Forever I Do Wedding Magazine

JANUARY 2013

HOLLYWOOD

Bride DECOR

HERE COMES THE

IN 2013 WEDDING TRENDS

+SAVVY BRIDE THE

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Editor’s

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Top photo: head photograper Risee Chaderton of eye.one.visuals Bottom photo: (from left): models Trudi Brathwaite (backing), Dionne Grannum (sitting), photographer Amery Butcher (bending) and editor, Tracy Moore (standing).

ongratulations on your engagement!

You’ve found the love of your life, and now the excitement of planning what may be the most important day of your life is upon you. During this time of anticipation and expectation, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the multitude of things to do with respect to that big day.

Well welcome to Forever I Do Magazine - the premier wedding magazine with valuable information to make your wedding day flow smoothly. And it’s timing is perfect since it’s wedding-planning season.

I’ve been learning a lot about what it takes to plan a wedding from just planning this magazine and you don’t have to be getting hitched anytime soon to appreciate a good romance, and all the juicy details of someone else’s wedding. I certainly loved hearing about the cupcake tasting (p.34), menu choices (p.38), the gorgeous gowns (p.8), advice by a real life dream maker (p. 6) and the real life proposal stories (p.30).

Whether it’s getting through a fight or planning a wedding – relationships take a lot of hard work. Of course, those tougher moments will be intertwined with moments of bliss, too. The trick is to find the person who can handle love’s challenges, as well as its rewards. Those are special people. Hold on to them.

Best wishes for efficient wedding planning and a blissful marriage! In the meanwhile thanks to all of the designers, models, stylists, photographers and assistants as well as the staff of the NCC and Patriot Security services Limited. Cheers!

Tracy Moore Editor

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15 Departments:

Ask Your Planner 6 Bouquets 20 Feature Weddings 30/42 Decor 22 Cakes 34

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Catering 38 Directory 46

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Features:

Invitation Only 7 Colourful Bride 11 Bridesmaids Couture 12 Registry 16 Bride On A Budget 18

8 Top Left Clockwise: Ring & Earrings by Little Switzerland Outfitted by Men’s Room Design by Paju Designs Shoes by Cave Shepherd Jewelry by Little Switzerland

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Publisher: Vivian-Anne Gittens

FOREVER

IWEDDING DO MAGAZINE

Editor: Tracy Moore Creative Director: Brian A. M. Green Photo Editor (Fashion): Risee Chaderton Editorial Assistant: Tamesha Doughty Contributing Writers: Tamesha Doughty Tracy Moore Photography: Amery Butcher Rawle Culbard eye.one.visuals Fashion & Beauty: GiGi Maat I (heart) Makeup Toni Dyall Sherry-ann Moore Design/Layout: Brian O’Neale – Imageworx Head of Marketing & Communications: Valerie Hope Marketing Officer: Tresha Nelson Advertising Manager: Paulette Jones Advertising Sales Executives: Adrian Bowen 246.430.5519 adrianbowen@nationnews.com Kelly Johnally 246.430.5515 kellyjohnally@nationnews.com Circulation Manager: Edmund Holder 246.430.5500 edmundholder@nationnews.com Circulation/Subscription: Goldburn Weekes 246.430.5501 goldburnweekes@nationnews.com

COVER: Photography: eye.one.visuals Stylist: Sherry-ann Moore Location: Farley Hill National Park Designer: Paju Designs Jewellery; Little Switzerland Shoes: Cave Shepherd

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Printers: PrintWeb Caribbean Ltd. Forever I Do is produced by The Nation Publishing Co. Limited; a subsidiary of The Nation Corporation, which is a member of the One Caribbean Media (OCM) group of companies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this magazine is accurate, however The Nation Publishing Co. Limited cannot be held responsible for any consequences that may arise from any errors or omissions. This publication cannot be copied in whole or in part without explicit permission from the Publisher. ©2013 THE NATION PUBLISHING CO. LIMITED

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Ask Your planner to name a few. He has been featured in several magazines including the uber chic and highly respected Grace Ormonde Wedding Style.

Dear Brian, How can I let my guests know where I am registered for wedding gifts? Concerned Bride

We know that new brides (and some not so new) have questions about their big day. Brian A.M. Green, CMP, CMM, aka. Chief Dream Maker and Creative Visionary of F & G Events and F & G Weddings, has managed hundreds of memorable and cutting-edge events over the years from celebrity and intimate weddings, to grand charity galas to everything in between. The award-winning event planner with 16 years experience, is ready to help transform your dream into a fabulous reality!

Brian’s remarkable attention to detail, hands-on approach, and inventive style has quickly positioning him as one of the most sought after event planners in Atlanta and other major cities including Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C. just

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Dear Concerned Bride, This is a question I get all of the time.

You take all of that time to go register for wonderful items to start off your home and then you worry that no one will know where to find them.

The truth is that you can only do so through your wedding website or have your family spread the information via word of mouth. Those are really only the etiquette appropriate ways to inform your guests where you are registered.

This information should never be done in your wedding invitation. And one more thing I want to add - a gift is not guaranteed. Guests do not have to give you a gift for your wedding, and proper etiquette does state that they have up to a year after the wedding to choose to give you one.

