Corpus Christi
THE
DRESS
ISSUE
Wandjell Browning
Keeps Families CONNECTED
8
QUESTIONS
TO ASK BEFORE BOOKING YOUR VENUE
BEHAVIOR OF BRIDAL STORES
Photographer: Libra Scale Collective Hair: Ashley Maddox Makeup: Ashley Maddox Bridal Gown: Oh My Dress Venue: The Hall at Ridgestone Model: Ashley Maddox, RAD Talent Agency
A Letter from the Editor To the Reader: This year, Affinity Weddings is entering into more markets and we have a lot in store for vendors and brides! We launched in Corpus Christi at the end of last year and threw a masquerade ball that allowed us to meet some amazing vendors in the area. Throughout The Dress Issue, you will see images from our styled shoot at The Hall at Ridgestone featuring bridal gowns from Oh My Dress! Take a look at the upcoming shows for Affinity TV on page 9. Also, take a look at our brand new mobile, dynamic magazine!
Sincerely,
Zondra Victor Editor-in-Chief Affinity Weddings Magazine
Photographer: Asad Photo Maldives
02
TABLE OF CONTENTS A Letter from the Editor 2 Meet the Team 5 8 Questions to Ask Before Booking Your Venue 6 Behavior of Bridal Stores 9 Wandjell Browning Keeps Families Connected 12 Hairstyling Tools That’ll Save You Time 14 Innovative Ideas for a Dessert Table 16 Unique Floral Ideas 21 Dream Altar Options 23 Staying Physically Healthy While You Plan 29
Photographer: Pavlicek Creations
MEET THE TEAM Bailey Jordan
Jamilah Robinson
Zondra Victor
CEO
President
Chief Content OďŹƒcer
Editorial
Adeline Saunders
So a Gonzalez
Chantel Smith
Miguel Clement
Graphic Design
Ridhoh Sayfuddin
Production
Antonella Mazzei
Hannah Joseph-Alvarado
Production credits: Coordinator: Next Chapter Weddings Photographer: Pavlicek Creations Venue: Bella Moon Florals: Bring Joy Decor: Mulberry Basket Events, LLC
05
8 QUESTIONS
to Ask Before Booking Your Venue The space you plan on using for your wedding is an important piece of the wedding planning puzzle. There are several pieces of information you need to know about a venue before deciding whether or not to book it. Here are 8 questions you should start with. Is my preferred wedding date available? If you are exible with your wedding date this question may not be an issue for you. For the bride that is set on a speci c date this is a good way to weed out your venue options. How much will it cost to rent the venue? Your venue will be one of your biggest expenses. While exploring venues in your area, you will nd that the cost starts around $1500. By asking how much venue rentals will cost, you can eliminate those that will not t your budget. How much is the deposit? This question is one for your information. Deposits tend to be on top of venue rental cost. If your decision factor is based on what is cost-effective, compare rental costs by adding the deposit cost to it. How many people will the venue accommodate? The answer to this question is extremely i m p o r t a nt. Yo u wa nt yo u r g u e s t s to b e comfortable on your wedding day. This means
Photographer: Pavlicek Creations
you need a venue that will t ever yone comfortably. Some venues are willing to work with you to gure out how to t a few extra guests if needed. How many hours will the venue be available for? Some venues will book two events a day. Some do not automatically rent for the whole day. You need to know if your venue time is limited so you can plan accordingly. What vendors is the venue willing to work with? This can either limit your vendor choices or your venue choices. If you choose a venue that doesn’t work with speci c vendors, then you know those vendors are ruled out. If you already have vendors and are looking into a venue that will not work with them, you know that venue is out. Do we need to provide tables, chairs and linens? Some venues will include these while others will not. You need to know this so you can arrange to provide some if needed. What restrictions does the venue have? Venues have restrictions from alcohol to what you can and can’t use for sendoff. You need to know of these ahead of time so you don’t violate the rules and end up with extra charges.
