Candy Girl!

Wedding Candy Buffet

The Candy Buffet has GOT to be one of my favorite wedding trends. They bring out our childish inner-spirits and are a great way to thank guests for attending your wedding.

In addition to candy buffets being a great wedding favor, it is an extremely fun wedding decoration.

Here are a few basic ideas on how to create the PERFECT Candy Buffet:

* The first thing you need to do is find some great candy containers and candy scoops. You can rent containers (check with your wedding planner, florist, or rental shop for ideas and options) or you can purchase them at your local craft store. Oops...let me not forget EBay!

* You should definitely obtain clear containers. They showcase your candy selections and have a charming appeal.

* Be creative. The sky is the limit when it comes to how you want to present your candy buffet.

* In addition to your candy jars and candy selections, you will want to decorate the table. Consider including:

* A table runner in one of your wedding colors
* Flowers & flower petals
* Candles
* Decor that matches your theme
* Childhood pictures of the bride and groom

* One of the easiest ways to bring style to your candy buffet display is to put your candy jars at different levels. Raise the containers to different heights by putting books or other supporting materials under the table cloth. Your wedding caterer or cake designer may also have dessert stands you can rent for the evening to achieve the leveled look.

* When making your candy selections, consider several things – your wedding colors, your theme, and your candy favorites.

* Use your wedding colors to inspire your candy selections. You don’t have to stay true to the colors you selected for the rest of the wedding, but it is a great way to tie it all together.

* The thing to remember with color is that it makes a difference – whatever colors you select. Candy buffets with coordinated colors look much better than random-colored candy selections.

* Incorporating some details from your wedding theme can help make your candy favors even more memorable. Asian theme? Include fortune cookies. Winter wedding? How about white-chocolate covered pretzels?

* What was your favorite childhood candy? Candy bracelets, ring pops, now and laters, Boston Baked Beans? Do a simple Google search for nostalgic candy. You'll be surprised at what you can find!

* Plan by how you want the display to look, not how many guests are coming. Having enough candy is crucial in making your candy buffet look good.

* First, determine how many jars and types of candies you want. I recommend 7-10 (or more, depending on budget) types of candies. Buy 15-20 pounds of each variety.

* The more the merrier holds true in a wedding candy buffet. Something this cool demands a presence and having plenty of candy will ensure your candy buffet display looks great!

* A wedding candy buffet is a great do-it-yourself favor that your guests will not soon forget. Make sure to include favor boxes or bags so they have something to put their candy selections in. Once again, Ebay is a wonderful resource for finding inexpensive bag or box choices.

* Make your guests literally feel like a kid in a candy store when they join in the celebration of your wedding.


A few candy websites:

* www.candywarehouse.com
* www.blaircandy.com
* www.groovycandies.com
* www.sweetnostalgia.com
* www.hometownfavorites.com
* www.oldtimecandy.com

India Arie...New Album...New Man...New Attitude

The very beautiful, talented India Arie is gracing the cover of this week's Jet Magazine.

India talks candidly about how she grew weary competition as well as the need to have her music categorized, and, as she calls it “the politics of the music industry.” “I was planning on what to do with my money, what I would do to make it grow. I really was going to retire,” she told Jet magazine.

“I’ve learned that music is a challenge, not a competition. I released the fear of chart positions and album sales, and reconnected with the love of music and the love of the listener and the love of myself again.”

India has a new man in her life who helped her come to this realization. Congrats India! Love is something else, aint it?

Chocolate Brides Radio Made The Paper!

Wow. We don't have the words! A BIG CB hug and a kiss to David Hinckley for writing an article about Chocolate Brides Radio in today's NY Daily News! We are SO excited! Click HERE to read the article in it's entirety!

Throwback Thursday

Special thanks to PeeJay from ChocolateBrides.Com for sharing this BEAUTIFUL video of her grandparents!

