HaDO: Refurbished Gifts To Wedding Party?

::::: Help a DIYer Out is a regular column where you, our dear readers, may ask our community for their help or opinions on wedding or craft-related issues that are important to you. :::::

Caitlin is asking for opinions on this interesting dilemma:

My DF and I want to give our small wedding party e-readers as thank you gifts. We recently found $99 e-readers on a shopping site and thought PERFECT! but they (the e-readers) are refurbished. Is it tacky to give a refurbished item as a gift? They come with a 90-day warranty and are supposed to be as good as new.

What do you guys think? Yay or nay on refurb tech gadgets for gifts?



DIY Bride Is Hiring

DIY Bride Is Hiring! Ad sales professionals, DIY Bride has a contract position open on our team. If you have sales experience and strong relationship building skills, we’d love to hear from you! Experience with MS Excel, a home office, and availability during normal business hours (M – F 9am – 5pm in any US time zone)  are essential. This is a commission-based position. Instructors, as we expand our online learning center in 2011, DIY Bride is seeking wedding and craft professionals to create online/virtual classes and workshops in all areas of wedding planning and wedding-related crafting. Compensation is on a revenue-share basis. For more information or to submit your resume, please email hello {at} diybride {dot} com or use the handy-dandy contact form.



DIY Bride Directory

Happy Almost 2011! With the upcoming changes to the site, DIY Bride will be launching a vendor directory. If you have a wedding or wedding-craft related business, we invite you to apply for a spot. The vendor directory listings are paid placements; however, we do offer a variety of options to fit most budgets. We love small, independent businesses! For more information, please contact us (below) for the scoop. All the best, The DIY Bride Team [contact-form 3 "vendor directory"]



Changes Are Coming!

Happy Holidays, DIYers!

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.



DIY Bride: The BookAZine

Hey, DIY Bride Fans!
My publishers have released the first DIY Bride “bookazine”, a magazine-formatted version of select projects from the first DIY Bride book.  It’s available at your favorite newsstand or from http://www.tauntonstore.com/diy-bride-034014.html for the low, low price of $8.99.  Sweet!

034014 1 1 DIY Bride: The BookAZineThe 124 page bookazine details:

The perfect companion for every wedding day. Planning a wedding is an intensely personal experience. DIY Bride shows today’s brides how to make their Big Day really theirs — a true expression of their personality … and truly unforgettable. It’s the must-have guide for making any wedding stand out.

Something for every crafting skill level and budget. This special issue shows brides of all crafting abilities how to make unique, inexpensive, and fun projects with the kind of custom touches that make guests notice — and remember.

Save the Dates to the Big Day — all with a personal stamp. From homemade engagement announcements to one-of-a-kind place cards and memorable favors, it’s packed with projects any bride can easily adapt to her own personal style.

Easy-to-follow steps from start to … all the way down the aisle. With simple, step-by-step instructions and inspiring photographs, DIY Bride helps brides create elegant projects with their own distinctive touch to make their dream wedding come true.



Steals + Deals

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are almost upon us! Though most of the hullabaloo is about Christmas items, savvy shoppers can score great wedding and wedding-craft related bargains during this time of year. Here’s our Wednesday roundup of deals and discounts from our advertisers and affiliates to help you save some of your hard earned cash:

David’s Bridal: Shoppers can get 10% Off ALL Orders, Spend 150+ Save 15% on Entire Order, Spend $200+ Save 20% on Entire Order. Plus, shoppers can enjoy FREE Shipping on ALL Orders of $200 or More. This offer is VALID 11/24 – 11/29!
Save Up To 20% On Your Entire Order + Free Shipping Available! Valid 11/24 – 11/29/10  Steals + Deals


Vista Print
: Get FREE SHIPPING and SAVE 25% OFF Sitewide at Vistaprint! Steals + Deals

