All some of us want for Christmas is David Tutera to plan our wedding! The energetic and creative host of WE’s “My Fair Wedding” continues to captivate women with his magical weddings for brides in need of a miracle – often planned in less than two weeks.
This Sunday’s episode features Benita and Arlen, a young Black couple making their way as actors and wanting an old Hollywood wedding to celebrate. You can’t help but fall in love with these lovebirds, as Arlen details his deep love for his bride-to-be and she looks to channel their favorite looks of the past.
The rising stars came to the right person for the Hollywood touch. With his 25-year career, Tutera has grown his event planning business from having just one client to calling some of the hottest names in entertainment, including Usher and Chris Paul, his clients. He also let us in on one of the biggest celebrity wedding misconceptions: “Star Jones paid for her wedding, including my services.”
Check out a sneak peek of Sunday’s episode and tell us about your dream wedding below!
Read more: http://www.essence.com/2011/12/17/must-see-david-tutera-heads-to-black-hollywood/#ixzz1goULFzkf
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Insideweddings.com
The Ride of a Lifetime
After seeing the same pretty brunette on the subway for four consecutive days, Raheem Brown decided to approach her and strike up a conversation. Upon exiting the train, the pair’s friendly banter led to taking a walk together – and a significant realization for the attractive young woman. “In that short time,” claims Tricia Smith, “I knew that he would be mine forever.” After several years together, Tricia’s inkling was confirmed when Raheem romantically proposed during a drive down Park Avenue.
Once the size of the wedding had been decided upon, Tricia and Raheem searched for a reception space that could be easily transformed to reflect their personal style. “I didn’t want to worry about covering up gaudy wallpaper, garish chandeliers, or unattractive carpet,” admits the bride. A loft space that overlooked the Hudson River provided just the type of venue the couple had envisioned. Placing an emphasis on the décor aspects of the fete, Tricia decided upon an eye-catching color arrangement of chocolate brown accented with punchy oranges and pinks. “I wanted a vivid fall scheme with bursts of bright colors,” she asserts.
The couple’s Christian ceremony took place in a beautiful church that boasted magnificent vaulted ceilings and spiritual-related details hidden throughout the interior. Bright pink fabric fastened with fuchsia and orange ribbons adorned the seating, and candlelight lit the sanctuary with a warm glow. At the conclusion of the traditional vow exchange (and following their first kiss as man and wife), Raheem and Tricia joyfully observed the African-American ritual of jumping the broom. “I was so proud to sign the marriage certificate, so excited to be Raheem’s wife,” says the bride of making it all official. “All I kept thinking was, ‘We made it! God is good!’”
Reception tables were draped in rich brown linens and embellished with one of two beautiful centerpieces: a custom made lamp with lush florals along the base; or a gold stand cradling a mix of pink and orange flowers. Richly colored peonies, roses, and ruffled hydrangeas stood in striking contrast to gold pillar candles. The bride was particularly proud of the carefully selected dinner that was served to attendees. “Our menu was a reflection of our favorite foods,” she explains, “dishes that are usually prepared by our families.” First, guests were served their choice of crab cakes over arugula with black-eyed pea vinaigrette, or a delicious classic Creole gumbo over rice. Next, an impressive selection of entrees was offered, such as slow-roasted Cornish hen with garlic potatoes; bourbon-marinated brisket with five-cheese macaroni and cheese; and Cajun blackened catfish in shrimp and cream sauce accompanied by sweet potato whip. Slices of a four layer wedding cake iced in metallic gold fondant with hot pink accents were passed as a conclusion to the meal. A groom’s cake fashioned in the shape of a New York City subway car was also on hand in honor of the way that the couple first met. “It was a surprise to me from my wife – and I loved it,” remarks Raheem.
The couple’s special day represented their united personalities just as they had hoped: “The wedding details, the colors, the music, the entire wedding said ‘Tricia and Raheem!’” exclaims the bride. The groom was especially boastful of the musical selections used for the evening’s dancing, chiefly the song that was used for the couple’s first dance. A version of “You’re All I Need” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell remixed to Method Man and Mary J. Blige, the song “was so us, so New York,” says Raheem. The bride and groom were proud of their attention to the fine points. “I wanted us to tell a story, and we did,” Tricia says. “The love was in the details!”
Thursday, July 28, 2011
5 Questions with Tamera Mowry on Interracial Love
Tamera Mowry-Housley is having the best year ever! In May, the actress married her longtime love, FOX News correspondent Adam Housley, in a beautiful vineyard ceremony, and this month she’s the cover star of Get Married magazine’s fall issue, on stands now. As if that weren’t already awesome news, she’s got more excitement on the way. In two weeks, her new reality show, "Tia and Tamera," debuts on the Style Network. Tamera is one busy woman right now, and lucky for us, we were able to catch up with her for a little chit-chat.
