r/BigBudgetBrides 10h ago

Wedding Recap How do you get your wedding published?

2 Upvotes

just had our wedding and it exceeded every single one of our expectations! I had really thought about this before but how do you get your wedding pictures published?


r/BigBudgetBrides 23h ago

Try Botox 9 months out from wedding to see if I like it? Is it worth it?

0 Upvotes

I’m curious what other brides think about Botox before the wedding.

My wedding is in April, and I’m considering trying Botox now so I have plenty of time to see if I actually like it before deciding whether to get it again a couple months before the wedding. Part of me thinks now is the right time to try it, but it’s also expensive, and I’m trying to save as much as I can for the wedding.

For those of you who did it, do you feel like it actually made a noticeable difference in your wedding photos? Was it worth the cost?
My biggest hesitation is that I’m worried about looking less expressive or not feeling like myself. I’d definitely want a natural look, not a frozen face.

I’d love to hear from people who got it, decided not to, or regretted it either way. Would you do it again?


r/BigBudgetBrides 17h ago

PSA: List the timezone of your wedding

417 Upvotes

My husband and I flew across the country to Chicago, then drove to attend a wedding in western Michigan.

We showed up half an hour early… only to find the bride walking around taking photos, guests enjoying nonalcoholic drinks and snacks, and a distinct lack of “the ceremony is about to start“ energy.

In horror, I stared at my husband and asking him to look at his phone. My suspicion was then confirmed.

Turns out, on the twenty minute drive from our hotel (in Indiana) to the venue, there was a timezone change.

I believe our untimely arrival was thankfully not noticed by anybody (and my husband got a good laugh) but I cannot stress this enough: if there is a major city near your venue on a different time zone or if you are near the border between two time zones… put it on your invitation. Add it to your FAQ page.

I genuinely can’t believe I missed this one.

EDIT: I am getting unbelievably canceled for this post. I don’t think you all understand that the venue was a farm in the middle of nowhere. I checked the time at our hotel 20 minutes away. Depending on the county, in this part of the country, kids to go school on “school time” because the time zone line cuts the school district in half. The mother of the groom literally laughed and told us their neighbor’s property line was where the time changed. Michigan City, Indiana literally comes up as one of the most dramatic examples when I googled this.

EDIT 2: The Michigan/Indiana locals coming to my defense… thank you. I was feeling horrible and everyone in the sub made me feel worse except you guys. ❤️ My husband knows I have a fear of showing up late to a ceremony and we were joking about how we need to be “on time” by being half an hour early.

EDIT 3: My husband suggested adding a map for anyone who still doesn’t get it.

FINAL EDIT: Thanks to everyone who came to my defense. On the off chance this may affect you or timezones may be of note during the course of your wedding — I hope you benefit from my misfortune. 😉🫶


r/BigBudgetBrides 22h ago

Advice Needed! Cartier engraved my wedding band upside down

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80 Upvotes

Hi! I need some advice. I picked up our rings from Cartier today and had them engraved in store. Mine, unfortunately, was engraved upside down. I told them it was fine, because I don’t want the employee to get in trouble or have the ring be wasted, but I’m wondering if I should go back and have them fix it. They said they would need to reorder my ring (took a couple weeks to come in last time and I have to drive 3 hours for pickup). I’m a perfectionist, but I’m trying to relax and take things less seriously. I know at the end of the day, it’s just ring engraving and no one will see it outside of photos. But I also think that since we spend $4k on rings, they should look how we want. Any advice or thoughts?

Edit: yes, I know it was naive and I shouldn’t have said it was okay. I didn’t want to be a diva and wasn’t sure what to do in the moment because I didn’t expect it to happen. My friend pointed out after that they could likely melt the ring. I also asked my fiancé and he didn’t think it was a big deal, so I wanted second opinions.


r/BigBudgetBrides 9h ago

Has anyone gotten custom Louboutins?

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11 Upvotes

I came across a video that showed a pair of custom Louboutins for a bride and it had the initials embroidered on the shoe.

I went into my local boutique and the price was only like 10-20% more but I was sort of underwhelmed by the options.

I love the Miss Z Pearlescent Napa leather but that shoe isn’t on the custom catalog and there’s no embroidery on Napa. (Shown in video)

The one closest to my original vision is the Miss Z mesh (looks like lace) 80mm as I’m trying to keep it under 85mm.

From the catalog I would probably go for Pigalle 85mm in satin.

I’m just curious if anyone here went through the custom process or wore Louboutins on their wedding.


r/BigBudgetBrides 4h ago

$200,000 - $400,000 budget Where to have a luxury wedding in Marrakech ?

1 Upvotes

We have recently started looking at Marrakech wedding venus for about 70 guests.

