If you can't find a perfect wedding gown, design it yourself.
That was what Abbey Ramirez-Bodley did when she couldn't find one in her budget. Taking matters into her own hands, she decided she'd design her own dream dress.
Having been inspired by a crocheted dress she spotted on another woman, the 22-year old decided that would be exactly the style she'd go with.
"I really fell in love with the idea," she told Mashable. "I decided to change it a bit and make it into my own ideal wedding dress."
So, for eight months, she embarked on a journey to design and crochet her own, using cotton yarn she purchased for $70. Her aunt -- who had taught her at a young age to crochet -- helped her. It took so long, she said, because the two live over two and a half hours away from each other.
"We could only work together on weekends," she said.
The result was a dress that was as beautiful as it was sentimental, with the new bride walking down the aisle in her own creation. She paired it together with a green dress for $100, the theme color for the wedding.
"Making something with your own hands out of love is very special on the most important day of your life," she said.
Her advice for others who want to create their own wedding gowns? "Do what you think is best and don't let anyone deter you.
"Start early and don't get frustrated," she said. "The outcome is worth all the work."