Adobe Photoshop Elements (we’ll be using this in some upcoming online classes, btw): Save $50 on Adobe Photoshop Elements 9
* Adobe North America Commercial Store only
* “>Photoshop Elements 9 only US$49.99 after $30 instant discount plus $20 mail-in rebate.
* Valid November 24, 2010 – November 30, 2010
* PROMO CODE: SAVE2010

Nine West : Up to 50% off select styles at Nine West Steals + Deals

eDressMe: Black Friday Blowout Sale at eDressMe.com! $25, $50, $75, $100 Designer Dresses All 90% Off

 Steals + Deals
[Black Friday]

Fabric.Com: Save 25% off purchases of $75-$149.99 at Fabric.com with code “THANKS25″! Offer valid through 11/29/10. Steals + Deals [Through 11/29]

Adorn: Save 20% on Diamond Jewelry Rental + FREE Shipping from Adorn.com. Coupon Code: 20FREESHIP (not applicable on sale items) Steals + Deals

Macy’s: (Did you know they carry wedding gowns online? Brilliant.) Get an extra 25% Off (10% electrics) at the Friends and Family sale at macys.com (Free Shipping when you spend $99 or more) Enter promo code:MACYSFF at checkout. Valid 11-30-2010 through 12-06-2010 Steals + Deals
[11/30 - 12/06]

Benefit Cosmetics: Cyber Monday, November 29th only at Benefit Cosmetics! Get 20% off top rated pics from Annie & Maggie. Enter FORDPICS at check out. Offer valid 11.29.10. Steals + Deals [Cyber Monday]

BeauCoup.Com: Save 10% when you spend $99.00 or save 15% when you spend $199. [Black Friday]



Angela + Bryan

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Ohio couple Angela and Bryan wanted a simple, low-key beach wedding. With a little creativity and some good-old DIY handwork, they created a lovely romantic destination wedding – on a budget.

In The Photographer’s Words: They came to Myrtle Beach SC, married on the beach and had a small reception at the Prince Resort Hotel where they stayed. On a budget, they decided to do the details themselves. Rather than chairs for the ceremony, she had beach towels in her colors, embroidered with their names and date. She made her programs from card-stock, glued to popsicle sticks, tied with ribbon and stuck into the sand. Thank-you favors were votives filled with seashells and blue gel. Her beach aisle, was lined in seashells and flowers. This was a low key but very romantic wedding. The couple was relaxed, fun and really enjoyed their day.

 

 ::::: Details :::::

Couple’s Names: Angela + Bryan

Wedding Date: 04/30/2010

Country: United States

Location: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Photographer: Brooke Christl Photography R

eception Venue: Prince Resort

Ceremony Location: Cherry Grove Pier





Read More»

Tiffany + Trae

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One of the biggest decisions in one’s wedding is, oddly, choosing a theme or color scheme. Nearly every design-related decision – from the invitations to the table linens to the boutonnieres to the bridemaids’ gowns – is based on the colors you commit to in the early stages of planning. I adore couples that get a bit daring with their color choices, stepping outside of the “safe” wedding palettes to create a color story all their own. Like Tiffany and Trae who’ve expertly combined red with aqua with stunning results. [

Details

Couple’s Names: Tiffany + Trae

Wedding Date: 06/19/2010

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri

Photographer: Under Grace Photo

Caterer: Forest Park Visitor and Education Center

Event Planner: Events Luxe, LLC

Floral Designer: Rachel Flowers

Reception Venue: Forest Park Visitor and Education Center

Dress Store: Maiden Voyage Bridal

Cake Designer: Celebrating Life Cakes, Beck’s Gluten Free





Read More»

Gift Guides

Hi DIYers,

As DIY Bride begins to include all aspects planning a do-it-yourself wedding, we’ll be introducing new features in the coming days and weeks. The first new feature is a regular column of gift-giving guides.

