Today I’m happy to have one of Australia’s best known shopaholics- Kellie from Never Shopped Out. Kellie’s site is like an encyclopedia for Aussie shoppers. Never Shopped Out features a directory of online stores, discounts, a rundown of international shipping agents, Australian Etsy sellers, sale calendars and even a blog! Kellie joins Polka Dot Bride today to talk about her favourite online wedding finds!

As you can probably tell from Never Shopped Out, I love a good shop. So when my (then) boyfriend popped the question, I was pretty eager to start bridal shopping in all its many varied forms.

One of my plans of attack when it came to wedding shopping was to not limit myself JUST with bridal stores. There were a few reasons for this:

- Its common knowledge that the word ‘wedding’ can raise the price of things. And okay, I have heard that you shouldn’t tell suppliers it’s for a wedding but I have never understood how that works in practice. ‘Uh hello, yes I would like a white cake with a bride and groom on it for a christening please’?? And unfortunately, weddings are romantic, but debt is not.

- Particularly for my bridesmaid’s dresses, I was interested in a fairly non traditional look. Interestingly enough throughout my research I did discover that the stereotypical ‘bridesmaids’ style is NOT all you can find in a bridal store these days which was a lovely surprise, but I’m still glad I researched dresses in general.

Silk Winter Maxi by Honey & Beau from Gosh Celebrity Fashion

- It’s easy to get caught up in the whole wedding tizz and start to think that if you don’t have napkins of the exact shade of ecru then your wedding day will be ruined. Especially when certain rouge elements of the bridal industry start plying you with the pressure. Trust me, it won’t. Hell, we forget our reception speech, had a car crash occur during the ceremony and I dropped chocolate soufflé on my dress during dessert. And not one of these things ruined my day. By mixing up my bridal forays with non-wedding stores, I managed to hold my own and walk out with my head high when I started to feel pressured.

So please find below a selection of my favourite online non traditional bridal retailers that you can find some gorgeous dresses, shoes, accessories and the like for your wedding! And the best bit? They’re all Australian stores!

Dresses

Viva La Frock – http://www.vivalafrock.com.au/ Frocks for every occasion and style. (Never Shopped Out Members also receive an extra 15% off their order!)

Frockshop – http://www.frockshop.com.au/main.php?mod=Lobby if you’ve got the budget (or perhaps a small wedding party) Frockshop stocks an excellent array of Australian and international designer dresses. This is my favourite Australian site for droolworthy designs.

Gosh Celebrity Fashion - http://www.goshcelebrityfashion.com.au/ – Gosh Celebrity Fashion have just added a new section called Red Carpet fashion, where you can get the latest red carpet looks for a fraction of the price

Madaboochoo – http://www.madaboochoo.com.au/ plenty of cocktail and black tie dresses to check out

Mien Boutique - http://www.mienboutique.com.au/ - stocks the incredibly gorgeous designer Thurley which, in my humble opinion would make divine bridesmaids dresses. (Never Shopped Out Members also get an extra 10% off)

Cultured fresh water white pearl earrings from Roun

Accessories

Etsy.com – one of my all time favourites just plug in the colour or material type and site back and enjoy the huge range of gorgeous options you will be presented with!

Mico – Mico - http://www.mico-mico.com/ - beautiful range of accessories, many are celeb faves. (Never Shopped Out Members also get an extra 15% off)

Ella Bleau - http://www.ellableaujewellery.com.au/

Jenny Mills Jewellery - http://jennymillsjewellery.com.au/index.html

Roun - http://www.roun.com.au/

Shoes

Princess Chic - http://www.princesschic.com.au/ - check out the Princess Chic collection

Tony Bianco – http://www.tonybianco.com.au/ always has strappy sandals instore, Sign up for the Tony Bianco VIP Club for 10% off all purchases

Schiavi http://www.schiavi.com.au/ - stunning evening shoes made from Italian leather

Thanks Kellie for sharing your favourite shopping sites with Polka Dot Bride! You can find more of Kellie’s finds (and a whole lot more!) at her site Never Shopped Out

World renowned french jeweller, Cartier has some stunning designs just for brides!

