The Only Bridal Lifestyle Magazine for the Black Bride and Black Groom
5 RECEPTION COST SAVING IDEAS
2019 Summer Wedding Dresses You MUST SEE OURWEDDINGSMAGAZINE.COM
Summer Edition 2019
DATING FOR KEEPS IN THE NEW AGE
Cedric & Shellye Lyons The Lyons Shop www.TheLyonsShop.com
w h i t e g ow n wo r k ro o m . c o m
BEAUTIFUL OFF THE RACK GOWNS FOR THE COST CONSCIOUS BRIDE
3 0 1 5 S t a t e S t re e t S u i t e 1 2 1 · D a l l a s , Tex a s 75 2 0 4 · 2 1 4 . 74 4 . 4 6 9 6
Our Content Welcome to our Fall In Love Issue
Ask Our Experts 24
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SUMMER WEDDING COLORS THAT ARE TOO HOT
JEWELS BY JADE: By Jade Ladson
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DATING FOR KEEPS IN THE NEW AGE
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IS BLACK LOVE THAT HARD TO FIND TODAY?
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WEDDING PLANNING CALENDAR
Our Fashions
By Debbie Magee
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THE BIG WEDDING YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE AND IT’S OKAY
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5 WAYS TO HAVE A COST EFFECTIVE RECEPTION
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RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GROOMSMEN ByJade Ladson
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SUMMER 2019 FASHION
Our Content
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MEET OUR COUPLE: Paul and Breana
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MEET OUR COUPLE: Kedrin & Jeniqua
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MEET OUR COUPLE: Brandon and TaLoria
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MEET OUR COUPLE: Alton & Cassey
Submit your wedding story to ourweddingsmagazine@gmail.com OUR WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
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Our Staff Jade Ladson
Shellye Lyons
Jade Ladson is our resident in house Wedding/Event Planner. Her skills are amazing and she has travelled the U.S. presenting events for others to enjoy! Jade is the owner of J. Ladson Weddings based out of Atlanta, GA. You can find her Jewels by Jade in every issue of Our Weddings Magazine.
Shellye Lyons is the owner of Your Media Girl and she has been in business for more than 10 years revolutionizing the business industry with her innovative and one-of-a-kind ideas. Shellye can be reached at YourMediaGirl on Facebook.
Damian Johnson
Debbie Magee
Damian Johnson is the founder of Marriage is Real, an organization devoted to helping other couples build lasting, harmonious relationships! He embarked on his journey of providing marriage insight several years ago, when he created a blog entitled “Marriage is Real.” Since then, he and his wife Jamie, provide marriage coaching as well as daily inspiration utilizing social media platforms.
Debbie Magee is the owner of Fauxnomenal Flowers one of the premier vendor for Our Weddings Magazine and faux floral designers for weddings and events throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth areas. She has been gracing our pages with great advice. Check her out on Facebook as Fauxnomenal Flowers.
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Our Weddings Magazine would like to thank our contributing writers for this issue:
PUBLISHER: Ivy N. McQuain info@OurWeddingsMagazine.com
Debbie Latham Magee Staff Writer Fauxnomenal Flowers
GRAPHIC DESIGN: BLI Publishing info@BLIPublishing.com
Shellye Lyons Staff Writer Social Media Director Your Media Girl
CREATIVE DIRECTORS: Octavia Whitlowe info@OurWeddingsMagazine.com
Jade Ladson Columnist J. Ladson Weddings @jladsonweddings Damian Johnson Co-founder of Marriage Is Real RE/Max Real Estate Agent
COPY EDITING: BLI Publishing info@BLIPublishing.com MAGAZINE LAYOUT: BLI Publishing SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR: Shellye Lyons ADVERTISING/SUBMISSIONS: info@ourweddingsmagazine.com
We’re Social! Find us at OurWeddingsMag on
If you would like to become a contributing writer for Our Weddings Magazine, then submit a sample (300 words or less) to ourweddingsmagazine@gmail. com. Call us for questions and inquiry at 469-557-1254..
Our Weddings Magazine is a i-POP Media House publication. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Our Weddings Magazine is a paid subscription magazine for brides and grooms throughout the United States. We reserve the right not to publish ads or articles that we deem inappropriate and do not meet the overall mission and vision of Our Weddings Magazine. For advertising rates or editorial comments and suggestions, please call (469) 557-1254 or send an email to Advertising at info@ourweddingsmagazine.com.