06
Production credits: Photographer: Libra Scale Creative Venue: BienVenue Model: Ivanka Garrett Makeup Artist: Mama Bear Beauty Hair Stylist: Mercy’s Hair Designs Bridal Gown: Impression Bridal Florals: Fauxtastic Floral Creations
Production Credits: Photographer: Phelicia Gomez Simpson Venue: The Hall at Ridgestone Model: Cyn Fed, RAD Talent Agency Hair and Makeup Artist: Ashley Maddox Bridal Gown: Oh My Dress
BEHAVIOR
Production credits: Photographer: Phelicia Simpson Venue: BienVenue Model: Ayesha Love Makeup Artist: Ashley Maddox Hair Stylist: Ashley Maddox Bridal Gown: Impression Bridal Florals: Frankie + Flora
of Bridal Stores Buying your wedding dress is a big deal. A lot of thought goes into THE dress you will be wearing when you walk down the aisle. One thing brides often don’t think about when going on the hunt for the dress is how a bridal shop should treat them during the process. Here are 3 red ags that should indicate whether or not you take your business elsewhere.
The bride is the boss. You are the one who is going to be wearing the wedding dress; therefore, you are the one who calls the shots. Do not let your fr iends, family, or a store associate take over your decision. This is about what you want, not what they want for
you. If a store associate is too opinionated for you, it is okay to go somewhere else. You should also be able to look at the dresses yourself to choose which ones you would like to try on. If you are in a store that normally picks dresses for you, ask the associate if you can accompany them.
Negative comments are not welcomed. If a store associate is rude about the way a dress ts you, go to a different store. A store associate can communicate whether or not a dress looks good on your body. After all, they are professionals in the bridal industry. They should do so in the nicest way possible and not in a negative manner.
Having fun is key. A good bridal store will make your dress-buying experience fun. They will indulge you while you try dresses and veils on. A store should give you whatever you need to make your experience a good memory. If a store does otherwise, you know what to do.
Feel free to shop for your store. The bottom line is you want a bridal store that will give you a pleasant experience. In order to do this, you may need to go to a few different stores or ask recent brides about their experiences. Make time to nd the store that is best for you.
09
Wandjell Browning
KEEPS FAMILIES CONNECTED by Zondra Victor
Wandjell Browning, CEO of The Freedom Child Foundation, is a bride who has more than just a wedding in her view. Growing up, Wandjell experienced life as a child with incarcerated parents. She was able to see, rsthand, the lack of funding available to help families and children pay for necessities like food, stationer y, and transportation for visitations. Now, Wandjell is trying to make that experience better for others. She and her groom, Marty Browning, research, supply materials, and organize transportation services for eligible applicants. “When I was younger, I was severely impacted by parental incarceration because both of my parents were incarcerated,” says Wandjell. “I just remember, profoundly, the emotions, the lack of resources that I had to stay in contact with both of my parents.” The Freedom Child Foundation serves minors between 5 to 17 years old and is open to children w h o h a ve o n e o r b o t h o f t h e i r p a re n t s incarcerated. Not only does Wandjell’s foundation provide stationery supplies for children, they provide transportation if a child has to travel an hour or more away from their home. “Most correctional facilities are like hours away from home,” says Wandjell. “And so it can be very hard trying to get on a train, or get a rental, get gas. Or maybe even once they get to visitation, the food is very expensive.”
Wandjell and Marty are creating a positive and lasting experience for children that will bene t from being able to hold on to their relationship with their parents, even during the incarceration period. The Freedom Child Foundation works to solve several issues that may keep children from maintaining those relationships. Wandjell and Marty are providing a community of support for children so that both they, and also the parents, have a chance to keep their connection. “Children may seem forgotten or they get lost in the system and that’s one thing we don’t want…” says Marty Browning, Wandjell’s husband and COO of The Freedom Child Foundation. “When you don’t have that parental structure in the home, you lose a lot. Our parents are very important and we do want children to know that no matter what your parents went though, you don’t have to go down that road.” During this year’s pandemic, Marty and Wandjell have had to change plans for how they operate business. They’ve gotten to hear many different stories and learn about the backgrounds of their applicants from all over the nation through their website. Visit Wandjell and M ar t y Browning at www.freedomchildfoundation.org or on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about The Freedom Child Foundation in a special video interview with Affinity Weddings by visiting us on YouTube, Roku, or Amazon Fire Stick.
