Saturday, October 31, 2009

South Carolina Marriage License

Here is some information pertaining to applying for your marriage license in the state of South Carolina....
To get married in the state of South Carolina, you need to obtain a marriage license. The following requirements apply to both residents and non-residents:

The bride and groom must appear together at the office of a South Carolina county probate judge and file a written application. This application asks for the full name, social security number, age, and place of residence of the bride and the groom. It is a sworn statement that must be signed by the bride and the groom and then notarized in the office of the probate judge. Some probate judges require both the bride and groom to show their social security cards. There is a waiting period after the application is filed before the license can be picked up and the marriage can take place. This waiting period varies from county to county, so please contact the appropriate county probate judge at least a week before you plan to get married.
If you are 18 years old or older, you do not need parental consent. But you must provide proof of your age (or simply identification if you're over age 25) by presenting one of the following:
Valid driver's license
Original birth certificate or a certified copy of your birth certificate
Current military identification card
Current passport
No blood test or physical exam is required.  South Carolina residency is not required. No proof of divorce is required.  The fee for a marriage license varies from county to county.
A South Carolina marriage license is valid only for marriages performed in South Carolina.
There is no expiration date for a South Carolina marriage license.

Jumping the Broom

Jumping the broom is one of the most popular older  traditions, that is used here in America very often, at wedding cermonies.  A lot of us have seen it at weddings, but really did not know the meaning or history behind it. During the years of slavery, marriages between slaves were not recognized as legal or binding. The broom jumping ritual was a symbolic act within slave communities for marriage. One misconception is that this ritual was and only done by slaves, but a very small percentage of poor whites in the South and in New England, as well as Gypsies also used this marriage ritual. Today the jumping of the broom is done in respect and in honor of our ancestors who were slaves. The jumping of the broom is a leap of faith into marriage. In some parts of Africa, ceremonial brooms are used to sweep away evil.
The broom jumping typically takes place after the rest of the wedding ceremony, before the bride and groom walk down the aisle. 




Thursday, October 29, 2009

Wedding Websites

When it comes to wedding websites, I am the number 1 fan of them. They are really the best. Your friends and family will love reading your stories, leaving you guest book messages, viewing your pictures, and participating and following your wedding planning process through your website! You will also love the time saved by not having to answer the same informative questions pertaining to the planning of your wedding, your guest can just go to your website to find out directions, order of events, your theme, wedding colors, and even how you met.  This also will give them the opportunity to learn about the bride and groom on a personal note. There are a lot of free wedding websites, and some that have a monthly fee. Here are the links to some free websites...
or when all else fails just google free wedding websites, there are so many different ones out there.  so I highly reccomend you getting one, and you can update it after your honeymoon also.

Invitations

There is always a toss up between having invitations done professionally or going the DIY route. If you plan on making your own invitations, programs, Save-the-Dates, and place cards, then you need to ask yourself a few questions...1.Do you have enough time to complete the project by yourself ( do not bet on others who said they would help) 2. Do you have the knowledge, resources and experience to make sure it is not a DIY disaster. 3. Can you cover all of the expenses that may occur for extra ink, correct envelopes, extra cardstock which is  for major errors, and cutting fees (scissors will not do the trick) 4. Do you know the proper etiquette, layout, and appropriate fonts. Organization and preparations are the key role in DIY projects.
Now this is not to scare you but to prepare you. I have seen some successful DIY projects, so yes it can be done, but at least you know beforehand if this is something that you want to challenge yourself with.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Wedding Cake or Cup Cakes

When it comes to this Dessert debate, a lot of brides, mothers, and vendors have there own stern opinion on this.  Besides the traditional and expected 3 tier, 4 tier wedding cake, that we all look forward to after dinner, in the past decade there has been a surge in the trend of having a cupcake wedding cake, which is usually a display that holds a 6 or 8 inch top layer for the couple to cut, and then a variety of cupcakes, so that guest can grab it and go.  I went to a seminar that Sylvia Weinstock celebrity cake decorater was giving a lecture, and she does not even make cupcakes for weddings she strongly feels that they are for birthday parties only.  A lot of couples go this route because they feel that it is cheaper than a wedding cake, or they do not want the hassle of cutting up a large wedding cake.  I feel there are so many alternatives that you can do, with your same cupcake image but just jazz it up a little, to make it look a litlle more elegant. For example, have your 6 to 8 inch top tier wedding cake, but have a display of mini cakes that looks like the duplicate of your top tier, or petit fours. Recently my couple Rebecca and Will had a neat concept but they had mini cakes, and cheese cakes that were designed like tuxedos, and small presents, and the cake display stand was made by Rebecca and her Dad, and it turned out too be so cute, and elegant. Check out Rebecca and Will wedding cake display...

