DIY Bride™

Hi DIYers,

I wanted to pass along contest information from FNBO Direct, an internet bank.

Pay Yourself First is a challenge to encourage people from across the country to save money. We’re inviting prospective challengers to create and post a one-minute video on YouTube about what they’d like to save for — in your case — that dream wedding.

The first 500 entrants will receive a $10 gift card. The top 20 finalists will receive $500 in cash. And everyone who submits a video has a chance to win a portion of the more than $45,000 in cash and prizes including a free honeymoon on us!  More important, contestants will acquire money-saving tips they can carry with them long after the close of the challenge.

FNBO Direct will judge the video submissions and select five finalists — maybe even some of your readers — who will move on to participate in the actual six-month Challenge. If selected, America will watch them try to save as much as possible by depositing their money into an FNBO Direct Online Savings Account.

Participants have until July 31 to post their video on YouTube. In the meantime, visit www.pyfchallenge.com to check out video entries.

A friend of mine, the utterly fabulous Kim from Parisian Events, needs some help translating an article in Cosmo Bride China that she’s mentioned in. She’s giving away a gorgeous little notebook from Laduree to whomever can translate. Check the details here.

One of my favorite magazines, Pacific Weddings, is having a DIY contest! The winner will be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine and will receive a collection of design books.

Pop over to their blog for all of the contest details and check out the gorgeous inspiration and ideas they share.

If you’re not yet familiar with Pacific Weddings, go out and get a copy NOW. It is one of the most beautifully done mags on the market.

DIY devotee, Ann, needs some help with her hot air balloon themed wedding. I thought I’d turn this one over to you awesomely creative people.

… My fiance proposed to me on a hot air balloon last March.  We are trying to continue this by making the theme of the wedding hot air balloons.  My sister is a graphic designer and is making all of our stationary with a beautiful monogram/logo using a hot air balloon and our names.  We are getting married at a pretty formal reception hall, so we know that the decorations need to match the formality of the room.  We have been thinking of finding rice paper lanterns made to look like balloons.  We would light all of the lanterns with candles or battery operated lights.  I am having so much trouble finding plain or light blue rice paper balloon lanterns.  Any idea where I could get them  or any other ideas for centerpieces using that theme?
Thanks for your help!

Can you help Ann out with centerpieces, lantern sources, and other hot air balloon inspiration?

Hey DIYers,

As I finish up the DIY Cake Month over the next week or so, I’m going to start taking reader questions about July’s feature: multimedia weddings.

If you’re planning on – or curious about – using multimedia gadgets and elements in your wedding, I’d love to hear from you. I’ll be covering iPod weddings, DVD invitations, slide shows, personal wedding blogs/sites, automated rsvp services, CD favors and other nifty stuff. There will also be a couple of very exciting giveaways.

Please hit me up with your questions about any of the topics above or suggest one that isn’t on the list.

Thanks!

I was recently interviewed by the Associated Press for a piece about budget-saving tips. The article started running over the weekend and I thought it’d be fun to share with you. There are some excellent tips for all budgets within from such wedding gurus as Marcy Blum, David Tutera, and … me.

(Same article, different publishers)

• The Canadian Press
• Boston Herald
• Ithaca Journal
• Guelph Mercury
• Knoxville News Sentinel

Wedding debt and smart budgeting are among my favorite topics! Do check out some of the previous posts about wedding budgets I’ve done:

How To Recession-Proof Your Wedding

Avoid The Wedding Debt Trap #1

Avoid The Wedding Debt Trap #2