Dear Brian, How do I ask for money for a down payment to our dream home instead of gifts for my wedding gifts? - Bride Buying A Home Dear Bride Buying a Home, To be perfectly honest with you there is no appropriate way to do this without being gauche. Modern times have now dictated that many couples already have full homes of their own

and they no longer need a toaster or knives, and so on, as gifts. But there are some very new approaches to your dilemma.

Great websites that offer your guests the opportunity to put money towards your honeymoon are out there but none for your home ownership. Some people now put a cute poem on their wedding website saying that they already have so much together and a monetary donation would be appreciated in lieu of a gift and put a wishing well at the wedding - but…and it’s a big but - it is still very gauche to do so.

The only thing you can do is to tell your friends and relatives your preference. Just remember, that guests can and will do whatever they choose.

If they take the hint, great, but if they don’t, accept the gift with grace.

Dear Brian, Let me first say, I am NOT a mean person and I love all of my nieces and nephews, BUT I do not want any children at my wedding. Is that terrible? How do I tell people not to bring their children to the wedding? Grinch Bride Dear Grinch Bride, I don’t think you’re a Grinch at all. This is a question more and more brides are asking today. You have taken time to create a very fabulous, fun-filled event for adults and unfortunately children can get bored. That is when they may get restless because there is nothing specifically for them to enjoy because it is truly an event designed for adult senses.

In addition, proper wedding etiquette dictates that only the people addressed

on the envelope of the invitation are the ones invited. Thus, if you don’t write The Smith Family or Mrs. and Mrs. Smith and children, you haven’t invited any kids.

However, as we both know, not everyone knows proper wedding etiquette. Don’t beat around the bush - spread the word that your wedding is going to be an adults-only affair and you hope they understand and can still make it.

Dear Brian, Our friends and family are big drinkers and we are on a limited budget for our wedding. Should we do a cash bar so they can buy their own drinks? Is that tacky? - Sobering Bride Dear Sobering Bride, YES! That is tacky! You cannot invite your guests to a wedding and present them with a bar and a cashier for them to buy drinks. This is your wedding - not a night at the club. If you can not manage to fit an open bar in your budget for your guests, then I would suggest that you look at other options like a beer & wine bar only or do open bar during limited times (cocktail hour) and then switching to a lighter bar selection or even offering a few signature cocktails all evening.

I would rather you have no bar at all than tell your guests they have to pay in order to enjoy your wedding.

Always remember that your guests only know the reality they are presented with at your wedding - so if you have a beer & wine bar - it’s because you designed your day that way. Cheers!

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Mr. & Mrs. Jones’ Wedding

By Invitation Only Weddings aren’t like they used to be, so why shouldn’t your wedding invitations change with the times?

Usher in the new and improved custom-made invitation to meet the needs of the new kind of bride and groom who follow their hearts more than traditions and compulsions.

Your wedding invitations should adopt the same spirit.

Almost gone are the days when parents “cordially invite you to the occasion”. This is the age of technology, so you can personalize the invitations you choose. The trend for the past five years or so has been printed invitations customized for different groups, for example, one set for the parents to invite relatives and friends, and an exclusive set for the couple’s friends.

That way the couple can be sure the invitation conveys the right emotions.

In fact, customized invitations can make the invitation and the wedding itself extra special. And within the available budget, such small things can make the occasion memorable.

Another trend is the online wedding invitation, which is both cheap and trendy. There are sites that help you create personalized cards. Online

wedding invitations are also helpful if you are planning a “green wedding” and don’t want to break the bank.

For example, instead of spending thousands of dollars on paper invitations, couples can now use services like Paperless Post to deliver animated and intricately designed invitations to their guests online.

An article from the Wall Street Journal shows the average price of a custom-made, ad-free e-invitation to be around 19 cents, whereas print invitations generally cost somewhere between $2 and $10 each.

In July, Facebook introduced its Weddings and Celebrations feature shortly after founder Mark Zuckerberg got married, and the social networking giant isn’t the only company realizing the potential of tapping into wedding fever online.

While traditionalists will still go the route of department-store registries, print invitations and tech-free wedding days, the days of having a completely offline wedding are fading. Making your wedding an online affair is here to stay – for better or worse.

Written by Tracy Moore

Paju designs designerpaju.com

Bridal runway

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Little Switzerland Ippolita SS Bracelet Plated 18K Rose 5-Stone Smokey Quartz Bangle Ippolita SS Plated 18KR Necklace Rose Mini Lollipop & Ball w/ Smokey Quartz Ippolita SS Earrings Rose Large Wavy Oval Drop David Tutera 14KW Ring Bridal-Set W/1.00CT Diamonds G/H I1-I2

Cave Shepherd

Little Switzerland

Far Left: Nine West honey dew heels

Below Left: Ippolita Ss Bracelet Hammered Link

Below: Nine West Joan heels

Below Left: Ippolita Ss Necklace Heavy Gauge Hammered Chain

Far Right: Nine West purple heels

The Royal Shop Below Right: 14k yellow gold wedding set

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Paju designs designerpaju.com

Below Left: 14k white gold wedding set

Paju designs designerpaju.com

Location: Farley Hill National Park, St Peter

Little Switzerland Ippolita SS Earrings Wonderland Large Teardrop In Grape Ippolita SS Bangle Wonderland Open Teardrop In Grape Doublet 14KWY Ring Diamond 0.25CTSs J-K/SI2

Paju designs designerpaju.com

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Colourful

Bride

We’re all familiar with the traditional white wedding, with the bride beaming almost incandescently in her pristine white gown.

Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same, the trend for 2013 are coloured wedding dresses - as modern-day brides and bridal designers are embracing colours again. Today’s bride may choose from the full spectrum, from soft accents to vibrant colours that well reflect her style.

Incorporating colour into a bridal gown can range from simply using a coloured sash to the entire dress in the desired colour, or even a coloured

pattern for the bodice of the gown, with the bottom part of the dress still traditional white.

The natural setting where the wedding will take place can also be a source of colour inspiration. For example, blue is a complementary colour for a tropical summer beach wedding in the Caribbean, matching the azure allure of the sea and sky.

The style of wedding can also impact colour choice.

Pastel pinks and violets are suitable for a princess-style wedding with a fairy-tale theme. For a more dramatic effect, those colours could also be combined with darker or metallic shades.

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Shakad designs www.facebook.com/ShakadDesigns

Shakad designs www.facebook.com/ShakadDesigns

Location: Harrismith Beach, St Philip

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Shakad designs www.facebook.com/ShakadDesigns

Bridesmaids Couture

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5th Element fifthelementcaribbean.com

5th Element fifthelementcaribbean.com

Location: Paynes Bay Beach, St. James

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The Men’s Room Left: First Combination metallic grey Tazio pinstripe suit slim fitted white shirt by Marquis slim fuschia pink tie by Brand Q black Giorgio shoes – size 13 Centre: Second Combination lime green waistcoat by Brand Q off-white St. Patrick’s cufflink shirt with initiated gold cufflinks lime green diamond pattern bow tie Right: Third Combination Moca small square pattern Vinci suit Fratelli Cognac Shoes off-white St. Patrick’s shirt canary/lemon striped tie by Brand Q Cognac reversible belt by Van Heusen

Location: Jubilee Gardens,Bridgetown

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Wear

Rules Of

Engagement

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t’s so romantic to be surprised with an engagement ring – but since a diamond is a girl’s best friend, you don’t want to get it wrong. It’s best that you understand the rules of engagement before you go buying or “just looking” with

intent.

Just so you know, choosing a wedding ring shouldn’t be taken lightly; after all, it has to be timeless and something that both of you will treasure forever. A wedding ring needs to symbolize your commitment, your personality and your taste.

And even before you start looking at the five Cs – cut, colour, clarity, carat and, yes, cost – you must know what shape your future fiancée loves.

Let’s start with the classics: solitaires.

While they are the most popular,

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nowadays ladies are leaning towards something styled differently and with imagination – something uniquely her.

This can come in the form of finely detailed vintage design, an innovative diamond cut, a sleek modern setting, or even a coloured diamond.

Pay attention to the jewellery she wears for a better sense of what she likes!

If we are keeping with tradition, you also have to look at the prong-settings.

These settings are relatively standard but that isn’t to say there aren’t variations. There could be side stones that are typically diamonds or coloured gems which are usually a fraction of the size of the centre stone and can come in various shapes, like slim baguettes, half-moons, trapezoids, and shields.

For the woman who wants nothing like everyone else has, unique pieces of

jewellery like old mine-cuts, rose-cuts, cushion-cuts, and the original Asschers are there for the choosing too. These new takes on old settings are often a bit more streamlined than the originals, and are just as popular.

In fact, if she shudders at the thought of a traditional ring, there are many modern designs that double as engagement rings for couples with minimalist or exotic aesthetics.

One popular contemporary design is a bezel-set ring – that is, the diamond is surrounded by metal rather than elevated in a prong setting.

For the bride-to-be who prefers more cutting-edge work but equally hot, there is the two-tone platinum-andyellow-gold style with a sprinkling of diamonds, and even simple interlocked bands, like a three-colour gold Trinity ring.

So many choices, especially with the diamond itself – from sparkling white diamonds that can be pricey to coloured ones that are rare and more expensive.

Industry experts say you could expect to pay US$30 000 to US$200 000 per carat for those colourful beauties, be they yellow, blue or pink.

But if a coloured stone is beyond your budget, you could invest in coloured gemstones, say, pink, yellow or blue sapphires, or even a gumdrop-size pearl in an elegant setting.

written by Tamesha Doughty Engagement rings compliments of The Royal Shop Photos by eye.one.visuals

Wedding

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ongratulations on your engagement, now the real fun begins! With so many decisions and rehearsals before your special day, you’ll need all the help you can get creating the perfect wedding registry to compliment you and partner.

Here are some tips on creating and maintaining a sound registry from the Dwellings Wedding Registry Specialist.

Register Early: Start your research early and create a registry checklist, this will make everything so much easier.

Take note of the items you and your partner already have and want to keep as there is no need to register for an item you already have.

Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and expertise your Specialist has to offer; let them guide and assist you in the selection of the perfect items.

Some registries also offer online tools, which allow you to create, update and add gifts to your online registry. These smart and easy checklists keep you organized and inspired and help to make the process easy and stress free. So keep your list close by when selecting items with our registry specialist.