“What gifts” you say? Most couples give their maids and men a gift for being in the wedding party. Moms and dads often get a token of thanks. Clergy, vendors who go above and beyond, special helpers, ceremony readers, ushers, ring bearers, and flower girls are also others who traditionally may receive gifts. Brides and grooms also sometimes exchange gifties pre-ceremony. I know Jason and I were caught off guard when we discovered all of these wedding extras were customary and/or expected – and we didn’t budget for them. So, you know, heads up! Save some room in your budget for this stuff and let us offer some inspiration for nifty ideas for all budget ranges.

The Gift Guides are collections of products that are perfect for wedding-related gifting. DIY Bride is proud to showcase handmade products from small and indie designers as part of our roundup of ideas.

If you’re a vendor who’d like to be considered for inclusion in our gift guides, we’d love to hear from you! Please use the contact form to tell us about your product and why you think your wares are a great gift idea.


5 Ways For Flowers To Inspire Your Wedding Colors

Choosing your color scheme is one of the biggest design decisions you’ll make for your wedding. Your wedding’s theme and color scheme sets the tone of the wedding day for you and your guests. With unlimited options and endless sources of inspiration, it can be a daunting process. Where the heck do you start?! One of our favorite tips at DIY Bride is to use flowers as our go-to source inspiration. What’s more beautiful than nature, right? Lisa Waddington, for FiftyFlowers.com, has shared these easy tips to help you navigate the zillions of wedding flowers, colors and varieties to hone in on your favorite blooms and discover the perfect color combination for your day. Wedding colors are the unifying feature for every wedding day detail. Letting flowers be the inspiration for finding the wedding color combo can be just the secret to distinguishing your wedding day.

1. Bloom Immersion. Visit an online wholesale flower market such as FiftyFlowers.com and explore until you fall in love with the flower and color that’s perfect for your wedding. Online research is best since local markets may only carry blooms in season and with limited color options. Using a single type of bloom makes a strong  but-oh-so stunning presentation to your guests. 2. Rare Find. Are you looking for that one, distinctly different element that will make your wedding unique? Why not make your statement with a flower that’s off-the-beaten-path? How about a well-recognized wedding flower in a very rare hue such as bright yellow hydrangea or lime green rose . Or consider a limited variety such as a blue orchid ? Either way your guests will be wowed by the wedding flower they never expected.

Yellow Spray Tinted Hydrangea Flower 250 150x150 5 Ways For Flowers To Inspire Your Wedding Colors Green Tea Bulk Green Roses 250 150x150 5 Ways For Flowers To Inspire Your Wedding Colors 50 National BrtBlue 250 150x150 5 Ways For Flowers To Inspire Your Wedding Colors

3. Venue Match. If your wedding location has a distinct color scheme then maybe it’s best to choose colors and flowers that blend in with the environment. If your wedding is in a ballroom with red and gold patterned carpet, go for the burgundy mini-calla lillies rather than going with the pink flowers that you dreamed of. No need to worry, you can order a bouquet of soft pink gerbera daisies to enjoy while you are getting ready.

Burgundy Black Calla Lilies Schwartz 250 150x150 5 Ways For Flowers To Inspire Your Wedding Colors   Garden Rose Bicolor Pink White Prince Jardinier250x250 150x150 5 Ways For Flowers To Inspire Your Wedding Colors

4. In Season. If spring, summer, winter or autumn are words that describe your wedding, then flowers in season are just what you need for inspiration. For spring weddings Tulips are the perfect fit and you have an array of French, Novelty and Standard varieties in multiple colors to choose from. Shop wedding flowers by season and make your pick.

weddingsbyseason 5 Ways For Flowers To Inspire Your Wedding Colors 5. Have a favorite color? Then take a look at your flower options by color and decide if they deliver on your wedding day vision. You’ll find that if you want an all-blue wedding, your petal picks will be more limited than if you go with a red or orange color scheme. If you’re still not sure where to start, check out wedding flowers by color and let hundreds of wedding flower photos inspire you to find the color palette.

[Disclaimer: FiftyFlowers.Com is a DIYBride.Com advertiser.]



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