Hey Everyone,

I’ll be taking a few weeks off for a proper maternity leave in the coming month to spend time with my newborn baby boy. I’m looking for some guest bloggers to drop in and talk about DIY wedding-related topics, share inspiration boards, answer burning DIY/wedding questions, etc.

Please drop me a note at info AT diybride DOT com if you’re interested and let me  know what you want to use your post to talk about. My deadline for submissions is May 10th.

Thanks!

Grahpic Designers + Stationers,

DIYBride is seeking graphic designers for the launch of our online shop in Spring 2009. We will be offering download + print projects (invitations, programs, table numbers, favors, etc.) for sale in our boutique. If you are a graphic designer /stationery designer and would like more information, please contact me directly at khris at diybride dot com.

Hey DIYers,

DIY Bride is growing my leaps and bounds this year and I need your help!  I’m looking for a couple of swell new interns to assist with the everyday operations of the diybride.com site. There are two internship positions up for grabs: community crusader and editorial coordinator.

Both positions are unpaid BUT there is an opportunity to earn commissions on any advertising you bring to DIYBride.com. You’ll also be getting hands-on experience in the behind-the-scenes operations of a thriving online community and blog, mentoring in the weddings and crafts industries, and a chance to develop your writing, internet, and marketing skills.

I ask that interns make a commitment of 5 hours per week for a duration of 6 months.

About The Community Crusader

This internship puts you directly in contact with the DIY Bride forum members. As the Community Crusader you’re the spot person for moderating posts, helping members with basic wedding and forum queries, and engaging the members in conversation through posting fun and helpful topics.

The ideal candidate will have:

• experience participating in online forums
• knowledge of basic netiquette
• experience with wedding planning
• a dazzling personality: diplomatic, charming, engaging, fun, and super nice
• great writing skills
• hands-on experience with crafting

About The Editorial Coordinator

The ed co intern will be my go-to girl (or guy) for the DIY Bride blog. This position is responsible for posting content on the DIY Bride blog (mine, user submissions, and possibly your own), answering user comments, and doing some research.

The ideal candidate will have:

• excellent writing skills
• basic knowledge of html (experience with Wordpress is a plus)
• a dazzling personality: diplomatic, charming, engaging, fun, and super nice
• a keen eye for detail
• a genuine interest in weddings, wedding planning, crafts, and blogging
• superb googling skills

To Apply

If either position catches your fancy, please email me at khris at diybride dot com with the subject line “diybride internship application”.

In the body of your email, please include:

• which position you’re applying for
• your experience with writing, blogging, html, online communities
• are you married or currently planning a wedding
• any applicable training or skills
• what craft experience or expertise you have
• why you want this position and why I should pick you

Cheers,

Khris

Do you have seemingly insurmountable wedding problems? Need a helping hand? You’re in luck, my troubled friends! TLC is coming to the rescue of some deserving couples. Could you be one of them?

Here’s the scoop from the production team:

TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” is kicking off its third season with a one-hour special featuring unique and heartwarming wedding stories, and we need your help.  We’d like to hear your story and help you make your wedding exactly what you want.  Is your wedding date in the next one to three months?  Is your budget limiting what you’d really like to do, and you need help?  Are you dealing with a challenging situation or a crisis that is affecting your plans?  Has your venue fallen through and you’re scrambling to find a new one?  Have you found your dress?  Did you find one…but it’s not what you really want?  Have you picked out your rings, or are you trying to do something special and different with them but don’t know where to start?  Having trouble locking in all the last-minute details?

Would you love for a family member or friend to be part of your day, but they can’t afford to travel?  Are you and your fiance and/or family far apart and you’re doing all the planning yourself?  Are you eloping…but you secretly want your family to be there too?   Are you already married but would like to renew your vows?  Want to get married in NYC and need a dress, rings and venue–and you want to do it as soon as possible?

These are just some of the stories we’d like to tell.  What’s yours?  Is there something special or different about you or your relationship that you’d like to share?  Send us your story at sayyesspecial@yahoo.com.  You can also apply for the regular show or the special via the Kleinfelds website at http://www.kleinfeldbridal.com/tlc/index.cfm (indicate that you are applying for the “ONE-HOUR SPECIAL” in the special circumstances portion of the application).

[Note: Please do not contact DIYBride about details for this program. I am not involved in casting. I am only the messenger here. Questions may be directed to the email address and URL above. Thank you!]

