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!