Attend Bridal Events: Attend a range of bridal events throughout the year. This is a great time for brides and grooms to liaise with wedding specialists and to collect information on honeymoons, catering, photography and everything needed for the big day. Be sure to attend Dwellings’ wedding registry events throughout the year to get lots of useful information from the best providers in the bridal business.

Keep All Budgets In Mind: Your guests will have a wide range of budgets so it is important to register for items at

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Registry

a variety of price points in order for all guests to feel comfortable finding something they will be excited to give you. Do a bit of pre-shopping online to help determine your budget. Start with three appropriate price points (<$75, $75-$150, $150+), and register for an equal number of items in each price range.

Provide Alternative Shopping Options: Some guests may prefer to give monetary donations and not select a gift. Have the gift card option added to your list, this option allows you to have spending money on an electronic card you can use in store at any time.

Be Careful How You Mention It: Mentioning your wedding registry on your invitation is considered inappropriate.

After setting up your registry, request that your Registry Specialist provide you with announcement cards to include into your invites directing guests to the store and our website. Let the gifting begin!

Plan for Late Shoppers: Make sure you give your guests ample time to purchase their gifts. Some friends will come in to purchase about two weeks before your wedding. As most gifts will be bought by then, be sure to check your registry often and add additional items if necessary to make sure guests have options.

A little Thank You Goes a Long Way: Make sure to send Thank You notes no later than a month after your wedding as the one year after myth is just that!

So before you say ‘I Do’ visit Dwellings and we’ll help you customize a truly unique registry based on your personal preferences. Visit Dwellings’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ dwellingsbarbados to get information about upcoming Wedding Registry events throughout the year and visit dwellingsbarbados.com to download our free Gift Registry Guide and register online.

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Bride

Photos by eyeonevisual

on a budget

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s a savvy bride you must have a budget.

And if you are no stranger to cutting back on a normal basis, then your wedding should be no different and could be trimmed without cutting out the good stuff – like cake! If you and your hubby-to-be are paying for the majority of your own wedding then these tips could be priceless (pun intended).

Alcohol: Without having a dry wedding, there are many options when it comes to providing alcohol for guests. Some tips include: just serving beer and wine and adding a signature drink. If you’re working with a caterer, buy the alcohol yourself. The caterer may charge a corking fee, but it’s still less than what they would charge you for the full bar (industry average is almost double what you would normally pay).

Serving Styles: Having a brunch or lunch time wedding can help you to avoid paying the costs of a night wedding as well as avoid pricey main courses as a cost saver. According to some wedding planners what many couples are doing lately is foregoing a full dinner service for French service which is when guests are served by waiters from a platter at the table – or commonly known as “family style” while others are forfeiting a reception all together and serving cupcakes to the guests after the service like a bombonair.

Flowers & Centerpieces: In-season flowers are less expensive since they are in-house and plentiful.

Another way to save is to embellish wedding bouquets and centerpieces with seasonal flair like pine cones and wild berries.

Also, instead of decorating tables with huge centerpieces and large arrangements, you can float a few flowers in a bowl or glass for a simple, yet romantic effect.

Guest-List Control: Limit your guest list by not inviting children, co-workers and casual dates. Instill a rule that says “If we don’t know you, you’re not invited”. Keeping the guest numbers down, keeps your cost down!

Don’t Pay Retail for Your Wedding Dress: As the bride you don’t want to skimp on your dress. But an option that keeps you beautiful and the centre of attraction is buying your dress in pieces so it could be a beautiful top and flowing gorgerous skirt. Your shoes can be borrowed, your jewelry, something old or an heirloom.

Other ways to save some cash: losing the limo, considering a cruise or all-inclusive destination for your honeymoon.

Location: St James Parish Church, Holetown, St. James

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Bouquets Whether your wedding style tends toward the tradition or the trendy, these bouquet options are a feast for the eyes.

Victoria Florist Orange Bouquet Orange Gerberas Orange Carnations Orange Spray Roses Green Berries Green Heleconias Yellow Solidago (filler) Photo by Amery Butcher

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Far Left: Victoria Florist Bright Pink Bouquet Fuschia Ginger Lillies Fuschia Mini Carnations Green Cremons Left: Victoria Florist White Bouquet White Roses White Orchids White Lizianthus White Cremons Photos by Amery Butcher

Bottom Left: Simply Flowers Chuppah Structure Hydrangeas Spiders Orchids Roses Carnations Tiger Lilies Chrysanthemums Statice Above: Simply Flowers Hand Tied Posy Yellow Proteas Yellow Calla Lilies Yellow Spray Roses Orange Orchids Hot Pink Roses Pink Wax Flowers Photo by Steven Cumberbatch, Magical Moments.

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Decor

The Team (General Details) Venue: Biltmore Ballrooms - Georgian Shoot Designer: Brian A.M. Green – F&G Weddings Floral Designer: Heath Alan Ray – Jackson Durham Custom Linens: Tamara Gollob - I Do Linens Custom Decals: Tamara Gollob – I Do Linens Custom Stationery: Lisa Zachery – Papered Wonders Graphic Artist: Lisa Zachery – Papered Wonders Rentals:Classic Party Rentals AV/& Flooring: Active Production & Design Cake Artist: Ramona Oskirka – Perfect Wedding Cake

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THE GREAT GATSBY International Wedding Planner Brian Green’s design concept always starts from a base of fashion and then he pulls in his fabulous team of vendors to add their ideas to the process to make it sheer perfection.

