Style Me Pretty is hosting a DIY Project Contest.  They’re featuring fabulous ideas for do-it-yourself projects that are amazing.  DIY projects are always a great way to save money and really let you be creative at the same time.  Remember, a wedding on a tight budget doesn’t have to look that way. 

See more photos at Style Me Pretty.

DIY Bride posted a sneak peak at their new book featuring a Buds and Blossoms Bridal Bag to carry down the isle instead of a traditional bouquet.  Check more do-it-yourself ideas at DIY Bride.

Here’s a helpful video on making your own bouquet from About.com. For those looking for DIY projects, here’s some good advice for you.

Not convinced that it’s worth it to try to cut costs for the most important day of your life? Consider this: what if you had a small private affair for your closest friends and relatives and didn’t buy an expensive engagement ring, spending around $13,000 for your wedding instead of the average price tag of $27,000?

What if you invested the $14,000 you saved in the stock market and left it there until you retired (assuming 40 years later), earning an average of 10% a year? What would you end up with? A whopping $634,000!

It’s hard to look so far ahead when you’re just starting out in your life together, but the world is full of people who find themselves quickly approaching retirement age without the financial means to retire. When all is said and done, I’ll bet many of them would have traded a bigger, fancier wedding for the $634,000 nest egg.

For more tips on saving costs, see the full article on About.com

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Have you thought about silk flowers? Not the ones you’ll find in the attic! Silk flowers have come a long way, and they won’t wilt on a hot day or soak on a wet day. Best yet, your flowers will last long after you say ‘I do.’

Stores like Michael’s, Pearl Arts & Crafts, and HobbyWorld are great places to start. Here are 8 easy steps to preparing flowers that will impress your guests and your wallet:

1. Find a local craft store that carries silk flowers.
2. Select your flowers, filler greenery, and bouquet holder.
3. Bundle your arrangement and use wire cutter to trim stems.
4. Slide into large size bouquet holder.
5. Wrap stems with floral tape. Wrap stems with tulle or tie with ribbon.
6. Use the same steps above to create attendants bouquets, using a small to medium size bouquet holder.
7. To create boutonnieres and corsages, cut flower stem down, wrap with floral tape and insert pin (optional - tie ribbon in to bow on stem of corsage).

8. To create center pieces tie a few flowers with ribbons and place in vases.

BWG Two Cents: Spend some time picking the style you are going after. Check out floral web sites for great ideas before you head to the store.