11
Wandjell Browning, CEO of The Freedom Child Foundation
12
Hairstyling Tools That'll Save Your Time By Chantel Smith
For many of us, nding love is a journey of vulnerability and a seemingly endless search for the one that completes our puzzle of life. However, when we nd that missing piece we then cherish that moment and every second after, knowing that the union created brings forth love and excitement for the future. The same can be said for nally nding the hair tools that create the perfect hairstyle, especially for the big day. Throughout this journey we will share three tools that will help you style and maintain your crown and glory while saving time and hassle. Our rst pick is great for adding volume to your strands. Wave irons are the new “it girl” of styling tools. With three heated prongs you can easily create luxurious body waves in an instant! Part your hair into four sections (a cross shaped pattern is a great method), spray each section with a heat protector, clamp down and repeat until the nished look is accomplished.
At last, we’re bringing attention to an overlooked classic in styling tools, the hot comb. Thankfully, there are now adjustable temperature options available instead of the renowned stove top original comb. Hot combs are perfect for straightening hard to reach places such as roots, nape, and areas around the ears. The results to this day are still unmatched.
If you are a heat conscious naturalista exi rods give you the ability to create a variety of waves, curls and coils without the added damage of intense heat. After detangling and moisturizing your hair, make one-inch sections to wrap around your preferred sized cushioned rod and secure by curving the end of the rods up. These tools are soft enough for sleeping and can be protected with a silk based bonnet or scarf and easily removed by untwisting by hand with a light hair oil to avoid frizzing.
These amazing items can be found at your local beauty supply store and select drugstores at affordable prices. May your explorations lead you to perfect your styling and give your tresses the love and attention they deserve!
Production credits: Photographer: Libra Scale Creative Venue: BienVenue Model: Sara Chau Makeup Artist: Pink Ladies Texas Hair Stylist: Mercy’s Hair Designs Bridal Gown: Impression Bridal Florals: Fauxtastic Floral Creations
14
15
Production credits: Photographer: Libra Scale Creative Venue: BienVenue Models: Ayesha Love, Ivanka Garrett, Sara Chau Makeup Artist: Donyale MUA, Mama Bear Beauty, Mercy’s Hair Designs Hair Stylist: Mercy’s Hair Designs, Pink Ladies Texas Bridal Gown: Impression Bridal Decor: Grand Events Party Planners Florals: Fauxtastic Floral Creations, Frankie + Flora
16
Innovativ Ide
for a Dessert Table By Jocelyn Sauceda
T
hink of your dessert table as an opportunity to be creative. Weddings are often formal and thought of in a serious manner. An innovative dessert table can alter the entire feeling of a wedding. These fresh ideas will inspire and get you excited. First off, many people don’t love the idea of having a table dedicated to sweets. If sweets aren’t exciting to you, consider a fruit table instead. Fruit is colorful and can be beautiful to look at. Experiment with cutting fruit into different shapes. There’s a number of ways to execute this. The rst way is to have a large bowl of fruit salad. Guests will simply walk up and serve themselves. This method requires the fruits in a large
preferably clear bowl. A clear bowl will allow the colors of the fruit to show. The second method is to separate the fruits. Having everything in separate bowls will give guests the chance to select only the fruit they want. This will also give your dessert table a fuller look. The next idea is interactive. Display at least two cupcake avors. Make sure the cupcakes are bare. Have a variety of icing, sprinkles, and any other toppings you can think of. Guests can make their own cupcakes. This is a great way to keep people entertained. The act of making their own desserts often brings nostalgic feelings and memories that will make everyone smile.
