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!
   

ChocolateBrides Love

The Heart and Soul of ChocolateBrides.com is the Message Board and the bonds created by the members who participate and share there! In genuine love of the board and the great love found there, one of our members, LilSpyce created this video for our founders Kesha and Eugene! Enjoy!

A Second Chance At Love

I can't possibly be the only one who's doing cartwheels over the upcoming nuptials of Malinda Williams & Jill Scott.  I'm so giddy until it's somewhat sickening. I don't know how to explain it. Maybe it's the idea of being young, beautiful, black and in love. Perhaps it's the way they smile uncontrollably whenever they're asked about their upcoming marriages.  Or maybe it's the constant negative stereotype of black women of only being capable of being a 'BABY MAMA' that is making me extra happy that Malinda & Jill are receiving a second chance at love.  

I've read a few ridiculous commentaries on the net that ask readers if Jill is getting remarried too soon or if Malinda's fiance will be a better husband than her previous. I say, why can't we just be happy for them instead of trying to be psychic? *rolls eyes* 

Congratulations to them both!

How To Get In Jet Magazine

One of the highlights of my post wedding season was having our wedding picture featured in Jet Magazine. We've all opened up a Jet at some point in our lives and gushed at black love in print - so now it's your turn! Just so you'll know - it took almost 7 months for our picture to appear. The process aint immediate. :)

Here is the information to submit your pics to JET:

In order to be considered for the Love & Happiness section of JET Magazine, you must do the following:

1. Submit a clear full-color, full-faced photograph of the bride and groom. Include the couple's full name and be certain to include the bride's maiden name. Also write the couple's full name on the back of the photo along with a telephone number and address.
2. Provide the wedding's location, including the city and state.
3. List the couple's education and occupation.
4. Give the city and state that the couple plan to reside.
5. Provide honeymoon spot.

6. For anniversary submissions, the couple should be married for 50 years or more. Provide the location that the anniversary was celebrated along with the city and state. If couple is retired, provide occupations. Give the number of children, grandchildren, etc.

Please forward this information to the attention of:

JET Love & Happiness
820 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

This information will be submitted to the JET Editorial Review Board. Photos will not be returned. In addition, JET reserves the right to accept or reject wedding or anniversary photos.

Thanks for your interest. Congratulations on your recent marriage or anniversary and good luck.

That's me & Big Daddy - upper right

The DO NOT FORGET list

I remember being temporarily insane on my wedding day. I mean, I darn near blacked out. (seriously) Even though I spent almost a year planning my wedding, every 2-3 minutes, I felt as though I was forgetting something. You must remember that planning and preparation prevents piss poor performance.

Here's a small list of the DO NOT FORGET items that you may find helpful. (in no particular order)

Written vows or poem to be presented

Wedding gown

Veil and headpiece

Additional headpiece for reception (optional)

Special bra, panties

Special slip

Extra hosiery

Shoes

Gloves

Jewelry

Make-up, perfume

Nail polish and file

Curling iron, curlers

Comb, brush

Hairspray, extra bobby pins

Mirror

Toothbrush, toothpaste, breath mints (an absolute must)  lol!

Iron or steamer

Garter

Penny or sixpence

Bible, hanky, etc

Ring pillow

Flower basket (if not being delivered by florist)

Going-away outfit

Going-away undergarments

Going-away shoes and hosiery

Accessories, jewelry, etc.

Wedding night bag (placed in get-away car)

Honeymoon suitcases (placed in get-away car)

Ceremony Program (Basket for Programs)

Ceremony Decorations (Pew Bows, Framed Pictures)

Unity Candle & Tapers

Marriage License

Fee for Officiant

Basket or Container to Hold Money Envelopes

Scotch Tape  

Guest Book and Pen (bring extra pens) 

Place Cards, in Alphabetical Order

Cake Knife

Toasting Flutes

Favors

Emergency Kit

Updated Guest List (definitely more than one copy)

Wedding Broom

Since we're on the topic of forgetting stuff, maybe I forgot an item or two to the do not forget list.  :)  Feel free to add yours!

We Need A Late Pass....

We're super duper late on this one.

I'm sure you've heard by now....Sarah Jakes, one of Bishop TD Jakes' daughters, was married in a breathtaking ceremony at The Potter's House. She married Robert Henson who plays football player from Texas Christian University. Some of the celebrities in attendance included Dr. Phil, Tyler Perry, Emmitt Smitt, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders.

