Faith

Faith is substance of things hope for and evidence of not seen.
It is essential to have for a marriage. The evidence is how you treat each other.
Life is so busy with our to do list? Over time, you just take advantage of one another as if they always be there, so you don't have to put in the time or the effort. Are you taking care of that person's sprit? Are you feeding your spouse in this case your future spouse's soul with encouragement? Are you putting in the time?
If not, maybe you need more faith. From book, tape, or maybe counseling, put in deposit of faith in order to get stronger.

High School Musical

It is summertime, so it's Disney time around here. I am admit that I really like this movie, it reminds me of Greese, and it has this 80s vibe to it as far as the music.

inviation
white with red ink

dress
red tea length dress with gold shoes

bridesmaids
white pleated skirt with red shirt. Have them to dance down the ailse.

sign in
gold painted basketball

centerpiece
gold painted flower boxes with red tea roses.

cake
two tier white cake with red microphone topper

cake table
pastry table

the movie
the afterparty first dance to your favorite hip hop song

Red, White, and Blue

It's Memorial Day. I am not going to lie. Holiday weddings most people do not want to do. I say if you keep in close family and friends with people who are in town, then do your thing.

inviation
white invitation with blue ink

bride
white crop shirt with a red skirt. Silver sandles. Star shaped bouquet.

centerpiece
toys planes on a floral dummy tier. Try the dollar store for the planes.

Vows
Pull the President Regan love letters to his wife.

sign in
love letter from a person from the miltary, look online, type it in the center and everyone sign the border of it.

wedding cake
white top with a blue bottom. Flag as a topper

The Letter

This month I ran across the most amazing book which was filled with letters from famous African Americans. There was a section on love letters. It was the most beautiful letters I read in a while. I am history person so I love reading those kind of things. Anyway, if you want to ever want to read real love, MLK Jr to Correta Scott King. She was one lucky woman.
In other news, I say that it is a lost art form. A true love letter, not something that is just dripping in sex but something truly expresses how you feel for that person.
So you say, who in the hell has to time to do that? I'm busy. I say with your gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidys. Take the time to write letter with the gifts you exchange.
Words have so much power. The way to empower your relationship is letter. Make it happen. Work it out.

The After Party

It's holiday time. So whether you jamming it for your big day or Monday, work it out honey.

Can't You See-Total
Hip Hop Horray-Naughty by Nature
2 Legit2Quit Mc Hammer
So Anxious Ginwine
Fortunate Maxwell
Nuthin but G Thang Dr. Dre
Big Poppa Notorious BIG
Regualate Warren G and Nate Dogg
Ask of YOu Raphael Saadiq
Ghetto Jam Domino
Gin and Juice Snoop Dog
Funkdafied Da Brat
Real Love-Mary J. Blidge
The Next Episode Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg

Commitment

Commitment

For the next couple days, I will talking about marriage.

Commitment
When I look at marriages that I know have lasted and those I have studied through history, they had this key ingredient. Commitment. They were willing to share their life with each other for better or for worse because for worse does happens.
Maybe they did not know each other forever, but they willing to make it work. Some people know each other all their lives and still does not work because they really did not pay attention to each other. So they still did not have a clue who they person really was.
Our great great grandparents decided, this is the person. I love them. We are going to make it happen. They did each day. Maybe it was not always romantic, always great, but they were willing to stay in each other's lives. They willing to make sure the other person was okay in this world. They had each other's back.
People have complicated theories on how marriage works, but back in the day, the people i have known have been married for years, did not have it. They kept it basic. They were commited because they had love.

Free Friday

Make It Last Forever Keith Sweat
When You Need Me Aaron Hall
Angel Dirty Money
Let's Chill Guy
Cupid 112
Hey Lover LL Cool J
A Whole New World Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle

Jungle Love

I love the Lion King. My son and I have watched on many occasions. It is a great theme for a wedding especially as we almost approach the summer months.  It is a great story of love and family, two familiar themes in many wedding no matter what the concept.

