Something to Read before buying STD's and Invites

This is from the 2010 Customers Guide for the USPS.

Some things to be aware of for brides before you order your Save the Dates, Invitations, and RSVP Cards.

Maximum Thickness for Letters: 1/4" So before you grab the cardstock or the big bows make sure you envlope doesn't end up to thick

Post Cards: Minimum size is 3.5" X 5" and max is 4.25" X 6" any thing smaller they won't pick up and anything larger gets classified as the next largest shape so it cost more

Unsual shapes that have to be hand sorted: Squares! Yes Squares count as unusual shapes to the post office. Sideways envelopes where the information is on their vertically instead of the standard horizontal. These cost extra!

Check out the Postal Explorer for more info on pricing!

Dress Weights

After a long wait I'm finally back on the blog.

Sorting through some Martha Stewart Wedding stuff and came upon a brilliant idea. Dress weights. If any one as worn a skirt to high school on a windy day you know what a brilliant idea this is. For those of you who don't a lot, of flowy skirts are extremely aerodynamic and a good breeze can have your skirt floating above your waiste in no time.

The best way to do this is sew metal buttons just above the hem. It should provide enough weight to keep the skirt down in a good breeze without weighing it down unnaturally.

Here's the link to Martha Stewarts website where I found it:
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/good-things-for-bridesmaids?lpgStart=1&currentslide=10&currentChapter=1#ms-global-breadcrumbs

DIY: Wraps!

We are featuring my best friend Amy Arnold's wedding this week! Her wedding was a DIY'ers dream. Almost everything there was hand made! One of my favorite things were these great wraps Amy's mom made. They looked great and were actually super easy to make!

1) Start with a velour blanket that is cut to size. (After measuring bust, waist, and length)
2) Hem them on all four sides.
3) Put elastic on the top so they would be snug
4) Add some pretty ribbon to cover the pleats.
5) Sew the 2 ends together and finished it off with a bow.

They all turned out super cute! One of the bridesmaids had a embroidery machine and embroidered her initials on it so we wouldn't get them mixed up.

Avoiding a Reception Music Fiasco

Yesterday theknot.com featured an article called: 8 Wedding Songs to Skip

1. "YMCA" -- Village People
Why to Skip It: The fact that everyone knows the words, everyone knows the dance, and that this song fits lots of occasions -- between innings at a baseball game, for instance -- does not automatically qualify it as a must at your wedding.
2. "Chicken Dance"
Why to Skip It: At a wedding, everyone's dressed to the nines and feeling festive. Is this really the best time to flap your arms like a chicken in front of that cute bridesmaid/groomsman/new spouse? Didn't think so.
3. "Stayin' Alive" -- Bee Gees
Why to Skip It: There aren't too many people who know more than one line and one dance move to this song -- leave "Stayin' Alive" to the Saturday Night Fever reruns.
4. "Every Breath You Take" -- The Police
Why to Skip It: The Police are legendary, but the tune is a little high school dance-ish, and the line "Every move you make…I'll be watching you" is a little stalker-ish.
5. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" -- Bonnie Tyler
Why to Skip It: This song is worth skipping if only to avoid any guest from reenacting the profanity-laced rendition made famous from Will Ferrell's wedding in Old School.
6. "Macarena" -- Los Del Rio
Why to Skip It: You may know how to do the dance -- but do you really want to? Besides, everyone has a few certain relatives they'd rather not see get down with that hip swivel move.
7. "My Heart Will Go On" -- Celine Dion
Why to Skip It: We're not passing judgment on Celine Dion, but Titanic propelled this song into the realm of romance cliche. Besides, remember that Leo died in the movie -- a bit tragic for a wedding.
8. "Mony Mony" -- Billy Idol
Why to Skip It: Not sure what Billy Idol is singing in this song? Most other people don't know, either, and when that's the case, a good 10 percent of sing-alongers will find a way to say something objectionable.
-- Bethany Porter

I want to add to this list the Casper Slide Part 2... Nothing makes my skin crawl at a wedding more than that song, actually nothing makes my skin crawl ever like that song. I decided the first time a heard the Casper Slide at a high school dance I would never play that at my wedding and I'd refuse to pay a DJ who did, despite my objections.

A good DJ will stick to your Do Not Play List. A Great DJ will ask you to make a list of You HAVE to Play! songs and If I hear that at my wedding reception I'll rip my hair out! songs. I strongly recommend taking some time and making these list so your DJ knows what you do and don't want to hear and dance to.

What if he does play from you Do Not Play List? Well not paying isn't really an option, the DJ provided the services and fulfilled the contractual duties (unless they didn't but that's another post for another day). I recommend letting your displeasure reflect in your tip and your review of the company (which you should always do good, bad, or indifferent so future brides know what they're getting into).

Reflect before condemning though. Did your groomsmen know the Casper Slide grates on your nerves so they badgered the poor man into playing the song? Or did he just play it because he thought the crowd would like it despite your stated distain?

This is a perfect time to envoke the Diet Coke rule. Take some time to reflect and calm down. Don't review while your still steaming! Once that feeling passes write the review so you can calmly and rationally express your feeling, rather leaving a mad rant.

Most importantly don't let it ruin your night! Its 3 minutes out of the happiest night of your life. Grab a glass of champagne, run to the bathroom, and jump back in to having a blast with your guest when the next track comes on!

DIY Thursday: Aisle Runners

Thursdays have now been declared DIY Day. This week we're taking a lesson from good ol' Martha... Martha Stewart I mean, the DIY Diva. Her crafts of the day are stenciled table runners and napkins. Here are her instructions: (click for link to the website with at How-To video)

Stenciled Linens How-To
1. Download, enlarge 122 percent, and print the turkey and cornucopia templates onto map-making paper. Cut out the templates to use as stencils.
2. Place stencil on ramie table runner. Use a slightly damp sea sponge to dab on fabric paint.
3. To stencil the napkin, first fold it to determine the proper placement of the design. Fold the napkin in fours to create a diamond. Fold top point under, 1/3 of the way down. Fold sides under, overlapping them.
4. Place stencil on folded napkin. Use a slightly damp sea sponge to dab on fabric paint, just as you did with the table runner.

I love the idea of putting your monogram on aisle runners and table runners, tracing and painting, and bragging about how creative you are.

This is a project I'll be taking on in the next couple of weeks for Eta Sigma Delta, the Hospitality Honors society. I'll be sure to update with pictures!

BryantEvents 1st Offical Blog Entry

Welcome to my first official post as BryantEvents!!!

BryantEvents is a brand new wedding and event planning business in Northwest Arkansas.
I decided in 2006 that I want to plan weddings. After a semester as an undecided major at the University of Arkansas, I decided I wanted to do something fun for the rest of my life,and what could me more fun than planning weddings and parties. From there I decided to pursue a BS in Hospitality and Restaurant Managment.

As a Hospitality Student I've gotten to take advantage of the endless array of knowledge and experience my professors have. They are all amazing men and women who only want all of their students to succeed. They bring in all kinds of local professionals who give us first hand knowledge of their field. One of the best things that they do for Hospitality students is teach us to network and use their networking connections to help us find job while we are students and after we graduate.

So welcome to the blog!!! I hope you'll find some great information learn more about me in posts to come!