With the movie expected out this summer, the industry is expecting this 1920’s glamor to be a great and enduring trend in weddings. The movie had the incredibly talented Miuccia Prada of the House of Prada doing all the costume designs so it made for an ideal fit for Brian’s aesthetic of sheer fabulousness!

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THE AUDREY HEPBURN “I’m not a big fan of momentary trends du jour. I prefer a more timeless design that is filled with the personality of my client and of course with my signature legendary Over The Top fabulous moments. It’s a celebration, why wouldn’t we do it fabulously?

I present the Audrey Hepburn themed decor!”

- Brian A.M. Green, F&G Weddings

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R

enting provides many options to achieve that dream wedding according to your budget – from large tents such as the one shown to smaller tents for intimate weddings.

When the bride and groom have different expectations for their table centerpieces, you have to become very creative when coming up with a design that pleases both. GCG Events and Events Unusual (see picture on p.24) collaborated to create this stunning setting where the design is neither too feminine nor masculine, using some simple elements such as floor tiles as charger plates and coloured

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drinking glasses as candle holders.

Ellco Rentals Ltd (picture above) supplies all the equipment and expertise needed, from the tents to the teaspoons! In the picture above this 80 ft x 150 ft clear span tent is transformed into a dining area for a visually stunning evening wedding reception complete with head table, formally laid dinner tables for 500 guests, a stage for musicians and a dance floor.

The tent was divided with soft fabric screening leading to buffet serving points, specialty bars and lounge-type seating areas.

A special “block-out” fabric lends itself to wonderful lighting options that reflect off the fabric, while Chinese lanterns in various sizes were added to give a wonderful effect.

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FEATURE WEDDING

Wedding Story: Rory and Janelle Gilkes Wedding Date: August 18, 2012 Written by: Tracy Moore Photography by: Reflections

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R

ory Gilkes says he knew Janelle Walters long before she knew him. His matriacharical family lived in walking distance of her father’s mother, where she would sometimes stay.

He remembers seeing a young Janelle when she came over to visit her granny but Janelle has no recollection of Rory at all.

Their paths near collided when they were teenagers and coincidentally they even took the same bus to their respective secondary schools every day yet they never spoke to each other.

“I would always know when he entered the bus because he smelled like he had bathed in his mother’s perfume!” she said with a snicker. “He would always have this little smirk on his face as well – as though he was saying ‘I’m sexy and I know it’.”

Yet they never acknowledged the presence of the other!

Their paths would cross again in their college and University years but they wouldn’t have a first date until long after graduation.

“Our first real date was suppose to be at Graeme Hall but Rory was more than an hour late. My best friend, who was in Jamaica at the time, called me and begged for him, so to speak, because I was planning on heading home. But she pleaded for me to stick around and wait for him. When he put in an appearance he told me

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that the bus had taken forever.

And as I had once lived on the route, I knew this to be true.

“We never got to Graeme Hall though. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach. He was fun and good company. My mother, knew this all along and feel in love with him long before I did . . . but soon enough, he won me over too,” she expresses with a huge grin.

Again Rory knew from early on Janelle would be his wife, Janelle on the other hand . . .not a clue: “I just knew,” he says. “I can’t put a

finger on any time or date or even any specifics like that, but time couldn’t pass without me thinking about Janelle. When I realised that was happening, it was time for the next step.”

Janelle, a petite five foot one, 120 pounder, remebers that it would be sometime later she would see this five feet ten inches tall robust school teacher as her life partner: “When you stop defining home as a place and start defining it as wherever that special someone is, that’s when you know you’ve found your forever person.”

“I just loved being with him. I don’t mean like every waking moment of every day but he became my safe haven, the person who I could be myself with – in all my eccentric splendor.

“I’ve read that marriage is not about being with who you can live with, it’s about being with someone you can’t live without. I can’t live without me some Rory,” the swooned new Mrs Gilkes remarks.

He proposed to her on her birthday (February 2).

“Now, that day I ran into an old schoolmate of mine who asked me what my boyfriend would be doing for me for my birthday and I said I hoped he had booked another staycation for us – I love those things. My friend said ‘I bet he’s going to propose’ and I started to laugh and told him ‘yeah right, in that case I should practice how to respond’.”

“I got a call later that day from Rory asking me to come home. I got excited because I thought maybe he had packed our stuff and we were off on a staycation.

“When I got home, he put me to sit on the bed and asked me to close my eyes. I heard him rustling a lot of paper

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and I thought, ‘ok, no staycation but a big gift then?’ I sat there for a while then he said to me to open my eyes and there he was, kneeling in front of me, with a white box in the palm of his hand beaming from ear to ear,” she recalls.

Rory notes then that his thinking at the time was that his proposal would really be “a rhetorical question”: “I thought I could just place the ring on her little finger and we could go to a church any day of the week and be husband and wife, so when she said yes it was like “of course it’s yes”.

But then he got a reality check! While on his bended knee with that beautiful diamond in hand Rory was almost put to tears.

He says the sight of Janelle’s reaction when she saw the box which was screaming and laughing before actually jumping on the bed, it was all he could do not to tear up with excitement himself.