Be inspired by this wedding.

invitation
white invitation, african print fabric border(try discount stores) and start to glue with the help of family and friends. Bring a movie and snacks.

bride
creme colored knee length dress, gold crown(try to discount stores),  painted feet with open sandals. Gold jewels and beads on the legs.  Floral covered mask with a ribbon held like a pomander.

bridesmaids
African print skirt with simple white shirt. painted feet. Flip flops for the reception.  Wooden fans.

centerpieces
simple gold painted wooden contained filled with grass

cake
chocolate cupcakes with characters from the movie on each cupcake

favors
family recipes for each guests

after party first dance
Jungle Love by The Time

1990s

If you look at the movie Clueless, I wore all of that stuff.  Thigh highs falling down and all.(smile)

I love the 1990s. From music to the fashion, it was great era especially at the end of it which was the best of times at the best of times.

be inspired by the 1990s

invitation
white invitation with silver bow. silver rose confetti in the invitation.

bride
white baby doll dress with pink Mary Jane shoes. White crystal bouquet with a silver bow.

bridesmaids
white shirt. Pink knee length skirt with a slit on the side. Silver shoes. Rose in hair.

centerpiece
silver dipped rose in a clear vase.

cake
two tier cake. top tier pink. Bottom tier white. Barbie and Ken doll as a topper. 

the moment
the first dance-Unchained Melody The Righteous Brothers

Museums

During the summer, Drew and I go on museums. He runs from place to place and looking for girls(always the ladies man, help me with those teenage years).  And I just run and ask for patience.
Anyway, museums are great source of inspiration for a wedding. From the science museum to a jazz night at the art museum, you pull many ideas from a visit.
Be inspired from a visit at the museum.

invitation
post card of your favorite picture

bride dress
little purple dress with silver shoes.  Purple flowers with silver beads. Purple ribbon. Take dyeable shoes
and paint on them.

centerpiece
Black wire basket filled with silver painted fruit.  with small vases of floating purple flowers.

sign in
a big sign in board made from silver metal.  Have anyone to draw a small picture with their name below.

cake.
sheet cake with your favorite piece of art work. Wine bottle filled with flowers

the moment
a jazz solo when the bride walks down the aisle.

Church Lady

When I was growing up, I went to St. Matthew Baptist Church. In the front seat of pews was a character  who wore large hats and would dance in a circle. She was loudest voice in the congregation.

She had a beautiful sprit, but she would tell you the truth to your face.
.....baby, your skirt is too short.
....please, don't have a baby yet.

Surrond yourself with people who love you and support your marriage. You need a few church ladies in your life.

Be inspired by the church lady.

invitation
lyrics from your inspirational song. spray the back with your favorite perfume.

bride
white dress with floral strappy shoes. Beautiful hat with a flower pinned to the hat.  Carry a white satin covered fan.

centerpiece
container covered with a hankercheif.  Fill the container with lillies and baby breath.

cake
white sheet cake with a picture of your favorite place of inspiration.

the moment
take the advice of the person who has the best marriage and incoporate their words of advice in your vows.

The After Party

These are the beats for your after party.

Have a great Saturday!

I Like Guy
Shake your Thang Salt n Peppa
Planet Rock Afrika Bambaataa
The Show Doug E Fresh
Hello Good Morning Dirty Money fea Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj
Motivation  Kelly Rowland featuring Lil Wayne
Bottom Up Trey Songz ft. Nicki Minaj
Radio L.L. Cool J

Free Love Friday

Debbie Gibson. I love it. No, it was not popular in my neck of the hood, but I said whatever.  With a Seventeen Magazine in hand, I used to blast it.

Free love friday. Share love. It is a gift.

Sweet Home Alabama Lynrd Skynrd
Cherish-Kool and the Gang
Always Atlantic Star
Ain't Nobody Chaka Khan and Rufus
We Got a Good Thing Going Micheal Jackson
I Get Weak Belinda Carlise
Saving All My Love For You Whitney Houtston
Lost In Your Eyes Debbie Gibson

The Little White Dress

Last week here in hotlanta many brides could have used a little white dress.

eCrater
They have a wide array of dresses at a great price point.

borrow
You have a friend, maybe she has a great dress. Put some cute shoes with it.  Some brides in 1940s would buy the one good dress with a friend or sibling and split the cost.

Target
It has a great selections of gowns.  Take a basic white dress and add beading to the collar or the bottom of the dress.
Happy Shopping!

1970s

From disco fever to flower child, the 1970s was a season of change.  It was like spring where everything became brighter and more colorful.  Just like the journey of marriage, it is a season of change. As you take the steps from being single to being married, I hope your life is filled with all the love that your heart can hold.
Be inspired by this wedding.

invitation
pink invitation with black ink.  Tye dye ribbion at the top of the invitation.

bride
pink shirt with white bell bottoms pants. Gold strappy high heel shoes.  Wild flowers and greenery gardland around the head.

centerpiece
music artists in frames such as Janis Joplin, Donna Summer, Bee Gees, and etc.  Sprinkle the table with pink petals and greenery.

cake
two tier cake. A white bottom with top tier completly covered in pink flowers.

the moment
flower exchange instead of the unity candle.  Take the lyrics from your favorite song and recite it. Then exchange flowers.

FAME

When I was a little girl, I love this movie and also the televison series. I would dance all around the room. Not well. Hey, a girl can dream.
This movie is very inspirational as it goes on the journey of these young people.  It is about the pursuit of a dream. 
A marriage is a journey in which you pursue a dream that will last longer than a movie.

invitation
Love Philosphy Percy Shelly. Type this poem in the center of white paper with the invite information in the corner.

bride
blue shirt, white pleated skirt, and silver shoes. 

centerpiece
Cut foam in shape of a violin and cover it in greenery and baby breath.  Take a canvas backpack and cover it with flowers.
first dance
The Dream Irene Cara

the first after party dance
1,2 step Ciara

sign in
a picture from a cab

cake
Two tier white cake with  black ribbon around each border. A toy or clear piano as a cake topper.

Childhood Dreams

Today I went to the toy store with Drew. He looked around and saw his favorite best friend. Thomas. He looked around with eyes bright with emotion. He was so enthusiastic about being there. A dream come true. A shiny new train for completing Pre K.
It is amazing how kids lives are filled with so many dreams. How they always believe up to very end that is going to happen. I guess that's why I always love to be around kids.  A wedding is a dream come true.
Be inspired by this wedding.
invitation
white cardstock with blue ink
bride dress
blue dress with silver shoes. white flowers with blue beads. Painted fabric around the bouquet.

centerpieces
couple project. Take finger paints and color of things you want to accomplish as a couple. Then frame them in wooden blue frames.

cake
white cupcakes with blue beads of icing. In silve foil containers.

sign in
A set of teddy bears. One that has a silver bow. Then other one that a blue one.

After Party Jam

The after party in wedding world allows to play anything you want without anyone blushing.  You can place on the inviation in the corner so everyone is not shocked, astounded, and amazed by the change of music.

top ten after party jams

Look at me Now-Chris Brown
Adore-Prince
No Hands Wacka Flocka Flame
Did It On'em Nicki Manaj
Close The Door Teddy Pendergrass

It's Your Thang

This wedding season I have some great fashions. With the economy the way it is you see reinvent the wedding fashion moment. I love it.  There seems to be more creativity there. It reminds me of the 1940s when brides had to what they had to do to get down that ailse.

white wedding shorts with one shoulder shirt
I love the idea of wearing wedding shorts to a beach wedding or one in the club. It was August wedding here in hotlanta. I know a bride would have love to cool off with some shorts.

a sundress
The other day I went to thrift store and brought a dress for $4.  They are plenty gowns in pastel colors at the thrift store, online catlog, or even the bridal shops.  You may find a bargin right around the corner.

the dress suit
During the 1940s, you saw a lot of beautiful dress suits with beautiful hats. I love shoes from this era.  For a wonderful tea reception or day time wedding, this is a great option. You can rent one or buy one online.  If you are smart cookie, look through those clearance racks. They are a lot great finds these days.

I have do not have anything with tradion.  If you want think outside the box, go ahead down that white paved road.  It your thang, do what you want to do.

The Love Letter

When I was much younger, I used to received the most beautiful letters that reminded me of an Eric Dickey novel. They were scented with cologne and had a beautiful floral stamp. Each week or so I would receive these letters and read them while listening to Aaron Hall which was our favorite artist.
In this computer era, I think the art of love letter is sad lost art as we rushed through life. I think it is an act of love to sit down and put your thoughts on paper.  It takes time and effort. When you look through history and read letters, you smell, taste, and touch the effort that it takes to express love.
Be inspired. Love is a gift, make the effort.

invitation
the letter on black ink. vanilla perfume on the back. If you are planning a small wedding, think about a personal touch of a handwritten letter.

bride
white dress with pink carnation in the hair.

centerpiece
expressions of love spelled out in rose buds in standing shadow boxes

cake
sheet cake with expressions from your first love letter. Keep rated G, your grandma maybe reading it. There is no point of her learning something new.

song
Love Letter R.Kelly

Love Poetry

When I was in seventh grade I was typical teenager who was always in crush.  I would sit on the floor with the radio and my notebook.  I was not great at writing poetry, but it helped me to express my emotion.
I love reading it. Everthing from Emily Dickinson to Sonia Sanchez with a little bit Lanston Hughes. Every now then, Edgar Allen Poe.
It's spring time when love takes natures and makes it more vivid. You glow under the Creator's work.
So use your favorite poem. Be inspired by this wedding theme.

invitation
take a poem and center it on floral paper. Use your favorite floral scent on the back of the invite.

the dress
a pretty dress with pink shoes. A gardenia in the hair.  Words from your favorite poem tatoo around your wrist and ankle.

the reception
picnic. blankets on the floor. petals on the ground.  Craft or real planted trees throughout the room.

the wedding cake
a basket weave two layer cake with your favorite poem in frame beside the cake.

Nature

Nature is one the most inspirational things to use for a wedding. Here in Georgia you have a great scene everyday from the sunrise to sunset. The glow of the trees. The sounds of the birds greeting you. I am not the camp girl kind of person but I do love the work of the Creator.He is the best artist in the world.

Be inspired by this wedding theme.

inviation
photograph  of you and the groom at the sunrise on postcards

dress
green dress with beige or brown high heel pumps.  Jeweled green hairpiece.
Small wreath of greenery.

front of ceremony
Four planted trees interconnected with a gardland of greenry and baby breath

centerpiece
three pieces of stacked grass like you are building a wedding cake.  Wildflowers as a topper.

Cupcake
One regualar cupcake with a mini cupcake on top. Green at the bottom. Then
a rose cupcake shape at the top.

Free Love Friday

Let's go in the crayon box and pull out a great song for your big day.


Purple Rain-Prince
Black and Yellow-Wiz Khalifa
True Blue-MaDonna
Yellow-Coldplay
Blue Moon-Ella Fitzergerald
Pretty in Pink-Psychedlic Furs

The Color Purple

When I was a young girl I read The Color Purple.  It is a story of a girl who deals with the worse circumstances to become a woman who knows her value.
It is a beautiful love story, but it is a story of self love. As a bride, you will need it on this journey.
Be inspired by the color purple and get a cute hat for that big day.


invitation
a letter to wedding your wedding guests on paper

front of ceremony
two chairs tied with a gardland of ivy, baby breath, and purple wild flowers. Connect the chairs with gardland.

bride
white dress with purple hat.  A tiny cross made from flowers around the neck.

centerpieces
long family table with drinking glasses filled with purple wild flowers

sweet
two tier cake with lemons around the border. A cross as a topper.

Modern Victorian

So you want the romance from this era but you don't want wear the big hot dress. Me too. Even though I did, and honey, I wished I had a minidress by the time it was over. I am in the south, and it is hot even in October.  I was ready to strip.

So this for the bride who want the romance without the layers.  The Modern Victorian wedding.

invitation
photograph with a personalized note to your wedding guests(small wedding).

bride
Knee length white lace gown. White Bead in the hair.

centerpiece
pink roses in a simple container

cake
double stacked collumn cupcakes. White with pink roses on a tier.

the moment
wedding vows from your love letters. Ready G, noone wants to know all those details.

Love to be Green

When I was a little girl, we had a neighbor who had an garden. She had rows of carrots, collard greens. I would stand by her as she digged in the dirt.

Me? Where is the grocery store?  Even though I need to get with Mother Nature and save it.

A greeen thumb wedding is great for those who want to get back to the basics.

invitation
white invite with green ink

bridal dress
green  skirt, white blouse with a bouquet of ivy and baby breath

front of ceremony
garden arch with light weight hanging basket filled with greenry and herbs

centerpice
wooden basket filled with vegetables

sweet
cupcakes with white with green dots

the moment
favorite pie recipe for a pie table

Pretty in Pink

Pretty in Pink is one of my favorite movies. It is a about a dreamer that uses her resources to dream of a better future of herself and get the guy.
Pink is not my number one color but it defintely top five. It is a beautiful color for a spring moment.

invitation
white invite with a pink and white ribbion

dress
white dress with pink shoes.  pink tea roses corsage.

centerpiece
pink ballons in a bud vase. Fill the bud vase with pink and white rose petals.

Cookie table
cookies in shape lipstick, little dresses, horses.

song
Try a Little Tenderness Otis Redding

the moment
kiss under a floral covered ballon like a mistle toe.