Which Bride are you?

I was rereading my makeup blog and I came across a post that I thought would be very fitting for this blog.
As we know, Brides come in many shapes, sizes, forms, MOODS & PERSONALITY! ☺
Here are a few that will perhaps make you laugh or stop and go, "oops, that's me" while shaking your head in total embarrassment.
For my brides-to-be... IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE (lol).

"CRAZY" bride... that's the one that makes absolutely no sense in her decision planning.

"CONTROL FREAK" bride... she has to be in charge of everything... hello, they have wedding planners/coordinators for that.

"MISTY EYES" bride... she cries for everything *sigh* (note to makeup artists: always, always use waterproof mascara/eyeliner).

"BRIDEZILLA"... she is much more than the CRAZY bride, she will have you catching a battery charge(lol).


"OK" bride... she agrees with everything everyone tells her... "I think you should wear a red dress with black lipstick on your wedding day."... bride, "OK"! (lol).

"WEAK KNEE" bride... she gets nervous about everything.

"BUT" bride... all her sentences begins and ends with BUT!

"LATE" bride... Makeup Artists & Photographers worst nightmare. (I get really nervous when I have to work with this kind because then I have to worry about missing my next appointment which may also be another bride) YIKES!

"ON TIME" bride... they know, understand & respect the value of time... especially other people's time... love them!

"DRAMA QUEEN" bride... everything is so exaggerated & exasperating... makes you tired from just being there... GEEEEZ!


"SHY" bride... so shy you can barely hear them above a whisper.

"ROWDY" bride... Makes vulgarity look like it's the norm. (makes you just want to do their face and be outta there in a hurry... "it's ok, you can email me pictures for my portfolio." (lol).

"EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING" bride... love them. they make you want to go over and above for them... so calm they keep you calm.

"GLAMA DOLL" bride (the polite way of saying "GHETTO")... she wants to look the same way she does when going to the clubs... uummmmmm???


"MIRROR GODDESS"... she has to have the mirror in front of her at all times.

"I DON'T WEAR MAKEUP" bride... hmmmm, no offense, but you are gonna NEED it!

"I'M A NATURAL GIRL" bride... not sure what that means but I'm a natural girl too ma'am (lol).

"I JUST WANT A NATURAL LOOK" bride... word to wise... NATURAL DOES NOT MEAN BLAND NOR BORING! :-)

"DRUNKEN" bride... she's had one too many to drinks and she hasn't even walked down the isle as yet (time for intervention).


"WHY DID I TAKE THIS JOB" bride... enough said!

"FUNNY" bride... have you laughing from the time you walk in.

"POKER FACE" bride... not quite sure what she's thinking or feeling (lol).

"SAD" bride... makes you want to say (using my best southern voice) "baby, you sure you want to do this? you can still walk away honey, don't do it if you don't want to" *sigh*


"HAPPY" bride... you can't help but share in her joy.


"RUNAWAY" bride... decides the morning of the wedding that she has got to make a beeline for it.


well, I'm sure there's more but you get the point... also, don't forget that you have the "COMBINATION" bride... this is the one that displays anywhere from 2 to as many as 4 of these attributes... sometimes at the same time... more like border line schizophrenic (LOL).

Brides-to-be, so now that you are aware that there is a name out there that's just waiting to attach itself to you... which one will you be?
Think on these things... SELAH (pause) ☺

Until next time,
Smile, you're on camera!

To invite or not to invite... ☺

I'm already laughing from the title of this post. It's amazing to me how when one announces that they are getting married people start coming out the wood works & announcing their attendance... I mean people that we had not spoken to or seen in years.
We were getting messages in our in-boxes, emails, text messages, voice message as well as FB posts from people who decided to invite themselves to our wedding and requested that their invitations be mailed to them... WHAT?
Uuummm, brides-to-be, let me cut to the chase and just warn you that THIS IS GONNA HAPPEN and of course I have come up with PRACTICAL WAYS to assist you in this dilemma.
I'm gonna make this as quick, pain-free & to the point as possible, so here goes...

