This photo is of Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen, who wore a silver ribbon as a headband to the white party.  One way to get this look yourself is by using a metallic silver mesh ribbon. Visit M&J Trimming for more info!

Easy Ribbon Headbands

Click here for the tutorial at Altered Cloth.

All you need is some ribbon and ponytail elastics!

Elaborate Bridesmaid Headbands

Click here for the tutorial from Once Wed. For these headbands, you’ll need ribbon, 2 types of trims, elastic, needle & thread, and a hot glue gun.

Double Leather Cord Headbands

The headband in the photo below, from Anthropology, grabbed the attention of Forever Chic, and she decided to make one herself, using some leather cords she cut off a vintage dress, and a couple ponytail bands! See how she did it here!

Embellishing a Colored Headband

The instruction from a headband class at M&J Trimming led participants like the neon tea party and friends to create all sorts of headbands, from glamorous to funky. You start with a store-bought headband, then use your imagination and a glue gun to add ribbons, flowers, and other any other embellishments you fancy. Viola!

1950′s Polka Dot Hairband

Here’s a super cute headband made by Rascal Kosher on the Crafster community board. You can make your own using ribbon with an elastic band and a button in the back. She used the Crafster Book tutorial, but looks simple enough that you can figure out how to DIY!

DIY Marc Jabobs Headbands

Here’s a gorgeous, glimmering headband fashioned after the  headbands at Marc Jacobs. You’ll need some netted metallic fabric, flat-backed rhinestones, and super glue. Take a look at the tutorial here at Fashionista!

I still get messages from The Knot, despite the fact that my wedding is over and they are trying to nudge me into The Nest.

Here’s today’s depressing insight into the Wedding Industrial Complex:

“Congratulations! Now that you’ve tied the knot, we want to hear all about it. Your style, your colors, the size of your bridal party — fill us in! Take a few moments and share the details of your special day with us!”

Don’t get me wrong. The Knot is a useful resource in several different ways, but this preoccupation with the style and colors of a wedding detracts from what a wedding is really about. I wish they had asked: Now that you’ve tied the knot, we want to hear all about it. How you fostered community and connection, how you chose to express your commitment, and how much fun you had with your nearest and dearest — fill us in!

I know it’s hard when you’re immersed in the wedding planning process, but it is so important to stay grounded in what a wedding is really about. If we lose sight of that, we’re at risk for turning into robotic brides like the one featured in the sticker above on a package to my friend (Editor’s Note: You can purchase your own facetious bridal stickers at the Dollar Store.) I still get messages from The Knot, despite the fact that my wedding is over and they are trying to nudge me into The Nest.

Here’s today’s depressing insight into the Wedding Industrial Complex:

“Congratulations! Now that you’ve tied the knot, we want to hear all about it. Your style, your colors, the size of your bridal party — fill us in! Take a few moments and share the details of your special day with us!”

Don’t get me wrong. The Knot is a useful resource in several different ways, but this preoccupation with the style and colors of a wedding detracts from what a wedding is really about. I wish they had asked: Now that you’ve tied the knot, we want to hear all about it. How you fostered community and connection, how you chose to express your commitment, and how much fun you had with your nearest and dearest — fill us in!

I know it’s hard when you’re immersed in the wedding planning process, but it is so important to stay grounded in what a wedding is really about. If we lose sight of that, we’re at risk for turning into robotic brides like the one featured in the sticker above on a package to my friend (Editor’s Note: You can purchase your own facetious bridal stickers at the Dollar Store.)

Along the same lines, a post I saw on Manolo Brides called “Letting Go of Perfect.” Twistie’s words of wisdom are: Forget Perfect! “Shoot for elegant or fun or meaningful. Not only are all three of those things possible, they’re the sort of words people are going to use anyway.  Besides, you’re the only one who will ever notice whether or not the martinis perfectly match the bridesmaid’s dresses.”

She contrasts two different brides from an episode of Whose Wedding Is It, Anyway? The first bride (groom didn’t have much to say about the planning) wanted the perfect wedding.  She was obsessed with purple and everything had to be the exact, perfect shade of purple. On her wedding day she was a nervous wreck who burst into tears about everything, and then worried that the tears would ruin her make up. The second couple were delighted by everything their planner did and at their wedding lived totally in the moment. “They were relaxed, gracious, and having a hell of a good time.”

You can read the whole entry at Manolo. I suggest you do. Because, really, which bride do YOU want to be??

Gorgeous bridesmaid photo compliments of The Knot, of course! You gotta love those wedding photos even if you don’t have money like that to spend!