Bride On A Budget

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It's wedding season and let's face it most of us do not have Melania Trump's budget to plan a wedding. And what if you've decided to forgo spending full price on a dreamy Vera Wang or Monique L'Huillier? (Because a down payment on your house with your soon-to-be husband is far more priority) The trick is to spend only a fraction of those designer wedding gown prices. It may seem impossible but yes, you can be a princess for a day on a budget.

Retail chains such as J.Crew, Ann Taylor and even plus-size retail chain Lane Bryant all offer affordable simple yet elegant styles. Discount retailer Filene's Basement have annual wedding dress sales that are so great they've caused quite a stir for their basement bottom prices. So don't fret, there are options. Here are some additional tips:

Custom
Once you've narrowed down to several styles or "the one" go to your local tailor or wedding seamstress. Keep in mind that custom orders can take an average of three to six months so start researching styles as soon as you set the date. If you order online you still have to take it to your tailor or seamstress afterwards for final alterations. Fittings, selecting fabric and constant changes to detail takes time. Remember, don't forget a sales contract that includes the size and custom requires one-third to half of total cost as down payment.

Beaded Satin A-line, $399, davidsbridal.com

Rent
Men rent their tuxes so why not rent your dress? This has been a secret trick for many for the last couple of years. Especially for those who feel they have no use for it after the special day. Check bridal shops in your surrounding area and online for selections. Also, bagborroworsteal.com rents red carpet-worthy wedding jewelry from the top jewelers in the business.

Used
This may sound gross or icky to some but it works for many. Even more so to those who have worn their mother's dress. Be very open minded, especially if you have a vintage feeling in mind. Web addicts should go to eBay, Craigslist and Amazon. Just be sure to search and ask thoroughly for stains and damage. Your local seamstress can alter the find up to two sizes.

Isaac Mizrahi Tulle Princess Dress, $90.99. target.com

Bridesmaid or Prom
My niece wore a tulle princess-style wedding gown type of dress to her prom. The shop where she purchased said many women also bought bridesmaid dresses as an option as well. So be very openminded when you consider shopping on a budget.

Ann Taylor "Jacqueline" Silk Beaded Gown, $540 (sale) Anntaylor.com

J.Crew Silk "Rebecca" Long Dress, $350, jcrew.com

Lane Bryant V-Neck Drape Front Gown, $149, lanebryant.com

Famous Black Couples

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    Certainly marriage is not always a walk in the park, but for Usher Raymond and Tameka Foster, there was high drama before the wedding. Yet, against the odds, the May-December relationship,who wed in August 2007 (he 29,she 36) seems to show no signs of fatigue. Last November, they welcomed their son, Usher Raymond V into the world. (Photo by Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com)

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    11 LisaRaye & Michael Misick
    No need to pester Disney for a Black princess -- we've got a real live one from the South Side of Chicago. Who cares that actress LisaRaye McCoy became the First Lady of Turks & Caicos, when she married the Premier of the island nation? Details, details. Princess! The two were wed in a lavish event in 2006. (Photo by Rick Diamond, WireImage.com)

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    10 Martin Luther & Coretta Scott King
    The truth of it is that a young preacher from Atlanta finds his lovely lady in wait from Alabama and they marry in 1953. The fact that they came to change the world was icing on the cake. Theirs was a union that must have been tested -- bombed homes, great separations, four children to feed. Through it all they were the epitome of courage and dignity. In this 1956 photo, a young Martin is welcomed with a kiss by Coretta after leaving court in Montgomery.(Photo by Gene Herrick, AP Photo)

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    9 Nas & Kelis
    Talk about a ride or die chick. If your man takes a controversial stand, why not you too???? And so Nasir and Kelis Jones came to the 50th Annual Grammy Awards with the N-Word spilled all over them like Hennessy. This also just happens to be the name of Nas' next album. The eccentric singer and critically acclaimed rapper have been married since 2005. (Photo by Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com)

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    3 Barack & Michelle Obama
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