Taraji's Look

We really loved Taraji's look at the Oscars this past weekend! In fact, this would make a GREAT wedding look! New York-based celebrity hair stylist, Dante Blandshaw shares expert tips on how he used Aveda products to achieve Taraji P. Henson’s look for the Oscar Awards:

• “I started with Aveda Brilliant Shampoo and Aveda Brilliant Conditioner to soften Taraji’s textured hair,” said Blandshaw. “I love the Aveda Brilliant line because it provides a smooth shine to textured hair and reduces blow dry time.”

• Prep hair with Aveda Brilliant Damage Control to protect from heat styling.

• Blow dry hair straight using a paddle brush.

• After blow drying, add a dime-sized amount of Aveda Brilliant Universal Styling Creme to add additional shine without weighing hair down.

• Flat-iron hair to create the foundation for a smooth, sleek red carpet look.

• Using 1.5” and 2” barrel curling irons, curl hair throughout to give bend and movement, accenting the layers in the cut.

• Slightly curl the front to create a soft, side-swept bang for added height and fullness.

• Comb hair through with a wide-tooth comb.

• Spray with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray for a light finish. “Aveda Air Control Hair Spray is a perfect complement to this look because its lightweight formula provides lasting hold and shine without weighing hair down,” said Blandshaw.

Disney unveils dolls for The Princess and the Frog

These dolls would make great flowergirl gifts!!!




There was a royal debut for a line of dolls inspired by Disney’s first Black princess.

Disney Consumer Products unveiled the line of dolls inspired by its forthcoming film The Princess and the Frog in New York on Monday.

The film, set in New Orleans, stars Princess Tiana, who is Disney’s first Black princess (voiced by Dreamgirls star Anika Noni Rose). “It really is a dream come true for me in reality,“ Anika said of her role.

Anika (who already looks like a Disney princess) was there for the big reveal at the American International Toy Fair. She seemed almost moved to tears when she was presented with a one-of-a kind Princess Tiana doll created especially for her by Mattel.

There are a few different versions of the Princess Tiana doll, which will no doubt grace catalogs and commercials alike this holiday season. Fortunately, the dolls will be pretty affordable; they’re expected to retail for $10 to $15.Did we mention that Oprah is voicing Tiana's mom in the movie?

Seeing the dolls for The Princess and The Frog almost makes us wish we were still young enough to play with them.

The full line of toys boasts vivid, bayou-inspired tones of blue, green, gold and purple. According to Disney, more items in the line will be released later, including playsets, costumes and colorful accessories.

The Princess and the Frog marks a return to Disney's classic 2-D animation and should be released some time during the holiday season. The film has been generating buzz since the project was announnced back in 2007. Since then, it has undergone some script changes. For example, Tiana used be a chambermaid named Maddie (no...really).

Article by Sonya Eskridge

Hors D'oeuvres Done The Right Way!

When I told friends and family that I intended to serve bite sized macaroni and cheese balls, collard greens served in mini plates and spicy wings butler style at a party that I was hosting a couple of months back, they all gave me strange looks. In actuality, it turned out to be one of the most unique, cost effective ways to serve food at a party.  We were expecting over 300 guests and we really didn't have the budget nor space to do a sit down dinner for all of those people. 

Food & beverage will probably be the one thing that will drain your wedding budget. So why not have your wedding late to mid morning and serve heavy hors d'oeuvres! Get your wedding reception off to the perfect start with the most colorful and flavorful hors d'oeuvres imaginable! You can add a personal and creative touch which will make your appetizers individually yours! Serve your guests with style!

Bling Out Your Cake!

For years, brides have been accessorizing with tiaras, earrings and necklaces. Why not dress up your wedding cake with jewelry too? Cake top jewelry is a popular trend from stunning monograms acented with swarovski stones, to sprays with swarovski crystal drops expressions. Cake jewelry will add the finishing touch to your elegant cake.

bow of metal loops edged with Swarovski stones

delicate, cascading vines of tiny rhinestone flowers & leaves

stylized metal flowers encrusted with Swarovski rhinestones

shining metal monograms accented with rhinstones flowers

Tiffany Blue Paradise

The Tiffany Blue wedding theme is used along with robin egg blue or a light pale blue color theme. When people first think about a Tiffany blue wedding they think of the famous jewelry store that gives a feeling of elegance and extravagance.

