Blogs to Come

I started to enter into the blog world and soon after, I became sick and almost two month ago I had a little girl -- Jada Lenae Bryant. A Grand Affair will be back in full force to continue what I started last year... I Love Grand Affair blogging coming soon... Fall 0f '09

New Invitation Creations from M Collection

Year every I have a goal set to create new collections for my Invitation Line - M Collection. I took inspiration from a HOT item I created for a Tiffany Theme Wedding last year and ran with it.


This started me to down a creative path in creating my new collection for 2008. Sometimes the creatively just flows keeping me creating more... I have a count of about 10 new pieces. Colors are available on request. Below you'll see the beginnings and in a week or so you'll see the complete collection.

Ribbons on a Stick

Over the years, I've collected all types of ribbon. One way or another they ended up in different spaces or compartments or storage bins to store for organization purposes.

The collection has grown as the years pass and my space only can hold so much!! I fell in love with Martha Stewart's Collection of products at Michaels, which included a ribbon storage box. It had a place to store the ribbon and a slit across the front part to feed the ribbon through to cut.

Image Source

Only thing, I had a lot of ribbon with different shapes. I would need 10 or more boxes to start and 10 * price = Out of Price Range.

I did the next best thing... I looked around my office and tried to figure out what I could find to hold my ribbons. I created my perfect storage solution... Ribbons on a Stick!

I had left over bamboo sticks and the ribbon had the circle shape center. With my handy glue gun, I was able to create Ribbons on a Stick in no time.

My steps were easy...

1. Separate the ribbon by colors, if you wish.
   
2. Cut thick piece cardboard to be the end stopper. Two inches on all sides will be fine.(This will stop ribbons from sliding off the end of the stick)
3. Take the thick piece and make a hole in the middle of it. Try to match to the diameter of the bamboo end you're dealing with.
   
4. Once the whole is made, attach it to the end of the bamboo stick.
5. Using the your glue gun, start gluing the cardboard piece to the end of the bamboo stick. Let that dry for a few minutes.
6. Once dry, just start a pile of ribbons on the stick and know you have a Ribbon on the Stick.

At times, I had to pound the ribbon down, otherwise it was easy DIY that took no time to complete.

Marisa

Nomination for 2008 WDIV "Vote 4 The Best" Contest

A Grand Affair has been nominated as one of the Detroit area's best businesses in the 2008 WDIV "Vote 4 The Best" Contest

This is the email I sent out to Clients, Family, and Friends...

I hope everyone is having a great year. I'm emailing you for your vote and help. A Grand Affair has been nominated as one of the Detroit area's best businesses in the 2008 WDIV "Vote 4 The Best" Contest in Weddings / Invitations category.

What is the 2008 WDIV "Vote 4 The Best" Contest?

The 2008 WDIV "Vote 4 The Best" Contest is the leading source for the insider scoop on Detroit. In their annual 8-week contest, insiders from all over Detroit come to the guide to vote for the best local businesses. Get ready; voting begins TODAY!

This will definitely impact A Grand Affair's presence around Metro Detroit Area for Invitations and Event Planning. You have the chance to help me TODAY! I need your Vote and I need you to spread the word to your friends and family to VOTE for A Grand Affair too!

It's so SIMPLE! Just follow the steps below and you'll be part of the building blocks of A Grand Affair establishing a recognized brand around Metro Detroit Area.

1. Go to A Grand Affair Website
2. Browse around to view our collection of work and other products.
3. On the Home page, Click on the 4 the Best Click on Detroit Icon at the bottom of the page.
4. The Icon link will lead you to the website where you need would vote.
5. Follow the voting process and then forward this email to your family and friends to have them vote too!
   

This contest comes at a great time, because I just updated my website.

What's New:

New home page layout
New pictures added to gallery
More product pictures
Link to New blog (I Love Grand Affairs)
Easy access to request form
About page update

Thank you in advance for assisting me in this adventure.

Marisa

Planner Profile

Photo by J & J Photography & Video
Marisa (center) posed with Bride & Groom

Meet Marisa Bryant---

Company name and location? | A Grand Affair, Metro Detroit Area in Michigan

Years in business? | 2.5 years

When did you first fall in love with event planning? | I fell in love shortly after I mailed my 2004 wedding invitations. My family and I received numerous calls with complements on the beautiful invitations I made by hand, including the envelopes (Which was no small task). Not to mention, all the complements I received on my wedding day, afterwards and even to this day. I love planning my wedding and love planning others. I was falling in love and I didn't realize it...

Who would you love to work with on an event, you've never worked with before and why? | I would LOVE, LOVE to work with Preston Bailey. When I was planning my wedding, I ran across his book - Preston Bailey's Design for Entertaining: Inspiration for Creating the Party of your Dreams. I used it to guide me through my wedding details. His work is beautiful beyond my reams. Once, I learned more and more about the wedding business and who's who, I would love to also work with Colin Cowie, Diane Valentine, and Mindy Weiss. Trust me I my list will continue to grow...

What celebrity would you love to plan an event for and why? | Hands down, I would LOVE to plan an event for Oprah. She spares no expense and her style and taste make every event beautiful. It would be an experience I would never forget and probably enhance my business style and planning experience to the 9th degree.

If you had your own event planning show on a TV Network, what would you name the show? | Either one of these names will work: Events Made Easy, Wedding Inspirations by Marisa

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? | Planning multiple small and high profile events a year. Invitation Collection distributed across the country and being profile in the top wedding magazines.

What advice would you give a new event planner starting in this business? | If you know you can do it, say you can do it and do it with confidence.

What blogs do you love to read? | The Smart Planner, Hostessblog,Weddex, Wedding Bee, DIY Bride, and more...

here i am blog world!

I started I Love Grand Affairs Blog to share with everyone what I love.... Events, Weddings, Invitations...
I get excited whenever I find or see a great ideas that would work greats for my events I'm planning for clients.

What to look forward to from I Love Grand Affairs:

great finds | ideas | meet a planner | what I love | behind the scenes | diy | and more...


Coming soon... Former Brides Dish! Blog | for former brides that want to discuss the highs and lows of their wedding experience.

MARISA