Info, advice, and inspiration for your affordable, inclusive, and beautiful wedding
If you’ve read FBNW for a while, you know I *adore* Reclamation Design Company! Designer Trista’s gowns are breathtaking, one of a kind, size flexible works of magic. I feel so lucky that I wore one of her gowns down the aisle for my wedding in September. (You can read about it in my previous post!)
My gown gives the reclaimed vintage lace it’s made of new life. I don’t want it to gather dust again now that my wedding has come and gone.
So today, I’m announcing Fly By Night Rental!
If you have an upcoming maternity, family, or engagement shoot and want to bring out your inner goddess–or you’re a photographer who wants to give clients something beautiful and unique to wear for a session or styled shoot–this dress is *it.* It fits sizes small through XXL, including moms-to-be.
In fact, my dress’ first shoot post-wedding was for my dear friend Blake at eight months pregnant with her beautiful baby boy! She kindly let me do her makeup, put on my dress, and modeled to utter perfection:
And PS: if you live in the Austin area, not only can I deliver the dress right to your house, but you can also rent *this:*
This is no zip tie crown! Each one of those wooden spikes are hand-drilled into the headband and further secured by the wrapped gold fabric. This is a legit crown from Batcakes Couture and it’s one of the most sturdy-yet-flexible and comfortable accessories I’ve ever owned. (You can see me wearing it in my previous post.)
So if you wanna rent this dress and/or crown for an upcoming personal or creative/professional photoshoot, hit me up! Can’t wait to hear from you. 🙂
My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a cent more but but FBNW will get a small commission, which helps keep us running. Thanks!
Sparkly wedding dresses are having a big moment! Shimmery, magical boho dresses are popping up everywhere and I love it.
My (totally unscientific) theory is that a Chosen By One Day’s iconic Nala gown, featured in styled shoots that have blown up Instagram and Pinterest, started the trend. I *drooled* the first time I saw Nala–then I saw the $7,000 price tag.
Other designers have taken note, however, and now there are *so many* more affordable sparkly dresses on the market–including some beautiful emulations of Chosen’s sought after sparkly gowns. Here are some of the best sparkly dresses I’ve come across–all with a much less painful price tag than Nala!
1. BHLDN – Artemia Gown
Obsessed with Chosen’s Nala but don’t have seven thousand dollars lying around to spend on a wedding dress? Artemia to the rescue! Artemia’s all over sparkle, nude slip, delicate sleeves, and open back have the same ethereal beauty as Nala–but at $1,995 a much less intimidating price tag.
2. Willowby – Lunella
Almost a dead ringer for the Artemia from sister brand Willowby by Watters, the Lunella has a deeper, more daring V-neck and is available with ivory and champagne slips. Lunella’s price range is $1,970-$2,378 and is available up to a size 24.
3. Willowby – Mercury
Lunella’s pearlescent counterpart! The Mercury is available up to a size 24 and its price range is $1,950-$2,338.
4. Reclamation Design Company – She Walks in Beauty Dress
Live your dream of being a golden goddess on your wedding day in this incredible dress, which is made to order in every size. Reclamation’s dresses are known for their impeccable design and adjustable, comfy fit–which I know from experience, wink wink–and at $955.26, is a steal.
5. Orion Gown – BHLDN
Wear the romance of a night sky in the Orion, a jaw-droppingly beautiful option for brides who want to radiate celestial magic. The Orion is $1,995.
6. ASOS – Needle & Thread Bridal Lace Dress
The gentle contrast of ivory sequin florals on this dress’ white lace makes for a look that romantic, whimsical, and sophisticated all at once. For a standout couture bridal look, the $583 price tag is ~not bad~.
7. BHLDN – Lorimer Dress
A romantic yet glam gown with flutter sleeves, a plunging backline, and all over sequin glitter, the Lorimer is $675.
8. Morning Lavender – Valentina Low Back Sequin Gown
More and more brides are killing it in colorful dresses on their wedding day, and all over sequins will turn everyone’s heads! This dress, available in deep red and deep green, is only $118.99.
9. Morning Lavender – Celia Silver Sequin Maxi
Another sequined stunner from Morning Lavender with a tassel tie waist for a glam look with a touch of boho! At only $88.99, this dress is great for brides on a budget who want to glitter their way down the aisle.
10. Boom Blush – Counting Stars Dress
White beads and silver sequins give this starry dress its night sky glitter. The Counting Stars Dress can be ordered with ivory, light beige, dark beige or blush lining and is $1,990.