1. Brides-to-be & Grooms-to-be... decide on a number that both you and your budget will be able to accommodate. Weddings are not cheap and bare in mind that you have to pay per head.

2. Once you have come up with a concrete number, split that in half... for example. 160... the bride gets to invite 80 of her people & the groom gets to invite 80 of his (equal rights, lol).

3. Use a spreadsheet to list your guest... it's easy to maneuver through especially because lots of additions & subtractions will take place during the planning period. Also color coordinate... it's fun and the Grooms-to-be won't be confused when looking at the list... easy as 123 (lol) ☺

4. Create 2 lists... A & B. The B list usually consists of people that you really want to invite to your wedding but the reality is the budget does not allow... however, because circumstances will arise, there will be people on the A list that may not be able to attend the wedding thus allowing you the opportunity to pull from the B list.

5. Remember to include yourselves & the bridal party in the count (the caterer counts every head including yours) ☺

6. Invite people that's a part of your lives, plays important roles in your lives & people that are there for you before the wedding, people that will be there after the wedding and during the marriage. This is not a show... everyone that will be at your wedding will be witnesses to your union and you want people there that has your best interest at heart and mean you well.
(A WEDDING is a party in celebration of two lives becoming one... A MARRIAGE is life continued after the celebration of the two becoming one... don't forget that).

7. PARENTS (especially mothers)... please refrain from coming up with your own guest list & then imposing it on your children. It's OK for you to suggest a few names that you may want to celebrate in this joyous occasion but bringing your own list that includes the lady from across the street that used to babysit your child every now and again or inviting your boss or your co-worker that has no affiliation with the couple is downright UNACCEPTABLE!

8. FRIENDS/ASSOCIATES... please do not invite yourselves to other people's wedding! Do not assume that you are a guest until you have received a request for your address from the couple. Do not ask the couple via email, text or voice message whether or not you are invited to their wedding... that is very rude, inappropriate & tacky.

9. FAMILY MEMBERS/FRIENDS/ASSOCIATES/CO-WORKERS... just because you did not get invited to someone's wedding does not give you the right to be mad at them (well, actually, you can be mad if you want, that's all on you, LOL). The point is weddings are expensive and not everyone will be able to attend... it's just unrealistic. I'm sure if you ask Donald Trump (as rich as he is) if he had the same issue he would tell you yes!

10. Brides-to-be & Grooms-to-be... Stop apologizing! EVERYBODY CANNOT ATTEND THE WEDDING... period! When it's their turn they will understand and if they are already married then they should remember...

The truth is if you love the couple and you wish them nothing but the best, this should remain true irrespective of whether of not you receive an invitation. Of course you want to be there to celebrate in the day and yes you thought that without a doubt you would have been invited... but put yourself in the couple's shoes. Creating a guest list is no easy task. Sometimes it even creates tension and friction between the couple.
The most important thing that we want for the couple is for them to be stress free. So don't get mad if you did not receive an invitation and if it was in your heart to bless them with a gift, don't change your mind because you didn't get invited. Wish them all the best for the wedding day as well as throughout their marriage... and mean it. ☺ ☺ ☺



Until next time,
Smile, you're on camera!

CAN THEY HANDLE IT?

Sometimes choosing your flower girls and ring-bearer can be very hard... especially when you have families & friends who think that their kids should be in your wedding... no questions asked... I mean, as if! You should already know this because we go waaaaaay back or we have the same blood running through our veins. NOT!!!!!!!!
Just in case no one bothered to mention this very minuscule but highly important & relevant point... IT'S YOU & YOUR FIANCE'S WEDDING & YOU STILL GET TO DECIDE... not your mama, papa, siblings, bff or in-laws... YOU!!!




Clarity achieved... now let's move on to some pointers:

1. Choose kids that are AGE APPROPRIATE... 5 years and up and in some cases a 4 year old will work (there's a method to my madness... just keep reading).