Janelle adds that he barely got the question out before she said yes.

Rory continues: When she finally came back to the ground after walking all over the bedroom ceiling, I had time to compose myself and asked ‘the

question’. And like I said before, I knew the answer from the time I bought the ring.”

Wedding plans were simple. Rory dealt with the men and Janelle, the ladies.

“I chose my girls based on those people I loved, looked up to, respected and who I knew would bring nothing but positive energy to me on my big day. I needed people who would keep me smiling, prayer warriors, and people who could extinguish any fires that might crop up.”

Lester Welch designed her dress and those of the ladies.

Since there would be no formal reception, the bride, thanks to her maid of honour, brought Chef Wilmore Jordan to prepare a grand breakfast for the ladies.

So why no reception?

Janelle explains that “even

after we crunched the numbers, it looked as though we could have afforded all the bells and whistles that [Rory] really wanted”.

“Except that it just felt like too much – too much money, too much stress, too much everything. I plan in details and Rory plans in general terms. So when I would ask him what was his back-up plan for certain things he’d tell me “everything will work out” and I’d think “oh boy, famous last words . . .so we agreed no reception”.

But Rory notes that after the wedding there still was a ‘lil something’: “As for the gathering of the wedding party after the wedding, that was something the bridesmaids and groomsmen planned and saw it fit to invite me and Janelle along. But no regrets on not having a reception . . . no regrets!”

EMAIL: bionicclothes@yahoo.com

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Cakes

Sweet Temptations: 4-tier cupcake wedding cake with 2-tier top cake, the cupcakes are accented with fondant bows, miniature roses and silver Drageeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The flavours feature are red velvet, almond coconut rum cake, and lemon raspberry.

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Lyndale’s Flower Power 3-tier fruit cake with diamantes and flowers - a replica of the bride’s dress

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Right: Temptation’s Bakery Black, White & Silver This cake was inspired by the bride’s wedding dress and complemented with tropical sugar flowers. It is a chocolate fudge cake with pistachio and raspberry cream.

Top: Temptation’s Bakery Barbados Inspired Cake This cake was made with blue and black sugar diamonds and 24K gold thus representing the Barbados flag. It is complimented with a gold hibiscus and the Pride of Barbados Flowers.

This cake is a coconut cake soaked in Malibu and layered with mango and chocolate chip mousse.

Photos by Amery Butcher

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Catering

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Left Page: Asian Glazed Fresh Atlantic Salmon: roasted vegetables, served on a potato galette, with a spicy banana emulsion Below: Bulgogi and Kimchi Wrap: stir fried beef with chili and cabbage wrapped in Caribbean flat bread Top Right: Grilled Fresh Barracuda: sweet potato mash, sautĂŠed shredded vegetables.

Miso and lemongrass reduction Right: Sushi Roll: Wizard Of Oz: salmon, tuna, hamachi, avocado, cucumber, Kani Kama and wasabi mayo Chef Barry Taylor began his career at Olives Bar and Bistro and at Patisserie Flint before becoming the Executive Pastry Chef and Head Chef at La Terra Ristorante. In 2003, Barry opened The Restaurant at Southsea and received various awards, including a Four Diamond Award from the Triple A Association (AAA), twice winning restaurant of the year honours from the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Authority and three Awards of Excellence from the Barbados Tourism Authority. In 2010 Barry and his wife Lisa opened Naru Restaurant and Lounge.

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LEFT: Tomato and Olive Bruchetta .

Diced tomato, kalamata olives,garlic and basil drizzled with extra virgin olive oil on a toasted baguette  RIGHT: Caribbean Crab Cakes Lump crab meat with fresh herbs pan seared and seved with fresh Mesclun leaves and a spicy pineapple salsa  FAR RIGHT: Cajun Surf and Turf Cajun seared beef tenderloin topped with peppered prawns in a Shiraz jus Photos by Amery Butcher

With over ten years experience in fine dining cuisine under his belt, Dane Saddler has founded Caribbean Villa Chefs, a company offering private chefs for villas, private homes and businesses in the region and catering for corporate and private events such as awards ceremonies and weddings.

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FEATURE WEDDING

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Wedding Story: Matthew & Matu Cave Wedding Date: August 18, 2012 Written by: Tamesha Doughty Photography by: Brian Elcock, BCreative Photography JANUARY

W

hen am I getting my ring?” was the million dollar question Matthew Cave was frequently asked by his then girlfriend, Matu Nlandu, leading up to the proposal in May 2011.

But when he popped the question, his girlfriend of five years was speechless.

“We went out for a dinner and after we walked along Holetown between Just Grillin’ and the little mall, I pointed out something in the show window so when she looked at it, I took the opportunity to go down on one knee and propose to her when she turned around,” the 27 year old said.

Matu recalled that she “totally froze” since it was like a mini movie scene.

“I know I kept asking but when it happened I couldn’t help but freeze to the point where I gave him the wrong hand, and he had to point it out,” she said with a chuckle.

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“I told her that if I didn’t get a response, it would be the last time I was going on my knee… I would admit that I became a little scared when she took long to answer but I somewhat anticipated the response although I thought it would’ve been quicker since she kept asking for the ring,” he said.

But Matu, a 26 year old primary school teacher, admitted that she wanted to make Matthew “sweat a little” instead of answering right away.