Mouth Wash

There are so many different new products out on the market, and of course the commercials will pump it up and make it the best thing since slice bread. Well I have decided to try some of my new and favorites, and will give you the real scoop, and rate it, and let you know the pros and cons! The first thing I have noticed is this mouthwash that is called Smart Mouth. This product is suppose too keep your breath fresh for at least 12 hours.  I notice that when you get nervous or excited a lot of times that can work on your nerves and cause a dry mouth.  This product I feel is wonderful for brides, grooms, and anyone in the wedding party.  During weddings and parties you are greeting and hugging more people in one evening then you can count. The last thing you need is for your breath NOT be as fresh as it was hours ago when you initially brushed. The mouth wash comes in two separate bottles, the formulas can not be mixed until it is time to use it, because this is what activates the mouthwash.  I tried it, and I have to say it really does work, I put it to the test and drank, some cappucino, and ate some shrimp, and hours later there was no indication of what I ate.  I used it before I went to bed and woke up the next morning, and there was a big difference from the normal morning breath, now it was not Minty smelling, but I actually really notice the difference. It clearlly states if your are eating a lot of garlic and onions that you will need to rinse again. Out of a rating of 1 stars to 5 stars I will give it  5 Stars!!  The Cons are it is not inexpensive for the amount in the bottles, but  Wal-Mart has the cheapest price for $10.98 and there is a coupon on the website, it does not have to be your everyday mouthwash, but for days that you know you are really going to need it. Other than that check out the website http://www.smartmouth.com/ and send me an email and let me know what you think!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Congrats!


Congratulations to Rebecca and Will on their marriage that took place October 17, 2009. The entire event took place at The Beau Rivage Golf Course/Resort in Willmington, NC.   The weather was truly in their favor, due to the ceremony being outside on the golf course, and the reception was held in the clubhouse. The ceremony and reception was very intimate, and everything ran smooth. Wish you two the best!


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Name Tags

I think it is a good idea to have name tags for everyone in your wedding party, and family for day of rehearsal. I have done so many rehearsals that have a large wedding party, and the only name I know is bridesmaid #1 or bridesmaid #6 and that is not a good thing. It is nothing personal, and I mean no harm but it's hard for me and others to remember about 25 people name in less than an hour whom I have never met in my life (smile) Sometimes the family is just meeting for the first time, and it is good to know grooms grandma, from brides grandma and the same with your bridal party, they have you in common as a mutual friend, but don't know each other. The name tags come in like a pack of adhesive labels, that you can write everyone's name, nick name, or if you want to give them a character name for that evening. The best thing, it's cost effective!!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Congrats !

Congratulations to Ryan and Matthew Johnson who were married on October 10, 2009. The wedding took place in Sumter, SC and the reception was in Manning, SC the couple are now on a realxing honeymoon in Miami, FL They were surrounded by an abundance of loving family and friends, again congrats to the new couple!!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Trash the Dress


What is exactly "Trash the Dress" it is defined just how you see it. A lot of today's brides put days, months even years into finding that perfect dress, and paying a nice price tag to match. Then after the wedding they put this beautiful gown back on, and just let their alter ego bride come out, wheter it's taking a shot in the middle of the ocean, in a local junkyard, climbing a tree, or riding a horse on the beach. So it is still elegance but with an artistic edge. Me personally I love it! You have your wedding album with all these picture perfect shots of you in your gown, and then at the end of the album, there you are in a place that you would never imagine being in your weddin gown, and just carefree. If you dont want to ruin your gown, I suggest buying a nice wedding gown that you like, that is not costly and trash that gown instead. I have added some sample pictures









Monday, October 5, 2009

Bridesmaids Dress

Here is something I think some of you may like for your bridesmaids, or even yourself. Especially for different body types. It is called a Dessy Twist Dress here is the info about it....

The convertible dress! Change the wrap to change the look. The Twist wrap dress is a chance to design your own dress! Available in cocktail length or full length, your bridesmaid dresses can match or each can create her own style. Your bridesmaids could even change their style part way through the day.
 The website link is www.dessy.com/dresses/twist-long/ here are few of the 15 different looks that you can get form this one dress.