The Tiffany Blue wedding is just not for celebrities anymore! The possibilities are ENDLESS!

Love Is A Beautiful Thing....Aint it?

My Love Don't Cost A Thing

We're all feeling the effects of the recession, and many of you ladies might be finding it hard to think of special ways to celebrate this Valentine's Day without breaking the bank.

Here are some creative things you can do for your man that are either totally free or super cheap:

1. Cook him dinner—wearing nothing but your sexiest lingerie and heels. Believe us when we say that it won't matter at all what the meal actually winds up tasting like!

2. Serve yourself up for dessert. Grab some of your favorite condiments (think honey and chocolate syrup), lay a towel down (you'll thank us for this pointer later) and turn yourself into a jumbo banana split sundae.

3. Role play. Ever have a naughty nurse and patient fantasy? Or maybe you’re more of a sexy maid and butler type? Whatever your fantasy may be, dressing up like different characters can add a sexy spark to any V-day rendezvous.

4. Make like a Pussycat Doll and treat your man to his very own personal lapdance. My favorite song to get down to? "Kiss," by Prince—the slinky beat and sexy lyrics set the perfect mood.

5. Run a luxurious bubble bath...for the two of you. You can get really yummy smelling bath salts and oils from most chain drugstores these days. Light candles, throw on some slow jams and relax.

6. Give him a sensual massage. Lay him down and turn him to putty in your hands with a full body rubdown. Be sure to use massage oil or lotion, or the friction created by your hands might be too much for your man to handle!

Mariela Rosario/Latina.Com

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

We here at Chocolate Brides adamantly believe that everyday should be Valentine's Day..however, to sync ourselves with the rest of the universe, we would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!

CLICK HERE for a special Valentine's Day Music Mix courtesy of DJ Probe Dms! Be sure to turn this joint on for some mood music tomorrow night. (or morning....whenever you..well...you know!) It's pretty hot!

Throwback Thursday

One of my FAVORITE candies as a kid was the ever so popular candy necklace.  I wore it proudly during hot summers while jumping double dutch and I didn't think twice about eating it although it was soaked in sweat.  (ewwwww) 

Well, for those of you who want to take it back to the old school, I found a candy garter for you. It's identical to the old school candy necklace except it's designed like a garter!  Yes!  Your new husband can slob on your leg while trying to eat your garter.  ((enter blank stare here))

 

We Can't Stop..We Won't Stop!

As a part of our ongoing effort to remain the # 1 source for bridal information for brides of color, we are preparing to launch Chocolate Brides Radio! Looking for suggestions for music that will REALLY get the party started?  No need to look any further!  CB Radio will be dedicated to offering it's listeners the largest variety of R & B, Old School Hip Hop, Gospel & Jazz - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We will also be an extension of ChocolateBrides.Com where we will offer wedding talk, advice from wedding professionals and inspiration.

If you are a wedding professional and you are interested in promoting your services for literally pennies a day on Chocolate Brides Radio, please e-mail us at sales@chocolate-brides.com! Mention this blog and receive 2 weeks for free!

Straight from the CB thinktank: "Is It Possible to Have a Wedding Under $5,000 (150 guests)?"

I say it ALL the time, CB will consistently swoop in with more than just ideas, but with motivation and encouragement. This particular question was really asked in a ChocolateBrides.com thread. Here is how the CB's responded:

DivaJag says:
"It's doable, but you're going to have to seriously reign in expenses. The first question to ask yourself is what is important to you? What MUST you have? What are you not as concerned about? Then look for ways to slash prices on the things you don't really care about.

