And Now A Word From THE Chocolate Bride..

Greetings Chocolate Brides, Grooms, Visitors, Admirers & Extended Family:

Chocolate Brides is preparing for a huge relaunch. As a result, we have decided to close this blog. We are going to come back bigger, brighter, better and chocolatey-er, than ever before. Please be sure to "JOIN OUR SITE" now (right over there underneath the red banner) so that we can inform you of when the new site goes live.

Love, Peace & Chocolateyness

A Lil' Father's Day Love!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Finally Found One...

After a year of looking high and low for a bridal Beyonce picture, I found one. Not exactly sure if this image is an 'actual' bridal portrait...but hey....it's better than nothing.

The Secret Sauce

As we have all learned over the past couple of weeks, marriage aint for everybody. Having celebrity status doesn't make you prone to divorce. (ie: Usher & Tameka - -Nas & Kelis)

1/2 of one of our favorite Chocolate Couples did an recent interview at Redbook recently and she's letting us in on her secret sauce.

Nice outfits and high heels! And talking. And making time. You’ve got to make time. Our men want to feel important. We want to feel important. So it’s about establishing an environment in which that can happen. It can be hard because we get caught in the grind of life. Establish relationships with family members or friends and take turns with each other’s kids so you can make that time for yourselves. It doesn’t take a lot of money - wallets are tight right now - so just simple stuff. A night walk? Man, do I love those. Or pack a lunch and go to the park, like Will and I did. Even a drive - and then pull over on the side of the road! Think of places outside that are comfortable to have sex. Does he have access to his office? Have a fantasy date. Be his secretary! Be sneaky. Your girlfriend’s house at a party. The bathroom! A guest bedroom! Just switch it up. Anything like that can keep it going. Anything it takes to keep the flame alive.

Jada also revealed in a recent interview with Ebony Magazine that her marriage with Will shall last 'til the end of time...

When Will asked me to get married, I said, ‘Understand this, there will be no divorce. So, you might be in one bedroom and I might be in another, but we’re gonna be under the same roof and we’re gonna be married”.

Chocolate Brides Song Receive Rave Reviews!

Skip, author of the Chocolate Bride Theme Song & his beautiful Chocolate Bride, GMA Bride

Taken from RadioIndy.com

Layered, smooth-as-chocolate-silk harmonies are the order of the day on Skip Mahoney and the Casuals' 5-track CD, "Chocolate Brides Theme Song," an impeccable R&B ballad as old school as it is modern. Romantic and affirmative, and timeless in its celebration of love and marriage, "Chocolate Brides" is - as its name implies, a unique and soulful paean to the 21st century African-American bride. Delivering five different remixes, Skip Mahoney & the Casuals offer one performance specifically tailored to the old school crowd, another featuring the vocal group S.O.L.E. that's geared to the contemporary R&B fan, one with S.O.L.E.'s neo-soul flourishes, plus two instrumental versions perfect for the dance floor. On all three of the vocal renditions, however, Mahoney's splendid tenor and flights of falsetto proves the perfect foil for group harmonies that recall such R&B stalwarts as The O'Jays or The Spinners. As each generation produces its own particular wedding songs, Skip Mahoney and the Casuals' CD, "Chocolate Brides Theme Song," just might be the perfect wedding disc for the contemporary African-American couple wanting to add a special – chocolate – flavor to their nuptials.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team

Support ChocolateBrides! And groove at the same time!

ChocolateBrides is home to so many talented and inspirational people. One such couple are Skip and Renee, affectionately known on the boards as Poppa Skip and Mom Renee! In honor of the website that has blessed us all so much, Poppa Skip and his group, Skip Mahoney and the Casuals have produced a cd featuring the ChocolateBrides Theme Song. Please support this awesome group while also supporting ChocolateBrides as well!

excerpt taken from the Notes on the ChocolateBrides Theme Song CD baby page:

Skip Mahoney and The Casuals have on the R&B music scene for approximately 40 years singing love ballads with Skip's melodic falsetto. S.O.L.E. is a neo-soul group based in the Washington Metro area that Skip tapped to help him produce this project. Turns out their sound was reminiscent of Old School R&B, but with today's flair. Skip also believes this album is a first for an artist to release his original song with a new group remake and a re-mix from each group and the instrumental on the same release.



Chocolate Brides is a tribute to Love, but especially black love. It is a song that disputes the negative belief that African-Americans do not marry or commit to Love. Skip's wife is a member of ChocolateBrides.com, which she joined when they were planning their wedding. He loved the commitment and camaraderie he saw amongst the members that he decided to write a song for the members. He especially admired the owner/creator of the site, Kesha Monk and her husband Eugene Myrick. Kesha is a well known DJ in the NY, Chicago and Los Angeles area. It was Kesha's vision to create a place for brides of color to plan their unique wedding day and to share a special sisterhood and also allowing future spouses and significant others to participate in the fun. The site generates an air of family whenever it is visited.



The cd has the song in 3 genres, Old Skool R&B, contemporary R&B and instrumental (suitable for that trip down the aisle.



Sit back and enjoy this tribute to love.

Click Here to listen and purchase this awesome CD!

Pure Chocolate Splendor!

I was going to blog this beautiful story myself but the photographer, Shannon Smith of 831 Photography(Akron, Ohio) worded it so well, I simply decided to ask his permission to repost his blogging of the wedding of Stacey and Ernest! Enjoy!

Stacey & Ernest's Wedding

What a beautiful wedding at the Akron Civic Theatre. I was totally impressed with the style and organization of LW Special Event Planning from Los Angeles, California. LaTonya was super easy to work with, and kept everything right on track.

Stacey had a very unique way of receiving her bouquet - the women in her life most important to her each delivered a flower, and at the end, her mother hand tied the flowers into a bouquet - very original!

If you've never had the pleasure of visiting the Akron Civic Theatre, I'd suggest you make time! It's a very beautiful location, in the middle of being restored to it's original glory. The ceremony took place in the Grand Foyer, an absolutely amazing room with beautiful carvings, artwork, and lighting. The manager was extremely helpful, basically giving us full access to all the amazing areas of one of the most unique theaters in the country. It is only one of a handful of theaters in the US that have an ambient ceiling - projected clouds, twinkling lights, and a seamless look. You'd swear you were outdoors!

Thanks again to an amazing couple for letting us capture your day. Stacey & Ernest, best wishes for your future!

Shan

MochaWifey's thoughts:

1. Thanks again Shan, Stacy & Ernest and LW Events for sharing with us!
2. BEAUTIFUL use of the natural architecture and decor of the Civic Center! For CB insight on selecting great venues, click here.
3. The ChocolateBrides are LOVING the birdcage veils...click here for more pics and ideas on them!
4. Obvious great job on selecting a photographer! CB's, click here to view a beautiful slideshow of these fabulous Chocolate nuptials by visiting the 831 Photography blog!
5. Seamless selection of a great event planner! LA CB's, be sure to check out LW Events!