2. They need to be able to understand and follow directions.



3. They should be assertive, outgoing, friendly & able to smile when prompted.



4. Our more hyper cuties may not be eligible for this event as well... you need a child that will be able to stand or sit without interrupting the ceremony (granted we try to keep the ceremony within reasonable time... I mean geez, even us adults tend to get a bit antsy with those long drawn out stuff too... (something to consider when planning the ceremony program).

5. They should be able to be away from mom and or dad for a few hours without freaking, crying or throwing tantrums (how embarrassing!!!)



That's about it... plain, simple & to the point.
Kids are cute & fun to have around, but being a ring-bearer and a flower girl is a huge responsibility... and most times those responsibilities are a bit out of their element & not a part of their daily routine.
So brides, no need to be coy (bashful, shy, evasive) when making your selection. If need be, feel free to politely point out the obvious reasons why a particular child was not selected if the parents ask... and trust, some of them will have the nerve to... oh, an even better one... some of them will be mad at you (LOL). But that's ok, again, it's YOUR wedding!
And let me just throw this out there for those parents that will catch feelings because their child was not selected to participate in a wedding... "SHAME ON YOU!" "this too shall pass and you will get over it." ☺

In the words of Corporate America... "Only the qualified need apply."

Until next time,
Smile, you're on camera.

SHOES, SHOES & MORE SHOES...

When I think of shoes for some reason the words to a well known reggae song by "Ini Kamoze" always seems to pop in my head "HERE COMES THE HOTSTEPPA" (lol). Quite so, I mean in order to be a "hot stepper" you have to be rocking "HOT SHOES"... and your wedding is no exception. With that said, finding the perfect pair of sexy yet comfortable stilettos were at the top of my to do list... and the search was on.

Thankfully my hubby is a shoe addict like myself and he most certainly did not mind me splurging on a pair of heels that would make me glide down the isle into his strong manly arms... oh my, i just had a visual of him *whew* (lol)... sigh break!
Ok, where was I, yes, like I was saying, the quest to find these "must have heels" were on and I had a great team backing me... Kathleen (my sister-in-law ) and my hubby... come what may we were gonna find those "hot stepper heels."

Our first option was of course for me to invest (yes invest) in a pair of Christian Louboutin. Kat & I were on the go... every pair we saw that fit the occasion got better and better, sexier and sexier and pricier & pricier (lol). But the voice of wisdom & also guilt kicked in a couple of times right when I got ready to enter my card number... "no, i just can't! there are far more important things that I need to get & lock down before I splurge on a pair of shoes that was guaranteed to set me back over 600+ dollars.
These were the culprits that almost had be in the hole... aren't they gorgeous?


Back to consciousness I decided to resort to PRACTICAL SEARCHING!
And the search was over... I had found my dream shoes... a beautiful pair of Silver Satin Badgley Mischka Pump... "Badgley Mischka's Randall pump is the epitome of glamour. Crafted from shimmering satin, this design features curvy lines and a layered fabric flower on the vamp which exudes pure femininity..." (words borrowed from their site). I'M IN ♥!!!

So I purchased my new lover and from the day they were delivered I wore them around the house every day for 10 minutes until the day of the wedding (no kidding). LOL!


Some of you may not be like me and you may not be obsessed with shoes (or makeup, lol) like me but like it or not you will still need to purchase the shoes that will make you a "hot stepper" at your wedding (it's only for a day). For most women the key word is "comfort" and for the rest of us it's "HAWT" lol... so whatever your choice, choose wisely!

Below are some pointers in selecting your "HOT STEPPER HEELS":

1. You don't have to break your wedding budget to purchase a pair of heels that's hot & sexy. There are many local stores that carries very current and up-to-date heels and you will leave smiling and satisfied with your purchase. These babies were at BAKER'S SHOE STORE

2. Just like your finding your wedding dress, you need to shop around when looking for the right pair of heels.

3. Don't limit yourself to only stores... online shopping is just as effective and very convenient... i purchased my Badgley Mishka's at http://www.endless.com & they arrived in two days, beautifully boxed with their own special care-bag.