The Bishop has a blog and you can read about the wedding from a Daddy's point of view by clicking >>here<<. She was/is one BEAUTIFUL Chocolate Bride!!!

What The Heezy?

I really hate to beat a dead horse...but whenever I run across something on the internet like the following, I simply cannot keep it to myself.  This article is about 1 or 2 years old...but definitely worth sharing.

Taken from the website, RACIALICIOUS.COM

BRIDAL MAGAZINES SEEM TO THINK BLACK WOMEN DON’T GET MARRIED

Here’s an interesting study just done by a University of Missouri-Columbia researcher who found that African-American women are practically non-existent within the pages of bridal magazines:

Frisby and Erika Engstrom, professor at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, studied mainstream bridal magazines published from 2000 to 2004…

The covers and advertisements of 57 randomly selected issues of Bride’s Magazine, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride published from 2000 to 2004 were analyzed. Frisby and Engstrom did not find a significant improvement in the portrayal of African-American women: fewer than 2 percent of the advertisements featured African-American brides, and not a single magazine analyzed had an African-American bride on the cover. Images of African-American bridesmaids were more common.

“Our data seem to support the idea that the phrase ‘always a bridesmaid, never a bride’ was actually meant for how women of color are represented in bridal magazines,” Frisby said. “Such portrayals of African-American women as bridesmaids may communicate a negative assumption that it’s better for African Americans to stay in background roles as opposed to positions of equal status or power. Various forms of bias in bridal advertisements not only harm African-American women’s sense of identity, but also derail attempts to show that our society is multicultural and accepting of people of color. Interracial settings and frequent portrayal of African Americans as main characters may help break down cultural and racial barriers and increase communication among people of all colors and ethnicities.”

I’m sure a lot of this is influenced by the (unfortunately) pervasive stereotype of black women as unwed mothers. And let’s not forget that mainstream magazines are extremely reluctant to put women of color on the cover because anytime they do, newsstand sales take a nosedive — even when the woman is a superstar like Halle Berry or Beyonce.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  This fight that my husband & I have decided to fight gets so very tiring at times..but we can't give up.  It's 2008 and we still have a really long way to go.  Wait 'til they find out about ChocolateBrides.Com.  Not just the website...but the movement.  Lord have mercy.

Unique Idea Of The Moment

I love, love, LOVE the thought of being different and unique. So without further adieu, here's a little something that I'll call:

THE CHOCOLATE BRIDES UNIQUE IDEA OF THE MOMENT

Monogrammed Cookie Favors

Here's an incredibly cute, classy and INEXPENSIVE idea for wedding favors. Whether you do-it-yourself or you decide to run to your local BJs or Sam's Club, this wedding favor is guaranteed to be a hit! 

Bridesmaidzilla

Simply put...a bridesmaidzilla is a bad bridesmaid. We've all seen her.  She's either complained about the color or price of her dress or she's mad about having to take part in the bridal shower. She hasn't paid the deposit for the dress and she's pissed that SHE has to pay for the alterations.

Just when I heard it all, I ran across the following situation over at the ChocolateBrides.Com messageboard.

Ladies I have yet to have a smooth ride with these bridesmaids. I have a bridesmaid who refuses to wear a bra. She wears a 36DD and thinks that she doesn't need to wear a bra in the wedding. In a second I am about to go down to two bridesmaids since I already got rid of one. I just wonder if the pics would look terrible with only 2 bridesmaids and 3 grooms men. Please help!!!

Check out some of the responses!

My stance would be that if she won't wear a bra she won't be in the wedding. Your pix will look much better with 3 groomsmen and 2 bridesmaids than they will with one of your bridesmaids boobs out of control. I don't advocate people making bridesmaids change things that are inherent to their looks and beliefs but a bra is a simple foundation garment that needs to be worn by women with larger busts in strapless dresses. In fact for modesty's sake and to prevent nipples poking through in pix I would probably ask even smaller busted women to wear bras.

 - bajanempress

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ole girl needs to strap those badboys down. IF she wants to look crazy, she can do that on her time and her time (read: in the wedding audience, not in the bridal party) She is relatively 'small' from a busty babe's point of view. She can get some support relatively inexpensively. She just wants to be extra. 