Finally, instead of cake go for pie. A table lled with a variety of pies will look beautiful and draw attention. Pick a variety of pies that all look different. For example, a banana cream pie will contrast an apple pie. The juxtaposition of appearances is fun and gives guests options. If you prefer a cohesive table choose pies that have similar appearances. This will assure your table is just as formal as a wedding cake but incredibly unique. Production credits: Photographer: Libra Scale Creative Venue: BienVenue Models: Ayesha Love, Ivanka Garrett, Sara Chau Makeup Artist: Donyale MUA, Mama Bear Beauty, Mercy’s Hair Designs Hair Stylist: Mercy’s Hair Designs, Pink Ladies Texas Bridal Gown: Impression Bridal Decor: Grand Events Party Planners Florals: Fauxtastic Floral Creations, Frankie + Flora
17
Venue: BienVenue Events Florals: Fauxtastic Floral Creations Decor: Grand Events Party Planners
Unique Floral Ideas By Sofia Gonzalez
S
howcasing you and your husband-to-be’s unique personality is important for the perfect wedding day. You might be asking yourself, “How can I differentiate this wedding from anyone else’s?” An easy way to do so is through unconventional oral ideas. If you are an old soul and have a knack for rustics or antiques, try hanging lanterns off of an arch oral design. This can be done for any outdoor or indoor wedding. However, if rustic isn’t your style, then you can stick with the arch design and colorcoordinate the owers to your wedding. For those who don’t just want an altar or plain background—have a orist design the perfect altar for you instead. To get this look, use a lush greenery implemented with either birch or again, owers of your choice. This will give a very organic, yet serene feel to the ceremony, making it that much more romantic for you and your partner. Now, here is one for all of the couples debating whether or not they should have an indoor or outdoor wedding—why not try both? You can hold the ceremony inside but ask the orist to place grass onto the oor of the venue. This can make the ceremony feel informal, yet personal. It’ll be as if the wedding is taking place in your own backyard. If you’re interested in sprucing up your bouquet, you can customize how it’s wrapped. Ask your orist for help when doing so, but you can wrap around it anything with sentimental value, Venue: BienVenue Events Florals: Frankie + Flora Decor: Grand Events Party Planners
from a grandparent’s watch, to your own watch, or even an old friendship bracelet. Whatever it is you choose to do, it’s guaranteed that that bouquet will be one-of-a-kind. Other ideas for bouquets are the ones for bridesmaids. For those brides that are more laid back, olive branches are perfect. They are very simple-looking and also symbolize peace—bringing serenity to the ceremony. Cocktail hour is also something to think about in regards to oral ideas. This is something that can be fun. Instead of having just a normal bar, consider having a oral backdrop for the bar, or just greenery. This will create a statement bar, bringing it to life. Along with a bar, cocktail hour entails having small tables set up for guests. If you are wanting to add onto the oral idea of the bar, have the tables’ legs intertwined with a oral idea. This will also bring them to life and add more personality to the wedding. As for the reception—you want to stay budget friendly, but also have the perfect centerpieces for your wedding. This one is extremely unconventional, but also has an elegant look to it w h e n e x e c u t e d c o r r e c t l y. F l o r i s t s h a v e experimented with tumbleweeds to resemble chandeliers. They go above the tables and are added on as that extra “oomph” for a centerpiece. Whatever route you decide to take with your wedding, ask your orist for advice when taking an unconventional idea and run with it. If you want to stand out from every other bride, don’t be afraid to be yourself and immerse your personality into any of the oral ideas for your wedding.