A few months later, Matthew started planning with Matu.

“Men have this notion that the bride

can do whatever she wants to do because it’s more so her big day than his so brides are left to do most of the arrangements,” Matu said.

While Matthew shared this view, he also believed that the bride knows best based on her dreams, but Matu admitted that she never really dreamed of her wedding, rather, she relied on at least 20 bridal magazines as her guide.

Thus, she and Matthew discussed their theme colour, “reasonable” bridal registries, the desired location for a garden wedding reception amongst other wedding elements.

“Finding a reception venue that is ‘decently priced’ was among the challenges that we experienced for instance some of the prices were not inclusive of food and drinks. Then the same things you would get at a normal buffet lunch, they cost more when it comes to a wedding,” “That’s why we picked Sunbury [Plantation] because they gave us an

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all-inclusive buffet with drinks. Also, the wedding venues are sometimes hard to get for instance; we booked ours a year in advance,” she said.

Although Matu advised that it is better to start wedding plans early since it reduces the stress that can come with weddings, it does not prevent all mishaps.

“The lady that was supposed to do our dresses walked out on us at the last minute, like two weeks before the wedding, and gave me all of my money back and I had to look for an alternative,” “Luckily my aunt took over just before the wedding and gave everyone her contact information to follow through with the arrangements. I would advise that if you can find anyone to assist with wedding planning that would be good,” she said.

Despite this setback, Matthew and his Congolese bride exchanged “I Do’s” on August 18, 2012, at the Western

Light Church of the Nazarene.

With their theme colour being red wine, the couple accompanied by their eight member bridal party executed a traditional white wedding which they said “went smoothly” despite Matu experiencing “jitters”.

After the end of the formal reception proceedings, Matthew and Matu changed into traditional African clothing which couples in her homeland wear at their weddings.

Subsequently, a traditional African song, which is played when a lady from her country is married, began and the couple did a traditional dance followed by a fun sporty session with family and other wedding guests.

And while they opted to stay in Barbados for their honeymoon, Mr. and Mrs. Cave said it was “great”.

Today, they are enjoying married life and told Forever I Do that they hope to have two children in the coming years.

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Forever I Do Magazine Directory

Bridal

5th Element Designs andrea@fifthelementcaribbean.com

DB Home Fine Furnishing Sheraton Mall, Christ Church Tel 431-6895

Hazel’s Cakery 42 Fairholme Gardens, Christ Church Tel 418-0959

Affordable Weddings Market Hill, St. George Tel 245-0713

Dwellings Millhouse 2 Canewood, St. Michael Tel 438-5900

Lindayles Catering #11 Casaurina Drive, Ealing Park North, Stage 3, Christ Church Tel 231-4519

Bridal World Abeds Swan Street, Bridgetown & Sheraton Mall, Christ Church Tel 429-4162

Walkers World Millhouse,2 Canewood, St. Michael Telephone: 421-7968/428-1183

Harmony 6 Swan Street, Bridgetown Tel 429-7014 House of Fashion & Design Bridal Wear 12 Browne Avenue, Bayville, St. Michael Tel 427-1727 Jaysons 44 Swan Street, Bridgetown Tel 436-3083 Lucy’s Attic Bulkeley Close, St. George Tel 256-7766 Paju Designs #11 Grove Terrace, St. George Tel 437-7865 Shakad Designs Lot 66 Lower Burney, Mapp Hill, St. Michael Tel 822-4441 Simply Weddings Corner Adams Road, Wildey, St. Michael Tel 435-8985

Bridal Registry

Cave Shepherd Bridal Registry Broad Street, St. Michael Tel 227-2107/2109 Courts (Unicomer) Ltd. St. George Street Bridgetown Telephone: 431-6850/4-1-6847/431-6937 DaCosta Mannings Retail Ltd. Pier Head, Bridgetown Telephone: 431-8700/417-2978

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Catering

Airline Catering Enterprises Grantley Adams International Airport, Christ Church Tel 428-7628 Almond Bay Caterers Hastings, Christ Church Tel 435-7558 Beverley’s Catering Danesbury, Black Rock, St. Michael Tel 425-8537 Corbin’s Catering Services Strathclyde, St. Michael Tel 427-7777 GCG Events Grantley Adams Industrial Park, Christ Church Tel 428-0989

Patisserie & Bistro Flindt 1st Street Holetown, St. James Tel 432-2634 Sinnfully Sweet Creations Wanstead Terrace, St. Michael Tel 233-0572 Something Sweet Inc Lanterns Mall, Hastings, Christ Church Tel 271-0349 Sweet Temptations 8 Skyway Plaza, Hastings, Christ Church Tel 228-7777 Temptations Bakery Unit 1A, Building #2 Spring Garden Estate, St. Michael Tel 421-7296

Decor/Rentals Ellco Rentals Limited Ellerton, St. George Tel 434-7368

Intimate Catering Chapel Gap 1, Paynes Bay, St. James Tel 236-7758

NspirationPlus Enterprise Beach Road, Enterprise, Christ Church Tel 420-7424

Island Caterers Aquatic Gap, Garrison, St. Michael Tel 427-3317

Pangroove Elegant Events Keswick Centre, Hastings, Christ Church Tel 435-9264/427-4726