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Publisher’s Letter Summer Is The Time For Love And Weddings, You Ready? Every issue we work hard to bring your quality content that deals not only with getting married but staying married. There are so many working parts to getting down the aisle to forever with your spouse. That is why we take every issue serious and every word we want make sure resonant with our readers. We don’t take lightly our charge to make Black Love more than a movement but a way of life. Some of our readers live it daily and rock it out. While others struggle to find that perfect person. We understand your plight. We know that it can be challenging to find a good man or woman to live with forever. We got the T-shirt that proves it. All joking aside we took a little longer with this issue because there seems to be a movement against Black Love where we are literally being pitted against each other to hate and not support each other. Black women around the world are feeling like a walking target and Black men are just a target. So what can we do to let each other know and the world that we are here for each other and that we love each other without stipulations? The simple answer is that we must work to be inclusive of each other rather than exclusive. We have to clearly define the roles of the relationship and be okay with that roll. Black
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women and Black men have to be willing to love each other without limits and no one sided. We have to give up the idea of outdoing the other unless it comes to gift giving. Finally, respect has to be given and required or we are going to keep doing this I hate you song and dance forever. I always say Willie Lynch did an excellent job when he wrote those letters but that can all be eliminated if we believe that Black Love is the only way to live within our community. Again I will not apologize for not being a flagstaff for Black Love. I want Black couples to have a place to display their love without judgment or feeling like they should be all inclusive. This issue has some great content. We have great summer wedding dress fashions, awesome colors to consider and the hot topic, to have a big wedding or wedding reception. We offer solutions to help you plan your perfect day. Just remember to have fun time planning it. Also, we have launched our Honorable Collection that features great wedding apparel. And don’t forget our planner is coming soon so pre-order today. Thank you and have a wonderful marriage.
Ivy N. McQuain Ivy McQuain
Publisher, Our Weddings Magazine
Pre-orders Now Available. Email: info@ourweddingsmagazine.com
Ask Our Expert: Dating
Dating For Keeps IN THE NEW AGE end game. Ask questions... and we mean a lot of questions. Don’t think that you have to go along to get along. That is not the case and when you are dating you need to know a lot about your hopeful spouse. Ask questions that will impact you and the relationship such as kids, family, finances, and most importantly, marriage. If these things don’t align with what you know for sure that you want, then don’t be afraid to walk away.
In a world where everything is Snap This, Like This, Post This and then it’s on to the next topic dating can be very challenging for anyone truly looking for marriage. It can be especially difficult when the person online is not the person you meet in person. So how does one overcome the dating dilemmas of the 21st century? Should they forever be a “player”? Should they consider a life of being the weird cat or dog lady/man? The answer is no because you can find dating in an era where everyone wants everything right now without the commitment of being real. Here are some tips for making the dating process a worthwhile experience and hopefully get you down the aisle to ‘I DO’.
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Take your time. Everyone seems to want everything right now. From immediate gratification to dating then married. But it doesn’t happen like that. It should happen like that. When you are dating you should at least take a year to get to know the person. You know the old adage, ‘You meet someone’s representative for at least six months.’ So you need to take it slow. Don’t have sex during the dating process. Yes, this seems harder than normal but think about it, why keep giving your loving away to someone who may not be willing to marry you in the end? You have to understand soul ties and that you can mess your soul to the wrong person, then it can be harder to break away when you need to. Sex is a heavy price to pay when marriage is not the
Don’t compromise who you are to be with someone. If you are dating and that person keeps making you feel uncomfortable in anyway then you may need to reconsider dating them long-term. We’re not talking about annoyances because that could very well just be you. Rather things that truly make you feel uncomfortable like aggressiveness, jealously, physical, emotional or verbal abuse. Get to know their value system. Do they respect and love their key family members? If they have kids how do they interact with them? Are they financially responsible? Are they unstable in their work status? The list is endless and you have to make sure that you are doing your part to make sure it aligns with your belief systems. You don’t want to get married and worry about why you two can’t get along.
