2011 October

You Oughta Know: Studio of Ptah Jewelers

Rings & Things

I often hear folks complain about the homogenous aesthetic of engagement rings and wedding bands. If you’re one of those people that like to think out the box — or your significant other is — then put Studio of Ptah on your radar now. The brand is a fave of trendsetters like Erykah Badu and is filled with African inspired yellow gold, white gold, pink gold and silver pieces. Take a look at the engagement rings and wedding bands and notice the incorporation of the ankh throughout the collections. Asian and Native American cultures are often used as inspiration for these custom pieces as well.
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A Sneak Peek at the David’s Bridal Spring 2012 Collection!

The $99 (!) Halter Charmeuse Floor Length Gown from David's Bridal current DB Studio collection.

Happy Friday! Yesterday I previewed the spring 2012 collection from David’s Bridal. I know some folks consider David’s Bridal boring and predictable (and sometimes quite frankly they are) but they’re such an accessible resource for you brides getting married with a gang of bridesmaids and/or bridesmaids living in different cities. David’s Bridal is also affordable — let’s face it, your maid of honor might be a single, childless 20-something making close to six digits but your matron might be a stay at home mom with two kids and a baby on the way…Their priorities and levels of disposable income are probably quite different. In addition, I appreciate that their sizes fit a wide range of body types because chances are everyone in your bridal party is not 5’9 and a size 4.

Here are a few trend highlights from DB that you can look forward to seeing next season: [Read more...]

Behind the Scenes at the Chris Paul-Jada Crawley Wedding!

The Pauls & Me!

I’ve been itching to share this with you guys and the time is finally here! My former employer ESSENCE magazine tapped moi to cover the nuptials of NBA superstar Chris Paul and his wife Jada. You can check out the story in the November 2011 issue on pages 61-62 and over on Essence.com in their Bridal Bliss Wedding of the Week. (Be sure to watch the video, too.) This assignment admittedly caused me quite a bit of angst. Why? Well, while I’ve interviewed dozens of celebs in the past — from Heidi Klum to Steve Harvey — covering the Paul wedding was extra-special because it marked the first celebrity bridal-related story I nailed since launching Triple B. The stakes were high. Thankfully Chris and Jada couldn’t have been a more down-to-Earth couple. Once I calmed down and treated the story like a typical Tie the Knot Tuesday feature, I was just fine. Traveling to Charlotte, NC to cover the star-studded affair was technically work yet the entire wedding weekend felt like hanging out with family. Seriously. Here are my exclusive highlights you won’t read about anywhere else:

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE OBAMAS!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE FIRST COUPLE

On this day 19 years ago, the 44th President of the United States of America wed his wife, Michelle Robinson. Years later they’re making history in and out of the White House. The pair celebrated their union with dinner at the vegan-friendly Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, VA last night. Congrats and many blessings to the couple!

Please join Triple B in wishing the Obamas a happy wedding anniversary and share how the couple’s relationship has inspired you.

You Oughta Know: Wedding Officiant Kim Kirkley

Celebrant Kim Kirkley (middle) at work!

While many of you always knew the longtime pastor of your family’s Baptist church would officiate your wedding ceremony, many others struggle with finding the appropriate person to perform this important duty. Like Samilah and Ted, a growing number of couples come from two very different cultural and religious backgrounds and/or just rather not skew their wedding toward one religious faith.

Enter Kim Kirkley of Our Elegant Ceremony to the rescue.
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