Sincerely,

LoveCalls
President of the BTC
(42 J)

P.S. www.biggerbras.com is her friend
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm curious to know what is her reason for not wanting to wear a bra? Is it that she does not wear one on a regular basis? Anywho, I too have large breast (42DD) and under no circumstance will I go anywhere without a bra. Just today I needed to run to the car to get something from the trunk and although my car is parked directly in front of my house.....I refused to go because I didn't have the boys strapped down. No matter what type of dress you have in the wedding, a person of her breast size needs a bra...bottom line. I just purchased the best strapless bra from JC Penny on sale for $16.99 regulary, $28.99. So, if she's complaining about not being able to find one....take her there. OR like beezlilmama said....Lane Bryant.

 - Whiteross
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anything cup size that says double, you need a bra plain and simple. You need a bra when you are a single letter cup. -Zetadream4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UGH! She really needs to stop fooling herself....I dont care if your boobs look like two fried eggs..you need a BRA! Nothing worse than nips all showing and peeking through -Mocha_Newlywed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The pictures will NOT look bad with an odd number of BP members, so don't worry. There more than enough poses to handle that. Your real issue is BM with the big titays, STAND YOUR GROUND, I was a 36DD in two weddings and now I am a 38DDD in a wedding, she needs a bra. Nothing looks worse than a when the top of a dress is weighted down due to lack of support, every can see it. She can't find a bra....buy her one Lane Brynt has the BEST strapless bras for the well endowed ladies, I have 2 different types of SB from there so she has no excuse.

-beezlilmama

Preserve your friendship. Don't be a bridesmaidzilla.

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!

Budgets all Around!

I'm sure you have seen it before....a woman gets proposed to and the doe-eyes come into play when she starts thinking about every element that she wants in her wedding from the princess dress to the THOUSANDS of roses and rose petals scattered everywhere. And then, her dreams are shattered by the mention of the word "budget."

In all honesty, there is no real reason to be afraid of this tiny little word, and when used in the proper manner, it may help you keep a sane head (well mostly) throughout the duration of the wedding planning process. Also keep this in the back of your head, even the richest of the rich have budgets that they stick to when planning large events. I mean, they care about their money too, so don't get irritated or insulted when some vendor asks what your budget is, and you say excitedly that you don't have one, and they give you a look as if you have a third eye. Working with clients without a budget is like dealing with an active bomb for them.

After the post-engagement bliss has settled, the first thing that you want to do is gather the key players in the wedding budget arena (read=anyone who will be giving you a large amount of money to pay for major areas in your wedding) and discuss with them what they will be able to do, and what they won't be able to do for you. This is also the time for you to think realistically about what you and your significant other will be able to afford on your own. In short, you may not be able to have a full champagne wedding on a beer budget. So, here are a few guidelines that you may want to follow when starting the planning of your wonderful day.

First make a list of what is important to you. Those things that you just KNOW that you want to represent you and your mate for the day. Make sure once again, that these are realistic desires. Just because you saw Platinum weddings last night on television, doesn't always mean that you are going to be able to recreate that "exact" look. They call it Platinum for a reason. However, you can downscale the look and make it just as presentable. For example, cymbidium orchids are one of the higher priced flowers on the market for weddings. You could do the same look for less by making sure that the flowers you order are 1) In season and 2) just as beautiful in sets on reception tables or in arrangements. Is it really worth breaking your budget for those orchids when you could opt for something more memorable instead? Get a great DJ, or spend that extra money on a fantastic honeymoon for you and your sweetheart.

Second you want to realize that your reception itself is going to take up the majority of your budget. There is no reason for you to buy a $4,000 gown and only spend $2,000 on your reception. If you can't afford to have the same level of elegance all around, settle somewhere in the middle. Believe me, you'll be happier in the long run.

Most of all, just stay focused. Know what your absolute cutoff is, and don't go above that. You know that if you can actually afford that Monique Lhuiller or if you have to go with something that may be more of knockoff from David's Bridal. There is no shame in having the wedding that YOU can afford.

Chocolate Brides On Assignment

My husband told me to keep this on the downlow....but how can I?



This Saturday, Baltimore Ravens tight end Daniel Wilcox will marry the very beautiful Shauna Chin, a former Ms. Belize. The ceremony will take place at the 50-yard line at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The bride will be carried into the stadium by a Cinderella-style horse-drawn carriage AND CHOCOLATE BRIDES MAGAZINE WILL BE THERE!