Stay off of social media. If you live and breath social media and the person you are dating doesn’t like it then you have to find a way to make it work without social media. Social media can break a relationship especially if there are so-called haters who like to interfere with people’s happiness. Have the social media conversation and keep an open mind. Don’t audition. People say that you prepare yourself for marriage through dating. Yes, this is true but you should not bestow spousal benefits to someone you just met or you are unsure if marriage is the outcome of the relationship. Oftentimes, people who enter into a relationship immediately start to give large portions of spousal benefits, such as home cooked meals,
bill payments, and freak in the sheets but then feel bamboozled when relationship does not go as planned. Therefore, enjoy the dates until marriage is definitely on the horizon. Be honest if you are dating multiple people. No one likes a liar and if you are dating more than one person, even if it’s via social media, dating apps or over the phone (texting) let everyone know about each other so that they can make a decision if they want to continue in the courtship. The more honest you are about your dealings with others the better off you will be. This is why no sex is important because things really get complicated when sex is involved. As odd as it sounds, dating is not that hard. If you like them then keep that same energy to keep
the dating going until both of you are comfortable with taking it to another level. Don’t be so quick to give that person everything you got until you get that ring. Yes, you can hold back when you are dating because you are just trying to get to know that person on a more personal level. Dating is not an audition for marriage, that requires a conversation that happens over a course of time. Don’t let social media influence your every move. Take the time to get to know the person in front of you rather than who you think they are via social media. Your goal shouldn’t to get married immediately but to build a lifetime with the person. So take your time and enjoy the dating. Marriage will come when it comes. You just have to get to know that person first.
OUR WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
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Ask Our Expert: Relationship
Is Black Love Really that hard to find today? Since the invention of slavery, well at least American slavery, the war between the Black man and the Black woman has waged on for years. So much so that the infamous Willie Lynch letters were written on how to break up and utterly destroy the Black household where the Black man led and provided for his family. Then the introduction of welfare caused an even more continental divide between Black men and Black women. Let’s not forget during slavery, Jim Crow and other heinous acts against Blacks in America was the idea that alternative lifestyles and interracial marriages were better than being as strong Black family unit. Black men have been touted as the most hated group in America and Black women have the moniker of being the most difficult if not impossible to love. But is that really true? Do Black women hate Black men and are Black women hard to love by Black men? According to so many one social media it’s a very true statement but with an astrict mark. Black love is like an urban legend. Even popular wedding and lifestyle magazines highlight more Black women and who they choose to wed rather than Black men and Black women as if there
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is a shortage of Black love. Our Weddings Magazine is committed to ensure the stories of Black couples together are told. But the truth is we still have an issue trying to determine why Black women seem to hate Black men and why Black men seem to hate Black women. With so much violence that is displayed in the news against our Black men being publicly shot down in the streets for merely taking a nap in their car to our Black women being killed in the jail cells, the media is laden with stories that can, if you allow it to, trap you in the house. Let’s not forget to mention that the Black church, in parts. Seem to preach more messages of full inclusion versus loving each other and being a unit. They preach tithes, love whomever, and don’t talk about it. We are not against the church but we are against the messages that don’t build the Black community but rather are self fulfilling and exclusive of the Black family nucleus. Also we must truly look at what we are seeing via our televisions on the radio and social media. The media and its advertising is skewed in its portrayal of Black people as a whole. Blacks are either homosexuals - and even then they show them dating
or marrying other races or our Black women are portrayed as argumentative and single mothers, while the Black man is absent, a lover of other race women, or players who love
drugs. Just look at the television and the proof is in the viewing. Our community doesn’t stand a chance if we don’t do something more about how we are portrayed. We can’t possibly have a world where the Black family is nonexistent because we have a hold hands and agree to whatever approach. But how can we love each other when we are told to do differently. How can the Black woman stop “hating” the Black man and how the Black man protect the Black woman. In all honesty the answer is simple but in a world where we are taught to exclude common sense it’s really not that simple. People want to be free thinkers and more Black are about being all-inclusive rather than selective. We believe the following: Expand yourself so you can expand your horizon when selecting a mate. If you believe guys who love being a hood star works then it works but you will always get hood results. Same for the young man or woman who wants to be in an open relationship. You can’t expect commitment from someone who does not want to commit. Stop following and sharing posts on social media that degrade Blacks as a whole. That fight video you like looking at or the memes that glorify the N-word, yep that tears down the Black community. You can’t expect rock star results living like you never want to experience it. Speak life into the Black Kings and Queens in your life. It really
does start at home. If you are in a relationship and you never give your significant other a compliment or it’s a backhanded compliment then you are the problem. Even if they don’t receive it you have to be patient. It takes time to retrain your mind. Counseling is not a bad idea. The thing about counseling is finding the right counselor. Some counselors have their own hurt that they factor into your counseling session. And yet in still there are some counselors who have no clue what you are going through and can’t give good counselor. You just have to be diligent to find the right person. Don’t give up and throw in the towel just find the person who is looking to help you heal. Stay prayed up. If you don’t believe that your prayers work then you just don’t believe but there are a million people who can tell you differently. The trick about prayer is that you have to be specific and it has to come from a good place. Get around other positive people. If you are around a negative group of people then more than likely you are going to be another victim. That means if all your friends is complain that Black people ain’t not good then that will shape your mentality. Change that and get around others who believe Black is beautiful. Stop worshipping other races and appreciate your own race. There is definitely a such thing as a self hating Black person. This person hates everything about their race and oftentimes themselves. You
can’t be like that. You can’t allow situations from the past to keep you held hostage to hating your people. Yes you may have met great people from other races but being a proud Black person is the best thing. Everyone at any point in their life can be difficult to love or deal with but if you are willing to move forward then you will find the beauty in that person. To the Black woman, our Black men have it hard and having a Black woman who doesn’t want to be his pillar of rest can be even more changing. Our Black men need us just like we need them. We have to put our selfish thoughts and ideals to the side and look to him as if he is our lead. We have to trust him knowing that he will need our help when he needs it. Black men were born to lead but we have to be willing to follow and support him and love him without complaining. And we definitely can’t embarrass him. To the Black man, yes we can be difficult but we are that way because of our life experiences, our upbringing, or from the environments we are in. Give us time. We want to be that for you and more. Love us but don’t punish us for loving you. Don’t make us feel like we have to compete with anyone, not even your mother, for your attention. Let us be to you what you want to be to us. Once we believe that you will lead us right we will follow you until our death.
