FRUGAL FIANCÉE: All Hail Princess Kate!

So the dust has had a bit of time to settle and mostly the reviews are positive about Kate's dress and overall style. I wasn't kidding when I said that as go princesses, so goes bridal fashion. Grace Kelly was a style icon of her time and Princess Kate is bringing that impeccable elegance back.

The lace on the dress isn't matronly, its delicate and even adds a bit of sexiness to the dress but still in a way that makes it appropriate for the occasion and stature of the event.

The train I think was necessary ( if you are getting married in Westminster Abbey, you need a train) but I liked that it didn't extend all the way to the back of the Cathedral. Her sister Pippa has been getting quite the buzz too (pictured above holding the train). Pippa looked beautiful in her white dress, though I'm not sure if an all white bridal party trend will make it to the U.S.

If you want a dress like hers, the above is a great option from White by Vera Wang. It's not a one-of-a-kind, but it has a similar feel. I cant wait to see more dresses like it.

Made By: White by Vera Wang for David's Bridal

Price: $1300

BUY IT

All in all, I'm excited to see what Princess Kate will influence in fashion generally, and, as a fellow 2011 Bride I say: Best Wishes!

FRUGAL FIANCÉE: Princess Catherine.

She looks effortlessly stunning! I love the Grace Kelly inspired dress and doesn't she look a tad like Audrey Hepburn? I can't wait for this trend to continue, as princesses so, so goes bridal fashion!

FRUGAL FIANCÉE: Crown Jewels.

So much about the Royal Wedding has been speculated about and we'll find out tomorrow morning if we were all wrong, so I'm not going to make any dress predictions. However the word on the street is Kate will borrow a tiara from Queen Elizabeth for the wedding.

Above is the tiara worn by (from left to right), Queen Mary, the Queen Mum, Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Anne. Now, Kate is a real princess and so gets to wear a tiara down the aisle. Us common folk, however, can look a bit silly in a wedding tiara, and the trends have moved decidedly away from donning such princess headware and towards flowers and hair fascinators.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and, just in case you don't see it anywhere else (impossible), I'll post pics of Kate's dress and outfit tomorrow morning!

FRUGAL FIANCÉE: Royally Generous

Opting for donations in your name instead of a traditional registry is a great way to honor the causes you care about. It is also seen as a pretty classy thing to do if you are already well-off and don't need any more housewares; I'm pretty sure Kate and Wills qualify in that category.

Also, I'm debating whether or not I should get up at 4 a.m. to blog about it live and since I'm on the fence, I leave it to you, readers. If enough of you want me to get up and blog it for you, I will, just let me know in the comments! (Let's say 10 people demanding this coverage is "enough.")

FRUGAL FIANCÉE: You're On Sapphire.

Man that is a big rock!Kate Middelton is not the first to don a sapphire engagement ring, in fact she's not even the first to don HER sapphire engagement ring, and this once-old trend is new again as many brides-to-be are choosing not to have a diamond solitaire as their engagement ring.

I am totally biased because I have a sapphire engagement ring and I had it before Kate sparked the whole new rage. I love that it is (was?) more individual and reflects my personality better than a diamond would. If you want to rock a gemstone, sapphire is a great way to go and will be significantly cheaper than a diamond of equal size and quality, but can still be elegant.

BUY ONE

FRUGAL FIANCÉE: Royal Icing.

Welcome to Royal Wedding Week! Seeing as there is expected to be more than one billion (with a "b") viewers of this event, I'll be posting this week about the Royal Wedding and themes you can take from their wedding to yours.

Has Dunkin' Donuts ever made a special donut for you? I doubt it; but they have made the above donut in honor of the Royal Wedding this week! From the company's press release: "The heart signifies the love between Prince William and Catherine, and the donut is filled with jelly to represent how their lives are to be ever-filled with happiness. The white frosting is reminiscent of the traditional white wedding gown, and the chocolate drizzle is symbolic of William’s love for chocolate."

Donuts are becoming a wedding trend in general, giving the "cupcake" idea a run for its money. If you are going to serve donuts at your reception i'd shy away from the desire to stack them up as a tiered wedding cake (it might not come out the way you pictured it), and find some cute boxes or trays to display them in.

EAT IT