Read on to find out why she chose Adam to be her lawfully wedded husband, what married life has been like thus far, and why she’d much rather live in a world where people were color blind!
ESSENCE.COM: You are no longer a single lady. Congrats on the big wedding! What’s married life like?
TAMERA MOWRY: It’s amazing! I feel like I have a lot more strength, and I have this person who has my back, and no matter what he’s going to be there for me. That just in itself makes me feel a lot more confident and a lot more safe. It feels amazing -- it really, really does. Adam and I, we haven’t lived together, so we’re going through that right now. Moving is challenging, but it’s rewarding. That’s the best I can describe it. Because once you go through a challenging situation then you overcome it you’re like “yes, we can do this." Adam has to do most of the moving so I kind of feel sorry for him in that sense. He’s moving into my place and one of the main things that we’re going through right now is that I don’t want him to feel like a visitor. It’s our place. We’re kind of going through the transition where you say “my place” and then you’re like, “no, wait, it’s our place.” Plus, saying “my husband”, that feels amazing too. There’s something that just goes through your body when you say those words.
ESSENCE.COM: Will you share one the wedding moments you keep replaying in your head?
TAMERA: Oh gosh that’s hard. There were so many. When Adam and I did our first dance, because we did a really funny one. First we danced to Journey’s “Faithfully” then we broke out into LL Cool J’s “Going Back to Cali." LL Cool J follows us both on Twitter, which I have to mention because I think that’s amazing, and he found out about it. He retweeted it!
ESSENCE.com: What made you sure Adam was the one for you?
TAMERA: I can be completely myself. I didn’t have to worry about that. I have naturally curly hair, but a lot of my ex boyfriends always liked it straight. It’s a lot of work keeping it straight all the time, whereas Adam liked me as me. Not only that, but when we were going out on dates and eating, and I found myself being able to eat and do whatever I wanted to do. I didn’t feel like I had to watch what I say or watch what I do. I could completely just be raw and that’s how I knew. I always wanted to be with him. I never got tired of him. He made me feel very comfortable.
ESSENCE.COM: Do you have any advice for women considering dating outside of their race who may be apprehensive about it?
TAMERA: Well, I always find these questions so interesting, because I’m a product of an interracial marriage -- and I never really grew up seeing color. I honestly realized that my dad was White when someone told me in middle school. They’re like, “Oh your dad’s White?” I’m like, “Oh, my gosh, he really is White.” I knew what race was, but it didn’t matter to me. Yes we are an interracial couple. The thing is we do still deal with that. People always question that. If anything, it hurts, but we do have more people supporting us then making stupid comments. We kind of just ignore it and focus on the positive. Love is love and a lot of times people might be in the situation they’re in because they put barriers up. Like some people only want to date a model, or an actor, or an athlete. You’re only limiting yourself. Open up to what’s out there because God made us all.
ESSENCE.COM: What does being a good wife mean to you?
TAMERA: My mom was such an amazing example. She was a mom, wife, and a career woman. I just want to be there for my husband. I don’t ever want him to think that he’s not getting everything at home -- love, attention, encouragement, a meal. I just want him to feel the best he feels at home. I think that’s what a good wife is. Someone who is very attentive to her husband.
For more about Tamera and Adam's love pick up the Fall issue of Get Married on newsstands
Read more: http://www.essence.com/2011/07/28/5-questions-with-tamera-mowry-on-interrcial-dating-and-marriage/#ixzz1TQ14bOoD
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Bridal Bliss: Love & Basketball
Bride: Marcella Gevonne Willis-Gray, 26
Groom: Cory Jamal Gray, 27
Occupations: Gevonne, Resident Physician in OBGYN; Cory, Network Consulting Engineer
Married Since: May 28th, 2011
Wedding Location: Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, VA
Wedding Theme: Simple Elegance
Full Court Advantage
Basketball players Marcella and Cory met in their middle school sports program. She played for the girls basketball team and he played for the boys. Back then, they were just friends, but a few years later, Marcella’s family moved to a nearby town.
They had to take a timeout from their friendship when Marcella moved away, but the game wasn’t over for this pair. Seven years later, they randomly found each other on Facebook and the flirting began. Cory made the winning move when he messaged her about going on a date. She took him up on his offer and a new relationship was born.
Simply Wonderful
Marcella never wanted Cory to stress her proposal. She told him she just desired something simple and sweet. One evening while the pair were kicking back watching television and sipping wine, out of nowhere Cory proposed a toast.
“To us spending the rest of our lives together,” he said.
“Then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, “ Marcella remembers. “I was in disbelief. I kept saying ‘are you serious’?” Eventually, she managed to blurt out a “yes," and the two went on to plan an elegant spring wedding.
Read more: http://www.essence.com/2011/07/20/bridal-bliss-facebook-friends/#ixzz1TEzP4ZBO
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