11. E & W Couture – Orion
Yet another beautiful celestial gown with nude tulle and *glittery winged unicorns*–yep, no joke–for brides who want to feel like the ultimate fairy tale princess! E&W doesn’t list prices for individual gowns on their website, but their FAQ notes most of their dresses range between £1,500-£2,000 or approximately $1,666-$2,222.
12. BHLDN – Jenny Yoo Halsey Dress
Silver sequins + open back + flutter sleeves = simple, sophisticated glam! The Halsey Dress is $375.
13. ASOS – Sequin Cami Wedding Dress
A simple silhouette with all over sequins, this dress is for the classic bride who wants an unexpected touch of modern glitz! At only $285, this dress is easy on the budget–but ASOS’ website notes that it’s selling quickly, so jump on it if this is the dress for you!
14. My Eden Bespoke – Gold Sequin Dress
A cross hatch pattern adds complexity to this sleek, simple yet impactful gold sequin dress. This dress is £950.00 or approximately $1,055.
15. Anthropologie – Vicky Metallic Maxi Dress
This gold shimmer dress is for the glam rock brides! Studded white block heel boots, a painted black leather jacket with fringe, a bouquet with bold red and coral tones, and this dress would make the *perfect* rocker bride look. Throw a “‘Til Death” neon sign on the wall behind your sweetheart table and you’re set! The best news? The Vicky is available up to a size 26 and is only $198!
16. Boom Blush – Galaxy Dress
The flowing lines of silver sequins on Boom Blush’s Galaxy dress are romantic, glam, and boho all at once! The Galaxy Dress is $1,590.
17. BHLDN – Brenda Dress
Style this shimmery dress with a star tiara and dried bouquet to look like an ethereal celestial princess! The Brenda Dress is $325.
18. ASOS – Pleated Plunge Wrap Wedding Dress in Sequin
This dress offers modern sophistication and bold sparkle! At $308, it’s affordable for the vast majority of brides but like the previous ASOS dress, it’s selling quickly–so snag it while you can!
16. BHLDN – Orva Dress
BHLDN categorizes this gold sequined dress as mother of the bride/special occasion, but it has untapped bridal potential! Style with a crown of large red peonies and a pampas grass-accented bouquet and you’ve got a magazine-worthy wedding look. (Plus, it’s only $360.)
Are there any swoon-worthy sparkly dresses I’m missing? Let me know in the comments! And top off your scintillating wedding look with a statement piece from FBNW’s list of unconventional boho headpieces and hair accessories!
My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a cent more but but FBNW will get a small commission, which helps keep us running. Thanks!
It’s time again for one of my favorite topics: Pinterest wedding dresses and where to find them!
This one is different from previous PWD&WTFT posts. (Lol at that ridiculous acronym, btw.) Instead of featuring a few different dresses, I’m going to focus on one dress and not just where to buy it, but where to find similar dresses from legit shops. This dress is a little different in that a few labels that have designed very pretty and wearable emulations of the original, so I want to show you the different available options.
So let’s dive in!
The Original Pinterest Wedding Dress
Self-Portrait – Pleated Crochet Floral Maxi Dress
This image has been plastered across Pinterest countless times, but I haven’t once seen it link to the original dress: the Self-Portrait pleated crochet floral maxi dress. Kate Middleton wore this dress to a November 2016 movie premiere, which given when this image was blowing up Pinterest, is likely what made it so popular! At 340 euros, or approximately $379, this is one of the most affordable designer Pinterest wedding dresses to go viral.
A few labels have emulated this dress at even more affordable price points, including in different colors–let’s take a look!
The Emulations
Eternal Ivory – Mary Ashley Dress
Eternal Ivory’s Mary Ashley dress is the closest emulation of Self-Portrait’s original dress I’ve found, specifically because it’s maxi length with long sleeves and a pleated skirt with a side split. Unfortunately the dress is currently sold out, but has been restocked more than once. At only $129, it’s worth keeping an eye out for.
Eloquii – Lace Evening Dress with Pleated Skirt
Eloquii’s take on this dress is full length with a beautifully pleated skirt and comes in four colors! Plus, it’s only $124.95.
Ivy City Co – Arabella Lace Gown
Ivy City Co not only has a beautiful full length version of this gown for $148, but also
…a midi length take for $78! The midi comes in the above white, hunter green, pink, and black. Plus…
…a mini version for toddlers and little girls! Very cute flower girl dress, if I say so myself.