18
DREAM ALTAR OPTIONS By Adeline Saunders
W
hether you’re getting married in a church or decide to have a scenic wedding, the altar may be just about the most important space in the venue. The bride and groom might only be up there for a few minutes, but it is de nitely the most meaningful (and most photographed) spot in the entire ceremony. Some of the most natural and elegant looking altars include greenery installations. Installations are fun because they come in all different shapes and sizes. Try a large, leafy wreath, or if you want to opt for something a little more classic, try an arch covered in your favorite greens and owers. For the boho chic couple, go with a birch teepee! Try weaving owers and greenery into this setup so it can be extra special. These altars make for a beautiful addition to the ceremony and look great in photos. Chuppa altars are a classic and look great both indoors and outdoors. Whether you decide to use sheets and owers or want to try something different like string lights and vine, there are plenty of unique ways to customize your chuppa. If you
want something simpler, try a metal based chuppa. This sleek and modern look is a great asset to pictures under the altar and don’t take too much away from the bride and groom. For the couples who want to ditch the altar all together, try tying the knot under a beautiful tree covered with lanterns or string lights. The lights add a magical addition to one of nature's oldest wonders. Another great idea is surrounding yourselves with themed aesthetic decale or your favorite plants. This way you can say goodbye to the traditional altar but still get the attention you deserve. The ceremony is the most important part of the wedding. It’s a time for the bride and groom to profess their love for one and another while being surrounded by their family and friends. Choose an altar that says “I love you” in your own unique way because you two are going to be the only people standing at it.
20
Mr. & Mr . Abbot
21
Photographer: Libra Scale Photography
22
23
24
25
WANDJELL & MARTY BROWNING
Vendors: Hair: Portia Lea - Beauty Expert Catering: Flavor Fetish Catering Company Makeup: Jillyne Renee Artistry Bartending: On the Rocks Bar Service and StafďŹ ng Ceremony & Reception Music: DJ Touch Venue: Bella Moon Decor & Linens: Wonderfully Made Cake: TrishAnn's Delicious Desserts Bridal Gown: Sweet Romance Bridal Dessert Bar: Alchemy Bake Lab Day of Coordination: Timeless Rose Events Florals: Bring Joy Photography: Catchingzzzproductions
26
27
Wedding Week Well-being By Nicole Molter
H
ealth involves your body, mind and soul. Keep all three in mind the week of your wedding to keep yourself in tip-top shape for saying, “I do.”
Eat Right Avoid junk food even though it’s convenient to grab and go. You will feel better and more energized if you eat healthier. There will be room for KFC or burgers and fries for after the wedding, but there may not be in your wedding dress! Whole grains, protein and fruit are tasty snacks and will give you much needed energy during your wedding week. Keep baggies of trail mix, beef jerky, and dried or fresh fruit accessible to ll your tummy!
B o o s t Yo u r I m m u n e System When you’re stressed, your immune system suffers. Elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, suppress your body’s ability to ght illness. Taking vitamins will help kick up your ability to ght off sickness. Vitamin C and A help ght off the common cold and u virus. Sick ness is not a welcome wedding guest!
Channel Your Stress Figure out ways to de-stress with activities you enjoy. Go to the g y m , k e e p a p re - we d d i n g journal, or sit on the porch with a cup of tea and your man. When you’re calmer, guring out ways to handle any wedding plan hiccups is easier on your body and mind.
Rest and Relaxation Rest! You need sleep! This will keep you feeling good, less cranky, and will help you avoid getting sick, too. Plus, you don’t want baggy eyes at the altar! Plan relaxation time for you and your ancé. Even if you feel like there isn’t time, nd some time! Have you ever gotten a couple’s massage? Do you both love movies or taking long walks? Relaxation will help the two of you clear your heads. Be the most beautiful all-around bride on your wedding day! Take care of yourself amidst the craziness of this nal week!
29
Start your wedding planning journey today! Create a pro le and use our planning tools to guide you in making decisions for your wedding day. To learn more about Affinity Weddings, visit affinityweddings.net or email hello@affinityweddings.net.
www.affinityweddings.net @withthisring_aw @WithThisRing_AW @affinityweddingshouston
Photographer: Libra Scale Creative