For example, if you're not picky about invitations and programs, then get something inexpensive printed up (or DIY -- do it yourself) and type up your own programs on the computer (we have a template section on the site) and go to Kinkos.
If you're not picky about the reception, then consider having a morning wedding (with a brunch reception) or moving the wedding to a non-peak day or negotiate with the caterer to take some things off for a discount (I got free hors d'oeuvres at my reception because I didn't want the dessert the caterer was offering, so they made a substitution) or a potluck or a very casual affair. For attire, go to David's Bridal or eBay or buy a used wedding dress off craigslist. So in a nutshell, yes, it is possible to have a wedding under $5k, but you need to be willing to "think outside of the box." "

Zion1908 chimed in:
Sis, anything is possible. Granted, I'm not in ATL so I don't really know what down there would be affordable to you. But take some of what everyone else has said.

Food:
Light hors d'ouvres or maybe just dessert and champagne/sparkling cider

Flowers:
Limit to just wedding party members and get them from the grocery store or a wholesale floral outlet. There are instructions here on the boards for making fabulous bouquets and boutionneres from flowers bought at the supermarket.

Attire:
Off the rack, eBay, or have a trusted seamstress do everything.

Ceremony music:
If not CDs, then look into students at local schools who might be willing to play for free or a small amount of money.

Photography:
If you hire someone, only enlist their services for the ceremony and have everyone take snapshots at the reception.

Cake:
Grocery stores often have cakes just as beautiful as fancy bakeries and they're ALWAYS cheaper. We got our cake from a local market here.

Invitations:
Your printer and some nice paper. You can even catch those invitation kits on sale at Michael's, AC Moore, or Wal-Mart.

Location:
If you know someone with a nice yard, offer them a small honorarium in exchange for using their home. If you know someone who lives in a community with a clubhouse, or if you live in one yourself, use the clubhouse. The mansion where we got married was owned by the county as a park location, so since we were county residents we were able to get a discount. Check into parks and publicly-owned buildings.

Ask friends and family with useful talents to donate their services as a wedding gift (or at least negotiate a discount based on your relationship). If you can, barter services. For instance, my friend does wedding photography and she needed a website. So I did her website at no cost in exchange for her services at my wedding. We got professional photography for free! Also, let Craigslist.com be your friend. A lot of people out there offer their services on Craigslist for free or at an incredible discount just because they're starting out and simply want to get their name out there or add to their portfolio. This would come in handy in your search for a DJ or photographer.
* Don't get a traditional wedding cake. Get the simple round cakes from the grocery store and buy pedestal platforms from the craft store or bakery store in varying heights and set them up at the reception.

* You can even embellish them with those cheap flowers from the grocery store or wholesale floral shop that we talked about. You'll spend a fraction of a fraction of what you would have spent for a traditional wedding cake. And one thing my husband and I did was have our regular cake (which wasn't large enough for our guest count) and then a sheet cake in the back that would feed the rest of the guests. It shaved our cake costs because if we had gotten another tier on our cake to feed everyone it would have cost us much more. Have just a few rounds on display, and then feed any remaining guests with the sheet cake.

* Have everything in one place. Unless you have a hookup for the church or house of worship where you want to marry, you're going to have to pay a fee for that. Having everything in one place cuts down your costs because you won't have to pay one fee for the church and another for the reception location.

* Don't include RSVP cards in your invitations. Have everyone RSVP via phone or email. It'll cut down on your postage costs as well as the costs of your invitation supplies.

* If you can't afford an officiant, have a trusted friend or family member get ordained online and perform the ceremony as a gift. this may not be an issue for you, but it's an idea."





To see more of what the ladies had to say on this topic, visit the messageboard! This is what makes ChocolateBrides.com THE premier website for Brides of Color! The advice and love is absolutely priceless.

Big Ups To Bob Eubanks...The Original OG!

Oh snap...they're bringing the Newlywed Game back! For those too young to remember this show (which happened to be one of my favorite gameshows from back in the day), here's a little clip:

So if you're a newlywed, and you're not camera shy, Click HERE to download application.