4.Break the mold... why only settle for white, beige or silver heels? Pick a color from your wedding scheme and rock those heels. Colored heels are just as sexy and vivacious for your wedding day.



5. Buy the height that you are most comfortable walking in! Don't try to be like me or your girlfriends who are used to wearing 4-6 inch heels on a regular. DO & BE YOU! Sexy heels comes in different heights so find your match and stick with it!

6. It's ok to bring a change of ballet slippers, sandals, flats or sneakers... whatever the choice make it sexy, fresh or funky. I had planned on changing off in yellow converse for my reception but my heels were so comfortable that I didn't bother purchasing the converse, but you best believed that I brought my Bejeweled Steve Madden flats.



7. Practice walking around the house in your heels like I did in ... especially if it's the first time you will be wearing them. The wedding day will not be the time to see if you can walk in them (lol).

8. Revamp the tradition... A pair of blue heels can be your "something blue" Makes for a great photo opt as well!

Well my lovelies, in the words of Ini Kamoze... ♫♫♪ "I'M STEPPIN IT HOTTER THIS YEAR, "I'M STEPPIN IT HOTTER THIS YEAR, SO DON'T YOU FIGHT IT, DON'T YOU FIGHT IT... HERE COMES THE HOT STEPPA" ♫♫♪


Until next time,
Smile, you're on camera!

Make Lemonade... it's REFRESHING!

We hear it all the time... all the cliches about making the best out of a bad situation... but guess what? IT'S TRUE!
I've mentioned before that no matter how much you plan, and how strategic, specific & detail you are in your planning, SOMETHING IS BOUND TO GO WRONG ON YOUR WEDDING DAY! Think i'm lying? Ask all the married folks that you know... I have seen and heard so many stories about what went wrong on the wedding day and i've seen so many brides cry (and they were not tears of joy) and so many grooms cuss (curse) on their wedding day because the vendors messed up, or the limo did not bother to show up or somebody stepped on the bride's dress & ripped it, or divorced parents show up with their new partner and somebody catches an attitude (lol)... and the list goes on.

Well we were no exceptions to some of the "wedding mishaps" that inevitably shows up on every couple's day... our issue was vendor related but I refuse to call any names or blow up any spots.
Tony and I had previously decided that "COME WHAT MAY, WE ARE GONNA ENJOY OUR WEDDING"... and that we did!


I have listed a few resolutions for my Brides-to-Be when and if you should receive some lemons on your big day...

1. Have all bearer of bad news report to the wedding planner/coordinator and not to you nor your fiance.

2. If you should receive the news because point # 1 was over looked, STAY CALM... & BREATHE!

3. DO NOT CREATE A SCENE. Even though it was not your fault you will be remembered as the "ANGRY BRIDE" who just couldn't hold it together & showed out (yes, that's people for you).

4. HAVE YOUR WEDDING PLANNER/COORDINATOR WALK WITH AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR YOU.
Kit should include: Kleenex, needle & thread, smelling salt (in case you pass out from the news of the lemons, LOL... I'm serious here), a small bible (the word will definitely come in handy in times like this, preferably Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God... LOL again even though i'm dead serious), a picture of your fiance (nothing like seeing the face of the one you are about to marry in a few hours), chamomile tea or vodka (you will definitely be needing a drink... or two LOL) and finally an i-pod with the soothing sounds of Michael Bublé, Jason Mraz or Norah Jones to calm your nerves in case of...

5. PRAY... prayer changes things and I'm a witness to that. If you can't find the words simply mouth the following... "LORD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE, THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN & THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!" What beautiful and profound words... perfect for any situation but especially on your wedding day!

6. KEEP IT MOVING... hey you, yes you! Did you forget about the money you spent, the time you invested and your family and friends that are waiting to see your beautiful face walk down that isle? Well, then, get it together... put your best smile on and step out and make your GRAND ENTRANCE! Let the chips fall where they may because guess what... IT'S YOUR WEDDING DAY!