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Ask Our Expert: Planning Below is the traditional wedding check list because after all you can’t make sure your list have list if you do not have the original wedding checklist.
9 to 12 Months
When you first get engaged:
____ Determine goals for your wedding. ____ Determine how much time you can devote to wedding planning. ____ Determine how many family/friends you expect to help.
6 to 9 Months
____ Decide on the style, theme, or overall vibe for your wedding. ____ Create a budget, if necessary. ____ Decide on a wedding party, if you are having one.
Shortly after you’re engaged:
____ Find and book your wedding venue. ____ Create the guest list. ____ Get event insurance.
____ Choose a ceremony and reception start time. ____ Start booking your key wedding vendors ____ Start looking for your wedding rings.
6 to 8 months: ____ Start looking into reservations for any group wedding weekend. ____ Send out your save the dates. ____ Book your rehearsal dinner location.
____ Set up your wedding website. ____ Begin to book other vendors not already booked ____ Decide on wedding attire for everyone.
5 months: ____ Start planning your wedding decor. ____ Decide on the DIY projects and a timeline (the earlier, the better!).
____ Plan out the guest book, seating chart, and favors.
4 months: ____ Visit the venue again, and make your event layout.
____ Set up a wedding registry (if you’re having one).
3 months: ____ Discuss the do’s and don’ts of your wedding with your partner. ____ Start creating your wedding play lists, if applicable.
____ Start creating your job list those helping on your wedding day.
2 months: ____ Get your wedding attire altered if necessary. ____ Finish up any DIY projects that you can.
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____ Start writing or brainstorming your vows.
____ Mail your wedding invites and track RSVPs. ____ Loop in your wedding coordinator. ____ Finalize the items in your day-of timeline, and assign exact times to the different parts of the day.
1 month: ____ Finalize your wedding ceremony with your officiant. ____ Finish up your wedding purchases and projects.
____ Go over your wedding timeline with key people.
2 to 3 weeks: ____ Track down any missing RSVPs. ____ Finalize outstanding details with vendors. ____ Make your shot list for your wedding photographer. ____ Meet with your coordinator to finalize the details.
____ Finalize your seating chart. ____ Update your day-of timeline with information from vendors. ____ Provide your DJ a detailed playlist. ____ Get your marriage license.
1 week : ____ Send final timeline to all wedding vendors
____ Make a packing list of things needed, including a DIY wedding emergency kit.
24 - 72 hours before the wedding: ____ Drop off welcome goodies for guests at hotels if applicable.
____ Buy perishable food items for menu.
24 hours before the wedding: ____ Set up the wedding ceremony/reception spaces. ____ Have a wedding rehearsal. ____ Hand over the planning reins and your planning materials to your wedding coordinator or point person.
The day of the wedding (yay!): ____ Get married, and soak in all the love you feel.
The day after the wedding: ____ Clean up, pack up, and go on your way as a newly married couple. Hopefully a honeymoon is included, but if not you are now starting to enjoy your life together! The week or few days after the wedding be sure to take a breather from wedding-related tasks and go on a honeymoon, minimoon, or even a stay-at-home honeymoon. You will need this time to truly get adjusted to each other in your new role. No more than three months after your wedding date you should send out thank you cards to your attendees, bridal party, and vendors.