Have you found other shops or labels emulating the Self-Portrait gown? Let me know in the comments! Also, check out my previous two Pinterest Wedding Dresses and Where to Find Them posts!
My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a cent more but but FBNW will get a small commission, which helps keep us running. Thanks!
Unless you’re an event planner extraordinaire who thrives on four hours’ sleep, planning a wedding is almost always a *little* stressful. (And often more than a little.) Juggling multiple priorities, hard budgeting decisions, and balancing family expectations with your own wants is *tiring.* Maybe even the excitement you felt after getting engaged has long fizzled out.
But it’s possible for wedding planning feel exciting and fun again! My partner and I both have anxiety and figuring out the tips I’ve listed below have helped us not only survive the process, but have fun and feel more connected with each other about what we want for our wedding. Even though the big day is getting closer and we have more to do more often, planning is still fun and exciting.
Really, these tips all revolve around a central idea: you deserve to allow yourself understanding, happiness, and friendship during the wedding planning process. So with that, let’s dive in:
1. Champagne and plan, baby
This one is so important, loves: treat yourself with something you both love that allows wedding planning to be meaningful, enjoyable time spent together.
When you and your partner encounter a budget snag with florals, or have to figure out replacing that dream photographer who fell through, or realize you *totally* forgot to account for renting glassware for your open bar, sometimes the stress gets taken out on each other. And that makes planning for your life together feel extra stressful.
A great way to remember what’s most important–that you love the other person enough to want them around for the rest of your life!–is to share something you enjoy together. This way, every time you plan you start from a place of feeling happy, relaxed, and on the same team as your partner.
And the treat is up to you! Maybe it is champagne. But it could also be your favorite takeout, coffee from your favorite spot, face masks, even your favorite funny movie playing in the background to help keep the mood light–whatever hits the spot.
2. Dessert tasting tour? Don’t mind if ~I do~ (couldn’t resist, sorry)
Look for opportunities to make fun outings out of wedding planning-related errands and include friends from your wedding party! Sure, we invite our bridal party along for dress shopping, but there are so many other opportunities to have fun with dear friends from your wedding party while planning! Invite them along for food and cake/dessert tastings. (If you can plan more than one in a day, make a day of it!) Take your person of honor who loves vintage decor to the antique mall when you hunt for ceremony aisle boho rugs on the cheap. Or if you have a simple, fun DIY (more on that in #3) they can help with, lay out the wine and snacks and invite them over for a crafting party!
Depending on the particular elements you’re including in your wedding, this can take a lot of different forms. The important thing is to let yourself think creatively about how to use wedding planning to spend more time with friends you love who make you happy.
3. Approachable, cost-contained, and bail out-able DIY
DIY-ing can help your budget and bring personalized touches to your wedding, but unless you’re already an expert in a particular craft too much DIY can become stressful and burdensome. Especially if you’re trying to DIY something that:
a) Must be done on or very close to the wedding day, i.e., anything involving fresh flowers
b) You have to make multiple of that you want to look consistent, i.e., wedding favors or again, fresh flower decor such as matching bouquets and centerpieces
c) Isn’t cost efficient vs. the non-DIY option
…then you may cause yourself *more* stress instead of less.
Instead DIYing fresh flower wedding centerpieces–which you’d have to do day of and doesn’t have a viable backup plan should something go wrong–try an approachable DIY that only requires making one or a few things ahead of time, in case you *do* need to ditch the DIY and hire a pro. Great examples include macrame ceremony arch backdrops, chair backings, and bouquet wraps; cardstock or paper installations for photo booths or above dessert tables; and spray painting cake stands and other small decor items.
Approachable, cost-contained, and bail out-able DIY that you and your love can do together–and with friends!–will make your wedding feel personalized and special without sabotaging your wellbeing.
4. Finished something stressful? Celebrate!!!
This is a *big* one.
It’s easy to tick off a wedding checklist item and immediately think about what’s next. But if you and your love finished something that required a heavy lift?
*For everything holy, take a minute and celebrate it!*
I know it can feel weird celebrating getting something done for a party that revolves around you and your love, but if we’re being real, weddings are often not *just* about you as a couple–at least from a logistical standpoint. Unless you’re eloping with just the two of you, your wedding planning probably involves a degree of making sure other people are having a good time–and that takes *work.* So when you’ve done your work, let yourselves celebrate a little! Celebrating is a way of loving yourself *and* your partner, and acknowledging your time and effort are worth something.
Are there other tips you have for easing wedding planning stress? Let me know in the comments!