Sunday, October 4, 2009

Types of Wedding Veils

You have the wedding dress of your deams now you need to have the right veil to seal the deal. A lot of times brides go into bridal shops and the sales person start speaking their own lingo far as dresses and veils and everything goes right over your head...so I want to give you examples of a few different types of veils out there, so you will have a general idea of what you like and what would compliment your wedding dress.

Blusher Veil

This is the short veil worn over the bride’s face. It usually falls just below the collarbone and above the bust and is worn alone or with other veils, in which is when a bride then have a double or two tier veil.  The blusher veil was designed to demonstrate a bride’s innocence and modesty, so it continues to be a popular choice. Because it hides the face, traditionally it was that the groom would lift the blusher veil to kiss the bride at the end of the ceremony. However, today many fathers choose to lift the blusher veil to kiss their daughters prior to “giving them away” to be married at the altar, and leaving it lifited.



Fly-Away Veil


The fly-away veil is multi-layered, and it just brushes the shoulders. It is a less formal bridal veil that is mainly worn with less formal gowns, or when couples have intimate ceremonies, and she is wearing just a casual white dress and not a gown, or when you are having a civil court house wedding, or at "The little Chapel in Vegas" but it can switch things up and be worn with a very formal wedding gown, but the gown has so much wonderful detailing on the back, or you may have a very low dramatic, sexy cutout in the back of your dress, and you did not want a veil to cover this detail , so this would be the veil for you.


Birdcage Veil
Let's see, the first thing pop into my head is Retro, but during the era, when being "cool" was cool. I can see the men in the Zoot Suits, and ladies wearing their birdcage veils with red lipstick, and a mahogny cigarette holder to accomodate the menthol, I think of Audrey Hepburn, and Lena Horne. This is a veil that will always be a classic and can actually dictate the theme of your entire wedding, it can be paired with a tea length gown, or even a cascading train gown, formal or informal. the only thing that I have notice is that when wearing a bird cage veil, you got to have the right atttitude to "work it" The birdcage veil extends to just over the chin. It usually is made a wide-open weave of netting, almost like fish netting, some have crystals or pearls on the netting, and can be worn adorned to a hat, comb, feathers, or flowers.


Elbow-Length Veil

Just as it sounds, this veil extends down to the elbow. It can be single or multi-layered, and with each layer being a different length. It is known as one of the most popular lengths, and usually when a bride is trying to decide between veils, this is usually the one that wins the debate, because there are no wrong or rights when it comes to this length.







Chapel or Cathedral Length Veil

Drama Drama and more Drama is the look that the Chapel length veil presents, I highly suggest that your gown has a long train also to really execute the drama. It seems like the bride is walking down the aisle you can see burst of romance and elegance within each step. This veil extends anywhere from 6 inches or 6 feet beyond the end of the gown ( Can we say Princess Diana) Since this veil make it difficult to move around it is best removed before the reception.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

JET Magazine

I don't know if this is a little to old school, but you may remember at your home or visiting family and they have the Ebony, Jet, and Essence magazines, spread out across the coffee table like a beautiful fan, or going to the beauty shop and reading them while your sit under the hair dryer, or standing in line in the grocery store. Now I know all the males love the JET magazine for the "Beauty of the Week" I have alaways love the wedding section, because it would always fascinate me on who these couples were and why they were so special to be in JET magazine, and I always thought they had some type of celebrity connection. For any of you have thought they same thing or imagine your wedding being in this section, your dream can come true, and this is what you have to do......

1. Gather all of the information needed to submit a wedding to JET Magazine, type up the information on one, easy-to-read piece of paper. You will need to send: A clear, full-color photo of the bride and groom that shows their faces entirely; the full names, address and phone number of the bride and groom; the location of the honeymoon; the education and occupation details for the bride and groom; the location of the wedding, including the city and state in which couple married; any details on where the couple plans to reside permanently

2. Write the name of the bride and groom, their phone number, and address on the back of a clear, full-color photo. JET Magazine does not accept black and white wedding photos which will not be returned.

3. Send the information and the full-color photo to JET Love & Happiness
, 820 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605. Once received, and editorial panel will review every wedding for consideration, then select weddings that will appear in JET Magazine.

....let me know when they will feature your wedding so I can make sure to buy a copy



Friday, October 2, 2009

Color Combo for October

My color combo pick for this month is Turquoise and Red. When I think of this combo I vision, culture, Indian artifacts, and young meets old.  Red is a classic color until the end of time, but there are only so many colors on the spectrum that people are brave enough to pair with red. When you add a joyful but calm color like Turquoise to the color Red it just embrace the classical romance of the color red, but the turquoise still whispers fun.