Now always remember that you are now living in your forever after! So relish in the memories of your amazing wedding day. Congrats! OUR WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
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Ask Our Expert: Planning
THE BIG WEDDING YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE, AND IT'S OKAY Have you ever thought to yourself that all of the fanfare of a running around looking for a venue, tasting cake after cake, and looking online for hours for the perfect wedding idea was a great way to get ready for marriage? Seriously think about the amount of stress that so many brides and grooms go through just to have that special day that honestly boils down to a 20 minute ceremony and a 2-3 hour reception. So is all of that necessary? Can you really avoid the drama that comes with wedding planning? Sure you can. Not only can you avoid all of the hoopla but you can absolutely save money and time by having the perfect wedding designed to be cost effective and fun for you and your spouse-tobe. Here’s how:
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1. Consider a Justice of the Peace Ceremony. Yes, you can save a lot of money by simply going to your local county JP official to get married. It may only cost you the cost of your marriage license. They allow 2-3 witnesses. Sometimes if there is enough planning time you can use a courtroom and have a limited number of guests. Just give them a call and they will walk you through the details. 2. Think about having an outside wedding and reception. Yes you can rent your local part for pennies on the dollar and go with an outside wedding and reception. There’s no need for nothing more than renting the chairs and then fire up the grill or bring out the tables and have fun. Kids will also enjoy this environment as they can play at the playground until they tire themselves out. 3. A community or civic center is not that bad. The average community or civic center costs no more than $100/ hour depending on where you live. And if you are a resident of that area then you might be able to get it
for a more reasonable price. You can literally spend less than $500 for your wedding day. Some venues even have a kitchen area for you to use that’s included in the price. 4. Try the backyard. If you are fortunate to live in a house or have a family member or friend who has a house, then having a small intimate wedding at the house is a great option for a wedding. This will save you money and you can be in a familiar space where you can enjoy your guests. Just remember to lay our the rules for attending your wedding to your guests. 5. Forego the wedding altogether and just have
a reception. Many people are considering the JP option and focusing on having a reception because food costs are so high these days. Fortunately a reception can be done in any venue or it can be done at a restaurant that has a large area and a great catering menu.
6. Opt for a stateside destination wedding. Stateside destination weddings can be just as fun as an oversees destination wedding and the costs may be significantly lower. A beach wedding in Galveston or a theme park wedding or maybe event a popular attraction wedding could be more cost effective than a traditional wedding and it could save money by doubling as a honeymoon or family vacation. 7. Runaway to Las Vegas. Vegas weddings has always been a popular trend. They have packages for every budget and they are fun to experience. Getting married in Las Vegas offers two things, a great experience
The
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and a chance to win big. What’s not to love about Vegas? Whatever you choose always remember to do what’s right for your budget and what works for you and your soon to be spouse. Your wedding day is about you and what you want. Don’t start your marriage in the negative just to have a wedding others think you should have. It’s really not that serious when you look back on it years later. Just enjoy the notion that you are marrying the love of your life and have fun without going broke. Photo credits (In order): Emasscraft.org Dixon Wood Morgan Gauntt Photography Las Vegas Direct
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HAVE YOUR ORDERED YOUR COPY YET? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? VISIT US ONLINE NOW AT WWW.OURWEDDINGSMAGAZINE.COM
Ask Our Expert: Planning
5 WAYS TO HAVE A COST EFFECTIVE RECEPTION Let’s be honest, your wedding reception is what your guests really want to see and it’s where the bulk of your money goes when you are planning your big day. Couples can find themselves spending thousands of dollars to pull off the ultimate party. These lavish events must include the perfect music, the most amazing food, and let’s not forget the decor. Everyone wants to be wowed when they walk into the reception hall by the decor. Everything from centerpieces to the band or DJ, we can all agree that the wedding reception has to be the hot ticket item. But what if you don’t want the fanfare of a big reception or your budget does not match your vision. How can you have a
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great wedding reception and still impress your guests? It’s easy and we have talked to several wedding planners who give their ideas for having a great reception for less. Have a cocktail hour style reception. A cocktail style reception allows you to cut costs and feed people sample bits while still having food for your reception and you don’t need to have seating for everyone as the reception style allows guests to mingle more and enjoy the party. Really look over your guest list and only include those people who you know will make the party and enjoy the party. “I often advise my brides to consider three things when planning your
wedding - the menu, the venue, and the guests. These three elements can run your budget into the ground, that’s why it’s important to really look over your guest list. It’s not just for your wedding but for your budget.” Save on to-do items that you can do yourself. “I don’t advise my brides to go cheap at all but when there are budget constraints then I strongly suggest that they look for ways to minimize costs by considering buying their own liquor, using someone in their family to prepare their menu, or creating a 4-5 hour play list in lieu of a hired DJ or band. If done right then it will look right.”