Fill out the application carefully, and provide good answers to questions about how you met, how the marriage proposal went, what your wedding was like, and what your honeymoon was like. Because this is "The Newlywed Show," expect to provide such information as your nicknames for each other, what annoys you about your spouse and more. Be as creative and humorous as you can in the application.

Make a three-minute videotape of yourselves, explaining why you want to be on "The Newlywed Game" and what would make you a good couple for the show. The tape should begin with the basics -- names, ages, city and state, and jobs. If either of you has an interesting hobby or talent, include this on the tape. Embassy Row only accepts VHS, Mini DV or DVD versions. Label your tape with your names, city, state and phone number.

Mail the tape (along with your application package, if you're mailing that) to: Embassy Row, ATTN: The Newlywed Game Casting Dept., 325 Hudson Street Suite 601, New York, NY 10013. Remember that you won't get the tape back.

Remember, if you are chosen as a contestant on the show, you'll be expected to appear at the discretion of the producers. Most game shows pay the travel expenses of contestants. Good Luck!

The Wedding Song by Jamie Foxx

Looking for a tear jerking song for your wedding day? This is it right here!  Man....if I ever meet Jamie again, I'm going to INSIST that he professionally record this song. Does he know how many brides would LOVE to throw this joint on as they come down the aisle?

For The Retro Bride - Birdcage Veils!

The first rule in the Chocolate Brides book of wedding fashion is, DARE TO BE DIFFERENT! Who says that all brides must wear the traditional wedding veil?

Birdcage veils can definitely add a daring sense of glamour to your bridal attire. Although this look may not work for everyone, they are absolutely beautiful and ever so sexy! Birdcage veils usually work best with trumpet or mermaid style dresses - however, this is another rule definitely not written in stone. The birdcage can be as simple or dramatic as you want.

Ahhhh! We love it, love it, LOVE IT! Tres chic!

Duane Martin & Tisha Campbell Are Expecting!

Despite rumors of splitsville in the past, Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin are still going strong after 12 years and looking forward to the addition of their second child to the family!

Tisha’s former Martin co-star — and best friend — Tichina Arnold, confirms to Usmagazine.com.

“She just found out and is so excited!” adds Arnold.

Tisha, 40 — who is two months along — and Duane are already parents to a son, Xen, 8.
Find out the hidden meanings behind celeb baby names.

“She hopes to have a girl this time, and has said she would love to name her Derek,” Arnold adds. “She has been wanting a girl for almost six years. Everybody is so excited!”
Congrats to both of them, I hope to seem back on the small screen soon. I think they are both great sitcom actors.

source

Wordless Wednesday

Long Live Sex and the City!!

A recent "Sex and the City" bridal shower brainstorming discussion over on the Chocolate Brides messageboard caught my eye. WHAT A TERRIFIC IDEA! With a little bit of ingenuity, a SITC bridal shower will give your guests something to remember for years to come. Here are a few random suggestions:

* To ensure that your guests 'get it', be sure to set the tone of the bridal shower by giving girly invitations that indicate your SITC theme.

* Suggest that your guests dress as a character from SITC. Be sure to throw a couple of suggestions out there.

* Print out stickers or make buttons for your guests indicating which character they are.

* Tara over at WHEN TARA MET BLOG did the following:

"For drinks we had a fountain bubbling out pink lemonade and vodka, which looked like Cosmopolitan’s when poured into a martini glass, but not as strong for an afternoon party, although they were lethal in its ability to mask the taste of the alcohol. We also had wine and all the liquor bottles that we out on the table had flower designed Wine-O cards around their necks for added decoration, which I first heard about over at Hostess With The Mostess. For dessert, we of course had Magnolia cupcakes and some awesomely designed ones from Sweet in Boston (my bridesmaid Jacquie brought them down with her)."

For more fun ideas on how to incorporate some Sex in the City into your bridal shower or bachelorette party, check out the Chocolate Brides Messageboard!