Info, advice, and inspiration for your affordable, inclusive, and beautiful wedding
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I can’t believe I’m writing an Under the Radar post about Bibiluxe, but I’m writing an Under the Radar post about Bibiluxe.
Why? For one, I’ve seen their beautiful, recognizable-on-sight dresses and robes all over the internet. Mega babe influencer’s influencer Officially Quigley has modeled one of their pieces. And although they’ve got over 4000 sales on Etsy, they only have a few more Instagram followers than sales—which makes me feel like their customers *love* them, but they don’t have nearly enough other admirers for how amazing their pieces are. (Especially considering that all of their pieces can be custom made to your size—plus size brides rejoice! And a lot of plus size brides are featured on their IG feed, so make sure to check it out.)
Let’s drool together over some of these dresses:
This is under $400. Under $400.
Um, HELLO. Fringe sleeves and on the dress body both makes this so…luxe ;););) sorry couldn’t help myself
And this ~sheer~ delight (full of wordplay today, forgive me):
So let’s review: beautiful dresses (and kaftans and robes)? Check. Affordable? Check. Size inclusive? You betcha.
Babes, I want Bibiluxe to have the thousands more followers and the blue check they deserve. And I want plus size brides especially to know there’s an affordable option out there for stunning boho dresses made with care.
Did you already know about Bibiluxe? Love their pieces? Let me know in comments!
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. 🙂
*deep breaths*
Ok, here goes.
When I started Fly By Night Wedding in January 2019, I stayed anonymous on purpose. And not just online! I told no one, fiancx and therapist included, that I created a wedding blog.
If FBNW failed but no one in my life knew about it, I thought, then I wouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed. Because if the blog failed then *I* failed, and I definitely didn’t want anyone to know that. Also, what if people thought it was vapid? Or ridiculous? More reason to hide! (See why I’ve got a therapist?)
But as a bride to be, some things felt glaringly absent from online wedding spaces:
Where to find plus size dresses outside the few well-known labels where trendy, unique dresses under $2,000 don’t exist. Dresses people on a shoestring budget can actually afford. Literally anything acknowledging that queer people get married, attend, *and* are in wedding parties, and often butt up against cisheteronormative erasure and violence in the process no matter their role in a wedding.
Navigating these things, I felt like I was making it up as I went along–and I knew I couldn’t be the only one with Bridal Imposter Syndrome. So I decided to share what I was learning and Fly By Night Wedding was born.
So now: who am I?
I’m Layne, the one in the dress, and I got married to my fiancx Mark on September 14, 2019 in Austin, Texas where we live. I moved to Austin in 2013 to get my masters in creative writing. But after a dark, difficult time in grad school (TW: intimate partner violence), the thought of writing left me sad and sickened.
Fly By Night Wedding made me excited to write again.
It’s funny–a lot of what makes me anxious about sharing FBNW with people in my life is what makes it fun to write. It’s (mostly) straightforward, quippy, and *cute.* And coming from my particular writing background, my self-consciousness about writing something “fluffy” about ~weddings of all things~ is through the roof.
But I’ve written FBNW for a *year* and before now, only told Mark and my therapist. And I don’t want to keep my little labor of love a secret anymore.
So hi, I’m Layne and I’m behind Fly By Night Wedding!
And since I started FBNW as a bride-to-be planning a wedding, here’s a bit about the big day!
- We asked two dear friends (who are married to each other) to be in our wedding parties–and instead of a ring bearer or flower girl, their angelic dog Zooey walked down the aisle!
- Instead of religious texts, two beautiful poet friends read poems during the ceremony.
- My brother played the ceremony music. The processional was “Table For Glasses” and recessional “For Me This Is Heaven,” both by Jimmy Eat World, because I’m a sentimental emo kid. (I got lyrics from Table For Glasses tattooed on my ribs the first time M visited me from 700 miles away and we made it official!)
- Tame longhorn cattle live on the venue grounds and they are so PRECIOUS
- I bought my original wedding dress from BHLDN for less than $200 and had it customized with armbands, a front slit, and pockets! But six months of aerials training later, my shoulders didn’t fit the dress and alterations weren’t realistic. Thankfully, I stumbled upon Reclamation Design Company and ended up with a dreamy custom made vintage lace gown! (Got my reception dress from Two Sisters the Label and it is utterly perfect/could be a wedding dress in and of itself.)
- Mark *insisted* we have a mac’n’cheese station because I love it so much. <3
- We changed our first dance song at the last minute. Daniel Johnston died three days before the wedding and we watched The Devil and Daniel Johnston together. After talking about his music’s presence in our lives, without having to ask each other, we decided to change our first dance to Johnston’s “True Love Will Find You in the End.”
And now pics!
(All photos by Donny Tidmore Photography)
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. Thank you!
This edition of Under the Radar features maybe the first wedding dress designer I ever swooned over: Fable Dresses!
Fable Dresses’ Etsy says they’ve only been operating since 2017. But I swear I remember seeing owner and designer Jada’s dresses floating around the internet years before that and was in *love.*
I mean, just look at the incredible embroidery on this wedding dress bodice:
UGH. So delicate and pretty! All of Fable’s creations are hand embroidered and handmade from recycled materials. I just want to flit through the forest talking to birds and squirrels a la Snow White in one of these gowns. (A girl can dream, right?)
