Marriage Matters

Remembering the Marriage When Wedding Planning

19 Mar2013 By Bridgette 14 Comments

I’ve been debating on whether or not I should post this all day. We’ll get back to Tie the Knot Tuesday next week but today I have to share a ~~little~~ big breakthrough I recently had about wedding planning, marriage planning and how the two intersect. Why? Because I know I can’t possibly be the only engaged woman who has experienced this. Last weekend, I had my first (hopefully only) wedding planning meltdown. It wasn’t one of those crazy Bridezilla-esque ones but more of a “…How the *bleep* did we get here?!” kinda moments. Let me explain.

Beyonce & Jay-Z Marriage Matters Monday – CAPTION IT!

4 Feb2013 By Bridgette 5 Comments

As mentioned on Triple B in the past, some images are so strong they require no words to describe them. The above pic was snapped just moments after Beyonce shut down (literally) the 2013 Superbowl with her electrifying halftime show. After her unforgettable performance, Beyonce’s hubby Jay-Z was waiting for her backstage and the two shared this heartwarming embrace. This picture is especially touching since the duo rarely exhibit PDA. As if this weren’t adorable enough, Jay — who despite having over two million followers hardly ever tweets — jokingly tweeted: “Lights out! Any questions?” of course referencing the power surge in the New Orleans Superdome after his wife’s performance. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Marriage Matters, Uncategorized Tagged With: Beyonce and Jay Z at Superbowl, beyonce and Jay Z hug at Superbowl, Black love, black marriage, Black marriages, Black relationships, Marriage Matters, Marriage Matters Monday, Marriage Matters Mondays

Tie the Knot Tuesday Video Trailer Special – Belinda & Kevin

8 Jan2013 By Bridgette 6 Comments

Check out Kevin & Belinda's re-marriage after a 20 year divorce!

Some folks say what is meant to be, will be. That was certainly the case for Belinda and Kevin who had their recent Atlanta nuptials documented by Three Ring Media. This encore wedding (this is their second marriage to each other) took place over two decades after the twosome first met. While watching the video, it is obvious that these two were destined to be together again. Triple B wishes the newlyweds-again health, prosperity and all they happiness they can stand! [Read more...]

Filed Under: Marriage Matters, Tie The Knot Tuesdays Tagged With: Atlanta weddings, Black brides, Black love, black marriage, Black marriages, Black men getting married, Black relationships, Black weddings, Black women getting married, Marriage Matters, real weddings, Southern weddings, three ring media, Tie the Knot Tuesday, Tie The Knot Tuesdays

Marriage Matters Monday – Ebony Mag’s February 2013 Covers ROCK!

7 Jan2013 By Bridgette 3 Comments

Newlyweds Meagan Good and her husband DeVon Franklin shared the cover of Ebony's February 2013 issue!

The folks over at Ebony magazine are giving us not one, not two but three fabulous covers for the month of February! The theme of the issue is “Celebrate Black Love” — something we enjoy doing here at Triple B. And when we can get honest advice from seemingly happy married couples about life after “I Do”, that’s always a plus. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Celebs, Marriage Matters Tagged With: Black women getting married, celebrity marriage matters, Marriage Matters, Marriage Matters Monday, Marriage Matters Mondays, meagan good

Marriage Matters Monday – How Do You Handle Divorce News?

24 Dec2012 By Bridgette 2 Comments

I have a confession: Since I’ve been engaged, the news of couples getting divorced gives me a case of the heebeegeebees. It saddened me before but now it actually more than saddens me; it scares me a little too. I realize this might seem self-absorbed but I’m being honest here. The most recent news of this kind was that of Tom Joyner and Donna Richardson. They were a seemingly “real” couple and had been married for 12 years. To give you context, the news of Evelyn and Chad splitting didn’t sadden me. I know, I know… I shouldn’t let what others do (or not do) influence me. And trust me, I’ve never been more confident that I want to marry my fiance than I am now. However, I cannot deny that stories like those of Tom and Donna calling it quits make me ponder. I ask myself, Did they really try to make it work? Did they truly give it their all? What was the final straw that made them throw in the towel and walk away from their vows? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Marriage Matters, Uncategorized Tagged With: Marriage Matters, Marriage Matters Monday

Marriage Matters Monday – Who are Your Marriage Role Models?

17 Dec2012 By Bridgette 6 Comments

Clair and Heathcliff Huxtable of "The Cosby Show" shared a fictional marriage admired by many in the 1980s.

