Wish Upon A Wedding

Was turned on to a new program through the vendor discussion forum on WeddingWire. I couldn't wait to sign up! Thank goodness there was a chapter already established in Arizona.

Wish Upon A Wedding provides weddings and civil ceremonies for individuals dealing with life threatening illnesses. They are getting ready to have their second wedding and have only been official since January of 2010.

Wish Granters provide their services and products free of charge to couples that complete the application process. There are a number of different levels of wishes that can be granted. Please visit Wish Upon A Wedding for more information.

I want to put a request out to all of my friends in the wedding and event business. Please sign up to be a Wish Granter. It only takes a few minutes of time, but our services with provide memories that will last forever.

Candy Buffet Prep

So, I missed posting last night because I was getting ready for a hugely busy weekend. I have a wedding tonight at McCormick Ranch and a booth at the Great Bridal Expo tomorrow. Can you say candy?????

Between pulling the candy out and choosing just the right container or display piece, I also designed candy labels, treat containers and signage. Without my penchant for lists and mad organizational skills this would be an interesting weekend. Here is a sneak peak of the wedding....

Check back tomorrow for an update on how the show went...and be sure to visit our website for pictures from the wedding and the show.

Going out of the country on your honeymoon? Remember your passport....

I recently had a bride tell me that her family was giving her a special gift for her wedding....a honeymoon...that required a passport. How totally awesome is that???? She had tried to get the information herself, but it didn't seem to be all in one place and was about as clear as mud.

I put together a quick little informational packet for her, but then I thought others would benefit from the information as well, so here it is...

BTW - this is only for someone who is over 16 and has never had a passport issued in their name before. There are different procedures for children and people who need to renew, replace or update their passports. Click here for more information on these other scenarios.

As a bride, if you are going to need a passport right after you get married (or within 6 weeks or so), you will not be able to use your new last name. You will still have to use your maiden name.
Click here to begin and follow the directions. Taking special care to use black ink only, on regular white paper. DO NOT SIGN IT! Let me say this part again - DO NOT SIGN IT - because if you do and it isn't witnessed by the processor, you will have to redo all of the application - AGAIN. So wait to sign until you get to a processing facility and are told to sign it by the reviewer.

Most of the post offices have a passport facility, but they have restricted hours and may require an appointment. See the USPS website for more detailed information as to locations, hours and restrictions.

Bring the following items with you for your appointment (including your completed application)
1. A certified birth certificate (this will be printed on colored paper and have an embossed seal somewhere near the bottom). If you do not have one, you will need to get one from the Office of Vital Records.

2. A valid driver's license or military ID.

3. A photocopy of the ID you will be using. Front and back of the ID on two separate pieces of paper. Front on one page, back on one page.

4. $100.00 - $25.00 for the acceptance fee and $75.00 for the application fee. These are payable by cash, check or card and will be paid to two separate places. It is recommended that you send the application and all items by express mail, so there will be that fee as well.

5. Two pictures that meet the following requirements. Courtesy of Google, here are some locations in Phoenix that offer to take these pictures for you. They will make sure the fulfill the requirements, but just in case you want to do it yourself...

They must be

• Identical
• In color
• 2 x 2 inches in size
• Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
• Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
• Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Taken in normal street attire:
• Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily
• Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline
• If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture
• Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons (a medical certificate may be required)

Or for $15.00 you can have the post office worry about all the details and have them taken that day. The attire and other restrictions above still apply if you choose to have them taken at the post office.
 
That is pretty much it. I know it seems daunting, but it is fairly easy. However, the processing time is taking a LONG time, so I would get it taken care of as soon as possible.

St. Patrick's Prayer - Beautiful blessing/prayer for your wedding or reception!

So driving into work today, I had  my radio on my favorite station, KLOVE. Here in Phoenix it is 89.1FM. The morning show hosts were talking about an amazing prayer by St. Patrick that just brings Christ into every aspect of everyday. I think it would be beautiful to read before or after the wedding ceremony or before the meal at the reception. To me it reminds me of the fact that we all need to put God into every moment, every thing that we do.

Christ be with me

Christ before me

Christ behind me

Christ in me

Christ beneath me

Christ above me

Christ on my right

Christ on my left

Christ where I lie

Christ where I sit

Christ where I arise

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me

Christ in every eye that sees me

Christ in every ear that hears me

Salvation is of the Lord.

Have a great St. Patricks Day!

OMG! I can't believe it took me SOOOOO long to find these....