I've attended about 250 weddings in the past 4 years and believe me when I tell you - when someone invites you to share the beginning of their new lives together, it is truly something special. It is something that I don't take for granted at all. So when our phone rang 3 months ago with a special invitation to attend Daniel & Shauna's wedding, it meant so much. Not only that, we received the call because their publicist had learned of Chocolate Brides Magazine and wanted us to take the opportunity to cover this phenomenal event. WHAT-A-BLESSING!

So here it is...the week of the wedding and I can hardly sleep due to massive excitement.

If you are planning your own wedding, remember that life is like a theater, so invite your audiences carefully. Not everyone is deserving enough to have a front row seat in your life. Remember that front row seats are for special and deserving people and those who sit in Your front row should be chosen carefully. Everyone can’t be in your front row!

Timberland Becomes A Chocolate Groom

Congratulations are in order for Timberland & his longtime girlfriend Monique Idlett who were married last week according to Us Magazine. The two wed — in their sweats in Virginia on Tuesday by a family pastor. (We're just DYING to see those pictures!)

The couple plans to jump the broom in a formal ceremony in Aruba on June 22. (which by the way, we're available....so if y'all need any help with the celebration, please contact us immediately)

Happy Father's Day

If you were blessed with a great husband...most likely that great husband is/or will be a great father. We'd like to take a moment to wish all the daddys out there, a happy father's day!

This not-so-famous Father is 1/2 owner of Chocolate Brides!  Just thought I'd stick that in there!

From Anti Bride to Elated Bride

This is a blog entry that came to me while thinking about how I went from wedding rookie to contributor for a bridal magazine.

In 2002, I was pushed into the wide world of weddings. Growing up I’d only attended a handful of weddings. Of course, I’d seen fairytale-inspired ceremonies on television and in movies. That was basically the most exposure to weddings I’d gotten... and really wanted at the time. But in 2002, oh 2002, I was asked to be a bridesmaid. The bride was a friend that I’d met in our freshman year of high school and have been close with since. There was no way I could turn my homie down. Since backing out wasn’t an option for me, I was lead to the Internet for a crash course on Weddings 101.

While doing research on weddings, I was bombarded by images of bridal gowns, bouquets and veils. It was natural for me to envision myself as one of the brides in those pictures. At first thought, however, I didn’t like what I saw. The everyday me loved blue jeans, underground Hip-Hop, indie movies, tattoos and sportsbar cuisine. I’d feel awkward drowning in layers of tulle draping over a puffy princess gown with a train long enough for the wedding party to surf on. That’s not ME but that’s what a BRIDE looks like, right? Was it possible for me to fit the uniform of a bride without being miserable on the Big Day? Seven years ago, I would have answered that question with a no. Back then weddings seemed like torture for everyone involved. People would get dressed in clothes they’d normally never wear and participated in impersonal wedding rituals because that's what they were supposed to do.

In addition to the honor of being a bridesmaid for my friend, the entire experience of being in a wedding led to many ideas for when I walked down the aisle in the future. By the time my sweetheart proposed in 2004, the decision to be the bride that I wanted to be was in place. With the support of friends and other brides-to-be at ChocolateBrides.com, I realized that every wedding doesn’t have to be the same. If we liked it then include it in the wedding, if we didn’t like it then nix it; simple as that! For the first time I realized that weddings can be personalized just like any other event while remaining just as sacred as traditional ceremonies. Our ceremony would include a sand pouring, basic vow recital, exchanging rings and jumping the broom. We didn’t feel a need to include any dancers, poems, soloists or lengthy readings just because we saw it beautifully done in other weddings. Our reception centered around celebrating because that’s the kind of people we are. My then fiancé and I felt our parents and grandparents deserved to see us look like a ‘real bride and groom’, so we wore actual wedding attire. However, I optioned for an A-line satin gown sans a train, an embellished bolero jacket and a single layered veil which draped down my back only. For dinner and dance time I was certain to emanicipate my body from any restrictive clothing, so I changed into a breezy chiffon gown. Yes, I noticed odd looks and comments when I mentioned some details of our wedding to others. None of that mattered to me and my husband-to-be. For us, the plans were just as perfect as any of the fairytale weddings on television.