Last week I had the unique opportunity to chat about marriage, parenthood and lots of stuff in between with my mom, my fiance and his mom. The four of us happen to engage in this very impromptu (but life-changing) convo with a 78 year-old widow and her single forty-something daughter. The entire conversation was enlightening but below are my highlights from the encounter. I was blessed by them and I think you will be, too. As I’ve mentioned before — although I’m planning a wedding, I’m much more concerned about my marriage. For the record, I had heard many of these things before but hearing them come from complete strangers was confirmation in a sense. Here goes: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Engagement, Marriage Matters, Uncategorized Tagged With: Black brides, Black love, black marriage, Black marriages, Black men getting married, Black men getting married to Black women, black men marrying black women, Black relationships, Black weddings, Black women getting married, Marriage Matters, Marriage Matters Monday, marriage role models

Final Friday with Cousin Mars – Do Men Get the Baby Itch?

30 Nov2012 By Cousin Mars 13 Comments

Triple B's resident male blogger Cousin Mars gives his three cents on the male baby itch.

So you’re wondering if men get the baby itch? Of course men get The Baby Itch. Why wouldn’t we? The biggest difference relates to when and why our itch arrives. It APPEARS (whether true, or not) to many men that a large percentage of women place having a child on their life’s To Do List. It actually seems as though having a child is part of a hopeful accomplishment list for many women. Conversely, men often attempt to check off all items on the hopeful accomplishment list prior to procreating. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Marriage Matters, Uncategorized Tagged With: black families, Black love, black marriage, Black marriages, Black men getting married, Black relationships, cousin mars, cousin mars a male point of view, cousin mars on baby itch, cousin mars on black bridal bliss, cousin mars on family planning, cousin mars on men getting the, cousin mars on triple b, final fridays, modern Black families

You’re Engaged!: How to Begin Family Traditions as a Newly Married Couple

23 Nov2012 By Bridgette 4 Comments

This is very similar to the type of Thanksgiving Day spread the Bartlett household was known for in my formative years.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the good ole US of A and most Americans celebrated with a big turkey dinner and all the trimmings. I’ll spare you my conflicted views on the holiday but without question I have a lot to be thankful for and I’m sure most of you do, too. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a big deal in my family and I grew up celebrating it to the nines, right along with Christmas. But my fiance? Not so much. Thankfully we’re pretty much on the same page with these holidays now — at our cores anyway — even if it doesn’t seem like it to outsiders. My future husband isn’t big on huge, screaming labels — on people, clothes or holidays. And I’m beginning to adopt many of the same philosophies he has on the commercialization of the holiday season I cherished as a child. However, that doesn’t mean my family has changed their views and this could potentially be a major problem down the road. YIKES! [Read more...]

Filed Under: Engagement, Marriage Matters, Uncategorized Tagged With: Black brides, black marriage, Black marriages, Black relationships, Black women getting married, establishing family traditions as newlyweds, holiday traditions for engaged couples, holiday traditions for newlyweds

Marriage Matters Monday – Jada and Chris Paul EXCLUSIVE

8 Oct2012 By Bridgette 9 Comments

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Paul

I’ve been working on this Jada and Chris Paul First Wedding Anniversary story for weeks. The duo officially celebrated one year of wedded bliss on September 10th and because I covered their star-studded nuptials here, for ESSENCE and ESSENCE.com, I was determined to get their feedback…some feedback…okay any feedback on their first 365 days of marriage. It wasn’t easy; these two have a lot going on personally and professionally. (Have you peeped Chris on the cover of the latest issue of GQ mag?!)

Check out the images of Jada, her hubby Chris and their adorable children in the photo gallery. Plus, read Jada’s exclusive quotes on her first year of marriage throughout the captions! [Read more...]

Filed Under: Celebs, Marriage Matters Tagged With: celebrity marriage matters, Chris Paul, jada and chris paul, jada and chris paul black bridal bliss exclusive, jada paul, marraige matters, one year wedding anniversary, surviving the first year of marriage

Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary to Michelle & Barack Obama!

3 Oct2012 By Bridgette 4 Comments

It's Our Anniversary: Flotus & Potus on their wedding day back in 1992.

Today, October 3, 2012, is the 20th wedding anniversary of the President of the United States of America Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle. Regardless of political alliances, few can deny that this couple is inspiring. They’re both smart, driven, dedicated to family, athletic and danggit they actually seem to like each other. Furthermore, the Obamas are honest about their relationship not being perfect. They give us a glimpse into their triumphs and their trials. And they display the type of affection none of us have witnessed in The White House prior to now. To help celebrate this monumental anniversary, Triple B created a slideshow of fave pics of the First Family. Enjoy! [Read more...]