The Budget Babe

The Budget Babe has a few pet peeves when it comes to fashion (OK, maybe more than a few), and topping that list are boring people who refuse to get dolled up for special occasions. You could be at a black-tie wedding at the Ritz or a casual ceremony on the beach, yet there they are, those fashion fuddy-duddies wearing the same ol' black pants or the same ol' black dress, and carrying the same ol' black purse that they carry to work every day. Don't they just bring you down?

Perhaps you are guilty of being a lazy party-goer yourself. If so, what's your excuse? Do you not have the time to purchase a cute outfit? Do you not have the money? Are you waiting to lose 15 pounds before you slip on a dress? Or are you just clueless when it comes to dressing up?

Lest we sound harsh, the truth is that we believe dressing up is all about having fun, being creative and expressing yourself. There's no right or wrong way to do it, really. What's more, you'll be fulfilling an obligation (that's right, an obligation) to look good for your party's host as well as the other revelers. And when you dress up, you look and feel sexier and end up having more fun (it's basic psychology!).

So if you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, know that help is just a click away. These days, you can find nifty online resources designed to make picking the perfect outfit for a wedding a breeze!

Here are some sites that will help you coordinate a fabulous outfit for your next fête:

Newport-news.com: The "What to Wear to a Wedding" section on Newport-news.com gives you head-to-toe options for every type of wedding, from a daytime garden party to an evening soiree. We're smitten by their "beachside bliss" ensembles, and recommend the tie-neck halter dress in mosaic blue for only $49!

Spiegel.com: Spiegel's stylists have you covered for your next wedding, whether you're dressing for a country club affair or downtown gala. We love their "city club" look, which features everything you need to create a perfect formal wedding ensemble, from the dress and shoes to the right jewelry and clutch—it's like having your very own personal shopper!

Target.com: If Target only comes to mind when you need cat food and paper towels, you need to start thinking outside the box. Target has amazing formal wear options, and with can't-beat-'em prices, you can afford to take some style risks, get creative, and have fun with your next wedding outfit! Plus, their dress shop online puts everything you need at your fingertips. Shop by occasion, style, silhouette, brand and more. We love their selection of little black dresses—we having absolutely nothing against the LBD, we just ask that you put a little effort into picking accessories to go with it!