The Ultimate Resource for Before and After the Aisle
Vol. 18
Must-Have Products for Your Wedding Day Glow
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TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME 18
Cover Story
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THE BLACK LOVE EFFECT Joi and Tristan Wilkerson’s love story is a testament to passion, purpose, and faith, culminating in a stunning wedding shot in Africa. The Black Love Effect captures their journey of resilience, commitment, and unwavering devotion.
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FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dear Beautiful Brides, Welcome to the latest issue of Black Bride, where we celebrate, inspire, and uplift women of color on their journey to love, marriage, and life after the aisle. Your wedding is more than a day—it’s a reflection of your love story, culture, and vision. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony or a grand affair, we’re here to provide the inspiration and resources to bring your dream to life. First, congratulations! This is a season of love, joy, and new beginnings. In this issue, our cover story will take you on a journey to Ghana for a breathtaking pre-wedding shoot, featuring The Black Love Effect: How Joi and Tristan Wilkerson’s Love Story Led Them Back to Africa by Kennedi LéShea. Be sure to read their inspiring love story— rooted in destiny, culture, and connection—reminds us of the power of love to bring us home in every sense. Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but remember: This is your time to celebrate, not stress. Protect your peace and embrace the magic of your engagement season. Trust your planner, lean on your support system, and focus on the love that brought you here. Inside, you’ll find our Fashion Trend Report with the most stunning designer gowns, plus beauty picks to help you glow with confidence. And beyond the style and details, we’ve gathered real engagements and weddings to inspire and remind you that love is at the heart of it all. We hope this issue sparks your imagination and helps bring your wedding vision to life. Here’s to celebrating love—your way.
I'm inspired by floral motifs, whimsical dresses, and decorative home accessories—just a few of my favorite things. Discover your new favorites Follow us: @BlackBride1998 Email us: hello@blackbride.com Let us know what you love about this issue.
ROTATE BRIDAL BOW-DETAIL SEQUINED MINI DRESS $465 MYTHERESA.COM
With love and celebration,
Mary
Mary Chatman Editor-in-Chief
SIMPLE HAUS ACCESSORY JARS WITH LEATHER LOOPS FROM $49 SAMPLE.HAUS
ZIMMERMANN TUX 85 BOW-DETAIL LEATHER SANDALS $675 MYTHERESA.COM RAELYNN EARRINGS JENNIFER BEHR $358 REVOLVE.COM
CHECK OUT OUR TOP PICKS FOR THE SEASON
STEPHANIE ODEGARD FLORAL CREDENZA BRASS CLAD HANDMADE $7,800 1STDIBS.COM
ZIMMERMANN CRUSH LINEN & SILK ORGANZA MAXI DRESS $3,750 MYTHERESA.COM B LAC K BRI DE . COM
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BEAUTY
you got that glow
Products to Create a Radiant Glow for Your Winter Wedding Day BY KENNEDI LÉSHEA When it comes to your wedding day look, no matter which beauty aesthetic you’re going for or which undertone your skin falls under, we all want one thing: that glow. So, to make sure you get your best glow on your wedding day, we’ve created a masterlist of the best products to ensure your most beaming bridal glow for your big day. 110 0
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Blue Water Girls Private Island Glow - $40 Pat McGrath Divine Cream Blush Legendary Glow Color Balm - $29
Although you’ll already be the most beautiful and blushing bride on your big day, it never hurts to ensure the glow is maintained on your cheeks. And Pat McGrath’s Glow Color Balm Cream Blush is the best choice to do so. Crafted to deliver a dewy and glassy finish to the skin, this blush comes in a wide variety of shades, so you can pick the hue that best suits you. Our favorite is “Forbidden Fleur (Rich Berry).”
Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil for Dry & Frizzy Hair - $44
With the most divine notes of oud, Australian sandalwood, nightblooming jasmine and violet leaves, this hair oil is unique in the fact that it hydrates the hair and controls frizz, while not weighing down your hair and leaving your precious strands feeling greasy. Created in the inaugural line by Beyoncé and her mother, Ms. Tina Knowles, this hair oil contains oils like baobab, castor, watermelon seed, flaxseed, jojoba, and coconut to reignite the hair’s lipid barrier and lock in moisture to ensure whatever hairstyle you dream up for your big day leaves your hair feeling nourished and cared for.
This Black-owned tanning product breaks the stereotype that Black women can’t and shouldn't tan. Blue Water Girls’ Private Island Glow is a tan accelerant glow serum that only contains clean ingredients like tyrosinol to boost skin’s ability to bronze quickly, castor and shea oil for radiance and squalane to ensure a silky finish and the maintenance of your skin’s hydration. If you have a fall or winter wedding, take this product with you to tan outside and watch your skin become its best bronzed version.
Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions Glow Oil Shimmer Body Bronzer - $36
Aside from smelling heavenly with its notes of pistachio, jasmine petals and salted caramel, this glow oil by Sol de Janeiro is a must-have in your wedding glow product lineup. After application all over the body, the product leaves a luscious and supple finish to the skin and a subtle shimmer to enhance your already gleaming bridal glow.
e.l.f Glow Reviver Tinted Lip Oil - $8
A dupe for many of the more expensive lip oils on the beauty market, this tinted glow reviver by e.l.f gives your lips the most supple appearance that’s long-lasting and hydrating while also providing a high-shine finish to your official bridal lip combo.
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BRIDAL TREND REPORT
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BY DARA ADAMS
ridal fashion has always been an evolving landscape, where tradition meets innovation. This proved to be evident at New York Bridal Fashion Week as designers debuted collections that highlighted classic bridal components while reimagining them in fresh, innovative ways that push the boundaries of bridal fashion. The modern bride wants to experience the formalities of weddings and honor tradition while expressing their individuality. Designers are embracing this challenge by infusing age-old bridal elements with contemporary flair. Here’s a look at how traditional bridal design elements are being given new life for fall 2025.
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"A Black bride is the poetry of generations—resilient, radiant, and wrapped in love’s finest light."
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Real
Weddings
See how real brides made their “Big Day” truly the day of their dreams.
IN THIS SECTION: Allisa and Dwayne Nicole and Martin Nonny and Mark Ruth and Nahum Lose and Mike Anika and Jalen
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"MARRIAGE isn’t going to make you, you’re going to make the marriage. So, go do the work to see what it takes to make a healthy marriage."
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After THE AISLE You've Said "I Do" Now What?
IN THIS SECTION: RITA AND THEO VANESSA AND MITCH CIEARA AND TERRELL TRAVEL
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