(PS: Also, check out my recent post about throwing limiting expectations from others about your wedding to the wind with one of my favorite two words sentences, lol!)
My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a cent more but but FBNW will get a small commission, which helps keep us running. Thanks!
My first post about where to find Pinterest wedding dresses is my most shared content from FBNW, so I’m excited to share this second edition! Finding where you can actually buy that beautiful dress from Pinterest can be tricky and I love doing the detective work for you. 🙂
Here are three more beautiful Pinterest wedding dresses and where to find them!
This dress broke Pinterest and I *get it.* The combination of dotted and floral lace, the open back, the ribbon tie–it’s head-over-heels gorgeous.
Originally a custom piece, Artha Atelier added it to their permanent line after overwhelming demand for the gown; it’s cost is $4,580. Unfortunately, the gown is listed as sold out; however, given its enormous popularity, it may be worth keeping an eye on its product page.
You may be thinking: why include a sold out gown on this list? One, because it may not be sold out forever. Two, leading you to the designer may help you find another dress of your dreams! And three:
There are a lot of scammers trying to sell you knockoffs.
Pinterest is rife with pins from shops saying they’ll sell you this dress for $300 or $500 and let me tell you: you’re not going to get *this dress.*
I totally empathize with wanting to find a beautiful wedding dress that’s also affordable–and they exist! That’s why I’ve created lists of boho wedding dresses under $500 and boho wedding dresses under $100 for brides on a budget.
But if you purchase from a scam website, I don’t know what you’ll get, but it won’t be the above–and you deserve to know what you’re getting. Which is a good segue into the next dress:
2. Grace Loves Lace – Inca Dress
Grace Loves Lace’s beautiful Inca Dress is all over Pinterest–its combination of luxury laces is elegant and timeless while perfectly achieving a contemporary boho aesthetic. The Inca’s price range is $3,289.00–$3,399.00.
I included this dress not because it’s terribly difficult to track down the source, but because of the sheer amount of scammy pins I see claiming to sell this dress for a few hundred bucks.
This is the Grace Loves Lace Inca dress. Anyone trying to sell you *this dress* under a different product name is trying to trick you. And I’m not referring to designers who custom make emulations of popular dresses by request. I’m talking about shops that use Grace Loves Lace’s product photos and a different product name to sell you a dress that *isn’t* the Inca.
So remember: if you’re on a site that’s selling a lot of popular Pinterest dresses at unbelievable prices, beware. Make sure you know what you’re getting!
And now, for our last dress:
3. Saldana Vintage – Dinah Dress
It’s no wonder Saldana Vintage’s Dinah has been all over Pinterest! The symmetrical floral lace and fishtail cut skirt are breathtaking.
One reason I love that Dinah has gotten so much love on Pinterest is that it’s not terribly expensive! Most Pinterest popular wedding dresses I’ve looked into cost at least $3,000, but the Dinah is fairly affordable at $798! And that includes the dress being made to your measurements (up to a size large; sizes above incurs additional cost).
I hope this post was helpful! Let me know in the comments if there are any other dresses you’d like me to feature. And if you need to accessorize your Pinterest dream dress, check out my list of boho hair accessories and hairpieces beyond flower crowns!
My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a cent more but but FBNW will get a small commission. Thanks!
Like probably every bride-to-be post-2010, I fantasize a *lot* about my wedding and Pinterest is my biggest enabler. (Because I *need* to pin every DIY macrame wall hanging I see, right? Right?!) But Pinterest wedding dresses are my *thing*–I’m perfectly happy browsing wedding dresses on Pinterest for hours on end!
Pinning wedding dresses might be the most fun because there are so many swoon-worthy bridal gowns to imagine yourself wearing! But wedding dress hunting on Pinterest can also be *very* frustrating: you see a dress you love, click on the pin for info on how and where to buy it, aaaaaaaand–
Nothing. Nada. Womp-womp.
I can’t count how many times I’ve clicked a wedding dress pin to see who designed it or where to buy it, only to find a clickbait article that doesn’t list designers, an Instagram photo without the designer tagged, or–my personal favorite–another pin with no info.
After so many Pinterest dead ends, I thought *somebody* had to have spilled the beans on where to find those popular Pinterest dresses, right? Nada again.
So, for all you brides who have been as baffled as me, here’s my first Beautiful Pinterest Wedding Dresses and Where to Find Them! In this post, I’ll give you the lowdown on popular pins featuring three dresses.