Use Pinterest and then
the bank. You don’t need a lot of flowers to wow your guests. You can honestly get away with having an outstanding Groom and Bride table and use minimal table settings for your guests.”
shop for affordable decoration ideas. “Brides love Pinterest, even when it can become overwhelming but if you narrow your search down then you can find the perfect and affordable reception look without breaking
Consider hosting your reception in conjunction with a larger family function. “Many brides and grooms have their wedding during the holiday season so their family members and friends can be involved. This is not a bad idea
especially if you are not close to your family. You can also save on food costs by having individuals bring a dish to serve.” Your reception does not have to break your budget and it can still be glamorous and fun filled. When planning your wedding always consider your budget and don’t overdo it where you don’t have it. There are many local and online stores that will ship decorations to you, just be mindful of return policies and shipping dates. Have fun planning your wedding!
The Bridal Shoppe Wylie 100 N Ballard Ave Suite B, Wylie, TX 75098 Phone: (972) 941-9494 OUR WEDDINGS MAGAZINE www.wyliebridal.com
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Ask Our Experts: Planning
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GROOMSMEN of securing coordinated outfits for your Groomsmen. Get ahead of the ball with this one, and don’t wait until the last minute. Trust me, it’s a lot harder than it sounds to get a group of guys together to go and be fitted. You will likely have to schedule a second fitting for those that missed the first and send several reminders. Arrange wedding day transportation You’ll be tasked with arranging transportation for the wedding party, primarily from the ceremony to the reception and most likely for the bridal party and close family members. The best options for wedding day transport are normally limousines, executive vans, and mini buses. It’s important that you provide the driver with a firm timeline Wedding planning is a team effort so guys don’t let your bride do it alone. Don’t sit back and wait for her to ask for your help. Also, don’t worry if she is a little reluctant to let go of her reigns and Remember… it’s your day too!!! Whether you're more interested in logistics, finances or the celebration as a whole, Here are 5 wedding to-do list tasks that you can take on right now. Choose the booze Grab your bros and head to the venue for a tasting. It’s one of the easiest ways to add a lil personality to the big day and catch up with your groomsmen all at once. In addition to a few beers, you can choose the ingredients for the Signature Cocktail. A signature cocktail is designed to represent a specific theme and color, but most importantly reflects the personality of the person creating it.
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Plan the honeymoon What better way to surprise her than by handling all the details for the honeymoon and surprising her at the airport? Just give your future wife a 10 day forecast of the weather without telling her exactly where she’s going {so that she can pack accordingly}. Your wedding planner will be able to assist you with your flight and hotel accommodations. Don’t worry, she’s probably got some pretty cool ideas about what you and your new Mrs. can do while you’re vacationing on your honeymoon. Create your own personal wedding style for yourself and groomsmen While your personal wedding day attire will likely be a joint decision with your bride, you’ll the one in charge
It’s customary to tip the vendors on your wedding day, but ONLY if they’ve done a good job. Everyone from wedding planners, to DJs, to florists, to photographers to banquet staff, and bartenders. To make things easier on you, place your tips in marked envelopes and hand off to your planner before the wedding. Since she’s in charge of the timeline, she can handle disbursing the envelopes before each vendor leaves. Also, if you change your mind about tipping a specific vendor you can simply advise your planner and continue enjoying your reception. By Jade Ladson
as well as the number of passengers that will be utilizing their service. Don’t forget to include transportation for you and your bride from the reception to your home, hotel, or even airport. This is often just your own vehicle,
but some couples want something special. Whichever route you choose, make sure you watch your alcohol intake throughout the night. Handle any wedding day payments
Debs Silks Fauxnomenal Flowers 228.326.3558
Photo Credits: Groom and Groomsmen in Gray tux – Jay Lenard Photography Burgundy Tux – RLI, LLC Blue Drink – Kustom Kreation Photography
Ask Our Experts: Planning
Summer Wedding Colors that are Too cool Summer is all about colors and we know you want nothing more than to leave a lasting impression on your wedding day. We have looked all over and have come up with these great color choices that you should consider for your big day. And we didn’t forget the flowers. Color pallettes courtesy of Covington Bloomery. Flower arrangement photo by Kirsten Weaver Photography
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Ask Our Expert: Jewels By Jade
Jewels by Jade,
get back home, I’m pretty sure you won’t be able to keep your hands off each other.
