2008 - The Year of the Chocolate Bride ........and Groom!

Wow.  Is it me or does it seem like EVERYBODY is jumping the broom these days?  Love is in the air...and I LOOOOOOOVE IT!

Jawn Murray, who happens to be a friend of Chocolate Brides - is reporting in his column at Black Voices that the velvet teddy bear aka Ruben Studdard has tied the knot!  In fact, check out his synopsis:

The 29-year-old R&B crooner, dubbed "The Velvet Teddy Bear" by soul icon Gladys Knight, wed Surata Zuri McCants atCanterbury United MethodistChurch in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala. on Saturday. Studdard and his 30-year-old bride took out a marriage license at the County Probate Office inColumbiana, Ala., last Monday.

Studdard met McCants in October 2006, when he was signing CDs at a Wal-Mart in Atlanta. Captivated by her beauty, he followed her to the store's toy department, and requested her telephone number.

Studdard had 20 groomsmen by his side, and there was no singing during the 30-minute ceremony - just an exchange of vows, prayers and music provided by a string ensemble.

He and his groomsmen wore custom-made black tuxedos by Joseph Abboud. The bride chose a white and ivory floor-length Casablanca wedding gown.

Congratulations Ruben and Surata!