I know it’s been terribly quiet around here lately and I wanted to give you an update.

There is much work going on behind the scenes at DIY Bride! In the coming weeks there will be some fundamental changes in how DIYBride operates. Our goal is to put more resources in your hands and to grow our offerings to better help you create the wedding of your dreams.

The new emphasis of DIYBride.com is on a community-based learning environment where you’ll be able to take online classes, attend workshops and seminars, and better connect with other couples, crafters, and wedding professionals. Our first classes will be:

• Invitations 101
• Intro to Printmaking
• Beaded  Jewelry

DIYBride’s blog is being revamped into more of an online magazine format so that we can present projects and planning information in the context of how they’d work in a real wedding. For example: instead of just giving you, say, a favor project, we’ll be presenting a whole theme around that favor idea. We’ll give you a collection of projects and advice with templates, how-to instructions, and other crafty wedding goodness each month that are related to a central theme or idea.

The downloads area will return. We’re adding a shop and classified ads area along with a vendor directory, video tutorials, and other nifty features to be announced soon.

This is the vision I’ve had of DIY Bride for many, many years now. My first real business plan for DIY in 2006 had many of the above elements but, for reasons too numerous to list, didn’t manifest until now. It’s exciting to see some of it finally coming to life and in ways that are much better than I had originally envisioned. The launch date is January 10.
Thanks for your continued support and patience while I continue chugging along with the coding and testing of the new site.

Wedding date: May 9, 2009

Wedding location: Peppermill Hotel Spa & Resort in Reno Nevada US

What made your wedding creative: Going with a specific theme such as an Old Hollywood Glam look, from  the  attire to decor, music and more. No one in any of our family weddings ever had a theme.

What projects you DIY’ed: My DIY projects consisted of; my bouquet, all the boutonnieres, corsages, pomanders, center pieces, invitations (all included, rsvps, envelopes etc), programs, veil, ring bearer pillow, favors, memorial poems/decor

What obstacles did you face in planning a DIY wedding? How did you overcome them?: The only real obstacle was the volume of crepe paper flowers that I needed for everything through out the wedding but that was graciously over comed by the support and help I received from my parents and sister. I showed them how to make the flowers then they took supplies home with them and helped me out ALOT!

Any other details that made your wedding special: The fact that some people actually got in to the dress up mode of the 1940s Old Hollywood Glam look for the wedding and the thing that ment the most to me was having my grandparents there with me…that was my biggest wish and I am so blessed and thankful to have had them there with me. They are the couple I admire the MOST in my life….TRUE LOVE!

… 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?