Dress 1: The Melanie from Flora Bridal
Who *hasn’t* swooned over this dress? It’s a stunning boho wedding gown with a long sleeve, backless silhouette that’s become (and remained) wildly popular with brides over the past few years. The intricate details on the bodice and sleeves are breathtaking.
Melanie is from Flora Bridal’s 2019 Siren of the Desert collection. Flora Bridal is based in Haifa, Israel and their dresses are carried in bridal shops throughout the U.S. You can find U.S. stores that carry Flora here. Melanie’s price tag is $4050.
Dress 2: The Amira from Immacle
While the previous dress took detective work, I stumbled on this one by total accident and was ecstatic! From the moment I saw this dress on Pinterest in the most lighthearted and fantastical wedding shoot, I adored it! I love its fringe-y bell sleeves and delicate floral lace. It strikes the perfect balance between edgy hippie and ethereal woodland goddess.
The Amira is from Barcelona label Immacle’s Senda collection. Although Immacle currently only stocks dresses in their Barcelona and Madrid showrooms, they ship worldwide. Also, their website has an e-shop page indicating it will open soon–exciting! I don’t have the exact price of the Amira, but Immacle’s gowns start at approximately $3,300. (I’ll update with exact price here if confirmed.)
Dress 3: Evalyn Bodice, Ivy Lace Overlay, and McKinley Skirt from Rebecca Schoneveld
It’s no wonder this bridal look has been getting lots of love on Pinterest. It’s relaxed yet elegant, boho yet classic, and trendy yet timeless all at once. The emotional, intimate photos of the bride with her groom beautifully showcase her entire look from lush greenery crown to chiffon skirt.
These separates can be found on the Rebecca Schoneveld website (separates toward the bottom of the page). Bridal shops nationwide also carry Schoneveld’s dresses and separates. The combined price of the Evalyn Bodice, Ivy Lace Overlay, and McKinley skirt is $2820.
Is there a Pinterest wedding dress you’re swooning over but can’t find? Let me know and I might discover your dream dress in my next Pinterest Dresses and Where to Find Them! Also, don’t forget to sign up to get my FREE “Four Places You Aren’t Shopping For Affordable Wedding Dresses (But Should)” Guide!
Plus, if you need to accessorize your beautiful Pinterest wedding dress, check out FBNW’s list of boho wedding hair accessories!
(PS: If you know the photographer for either Melanie dress photo, please let me know! I want to credit photographers for their beautiful images as much as possible.)
Hello, and welcome to Fly By Night! I’m so glad you’re here.
I started Fly By Night because like many brides–especially those planning their own weddings!–I spend a *lot* of time online researching wedding stuff. And I love it! You won’t hear me complain about 3am Pinterest binges dedicated solely to browsing cute sandals for the rehearsal dinner.
*However* (and this is a big however!)
Despite the endless supply of wedding resources online, I find myself asking the same questions over and over:
That dress from Pinterest is beautiful, but where can I actually buy it? (And can I afford it–and if not, does anyone carry something similar? In my size?)
Why did none of the many advice articles I read tell me my vendor would need this one thing to feel comfortable executing my vision?
Why are there still so few resources for–or just writing about–weddings with queer couples, queer wedding parties, and queer attendees? How do you help queer loved ones feel as safe and comfortable as possible at your wedding, especially around conservative attendees?
After every one of these questions I think, I wish *somebody* had written about this. But one of the most basic (and best) snippets of writing advice is to write what you want to read but hasn’t been written yet, so finally I realized: I could write about this!
I’ve named this space Fly By Night, because a tiny, quiet truth beneath the flood of how-to articles, Pinterest boards, and all-in-one resources seems to be that a lot of us feel like we have no idea what the hell we’re doing when it comes to planning one of the biggest, most meaningful days in our lives. And it makes sense! You only plan on doing it once, no one teaches you how to do it, and there are people whose literal full time job is doing a thing many of us are scraping together in spare moments between multiple jobs and chores and still trying to have a social life. (Can you tell I’m in my thirties?)
So I want to affirm this experience of feeling like you’re floundering a little through an exciting but also big, stressful process, which is why I chose the name Fly By Night. Not only do I want to offer advice and resources I haven’t found anywhere else, but also keep things real–because everyone needs a little help, including help feeling okay about needing help.
I’m here to help you, so let’s help each other: what wedding advice would you like to find? What resources do you want that don’t seem to exist? What question do you keep asking yourself that no one has answered? I’ve love to hear your thoughts!