 With Wedding Whisperer
Keep it muy caliente, Jade, Wedding Whisperer
JADE LADSON Have a wedding related question and don’t know who to ask? No worries, “Our Weddings Magazine� is at your rescue. Send your questions to info@ourweddingsmagazine.com and we’ll get them answered!
Q:
A:
How do you keep things spicy after 10 years of marriage ~Caryn via email~
Whew girrrrrl‌. I’ll be celebrating 11 years this month and to be honest it’s pretty simple. Keep doing whatever you’re doing now. Right now you’re dating, learning about each other, and falling in love each day. 1. Make date night a priority not an option. Whatever your date night looks like, make sure that you’re present. Look at him, listen to him, laugh with him. 2. Try new things together – Both in and out of the bedroom. Start a new hobby, try a new restaurant, or a new destination. Talk to your partner openly and honestly about different sources of pleasure then explore them together. 3. Take time to miss each other – Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so don’t be afraid to have a night out on the town with your BFF or take a Girl’s Trip. Trust me!!!! The time apart is healthy, and you never know how those late night calls before bed will end đ&#x;˜‰đ&#x;˜‰ Either way, by the time you
Q: A:
I have a huge family with tons of kids, but I don’t want kids at my wedding. Am I being mean? ~Courtney via email~ It’s your wedding and you get to make the decisions about who’s attending the celebration. That means if you don’t want to risk having a kid stick their tiny little fingers in the cake before the photographer gets a picture; it’s your call. However, just to make things easier for your guests you might want to consider contracting a reputable child care provider available during the festivities. It gives parents the security of knowing that they can let their hair down and have fun without their kids hanging on them. Yet, they aren’t too far away if mommy and daddy just want to pop in for a quick check in.
Happy Planning, Jade, Wedding Whisperer
Jade Ladson, Wedding Whisperer is a Certified Wedding/Event Coordinator and founder of J. Ladson Weddings based in Atlanta Georgia.
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Our Fashions: Summer 2019
Dress: Stephen Goudeau Photographer: Prince Photography LLC
If there is one thing that we love at Our Weddings Magazine, it’s bridal dresses. We love helping our brides to find the perfect dress for their big day. We partner with designers to display their wonderful works but then there are times when we have to search the web for dresses that wow us. We are proud to share with you of our most recent find... the 2019 Summer wedding dresses we are sure you will love.
Dress: Stephen Goudeau SUMMER EDITIONLLC 2019 26 Prince Photographer: Photography
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Our Fashions: Summer 2019
Dress: Viktor & Rolf
Our Fashions: Summer 2019
Dress: Adrianna Papell
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Our Fashions: Summer 2019
Dress: Claire Pettihouse
www.rawartists.org/uneekdzynes
Dress: Mori Lee
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Our Fashion: Uneek Dzynes
Our Fashions: Summer 2019
Dress: Pronovias
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Our Couples: Engaged JADE: How did you know she was the one? PAUL: When I felt comfortable around her and could be myself. I had never left the south really but since then, I’ve been to Missouri and Kentucky and a whole host of places. She brought me closer to God and have a different outlook on life. I could go all day with this question.
Paul Mahaffey and Breana Thomas April 4, 2020 Atlanta, Georgia
Love is in the air and engagement season in full swing, we kicked it off by asking some of our JLW Grooms how they proposed: And let’s just say these stories gave us all the feels and filled our week with major romance. This month we are happy to feature the proposal of one of our very own couples Paul and Puffy {Breana} JADE LADSON: Where did you two meet? PAUL: We met at the University of Montevallo JADE: Where was your first date? Tell us about it. PAUL: Our first date was at the movie theatre in alabaster, Alabama. We watched this movie called unfriended that was supposed to be “scary” but it was just more so suspenseful than anything. This one part of the movie, did have a jump scare and it had to do something with teeth. SO we went to steak and shake afterwards and he just made small talk about the movie and stuff that happened at the school. She started to talk a little trash about me because I jumped at the part of the movie that had the jump scare in it. So since she was talking trash, I ordered a side of syrup and poured it in her glass of water and we went from there.