Lesson:
Life is gonna throw you curve balls... even on your wedding day! So when the curve balls come, or the tide is high, or the milk is spilled or you are given lemons... do something with it! If it's curve balls... dodge them, if it's high tides... ride the waves, if it's spilled milk... get a cat, he or she will lick it up and if it's lemons... Gosh darn it, make that lemonade, add a little vodka & call your friends over already!
LIFE GOES ON & SO SHOULD YOUR WEDDING!

Until next time,
Smile, you're on camera!

To wear or not to wear... Bridesmaids Dresses

I was going through my memory bank and decided to revisit all the weddings that I had attended & some of the bridesmaids dresses that I've seen over the years... WHAT TORTURE!!! HOW COULD YOU??? WHAT IN THE WORLD WERE SOME OF YOU BRIDES THINKING WHEN YOU MADE THE SELECTION FOR YOUR LADIES IN WAITING???

What's the problem brides? Must you sabotage your ladies to ensure that you are the bell of the ball? Hello!!! Have we forgotten the saying "show me your company and I tell you who you are?" Let me break this down for you... if your girls walk in looking a hot mess, chances are the entire guests will spend their time talking & laughing about YOU and the fact that YOUR girls looked WHACK!

Think about it... it's gonna be said that YOU were the one who selected the dress.
Yes, you may be looking like a goddess but you will be remembered as the bride whose bridesmaids should be on the "WHAT NOT TO WEAR" tv show (lol)... and the pictures will be there to prove it (LOL again).
Well then, no need to cry over spilled milk, however we can definitely save you brides-to be the terror of being talked about behind your backs regarding your selection for your girls.


It's simple...
Look at what's current and up to the times. When in doubt go raid the magazine stands... my faves are Lucky, Vogue & Instyle. You will definitely find an array of "WHAT TO WEAR". And if you hate to read then just tune in to the latest tv shows that is designed to keep you current in the fashion world. The wheels of fashion are ever turning and you will be certain to find the pick of the litter and one that will definitely have your ladies-in-waiting looking like the million bucks that they already are.


Keep it classy and elegant. Gone are the days when the bridesmaids needs to be covered in TULLES, FRILLS, LACES, GLOVES & SHAWLS. Besides, those materials tends to itch quite a bit and you don't won't your girls looking and acting like they have just had an encounter with poison ivy now do you?

Since all your bridesmaids are not the same shape, height, or weight you will need to take that into consideration when selecting the dresses. You want your ladies to be comfortable and happy with the final results... it plays a huge role in the energy of your big day. When they shine, YOU shine.
Think I'm lying? Take a look at my bridal party... My ladies rocked that dress like nobody's business. And from the time they saw the dress & the colors, they knew it was a winner. Coupled with their own unique way of styling their hair and their individual selection of accessories, their own personality was definitely shining through on my wedding day... They were some SEXY BEASTS... singing "nails done, hair done, everything did, girl you fancy huh"... and that they were LOL, LOL!
My guests were able to see the reason I chose AVA, SACHA, FREDDELINE, LISA, KRISTINE, KATHLEEN, DEBORAH, DENISE & ROCHELLE as the ladies that represented me. Yes, It was all about me but it was all about them as well.



Lesson:
Even though it's your big day it takes others to complete the puzzle. Think about the entire picture and work towards ensuring that all the pieces are cohesively merged.
The bride matters... but so does the groom and the entire bridal party. How they feel and look is just as important as how you (the bride) feel and look.
I'd like to think of the bridal party as "the foreplay before the orgasm", YOU!
So go ahead and get the dress that will make those heads turn when when they see your bridesmaids... get that dress that your girls will be delighted to wear again... get that dress that a friend will want to borrow from your bridesmaids to wear to an event, get that dress that your bridesmaids will feel their most beautiful in (besides her wedding gown)... get that dress because SHE'S WORTH IT!


I found my bridesmaids, maid/matron of honor & usher's dresses at http://www.dessy.com/ & ordered them through a local boutique at Victoria's Bridal Couture http://www.victoriasbridalcouture.com/ located at 1302 East Las Olas, Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301.


Until next time,
Smile, you're on camera!

Shopping for your Dress...

The dress is pretty much the ticket item of your special day. Now to ensure that you purchase the dress that was specifically sketched, cut, sewn and bejewelled for you, I have come up with a few DO's & DONT's.
Without getting overly dramatic I'm just gonna lay down a few rules that I consider GENERIC & BASIC... and pretty much covers the global rector scale.
Here goes...

1. DO shop around before you decide on the final dress. Wedding dresses are not the easiest merchandise to return... and they cost more than your average dress.

2. DO NOT take an entourage with you when you are shopping for your dress. Too many opinions & commentaries will send you into a panic attack thus creating the possibility of you "catching a serious case".

3. DO NOT take your mother-in-law with you to find a dress. HELLO, she already has her own idea of what her future daughter-in-law should look like on HER SON'S wedding day... and 9 out of 10 times it's nothing close to what your sense of style is.

4. DO walk with a pair of stiletto when going to try on your dress. Preferably one that is the same height of the pair that you will be wearing on your special day. Fitting your wedding dress in a pair of flip flops will not cut it... Lift the standards ladies!

5. DO ensure that your hair is nicely and neatly done as well as your makeup (if it's even some blush, mascara & lip-gloss). Remember, what you see when trying on your dress will determine the love that you will have for the dress that is designed for you. In this case, put your best hair and face forward. Please leave the do-rags, bonnets & head-ties at home... those particular attire should not pass your front door on any occasion much less this particular one.

6. DO wear proper & clean undergarments. I understand that we are all females and most times the attendee will be a female... but that does not mean she wants to see your torn underwear or your dirty bra straps. Also, if it's necessary feel free to walk with your SPANX or BODY MAGIC. Remember, you are trying to get a visual of what you will look like on the day of... so ensuring that everything is neatly tucked, flattened and smooth is a PLUS!


7. DO NOT take someone with a DIVA-TUDE with you. Selecting a dress should be a fun experience and sometimes it can be a little emotional. Therefore, you need someone there that will make you laugh while going through the different selections. Someone that will tell you the truth without hurting your feelings or embarrassing you. Someone that is not secretly jealous of you and therefore finds it hard to allow you to shine during that moment. Someone that will go "OMG, YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL" & you will be able to see that they truly mean it by the twinkle in their eyes that's caused by the tears that's welling up in the corners.
SN: Sashanie Gray, I would like to personally thank you for going with me when I first tried my dress & for the final fitting. If I could clone you I would for all those brides-to-be in the world. You are the "PERFECT PERSONAL WEDDING DRESS SHOPPER" any girl could ever ask for. I hope I can be that & more to you on your special day.
I love you!

8. DO take your camera. Most of the private boutiques do not allow cameras, but HELLO... where there's a will there's a way. Capture the moment... it will be a great reflection piece over the years... especially if you plan on sharing it with your daughter(s). :-)

9. DO NOT freak out if you don't find your dress the first time around. That's why it's called SHOPPING... it's continuous... until you've found the GOLDEN TICKET (i'm in my Willy Wonka Mode, lol). Schedule another appointment somewhere else... it's FUN!

10. DO eat light on the morning/afternoon that you plan on going dress shopping. If I were you I would do a fruit smoothie (lol)... that should hold you by the time you are done trying on all those dresses.

11. DO know & understand your body type. It helps with the selection process. Certain designs were just not created for certain body types. There's no science to this thing... it's just about being honest with yourself and knowing what looks good on your body. The art of concealing and flattering comes in quite handy. When in doubt... stand NAKED in front of a full length mirror and just stare at yourself... now put things in PERSPECTIVE.

Well, my lovelies, that's about it. You will make this a great shopping experience if you follow these simple rules.
Not to worry, you WILL find your dream dress... make it a fun one.

Until next time,
Smile, you're on camera!