DIY Bride™

One of my favorite wedding resources, Southern Weddings, just launched their first print edition and it’s gorgeous! Available at newsstands viat http://www.swsmag.net/, I highly recommend picking up a copy no matter what your geographical location is.

Head’s up, plus-size brides. Lane Bryant, who launched their bridal line in 2006, has discontinued their wedding gowns. According to http://www.lanebryant.com/pagebuilder/bridal_dresses, they announced that they’d no longer carry bridal wear “soon”. Clicking on the dresses, it doens’t look like any are available for order. That’s a shame. They had simple, elegant gowns at reasonable prices.

Though I’ve proclaimed it here before, I have a slavish devotion to Etsy. (But, really, who doesn’t?) It is a wonderland of handcrafted goodness. It’s sellers are among the most crafty, creative, and talented group of people on this planet.

When the fine folks at Etsy asked me to participate in their Handmade Weddings feature I said “Heck yeah!”.   (My article on dispelling DIY/Handmade wedding myths is coming up later in the series.) I’m lucky to be participating with the likes of some amazing bloggers such as design*sponge, Sweet Sassafras,  Style Me Pretty, Port Overt, indie Fixx, EtsyWedding.blogspot.com, BurdaStyle, Poppytalk, Cupcake blog, Stitch Lounge, Decor8, VintagePosh…

Get yourself over to The Storque at Etsy for the Handmade Weddings Series to check out the wonderful articles, products, and inspiration.

Set your TiVos, VCRs, or just cuddle up in front of the TV tomorrow morning. Martha Stewart is showing a special wedding episode this Friday, January 18. (Check local listings for exact show times in your area.)

Featured:

• Kings of glamour, Badgley Mischka, are showcasing their gorgeous gowns for brides and maids.
• Learn how to select the perfect cake and dessert options with Martha and cake goddess Wendy Kromer.
•  Weddings guru and editorial director Darcy Miller is presenting some of the best “Good Things” for every aspect of your wedding day.

Oh my, oh my. Real Simple, one of my favorite magazines in the whole wide world, has introduced a wedding magazine!

Preview copies of Real Simple weddings are available, beginning today, at Crate and Barrel stores (both brick ‘n’ mortar and online). I’ll be picking up a copy tomorrow.

The deets from C & B:

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Starting from your engagement, Real Simple Weddings acts as your trusted attendant, guiding you through everything from your budget to your bouquet toss. Unlike other how-to guides, Real Simple Weddings forgoes the intricacies of overdone nuptials, providing only stylish, streamlined approaches to the key elements of your big day—the gown, the flowers, the cake, the reception. With surprising ideas for centerpieces, favors, and stress-reducers, as well as all-inclusive checklists and organizational tools, Real Simple Weddings is the only resource you need to achieve the day of your dreams.

[Edited 12 March, 2008 to add: Please note that DIY Bride is NOT affiliated with Real Simple Weddings. We do not sell or distribute Real Simple Weddings Magazine. Please contact Real Simple, your local bookstore or Crate & Barrel to obtain a copy or to get more info. Thank you.]

Last month I blogged about the launch of the online television show Bride-O-Rama. Well, they’ve released a new episode this week and it’s just as cool as the first. This episode is from Melanie and Saul, a fun New York couple.

What I love about this episode are the personal touches, especially those incorporating their families into the celebration. Melanie and Saul used heirloom rings and drinking cup and Melanie wore a gown chosen by her recently-passed grandma. I was really touched by that.

You can watch the episode below or go directly to Bride-O-Rama.

Oh my, oh my! Preston Bailey, High Priest of Wedding Goodness, has launched his very own blog. I am so excited about this, I can’t stand it.

A big thanks to Weddingbee for getting the word out. {hi, bees!}

I’ve mentioned my slavish devotion to Martha before, right? I really love MS Living. I think Blueprint is becoming something wonderful. I though MS Kids was awesome and it was taken away far too soon. The MS line of craft products is a favorite. And then there’s Martha Stewart Weddings…

I love – and I do mean love – Martha Stewart Weddings. I think it’s one of the best wedding magazines for do-it-yourselfers. The projects are always done well, beautifully styled, and they’re within the reach of most crafters. When I think of all the trends in the US bridal community, I can trace a fair number of them to an issue of MS Weddings. Many of you are probably having some Martha-inspired element in your wedding.

My own wedding had a project from a Weddings issue from ‘98 or ‘99, I think. It was cute curvy favor box. (We gave beautiful petits fours as favors in the boxes that were made from vellum.)

So, imagine my delight when I saw that Martha Stewart Weddings editrix, Darcy Miller, had a blog at MSLO. Yay! It’s about time!

Do check out the Martha Stewart Weddings blog, The Bride’s Guide.

A few weeks ago, Lindsey, emailed me with an introduction to and preview of a new site she’s a part of by the name of BrideORama. I am excited to share the site with you today, now that it’s officially been launched and made available to the public.

BrideORamais web tv for the bridal community. It’s about real weddings with advice from real brides who are smart, creative, and fun. Add in a dose of hot industry experts and you’ve got a winning combination that’s both entertaining and helpful.

I’m looking forward to watching each new wedisode and am so glad to see something like this made available to the wedding community.

For all of our US residents, the postage rates increase (and decrease) today. Some of the rules are also changing, so head’s up!

• The standard first class letter rate is going from $0.39 to $0.41 for less than 2 ounces. Every additional ounce is $0.17. (Most pocketfold and invites with a lot of inclusions fall into the 2 – 3 ounce category.)
• Postcards are now $0.26.
• Be extra-careful about the size (dimensions) and shape of your envelopes! The USPS allows your letter-size mail to be 1/4″ thick. Anything thicker may be subject to rates for parcels.
• Square envelope users, watch out! Square envelopes are subject to extra handling fees.
• Anything non-machineable or that needs to be hand-cancelled will be subject to an extra fee, too.

Check out the USPS for more complete information.

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