Fable Dresses offers affordable and eco friendly options for brides who want color and whimsy in their wedding outfit without spending a fortune. All of their dress options are less than $1,000. And this dress (with hand-embroidered butterflies on the shoulders!) is only $250!
Plus, you can get an embroidered ring pillow to match your look for an all-around magical ceremony:
Fable also offers belts with crystals, beads, and other glimmery baubles to accessorize their magical dresses! Which are also versatile enough to match your own mystical outfits. Personally, I think they’d make great festival wear!
So get over to Fable’s Etsy now, because all pieces are one of a kind! You don’t want to miss out on something magical.
Do you know a designer I should feature in an Under the Radar post? Let me know in the comments! (And if you want to see more magical dresses, check out these glittery, shimmery wedding gowns.)
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!
There are *so* many incredibly affordable wedding dresses out there! But it wasn’t until after I bought my own dress that I discovered just how many trendy, affordable options exist–and I know other brides experience miss out on that, too. For you brides looking for a downright steal, here’s my second compilation of boho wedding dresses under $100!
1. ASOS – Maxi Dress with Lace Godet Panels
Clean, geometric lines paired with flutter sleeves and lace paneling give this dress a modern, minimal boho look–and it’s only $79.
2. Shein – Off the Shoulder Lace Panel Dress
Perfect for a casual beach wedding or courthouse ceremony, this offers a little of the unexpected for both: lacy sleeves on the beach and a flowy, beach-y silhouette for the courthouse. At $26, this dress is affordable for brides on even the tightest of budgets.
3. Shein – Lace Bodice Pleated Panel Dress
Easy yet elegant, this dress has tons of five star reviews and is only $32!
4. ASOS – High Neck Maxi Dress in Crepe
This minimal dress is *perfect* for a super chic, modern boho desert ceremony or elopement. The subtle blush ombre is absolutely beautiful–and best of all, this dress is only $87.
5. Red Dress Boutique – In Any Event White Maxi Dress
An easy yet beautiful dress option for just about any boho wedding celebration, the In Any Event dress is very popular–it’s currently on back order for May 3, 2019. This stunning dress is only $68.
6. Modcloth – Chi Chi London Sophisticated Ceremony Dress
Bold, playful lace and a sweetheart neckline meet in a perfect combo for the bride that wants a dress with boho details and an updated classic feel. The Sophisticated Ceremony Dress is $80.97.
7. Red Dress Boutique – Dot Your I’s Nude Maxi Dress
Not your typical wedding dress, but stunning for a moody beach wedding or contemporary, of-the-moment boho-meets-classic vibe. This beautiful dress is $84.
8. ASOS – Club L Crochet Detail Maxi Dress
High neck, vibrant floral crochet detail on this dress is modest yet festive and laid back. This dress is only $60.
9. Red Dress Boutique – Night at the Met Ivory Maxi Dress
Pair this ethereal, playful dress with a dried bouquet and statement earrings to make an elevated boho splash! The Night at the Met Dress is $88.
Let me know if you come across any more boho wedding dress steals in the comments! Plus, if you’re looking for accessories to finish your look check out FBNW’s list of 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!
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, which helps keep us running. Thanks!
Looking for a splash of unexpected color on your wedding day? These nine colorful boho wedding dresses are exuberant, bold, and festive–and perfect for brides with personalities to match!
Check out these colorful boho wedding dresses and find your unconventional wedding day look!
1. Lovely Bride – Palermo Dress
Covered in a stunning appliqué of muted blue flowers, this dress has a mystic yet modern, clean boho look. The Palermo dress is $4001.
2. Lucy Can’t Dance – Moonage Daydream
I love all of Lucy Can’t Dance’s retro-futuristic boho looks, and this pastel space queen dress is one of my favorites! The Moonage Daydream Dress adds two touches of light color with its reverse light gray dip dye skirt and iridescent sequin top. The Moonage Daydream is made to your measurements for $3,118.92.
3. Lucy Can’t Dance – Ground Control Dress
I just *had* to include another dress from Lucy Can’t Dance! The pale blue dip dye and geometric sleeves make this dress both offbeat yet fitting for many different boho wedding aesthetics. The Ground Control Dress is made to your measurements at $2,438.43.
4. Wardrobe by Dulcinea – Aurora Dress
This utterly ethereal dress is named after the northern lights the colors of its dip dye skirt bring to mind. Pair with a silver starry crown for a breathtaking celestial wedding look. The Aurora dress is $865.
5. Rue de Seine – Aegean Dres in Indigo
You’ll look like a princess from a faraway land in this dress! This gown’s dip dye tassels and lush blue and pale pink floral fabric are jaw-droppingly beautiful. The Aegean gown in indigo is $3,475.
6. Dame and Maiden – Pastel Lace Wedding Dress
The painted lace of this dress is unlike anything I’ve ever seen–the bold pastels, dip dye fringe armbands, and split front come together into an incredible boho gown.The warm, vibrant colors have me fantasizing about a summer solstice festival wedding! This dress is $1,795.
7. Dame and Maiden – Pastel Lace Wedding Dress with Fringe Sleeves
This. Dress. UGH. So vibrant, sunny, and festive, this dress is perfect for brides throwing weddings full of joy and color. That yellow to lavender ombré fringe is to *die* for! This dress’ price tag is $1,875.
What other colorful boho dresses have *you* found that brides would love? Let me know in the comments! Also, don’t forget to sign up to get my FREE exclusive “Four Places You Aren’t Shopping For Affordable Wedding Dresses (But Should)” Guide!