L E Quality Caterers Inc Rendezvous, Christ Church Tel 435-9933

Quality Occasions Welches, St. Michael Tel 435-0183

Cakes

Finance

D E R Cakes & Supplies Corner Roebuck Street & Pinfold Street Tel 437-6295 Four & Twenty Bakery Inc Unit 10 Building 7 Wildey Industrial Park, St. Michael Tel 429-1385

Sagicor Financial Centre Collymore Rock, St. Michael Tel 467-7500

Flowers

Bouquet Floral Gift Shoppe Super Centre Complex, Warrens, St. Michael Tel 421-9568 Caroline’s Flowers & Bridal Apparel Belair, St. Philip Tel 416-3351

Simply Flowers Rockley New Road, Christ Church Tel 437-6597

The Royal Shop 32 Broad Street, Bridgetown, St.Michael Tel. (246) 429-7072

Victoria Florist #2, 9th Avenue Belleville, St. Michael Tel 426-3379

Tiyi Design The Town Square, Speightstown, St Peter Tel 252-0184

Jewelry

Carlton Flowers and Plant Shop Opposite Brighton Road, Black Rock, St. Michael Tel 424-3403

Colombian Emeralds International - Broad Street #24 Broad Street Bridgetown

Flower Fantasy 211 Oyster Land, Atlantic Shores, Christ Church Tel 271-3100

Little Switzerland The Colonnade, Broad Street, Bridgetown Tel 431-0031

Forever Flowers Sunny Isle Complex, Worthing, Christ Church Tel 435-9774

Pinnacle Jewelry United Insurance Centre, Bridgetown Tel 228-2025

New Life Floral & Exotic Crafts Sheraton Mall, Christ Church Tel 435-4331

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Tel 227-1307

Scott’s Jewelry and Services Tel 233-5899 The Jewelry Box Sheraton Mall, Christ Church Tel 437-2682

Men’s Wear

Bionic Man Shop Broad Street, Bridgetown, St. Michael Tel 434-0513 Men’s Room City Centre Mall, Bridgetown, St. Michael Tel 228-3387 Praxis Coconut Walk, Rockley, Christ Church Tel 429-2129

Photography

A Focused Man Rockley New Road, Christ Church Tel 253-2346

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Alleyne Willie Assoc Photography Ltd Flagstaff Streats Road, Clapham, St. Michael Tel 427-0112 Beach Snappers Inc 88 Mahogany Boulevard, Bakers Wood St. Peter Tel 432-7013 Brooks LaTouche Photography Ltd Opposite 5th Avenue Belleville, Pine Road, St. Michael Tel 427-2313

Hilton Barbados Resort Hotel Needhams Point, St. Michael Telephone: 426-0200 Heritage Park Foursquare Rum Distillery, St. Philip Tel 420-1748 Lancaster Great House Lancaster, St. James Telephone: 432-0019 Mahogany Ridge Plum Tree Road, St. Thomas Telephone: 427-7779

eye.one.visuals Risee Chaderton Holders Hill, St James 823-1191/232-4448

Sunbury Great House Sunbury, St. Philip Telephone: 423-6270

Leroy G Harris Photography Inc 94A Hampton End, Chancery Lane Terrace, Christ Church Tel 230-1428

The Barbados Museum & Historical Society The Garrison, St Michael Tel 427-0201 / 436-1956

Magical Moments Photography Steve Cumberbatch 6 Brighton Close, Brighton, St. George Tel 230-3732

The Cliff Restaurant Derricks, St. James Tel 432-1922 The Crane Resort Crane, St. Philip Tel 423-6220

Max Photo Studio 11 High Street, Bridgetown Tel 426-2208

The Croton Inn Maxwell Main Road, Christ Church Tel 428-7314

Reflections Industry Hall, St. Philip Tel 262-6166 Studio Studio Prince William Henry Street,

Bridgetown Tel 431-0010

The Ivan Harewood Centre Church Hill, Oistins, Christ Church Tel 428-2319

Wines

Brydens Distribution Barbarees Hill, St. Michael Tel 431-2660 Hanschell Inniss Ltd. Goddard’s Complex, Kensington, Fontabelle, St. Michael Tel 426-2525 Niven Wholesale & Distribution Ltd. Unit 4 The Ellco Business Centre, Ellco Complex, St. George Tel 435-7069 Platinum Wines Tel 418-4540 S B I Distribution Inc Spring Garden Highway, St. Michael Tel 424-9950 Sommelier’s Cellar Meadow Road, Wildey, St. Michael Tel 436-8966 Stansfeld Scott & Co. Ltd/ Wine World Inc Spring Garden Highway, St. Michael or Rockley Main Road, Christ Church Tel 434-4300 / Tel 434-4305 The Wine Cave Millhouse Complex, Canewood, St. Thomas Tel 271-3147

FOREVER

IWEDDING DO MAGAZINE

Tides Restaurant Highway 1, Holetown, St. James Tel 432-8356

Vision Photography Inc. Eastlyn, St. George Tel 262-6950

Travel

Reception Venues George Washington House Bush Hill, Garrison, St. Michael Tel 228-5461

LIAT Limited Terminal 2 Grantley Adams International Airport, Christ Church Tel 420-7201

Behind The Scences...

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