Ok, so in my last post I promised some DIY candy buffet labels.
I hope that you will be as thrilled with these templates as I am. The wheels are already spinning in my head as to where I can use them.

I found this first set completely by accident. They really aren't candy buffet labels, but they are gorgeous. I need to start collecting old bottles...But I digress.

Borrowed from the absolutely fabulous site iDiY who found them at Eat.Drink.Chic, these vintage apothecary labels are beautiful and are a must have for any retro kitchen or vintage bridal shower...

Vintage apothecary jars, oil and vinegar bottles, wooden boxes, herb jars and tea containers make up this collection of unique labels. They can't be customized, but they are amazing and make me want to start a collection glass jars (oh wait I already do that!!). Images courtesy of Eat.Drink.Chic.

These are totally free to use. Thank you Amy Moss for your beautiful collection.

But now to the main event - candy labels and matching unique favor labels!!!!

This is just a sampling of the newest treasures that I have found. Again from my new favorite site iDiY, come these fun and colorful labels.

To the left are customizable drink labels and slipper labels. To the right are jelly and donut labels. Images courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

My last finds for the night also come from iDiY and were created by World Label. The totally free, customizable labels are so elegant and beautiful and I only brought over three of them. They make me want to design a wedding around them!!!

Remember that all of these label templates are FREE for personal use only and are not to be used for commercial publication, catalogs or compilations. Please make sure if you use any of the information contained in this blog to link back.

Check back soon, I think the next set of labels will be circles....

Should I or shouldn't I? To DIY or not....

I am a HUGE fan of DIY. As a matter of fact, I did most of my own wedding and love to help other people with their special projects. I learn a lot and discover hidden talents and new and exciting things. However, there comes a time in every DIYers life when you look around at the lists and piles and unfinished projects and wonder - WAS I NUTS?

There is a fine line between DIY to enjoy and add your personal touch to something and DIY your every waking moment to complete just one more thing. Getting married is a life event and then add the stress of wanting to DIY the whole thing. It will make you wish you had never said yes.

That being said, I really am a DIY person. I just had to learn to let go and let others. Others with more time, more talent or just more patience than I have. I mean I did the centerpieces, ceremony decorations, flowers, linens, place cards, table names, dress making, candy buffet and and and and for my own wedding. Before the ceremony I was fussing with just one more thing, I was running around before pictures setting up, instead of getting ready. I wish someone had told me, DIY is great, but it is YOUR WEDDING, not a craft show. Let go and let others.

Professionals know the shortcuts and techniques, but above all have the resources to get it done faster. Do I regret the time I spent DIY'ing, not really. Do I wish I had spent more time on enjoying the day, definitely.

My advice, pick one or two projects that you really would like to focus your energy on and then delegate the rest. Enlist friends, family and your planner/designer to help you create the vision in your dreams. A good designer will be an amazing help as they make your dreams reality. They are worth their weight in gold and they will save you enough money and time to make their cost well worth the expense.

But for those of you who are die hard DIYers (as I look in the mirror and ignore my own advice), check back tomorrow for tips and tricks on making labels for your candy buffet.

I couldn't resist...just one more...

So I was out shopping yesterday and of course came home with some more treasures. I couldn't resist, just one more, or two or three... or four bags worth! It's just that when I am out shopping and I see things that will look beautiful on the next buffet table or are just the right thing to tie a design together, I can't help myself. And I know that if I don't get it then, that I'll regret it, forever. So, four bags later...

Here are pictures of some of my latest finds...

Can't wait to use them!

Sweet Beginnings

Welcome to my blog! Filled with tips,tricks, trends and DIY advice for all events, but especially WEDDINGS.

Let me introduce my company - Sweet I Do's. We are a full service event design, planning and coordination company. But we have a secret specialty, well not really a secret :). We design custom candy buffets. That's right, those beautiful and fun additions to any event. Located a little west of Phoenix, Arizona in the semi-small town of Surprise, we provide service to the Phoenix metropolitan area, but will travel throughout the state for travel expenses.

Our planning packages cover every little detail from the beginning to the end and even afterwards. Our personal touch and attention to the wants, needs and desires of our clients are second to none. And our buffets, well the pictures speak for themselves! But, we are happy to rave over the thousands of candy choices, the color and flavor combinations that can bring additional elegance to your event or spark memories of visiting the candy store as a child and being overwhelmed with the possibilities.

Check back often for tips, tricks, DIY projects and of course pictures of our designs and candy buffets.

Who knows, we may even giveaway a candy buffet or planning package for your next event!