pearls with black satin bow
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Technology Tuesday: On a Budget? Rent the Runway!

Some personal stuff:

First, thanks to all of you who wished me a Happy Birthday yesterday. It was a relaxing one. I turned off the computer most of the day and did a whole bunch of nothing all day. It was lovely. My inbox had blown up by the evening though, lol.

Second, I was thrilled to see one of our own Asheville Wedding Photographers being featured on Whimsical Wonderland Weddings yesterday. Go Two Ring Studios! And Go Lou; you have great taste my dear! Please go check it out: Beautiful Blooms and Fairy Lights.

romantic bouquet
Image from Two Ring Studios via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings

Third, am so excited to offer you a couple more Real Weddings this week. My first Real Wedding was a great success and is currently my top viewed page. I promise you there's more to come…

 

Got Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget? Rent your favorite designer jewelry and fashions.

I borrowed my wedding jewelry from one of my best friends who married the previous fall. I planned to wear a classic string of pearls, but my friend suggested that her jewelry might look better with the beading on my dress. She was right! And I was so lucky to have a friend to offer something so generous for my "something borrowed."

But if you don't have a friend with awesome wedding jewelry, you can rent insanely beautiful designer jewelry from Rent The Runway. I especially love that you can rent a more subdued classic piece for the ceremony and rent statement piece for the reception.

pearls with black satin bow
Lee Angel Juliette Bow Necklace: Retail $450, Rental $50

 

pounded metal flower necklace
Kenneth Jay Lane A-List Necklace Retail $538, Rental $65

 

Bronze and crystal necklace
Ciner Antique Cascading Crystal Necklace: Retail $375, Rental $50

 

pearl and gold flower ring
Kenneth Jay Lane Pure Flower Power Ring: Retail $60, Rental $10

 

turquoise and bronze drop earrings
Miguel Ases Totally Feminine Earrings Retail $400, Rental $50

 

silver, white and gold bracelet
Ciner Pave Arrow Bangle: Retail $340, Rental $45

 

silver square earrings
CC Skye Pave Stud Earrings Retail $150, Rental $25

 

bronze and silver drop earrings
Badgley Mischka Jewelry Grand Entrance Earrings Retail $225, Rental $25

 

blush pearl and bronze flower necklace
Sequin Enchanted Necklace Retail $150, Rental $15

If you are a guest at someone else's wedding and need a killer dress, or if you want your bridesmaids to wear fabulous dresses but don't want to break their banks, you can rent those too.

Rent the Runway will also make suggestions and put together looks for you. So if you are too stressed to shop online, just select an out fit and voila, you're done!

gray bridesmaid dress
Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti Cloudy Chiffon Dress Retail $1,125 Rental $150

 

pink bridesmaid dress
Rent this whole look for $80
Tibi Lipstick Summer Dress Retail $350, Rental $50
Sequin Flowerful Necklace Retail $150 Rental $15
Chamak Slice Bangle Set Retail $105, Rental $15

 

If you are a non-traditional kinda girl who wants a little color in her wedding, you can also rent a designer gown to walk down the aisle in. There is also a limited selection of white gowns. Or you can rent a reception dress for partying and dancing.

 

blush pink bridal gown
Nicole Miller Keyhole Goddess Gown Retail $630, Rental $100

 

rose colored grecian gown
Temperly London Romantic Grecian Gown: Retail $1,425 Rental $200

 

open back white gown
Yigal Azrouel Open Back Gown: Retail $1,410, Rental $200

 

off white mermaid gown
Nicole Miller Mermaid Gown Retail $620, Rental $100

 

short white reception party dress
Milly Metalic Bow Back Shift: Retail $475, Rental $75

You have to sign up for a free account to use the service. Then you can made selections according to occasion, color, designer, body type, price, or style.