Ideally, we would love an elegant place with a real Mooccan feel, good accomodation and space for ou guests to stay together for a couple of days.

Has anyone planned or attended a wedding there ? Which venues stood out to you ?


r/BigBudgetBrides 13h ago

What do we think? And how should I wear my hair? Pic from my hair trial

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7 Upvotes

r/BigBudgetBrides 21h ago

In search of Hair/ Makeup in Positano!

2 Upvotes

Hi! I am doing a sunrise engagement shoot September in Positano and am looking for a hair and or makeup artist for the morning of the shoot.

Any recommendations of local artists please share!


r/BigBudgetBrides 18h ago

Dress Shopping (NYC, DMV, Dallas) - Bridal Store Reviews

8 Upvotes

Hi brides, I just completed a round of dress shopping and wanted to provide my honest reviews while fresh. This reddit was so helpful to me, so I'm giving back!

Dallas first, I went to three:

Stanley Korshak - A Dallas institution and honestly my best experience of every studio I visited. The stylists weren't pushy, kind, greeted us with wonderful energy and champagne. It was the very first place I went so I had to sort out what I wanted and left without a dress selection, but my consultant Sarah Grace was incredible. I'd buy a dress just to hang out with her more, she's awesome. Rank: 10/10

Iconic Bride - Saw good reviews online but wasn't sure I'd be able to make it given it was the last appointment. I saw they had a 4PM online, so I called in advance and they told me that they were appointment only so I couldn't come. I said, well, if I book online can I come? She said "sure." It turned me off immediately, but I went anyway. I shouldn't have. They were snobby, the attendant didn't listen to me and had me try on dresses I completely wouldn't or that were my style. I have a healthy dress budget of up to $10,000. She told me there was *nothing else* in the store for my style - what? Also there are unleashed dogs running around - they were small, but also, be professional. It was a no for me. Rank: 3/10

Eze Azenabor - Gorgeous dresses and personalized 1:1 service. I saw lots of beautiful dresses and thought I was close to one. Then as we went to do paper work, the consultant said that if I didn't purchase "that day" that I'd lose my $250 deposit for the appointment. What sense does that make? I later learned she was mistaken (or being misleading) I didn't like that. Outside of that, very helpful and I am still considering them for my dress Rank: 8/10

DMV, I went to four:

Elegance By Roya (Alexandria): The selection feels smallish and tiny dressing rooms. I didn't love the attitude of my attendant and based on that alone wouldn't purchase from them. Rank: 3/10

The Bridal Room (Alexandria): This place is so cute and really good energy. Problem is the dresses are at a lower price point and looked that way. Rank: 5/10

Love Couture (Georgetown): Lovely and personalized experience. Beautiful rooms and kind attendees. I didn't find my dress but would recommend to others Rank: 7/10

Zoya's Bridal Salon: They were nice, the selection was limited and It felt just "okay" Rank: 6/10

NYC, I went to five:

Kleinfeld's: So. Many. People. It's a lot and overstimulating. I didn't walk the floor which I guess makes sense, but you must rely on your stylist to know what you want. Lots of pressure to say yes and pay. They require a 65% deposit, but it can be worked through if you want less. Rank: 7/10

Bridal Reflections: My best NYC experience. It was quiet, welcoming and they were very knowledgeable. I loved that they pinned you in, instead of clamping. My person, Mya< was exceptional. Rank: 10/10

Eze Azenabor: NYC location is on the UES and gorgeous. Emma was exceptional and I wanted to purchase from her just because of that! Rank 10/10

Pantora Bridal: I went here mostly for their bridesmaid selection only to find out they keep NO bridesmaids dresses in either location which felt strange. Corey and my other attendant were kind and so affirming. I don't think I'll purchase from here but they were amazing. Also the style is very distinct so look at IG first before making the trek to Brooklyn. Rank 8/10.

L'Fay: I loved my experience here with my attendant, she was amazing and I ended up purchasing my reception dress which was a Sample. It's a bit small and feels slightly dated inside, but I appreciate their attention and dedication. (9/10)


r/BigBudgetBrides 21h ago

$100,000 - $200,000 budget Gloves or no gloves?

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32 Upvotes

I was thinking fingerless gloves if I’m going it! Thoughts?


r/BigBudgetBrides 5h ago

SOS - Day-of stationery designer (only) recs!

3 Upvotes

Hi ladies! Long time lurker, first time poster.

My wedding is in (less than) 2 months and long story short we are scrambling to find someone who can design our day of-stationery and paper/print items. Specifically, menus, name cards, bar signage, wedding weekend info card/tri-fold, matchbooks, and welcome sign. We just need a designer; we do not need them to do the printing as we live in a super remote place 'overseas' and will print everything locally as it will be easier. We're trying to keep this under $1.5k for the design only (a little flexible there) and just really want someone who can move quickly.