On the Big Day while in the dressing room of the venue, I looked at myself in full bridal gear and was stunned speechless. I saw a happy BRIDE in that mirror but I also saw a happy ME in that mirror.

Wedding Bliss Seaside Style

Noesha King,  1/4 of the R & B group "Cherish", jumped the broom to her long time boyfriend Jason Lawrence last month.  They were wed in a beautiful seaside ceremony in Florida. Noesha was/is one BEAUTIFUL Chocolate Bride!

Who Woulda Thunk It?

Whoa.  Who in the world would have imagined that a 'fist bump' - or what I have always referred to as 'dap' - could have caused so much freakin' attention.  I mean...the amount of news stories that surfaced the day after Obama's victory speech the night he clinched the democratic nomination was absolutely unbelievable.  Have you googled 'fist bump' lately? Amazing, aint it?

We came across a blogger who had a humorous take on the whole fist bump thing.  Here's an excerpt:

So don't panic A-merry-ca, it's cool. The fist- bump thing is par for the course, and it won't affect the way the "O" man does his job. And this president will play basketball instead of golf, and he might like to break out a little EWF on the West Lawn now and then. It's all good. "Oh damn there goes that Barrack blaring his stereo again, I told you this would happen as soon as we let them move in." [For those of you who will send me e-mails telling me how crass I am and to stop stereotyping, and making jokes at the expense of our race. Save them and get use to it. Because if the "O" man does win and become POTUS, you are going to see a whole lot more.

A brotha in the White House? Yeah I could fist-bump to that.

Our take on this infamous fist bump? Pure coolness.  She has his back...and he has hers. LOVE IT!

(but is it really that serious?  LOL!)

Engagement Photos

We have one thing to say when it comes to having engagement photos. TAKE THEM! There are so many ways to incorporate them during this very special time in your lives.

The possibilities are endless! You can:

* Use them in your wedding invitations
* Use them in your save-the-date cards or magnets
* Use them on your menu cards
* Use them on your programs
* Frame them and use them as centerpieces or near your guest book
* Enlarge one and frame it with a signature mat so that your guests can sign it at the wedding
* Use them as an engagement announcement for the local newspaper or your church
* Use them as decoration at your engagement party
* Use them on your wedding website

Engagement photos can also serve as that test run for the photographer that you have in mind for your wedding day. Have no regrets....and take those engagement photos!!

Here are a couple of Chocolate Brides & Grooms who did the right thing! Proceed with caution...you're gonna need some Kleenex.

the last 2 photos were taken by www.lanceomarthurman.com

Ashanti? The Next Chocolate Bride?

Most will agree that marriage isn't for everyone...so let the record show that it is not our desire that Nelly & Ashanti get married for the sake of getting married. There are people who feel that marriage would make more of a beneficial relationship than simply living together. Others cringe at the SOUND of the 'M' word. All we're saying is, Nelly? Ashanti? If and when you both decide to jump the broom, we would be HONORED to share in your happiness! There is nothing more beautiful than 2 people who are truly in love and who want to spend the rest of their lives together!

I have a radio show with Randy Jackson from American Idol. Check out this soundbyte of me, Randy Jackson, and Ashanti. She beat around the bush pretty well...but she could have told me to mind my business...so no complaints here!

The Chocolate Brides Sensation

Well...we finally made it to the blog world!  A little late..but better late than never!

We are Chocolate Brides.  We are the premiere website for the bride of color.  We are a community of women from all over the world. The positive comraderie among the women on our website has attracted not only brides, but single women, divorced women, single parents, women of other ethinicities, and even men! 

Chocolate Brides was created out of frustration from the lack of resources specifically targeted toward the black bride. Most likely, if you have never planned a wedding (your own or otherwise), you probably haven't noticed that there aren't ANY black bridal magazines on the newsstand. And if you aren't African American, you may not understand the frustration of needing advice and resources for people who are darker skinner, whose hair is textured differently, or whose frames are different than the models depicted in the mainstream publications. Apparently, the mainstream doesn't think that this market isn't viable.  But boy - are they wrong!!!

Four years later, a full blown print publication (Chocolate Brides Magazine), and 93 million hits on ChocolateBrides.Com, we are truly ready to take the world by storm.  We are totally committed to the purpose of helping portray positive images of women of color while speaking directly to HER.

Watch out world...here we come!