As they say, your wedding is your day to shine. And brides on a budget deserve no less. Once again, a little bit of brainpower and frugal shopping can make you sparkle with the style and awe of a fairy tale princess. Here are a few ideas to help you look the part.

Are you faux real?
The question you have to ask yourself is this: can you tell the difference between quality faux jewelry and the real deal? Few people can. And when you're all dolled up from head to toe, looking like the queen on coronation night with a glowing radiance surrounding you, people are guaranteed not to notice whether your bridal jewelry is real or fake- all they’ll notice is the beautiful you.

Get creative
Another option is creating your own bridal jewelry masterpiece. Not only is this a fun project you can do anytime, even months before the wedding (a luxury most other venues like flowers or place cards will not allow), but you can design your own pieces and save hundreds of dollars on buying them at a jeweler. A site like this one offers the materials at a reasonable price, and step-by-step tutorials that teach you how to create fabulous works of art perfect for any type of wedding jewelry.

Bargain beauties
Shopping around online can also save you big time on bridal jewelry. I've seen necklaces that went for less than $15 made from real fresh water pearls, and genuine silver earrings for even less! Don't feel obligated to pay the astronomic prices that most stores are asking. There are other options.

Not all that glitters is gold
Consider jewelry with semiprecious stones that matches your wedding color. Semiprecious stones cost considerably less than the standard diamonds and using a colored stone can enrich your color scheme with more grandeur.

Alternative apparel
Instead of an expensive and elaborate tiara, choose to decorate your hair with non-traditional jewelry. Wear flowers for a youthful and fresh look, drape or weave strands of pearls or rhinestones into your hair for a regal flowing appearance, or braid satin ribbon for an angelic fairy tale image.

Vintage charm
The traditional "something old" needn't be hidden away or worn down. Wedding jewelry is one of the favorite items chosen for something borrowed or something old. What could be more sentimental than a pair of heirloom earrings that your grandmother wore walking down her aisle? Before declining an offer, see what a little polish can do. Maybe you will find a diamond in the rough.

When planning your perfect day, remember that the beauty of a bride is like the earth, best if left untampered with by man's hand. Let your natural beauty shine from within, you are a true princess.