Whether you're a celebrity or not, one thing that rings true for everyone - all eyes are on the bride which means, it's all about the dress.  If you're planning a wedding on a budget, a true DIY girl and want to create your own gown, or just don't want a 'cookie cutter' dress, it's time to turn to the sewing pattern books and make your own design!  So how do you create a celebrity style wedding dress without breaking the bank?  Here's a few tips:

• Determine a style that works for you.  Just like ready-to-wear clothing, the design on a pattern envelope may look fantastic on the model, but when you try it on, it looks horrible!  Before you pick your pattern or tutorial, try on a few styles at a bridal shop to get an idea of what style look the most flattering.  It's also a good opportunity to check out fabrics and embellishments you may want to add to your finished gown.
• Wait for a sale.  Patterns, material, embellishments, and notions can be costly, especially when it comes to wedding gowns.  Most sewing centers will run periodical sales on 'the big 4' (Vogue, Butterick, McCall, and Simplicity) ranging from $.99 - $3.99 while other pattern lines can be purchased for 40% off the list price.  Signing up for newsletters and flyers is a good way to recieve coupons or discount codes that can be applied to costly fabrics. 
• Surf the web for free designs.  Many websites such as BurdaStyle, Craftster, Instructables, and Threadbanger have great tutorials on making your own design or how to restyle a purchased dress or formalwear. 
• Make a muslin.  It may be the most tedious part of your crafting, but it's definitely the most important.  Creating a mock-up of your dress in an inexpensive fabric allows you to make modifications that will have your dress fitting like a glove and keeps you from making costly mistakes with your bridal material.
• Start early.  Don't wait until the last minute to start work on your dress.  Sewing goes much smoother when you can sew slowly and you're not under the pressure of a deadline!
• Don't be afraid to ask for help.  At times you many find that you need need assistance pin fitting, hemming, adding embellishments, or just hit a technique that you're not familiar with.  This is when it's time to call in a friend, mom, or skilled seamstress to give you a hand.