Cartier’s Solitaire 1895 collection contains one of Cartier’s most popular rings (the Solitaire 1895 paved, pictured top left). Presented in the famous Cartier red box. The 1895 was designed in the year 1895 and created to allow as much light as possible in to show the diamond off.

Cartier’s history goes back to France in 1847. One of their most famous rings was a massive 69.42 carat diamond, called the ‘Cartier Burton-Taylor’ which Richard Burton gave to Elizabeth Taylor in 1969.

I love a big cocktail ring. There’s something special about wearing a red dress and popping on a big chunky turquoise rock onto your finger, or a simple black gown with a pop of an orange gem..

I love these ones from US Jewellery designer Georgie Designs. The wire wrapping creates an organic look and because they’re handmade, you can rest peacefully knowing you’re not going to run across many people with the same thing!

Round Amazonite Ring, Cape Amethyst Ring, Grey Swarovski Pearl Ring, Sterling Silver Rock Crystal Quartz Ring, Orange Calcite Ring, Dark Grey Swarovski Pearl Ring, Angelite Ring, Honey Jade Ring, Square Turquoise Ring, 14k Gold Filled Rock Crystal Quartz Ring, Bronzite and 14k Gold Filled Ring, 14k Gold Filled Cape Amethyst Ring

Georgie Designs are created by Robyn who started the business while raising her gorgeous baby girl. Robyn has a long interest in art- her first memories being face painting and creating puff paint tshirts!

Georgie Designs also offers a ‘Ring Of The Month’ club in 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions giving you a glorious design for your ring wardrobe every month!

Shipping to Australia starts at $10.

As usual I have been spending too much time on Etsy recently. Here are some of my favourite wedding finds

Piperewan Silk Flower Brooches (I bought the aqua one and it’s gorgeous!)

MewPaperArts Invitations

Mikiye Creations

Jammies are often worn during the wedding Journey while eating Jam and practicing the Jive in wedding Jewellery.

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Engagement Ring

Mandy wears her engagement ring as she prepares for her wedding

Ah! The (almost) essential wedding day bling! Normally switched to your right hand during the wedding ceremony, your engagement ring is put on your left hand after the ceremony after your wedding ring (with the romantic notion that the wedder is closer to your heart)

Which is closely followed by…..

Wedding Ring

Luba and Andrew show off their rings

The wedding ring is that one piece of jewellery that is essential to your wedding day!

Earrings

Bride Kerri wore simple princess cut sparkly earrings

From tiny pearl studs, to long shoulder dusters, earrings can be such an elegant feature. If accompanied by a necklace and tiara, perhaps choose smaller earrings. (too much of a good thing is always too much of a good thing!) If wearing no other jewellery- go all out and be ornate as you like!

Bracelet

Melissa chose a three strand pearl bracelet to accentuate her elegant style

Perfect to add as a little extra glitz if you’re staying simple with accessories. A thick, bold sparkling cuff can make a bold statement with a simple gown. Whereas classic pearls can scream old world glamour and looks beautiful with a more ornate lace gown.

Necklace

Erin wore a diamond star burst necklace borrowed from her fiance’s great grandmother

From an ornate choker to a simple beaded creation a necklace is a great way to make a feature of your décolletage. A bold necklace can suit a strapless gown or a simple strand of sparkle or pearls will add elegance and simplicity, allowing your gown to take centre stage. perhaps you could wear a necklace incorporating your birth stones, or like Erin, borrow a beautiful piece from someone special to add meaning to your wedding ensemble.

Watches

Longines Evidenza Watch

A watch is an unusual wedding accessory choice, but may be a lovely touch- especially if the watch is a family heirloom or has special meaning to you. Try going for a metal watch with a dainty feel rather than a heavy leather band watch.

Brooch

Jillian wore a pearl brooch on the waist of her wedding gown

A perfect way to bring attention to something you want to feature- on your dress or pinned into your hair a brooch can look modern or vintage, bold or feminine and dainty. For something different , the stones in your brooch could pick up colours of your bouquet or wedding colour palette.

Other Ways To Jewel It Up

• Dress Jewellery
• Hair Jewellery
• Anklets

Images courtesy brides.com, Project Wedding and theknot.com