{Advice & Inspiration} BHLDN on a budget

Anthropologie's wedding specialty store, BHLDN is a fantastic place to find wedding inspiration. And pretty products. And all the little details that you think you need, but that are sure to put you over budget.

I've almost succumbed to the temptation. During their last sale, I tried to justify spending almost my entire wedding lingerie budget on just one pair of panties from them. (Thank goodness my logic caught up with my imagination, 'cause this girl needs a nice long-line brassiere for her big day.)

And then there was the time when I really wanted those pretty striped yellow paper straws from them. I just didn't know how my guests were going to manage sipping their San Pellegrinos without those straws.

Do not fear, though! So many of the pretty things (including those irresistible paper straws) can be found from other sources for much, MUCH less.

Paper Straws
BHLDN - $6 for 25 ($0.24 per straw)
Amazon  (Green Party Goods) - $16 for 144 ($0.11 per straw)

Bakers Twine
BHLDN - $20 for 140 yards ($0.14 per yard)
Etsy (Bella Creationz) - $9 for 160 yards ($0.06 per yard)

Bird Cake Topper
BHLDN $298
Etsy (Brittania Drew) $75

Handmade Weddings Book (probably THE best DIY wedding book on the market!)
BHLDN - $25
Amazon - $14 new, $12 used

And then there are a few BHLDN products you can DIY.

Like these paper fans ($18 for 10), which you can DIY using this tutorial from Ruffled.

See, ladies and gents, pretty things don't have to be expensive! :) So resist the temptation, and remedy your angst by buying for less.