Finding wedding dresses on a budget is not a hard process...you just have to know where to look. Here are the Best 14 Ways to Help You Save Money on Your Wedding Dress:

1. Shop on Ebay - Ebay is a terrific place for the bargain hunter looking for wedding dresses but remember to always read the descriptions carefully and pay attention to how much the seller is charging for shipping and handling fees.

2. Order From the Internet - There are a number of fine online bridal merchants that offer unbeatable prices.

3. Dicker Over the Price - Sometimes local bridal shops will match prices that you find online, BUT you have to ask.

4. Check the Classifieds - Be sure to check your local newspaper classifieds or online ad service such as Kijiji.

5. Shop in the Department Stores - Another great place to look for wedding dresses on a budget.

6. Buy a "Sample Gown" - Another great source for wedding dresses on a budget is buying a sample gown.
7. Wear Your Mom's Dress or Borrow a Dress - Even if it is a little out of style or date, you would be surprised at how well a talented seamstress could jazz up a vintage gown.

8. Order a Bridesmaid dress or Less Formal Gown - Many bridesmaids' gowns can be ordered in white. You can easily find a beautiful, less-formal wedding dress this way.

9. Vintage Clothing Shops - Wedding dresses can also be found at vintage clothing shops.

10. Outlet Stores - Yes, there are bridal outlet stores for bridal designers and retailers that can offer you substantial savings on wedding dresses.

11. Fabric Swap - If your perfect gown is made of silk, ask if it comes in other more affordable fabric.

12. Hire a Student - If you have a fashion school or college nearby, you might just be able to hire a student to make your wedding dress for you.

13. Charity Sales - You can also find wedding dresses on a budget by checking out charity sites such as Brides Against Breast Cancer.

14. Rent a Wedding Dress - Rental prices can range from $100 to $600 with deposit required and the gowns are professionally cleaned after each rental and can be altered to fit (check with each rental shop).

Happy Shopping Now

The holidays are right around the corner!! Here's my favorite sugar cookie recipe, decorate them as you wish, this year I decided to get fancy - check out the cookies I made last weekend.

You can use your favorite sugar cookie recipe, as long as it is a sturdy cut out style cookie, or use the recipe that follows:



INGREDIENTS





1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt



DIRECTIONS



In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).



Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.



Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

 

To Decorate (as pictured above):

 

Royal Icing: (make 2 batches - color one red with lots of red food coloring, but add extra Confectioner's Sugar to make sure it's thick)

 

INGREDIENTS





3 tablespoons meringue powder

4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

6 tablespoons water



DIRECTIONS



Beat all ingredients at low speed for 7 to 10 minutes, or until icing forms peaks.



Tip: Keep icing covered with a wet kitchen towel at all times. Icing can dry out quickly.



First with a thin pointed pastry bag tip (or a very small hole cut in a ziploc bag) circle the whole outside of the cookie with a thick icing, either red or white. Let set and dry.



Thin out icing enough to spread.



With thin pointed tip or the whole in the bag pool the icing onto the cookie - then take the other color and create circles or stripes, then take a tooth pick and run through the design.



Have fun with it! They are yum!!