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JADE: How did you propose? PAUL: Well a long story about that.... My original plan was to do a big speech and drop down to a knee at graduation. I told my friends that the day of at graduation and to say the least, they had better in mind. So on the spot in like 2 minutes, the new plan was to have one of my friends to pretend that he was taking a picture of Puff while she takes a picture with a couple of our friends while I stood behind her on one knee. And the rest is history.... or on video. JADE: What was the funniest/most memorable thing about your proposal? PAUL: Funniest moment was my fiends telling me HOW I was going to do it. The most memorable was the part of the proposal was sitting on one knee and waiting for her to turn around and to see the look of shock on her face. If I had to go back in time. That would be the moment. JADE: Who was in on the big surprise? PAUL: Only my parents, Puff parents and three of our
friends. People were shocked and came to me and said “ Why didn’t you let men now ahead of time?” Personally, I dint want anyone to know, minus the people that needed to know, because the less people that knew, the less chance of her getting an idea. JADE: What specific words do you have for your bride to be? PAUL: Thank you Puff for introducing me to opening my eyes and enjoying life to the fullest. JADE: What are you most looking forward to on your big day? PAUL: Making Puff my wife and her being her husband and
showing our love for reach other in front of family and friends. And having the best time of your life at the reception of course. JADE: In what ways are you most alike? PAUL: We’re both really awkward.... really awkward. We love to be bums and stay home for most of the day. People watching and we both have a low tolerance for people. We can’t be around people all day and expect us to be cheerful and outgoing. Speaking of outgoing, it is a rare sight for us to be out past 9:00 p.m. We love to be in the bed by 9 and value sleep.
thing about your fiancé? PAUL: Her BBQ chicken above everything else. You should really have a plate of it! But they way she cares for me and others and the fact that someone loves you the way she does matches nothing else. I love her with all my heart, through the ups and downs, through the good and bad, through the agreements and arguments, I will love her still! JADE: How can our readers follow along with your wedding planning process? PAUL: Follow our Hashtag #The2020Experience
JADE: What is your favorite OUR WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
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Our Couples: Newlyweds
Kedrin & Jeniqua March 16, 2019 Natchitoches, Louisiana 42
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Love Her...
Wedding Venue: Natchitoches Event Center Wedding Photographer: Micheal Anthony Event Planner,: Kristina Meziere
A word to each other: God took two imperfect people, put them together, and made the perfect moment. We are true examples of Grace Love! Today was not a “goal” but rather a milestone in getting in position to completely do the works of God!! Thank you for being apart of our journey, and if you haven’t experienced this moment as of yet then stay prayerful and just know YOU’RE NEXT!!
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Our Couples: Newlyweds
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Our Couples: Newlyweds
Alton & Cassey May 18, 2019 Saint Lucia 46
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A Destination Love
Venue: Pigeon Island National Landmark, Saint Lucia Wedding Planner: Cap Estate Garden Weddings. Photographers: Benus Mathurin and Brent Beckles Hey Baby:
Cassey to Alton: What a joy it is to be able to spend the rest of my life with you. You are a truly remarkable man and I see the way you treat total strangers with such care... that alone made me fall in love with you but your loving and selfless nature sealed the deal. My husband, my best friend I love you now ‘til the day after forever. Alton to Cassey: My wife, the most amazing woman in the world. Our journey has just begun and I couldn’t be happier to be on the journey with you. You have brought me so much joy and I know you will bring me so much more. I love you..
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Our Couples: Newlyweds
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Our Couples: Newlyweds
Brandon & TaLoria December 31, 2018 Houston, TX 50
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A Lifetime Of Love Venue: Sans Souci Ballroom Tomball, TX Photographer: Cna Roberts Event Planner: Chloe Cook
A word from the bride: Our wedding day was a dream come true! Everyone We worked with was amazing. So many intricate parts that were so well put together. Not only did our vision come to life but I was able to say Yes to my forever love. My very best friend! It is still the best day ever to date and we are still so very happy! A word from the groom: Love was shown throughout the entire ceremony. We wanted a grand New Years Eve bash that we would never forget. It was the best day of my life. I am so blessed to have shared that day with TaLoria and our family.
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Our Couples: Newlyweds
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Our Couples: Newlyweds
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Candace L. Marshall - Owner/ Lead Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist Three Zero Six- Hairstyling and Makeup Artistry 1009 Glade Rd Ste. C, Colleyville, Tx 76034 Salon 817.952.8550 WWW.BEAUTY306.COM
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ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED? ARE YOU RECENTLY MARRIED? HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS? OUR WEDDINGS MAGAZINE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR STORY OF LOVE. SUBMIT YOUR ENGAGEMENT, WEDDING, OR MARRIAGE STORY TO US AND YOU COULD BE OUR FEATURED COUPLE IN OUR NEXT ISSUE! SUBMIT TO OURWEDDINGSMAGAZINE.COM
Ronda Grandberry, Travel Agent agrandtimetravel@gmail.com (682) 305-1697 www.agrandtimetravel.com
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Make it a Grand Day!!!
Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist