dance can really set the tone for their wedding reception, and I love the idea of the first dance being representative of the couple it celebrates. We've all seen..er heard... couples use Savage Garden's "Truly Madly Deeply," Faith Hill's "Breathe," and Train's "Marry Me." Here are my top five ideas for a first dance that might be a little more unique...

5. "Make a New Dance Up" by Hey Ocean!
"You make me wanna dance / Like no one ever has / And you know all the moves / Cause it's our dance"
This song would be perfect for a fun-loving, quirky couple. The beat is a little quicker than a typical slow dance so it might require some silly dance moves. It could also be a great way to get guests on their feet and dancing, too!


4. "Ice Cream" by Sarah McLachlan
"Your love is better than ice cream / Better than anything else that I've tried"
I like this one because of it's simplicity. It's short, sweet, and to the point. I can only imagine that for a shy couple, having every wedding guest watching and photographing the first dance after surviving the ceremony might be a little nerve racking. At least it would be for me! This song, at just under 3 minutes, can offer a beautiful moment between the couple, without becoming overwhelming.

3. "Gypsy" by Lady Gaga
"Pack your bags and we can chase the sunset / 'cause it's you and me / baby for life!"
It's just such a fun song! Great for a high-energy couple who have found a never-settling-down match in their partner.

2. "More Than Life" by Whitley
"And we are homeward bound / And I, I want this more than life"
Slowing things down a little bit, this Whitley song is beautiful and romantic. The lyrics suggest it would be perfect for a couple who has been through hard times together and have helped each other heal.

1. "Latch (Acoustic)" by Sam Smith
"You lift my heart up when the rest of me is down / You, you enchant me even when you're not around"
Ok, so let's be honest. This has probably been the first dance at every single reception that's taken place since the acoustic version was released. However, that's because it's perfect. The lyrics are heartfelt, and Sam Smith has the most soulful voice to ever come out of such a potato-faced man. It also offers a perfect book-end opportunity for the night's music; open the dance floor with this, and close the night with Disclosure's version. Now, let's hold hands and cry about how much we love love.

Talking Tea Length: 8 Perks of a Shorter Gown!

Tea length dresses are the bomb! Here are some of the advantages to opting for a shorter gown...

• Movement: It's easier to dance, and walk, without a bunch of skirt tripping you up! 
• Clean Hem: If you aren't necessarily the most sentimental and want to get some of your money back by selling your gown post-wedding, a tea length dress will likely be in better shape to do so. Because it's not being dragged across grass, concrete, dirty dance floors and dining areas, the hem will end up less damaged, and thus in better shape for a second wear.
• Vintage-y: Vintage-style weddings are really trendy right now, but finding a truly vintage dress in good shape and the right size might be difficult depending on where you are. Many new tea length dresses are designed with a retro or vintage flair and can be easily fit into this popular theme. 
• SHOES: Why on earth anyone would want to hide a pair of beautiful and possibly pricey shoes is beyond me. Really. No further explanation needed. Just SHOES.

1.      Matthew Christopher “Arabesque”  

2.      Pearl Bridals “Tansy”

3.      Demetrios “Destination Romance”

4.      Justin Alexander “8650” 

[Shout out to #4 - One of my best friends will be wearing the Justin Alexander to her October wedding! ]

• Comfort: Not only are you more free to move, you'll likely be more comfortable in less dress. Less fabric means less weight to carry around all day, and in those summer months could be a cooler option. Sweat reduction is always a bonus in my book!
• Cost: Again, less fabric has it's advantages. Tea lengths seem to be a bit more affordable, unless of course you are buying a full length gown and having it altered into a tea length. 
• Versatility: Not all weddings require traditional formal gowns. A tea length version might better way to match the vibe of a more casual event, or nicer fit for a certain venue, such as a rustic barn or the beach.
• Flattering: In my humble, non-expert opinion, tea length dresses look good on every one- tall, short, skinny, curvy. The key is having it tailored appropriately. 

5.      Kenneth Winston “1550”

6.      Jim Hjelm “8320”

7.      Henry Roth “Zoe Too” 

8.      Encore Watters “Dress RHO”

Designer Spotlight: Lazaro

Lazaro Perez is a man who knows how to make a gown! He's a brilliant designer, not only because his collections are always gorgeous, but also because each includes such a variety of silhouettes and fabrics. I'm convinced he could successfully design a dress for any bride. I'm really drawn to his ballgowns and A-lines with natural waists and tulle skirts, especially in the blush he's used in past collections. So glamorous, I'd wear any of them to the grocery store!

Style Number:32163560
Price:$3001 - $5000

Style Number:32572166
Price:$5001-$8000

Style Number:32877862
Price:$3001 - $5000

Style Number:32803421
Price:$5001-$8000

Style Number:32901423
Price:$3001 - $5000

Style Number:32951543
Price:$3001 - $5000 

 My absolute favorite; If I were getting married tomorrow, had a balling budget, and could have it hemmed to tea length, this would be my dress...

Style Number:32903403
Price:$3001 - $5000

Lazaro is the best. If you won't take it from me, maybe Mariah can convince you. She wore this beauty when she renewed her vows with Nick Cannon on their 5th anniversary. Lazaro: Dem Babies approved.

(All gowns designed by Lazaro Perez; Images, style numbers, and prices from Kleinfeld.)