BRIDE
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The Ultimate Resource for Before and After “I Do”
MAGAZINE VOL. 5
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Bride Magic Real Brides on What Makes Them Magic
The Planning Issue HOW TO TIPS FROM THE PROS PLU S
Lovespiration 50+ PAGES OF
Real Love Stories
first comes love
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us and our initials “V & T.” And to the left, there was a marquee chalkboard that said, “The beginning of forever, I promise.” I looked at him excitedly with a huge smile on my face and asked, “What are you doing?” He replied with a sly grin, “It’s happening.” He then told me how much he loved me, what I meant to him and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Of course, I said, “Yes.”
full circle, as we’ve known each other for three years but it feels like a lifetime. I look forward to both the simple things, as well as the life-altering events that I plan to embark on with Victoria.
What makes your love special?
Tad: Enjoying and sharing the love that we have, with family and friends. And the honeymoon of course, *wink, wink.*
Victoria: Tad’s consistency and selflessness keeps our love so special. He’s my absolute best friend. We’ve learned to love each other unconditionally. There’s no one else I’d rather share life’s ups and downs with. God broke the mold making him.
What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?
Victoria: I honestly can’t wait to see Tad’s expression once we first lock eyes on that day
Have you started planning your wedding?
Yes, we have! It’s been a wonderful and collaborative effort, and we don’t have much else to choose from before the big day.
Bride: Victoria Alston, 29, Product Manager Groom: Tadishi Morgan, 30, Marketing Manager Place of Residence: Nashville, Tennessee Engagement Shoot Location: Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art, Nashville, Tenessee Wedding Date: 03/03/2018
Tad: I think what makes our love special is the uniqueness of its start. It seems to be
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planning
How to Plan
an intimate
Elopement Overseas By Nancy Latart, FĂŞte in France Photographed by Anthony Brock, One and Only Paris Photography
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Thinking of eloping in a romantic destination but not sure where to start? Here’s everything you need to say I do abroad.
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hinking of eloping in a romantic destination, but not sure where to start? First things first, think about the setting that best reflects the two of you as a couple. Do you love beach vacations? Are you adventureseekers? Is experiencing food and culture an interest you both share? As planners based in Paris, we’re naturally biased and think that the City of Lights is the perfect place to elope. The advice below is specific to having an elopement in France, but the questions apply to any destination outside your home country.
Q
Can I get civilly married in the elopement destination?
The administrative process of getting married in France differs from the one in the US, with the civil ceremony being completely separate from the religious ceremony. Unlike in the U.S., where couples can be legally married by a justice of the peace, a member of the clergy, or even a friend who
has been ordained online, only a local official from the city hall can celebrate marriages. This means that if a couple chooses to also be married in their place of worship, they are obligated to have two ceremonies. This means that international couples must be legally married before having their religious or symbolic ceremony in France.
Q
What language do they speak and what are the cultural difference in the elopement destination? In addition to the language barrier, there can also be cultural barriers to overcome when dealing directly with local service providers. In France, for example, not all wedding vendors are fluent in English and the response time is rarely as quick as it is in the U.S.
Q
What are the wedding traditions in the elopement destination?
Wedding traditions vary greatly from country to country. A fun way to mark the day is to include a local tradition
into your elopement. In France, couples often have a pièce montée instead of a traditional tiered wedding cake. The pièce montée can either be with cream-filled pastry puffs or French macarons, arranged in the shape of a pyramid shape. After you’ve picked your destination, it’s time to get started on the planning. It’s important to think about your vision and what matters the most to you. Is it having a meaningful exchange of vows? Picking an incredible location for the ceremony? Understanding your priorities will be helpful when it comes time to choose your wedding vendors. Planning a destination elopement yourself can be a fun experience to share with your fiancé, but isn’t the point of eloping to lessen the work and stress of planning? Hiring an experienced, local wedding professional can be a saving grace. They speak the language, have an insider’s insight into the wedding market, venues and vendor services. In addition to local blackbride.com | 49