[See edits below for an example]

Hmmm … it’s been several weeks since I’ve given out a copy of The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects For Your Ultimate One-Of-A-Kind Wedding, hasn’t it? Since I have a few left in my stash and I need to make room for all of the baby stuff rolling in, I’m thinking it’s the perfect time for a contest!

This one is going to put your creativity to the test. Think of it as a warm-up for all of the crafty, creative thinking you’ll be doing in preparation for your wedding.

The Scoop:

Since the economy and wedding budgets are very much in focus right now, I’m asking that anyone who wishes to have a chance to win a copy of the book submit an inspiration board with the theme of The Under $500 Bridal Ensemble. Each person who submits a board that fits the theme will be entered in the running to receive a copy of the book.

How To Enter:

Submit an inspiration board that contains the following:

• bridal gown
• veil/headpiece/tiara/hair accessories
• shoes
• jewelry/other accessories

When combined, the total cost of all of the pieces of the ensemble must be less than $500. All pieces must be new (no vintage, second hand, clearance/sales, or consignment). Entries must include links to the products and list the prices to qualify. Please send to info AT diybride DOT com.

Oh! Please send entries in .gif, .jpg, .png, or .tiff format. Gracias!

Deadline:

Submissions must be in by the end of day on November 17th. Winner will be chosen via a random drawing on November 21st.

EDIT: Here’s a quickie example I threw together to give you an idea of what I’m looking for.

Dress: Mocha Ruffle
$125.00
SarahSeven http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_7&listing_id=15887335

Hair Piece “LAUREN” (custom design)
$85.00
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_2&listing_id=16624348

Two Lips Shoes “Gorgeous”
$86.00
http://zeta.zappos.com/product/7413030/color/552

Classic Pearl and Topaz Earrings from Peggy Li
$49.00
http://www.peggyli.com/clpeandcrea.html

Total Ensemble Cost: $345.00

**I ask that only brides-to-be (and grooms, too) enter the contest, please. Since they’re the ones in the most need of the info & inspiration in the book, I strongly feel they’re the ones who should have the opportunity to win a copy. Thanks for your understanding!**

Hi everyone!

One of my favorite blogs, Elizabeth Anne Designs, has just announced that November is DIY Month at their site. They’ve put out a call for projects and will be awarding prizes for the most creative submissions. How fun!

Do check out the official announcement here.

Hey DIYers,

I need some help! Due to a difficult first trimester and the stress of writing a new book, I’m in a whole world of overwhelm right now.

I’d love to bring on some guest bloggers over the next few months to fill in for me when I need to be away. This is a great opportunity to get in touch with the DIY community, share ideas & resources, and have some fun.

If you’re interested, please contact me and I’ll send you more details.

Thanks!

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.

[Edited 03 November, 2008 to add: Please do not leave comments to this post or email me regarding the contest. I am not David Tutera or WE TV nor am I associated with the production of the program. I am not holding this casting call nor do I have any influence on who is chosen. David nor the producers check this site for submissions. Please READ THE ENTIRE POST and contact the appropriate people (clearly listed in the directions below) and do note that the deadline was May 16, 2008. Thank you.][Edited 12/01/08 to add: Any emails sent to DIY Bride regarding this contest or addressed to David will be immediately deleted. I can't make this any clearer, folks.]

Are you uninspired? Totally planned out? Overwhelmed? Don’t worry, my friends. WE TV and celebrity planner David Tutera are coming to the rescue of lucky NYC-area couples.

Here’s the scoop:

LET CELEBRITY WEDDING PLANNER DAVID TUTERA ENHANCE YOUR WEDDING ON WE TV!

Making your dream wedding a reality can be almost impossible. And if you or someone you know is getting married THIS SUMMER, then there’s very little time left to make that dream come true. That’s why “My Fair Wedding,” the newest lifestyle show from the Women’s Entertainment Network, is offering a few lucky brides a chance to have celebrity wedding planner David Tutera ENHANCE and UPGRADE their weddings before it’s too late!

In 2006, Modern Bride Magazine honored David as one of the Top 25 Trendsetters of The Year. With a few thousand dollars and his extensive knowledge and skill, David Tutera can bring some last-minute elegance to your fast-approaching nuptials.

If you or someone you know has spent months planning that dream wedding, and something STILL isn’t quite right, contact our producers TODAY! Email Wedding@pilgrimfilms.tv with the wedding date, a picture of the bride and why she needs David’s help! Weddings should take place within an hour of New York City in July or August, 2008!

The application deadline is May 16th.

Good luck! (And do let me know if you’re chosen!)