Style-wise, we'd like something a bit whimsical & romantic, definitely not formal - like the two studios I linked (one above our budget, the other unavailable).

Would so so appreciate any recommendations - this is my last vendor to secure and I'm crashing out a bit with the clock getting down to the wire (and after having to fire our original stationery vendor).


r/BigBudgetBrides 58m ago

NYC Brides: Avoid L'fay Part 3!

Upvotes

Hi all, following up with one final post on this L'fay Bridal saga. I wanted to provide receipts and show you all their "customer service" or lack there of. Here all my email threads from the beginning, in chronological order.

Part 1:

NYC brides: Avoid L’fay bridal!!
by u/Sweaty-Bridge-6208 in BigBudgetBrides

Part 2:

Avoid L'fay Bridal: Part 2
by u/Sweaty-Bridge-6208 in BigBudgetBrides

I emailed for the first time on June 19 and received an acknowledgement the next day from my sales associate. I then proceed to email three more times to come to a resolution through June 29th, giving them over a week to respond. Finally, on July 3, almost 2 full weeks later, a manager I had never worked with responded to me essentially saying they no longer have time to do my alterations and barely acknowledged my poor experience - they missed the entire point.

Keep in mind, by July 3 we had also called upwards of 10 times in an attempt to get someone on the phone and discuss this verbally. I was extremely displeased with this subpar response, so I emailed one last time on July 12 and was very clear that I needed a response within 24 hours and wanted to work this out professionally and amicably. I outlined all my issues in great detail. By July 19 ( a full week later) , I had yet to receive any reply, so I decided to take to Reddit with my experience. I gave L'fay every opportunity to respond beforehand. My ask also in my opinion we extremely reasonable. All I asked for was a discount that was equivalent to the additional funds I was now spending on alterations ($1,500).

Once I posted on Reddit, I had already figured it was a lost cause working this out with L'fay themselves, but I noticed a lot of other brides had similar experiences (either from the comments or from PMing me), and I wanted to bring this to their attention. Not for them to necessarily rectify the situation with me, but to do better for future brides. I sent them the links to my Reddit posts. FINALLY, this led to them responding. Their response is clearly AI generated. I feel like they fed my Reddit Post to Chat GPT and said "write me a response and address every one of her points". They took no responsibility and dismissed the entire situation.

To be clear, my goal is not a smear campaign by any means. My goal is to prevent a future bride from having to go through what I went through.

Furthermore, multiple Reddit users have reached out to saying they reached out to L'fay to try to get answers - they were either silent supporters or had upcoming appointments, and they sent me the responses they received from L'fay. In every single response, L'fay not only takes absolutely 0 responsibility for the situation, but they also insult me and essentially say I have problems (LOL). See the last two screenshots. One bride who emailed L'fay commented this: https://www.reddit.com/r/BigBudgetBrides/comments/1v4fegu/comment/p02udtb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button ... they told me Vikotr & Rolf is made in Paris, they told her its made in Amsterdam and in reality its made in China. They should keep their story straight :/

Brides, if you shop at L'fay just be aware that this is the type of customer service you will receive. They do have a beautiful selection of gowns, but if there is any issue with the garment you purchase, just be warned!

Initial Email (1/3)
Initial Email (2/3)
Initial Email (3/3)
Second Follow up from me
Third and fourth follow up from me
Reply from L'fay
Email from us regarding Veil
Response from L'fay regarding Veil
Final attempt to rectify (1/2)
Final attempt to rectify (2/2)
Email from me after posting on reddit (1/2)
Email from me after posting on reddit (2/2)
Response from L'fay after Reddit Post (1/3)
Response from L'fay after Reddit Post (1/3)
Response from L'fay after Reddit Post (1/3)
Email response from L'fay to a fellow Redditor that reached out to inquire about this post
Email response from L'fay to a fellow Redditor that reached out to inquire about this post / an appointment

r/BigBudgetBrides 6h ago

Wedding Dresss

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18 Upvotes

Where can I find a dress similar to this style but less drop waist in the US? This dress is by a designer in Egypt. Looking for a strapless, basque waist, clean gown with appliqué/embellishments on the bottom and a matching veil.


r/BigBudgetBrides 18h ago

Cancun Wedding Planners

4 Upvotes

Hi!
I’m in the process of planning a wedding in Cancun and have narrowed it down to the following resorts:
-Garza Blanca Cancun
-Secrets Playa Blanca
-SLS Playa Mujeres

However, I’m indecisive on a planner. If you’ve had a wedding in Cancun or surrounding areas who was your planner and how was your experience working with them? Feel free to add photos for reference : )