Song Bouquet Giveaway Winner Tara Moore with her Fiance Donald McFarlin Jr!

I know you guys have been losing sleep over this but the time is finally here. The winner of Triple  B’s giveaway with Song Bouquet is [insert drumroll here] Tara Moore of Houston, Texas! Tara was the first person to respond with the correct answer of
So High by John Legend in respond to the question about Tie the Knot Tuesday couple Cleo and Lyncoln Dujon’s wedding video. Again, Tara will receive a Tier 1 song written especially for her. How cool is that?!

Tara is actually preparing to tie the knot herself on June 24, 2012 and plans to incorporate the same selection into her reception. Please joining me in wishing Tara a blissful planning season and a heartfelt congratulations.

Stay tuned for more exclusive discounts and giveaways on Triple B!

 Please enjoy today’s post from Triple B’s newest editorial contributor, Laura Eustache!

An Engagement to Remember! Meet Brigette and Carl

Bride-to be: Brigette McLeod; Senior Marketing Counsel, Colgate- Palmolive Company

Groom-to-be: Carl Williams; Law Enforcement Professional

Dating: 2 years

Potential wedding date: September/October 2012

 

In God’s House: December 31^st 2011. A packed house at Bethesda Baptist Church of New Rochelle, New York and 46 year- old Carl Williams walks to the podium to give a testimony. The Lord had been good to him and he couldn’t help but share his joy.

But a testimony wasn’t the only thing Carl had in store for the three church families in attendance for watch-night service. He had an engagement ring in his pocket and was ready to make his girlfriend Brigette his wife. “I prayed on it and as usual God had a plan for me, “says Carl. “I am a private person, but I [felt] God replaced my initial fears with a burning desire to share this momentous occasion with my church family.”

The reward for his obedience: an engagement for the New Year’s Eve storybooks.

In front of cheering, congratulating and even some crying congregation members, Carl proposed to Brigette on the church’s balcony. After a moment of shear shock, she accepted. “I was stunned and at a loss for words initially,” says Brigette. Equally as private as her future husband, Brigette is not the type who likes the spotlight, but she commends him for sticking to his guns. “I think the most important thing is Carl did what he felt God was leading him to do [and] that took a lot of courage,” she says. “Folks will say ‘it was a long time coming’ and I say ‘God is always right on time.’”

Perfect Timing for a Master Plan: For most, getting engaged on New Year’s Eve during a service might seem simple, but Carl insists that setting up his “master plan” didn’t come easy; it took a lot of prayer and required the permission of the church’s pastor. “Pastor Weaver asked that he be able to pray on it, [and] after a subsequent conversation, he gave me his blessing,” says Carl. “I thought to myself, ‘God is really testing me’ but I have learned that my love and obedience to him is paramount so there was no turning back.”

However, as fate would have it, the night of the planned proposal, Brigette got sick.

With his testimonial notes and ring ready to go, Carl wondered if he would be able to pull it off. “I didn’t plan on Brigette not wanting to attend the service, [but] I know it was nothing less than God’s will that gave her enough strength to get dressed and head over to the service,” says Carl.  And as the saying goes, there’s no time like the right time; Carl and Brigette made it just as the testimonial portion of the service began. The rest is BlackBridalBliss.com history.

Carl’s 3 tips for fellow brothers:

1: Ask God for direction.

2: Stick to God’s plan, not yours.

3: Make sure you know what kind of stone your lady likes.

The couple’s words of wisdom to future engaged couples:

There are only 3 people allowed in your relationship: you, your significant other, and God. That is it! Try not to rely on advice from your boys, girlfriends or your parents.

The love this couple shares proves that love knows no time, space or boundaries.

Congratulations to the future Mr. & Mrs. Carl Williams!

Take a look at Triple B’s last engagement story here and past Tie the Knot Tuesday features here.

***Did you or someone you know recently tie the knot? Complete this brief form and the wedding just might be featured in an upcoming Black Bridal Bliss feature!***

Your bridesmaids will thank you!

Most brides struggle with the decision of what to give their bridal party as a token of appreciation. And for good reason, these women (and in some cases men) have likely cried with you, laughed with you and hopefully threw you an unforgettable bachelorette party and bridal shower. The list of items that work as possible bridesmaids gifts is virtually endless but I recently discovered one more. To put it frankly Triple B, Voluspa Ceramic Macaron Candles are the ish!

This candle hits all the right notes: it smells absolutely yummy (a delicious blend of apricot and coconut), the packaging is just plain pretty and doesn’t look like every other candle on the market and they burn ultra clean; meaning you won’t have to worry about that nasty smut many run-of-the mill candles produce. This baby retails for $27 (15 ounces) but I like to think of gifts like this as affordable luxury. As a magazine editor who covers fashion, beauty and lifestyle for many major publications, I get a lot of merchandise thrown my way by publicists in hopes that their product or service will land on the pages of  a glossy publication. Trust me, I don’t cosign any and everything that I receive but these candles are worthy of the kudos.

To make your bridesmaid gift more personal, I suggest writing individual notes thanking your crew for being in your wedding. Grab the stationery from your local Michael’s, Target or even 99cent store. There’s no need to break the bank on expensive thank you cards/notes. The luxe look of these candles will automatically make your note seem luxe, too.  Plus, anything handwritten seems more sentimental. And try to use a metallic silver or gold pen for added panache.

Learn where to purchase Voluspa candles here.

Triple B's resident bride-to-be Jene and her teenage daughter, Tylesha

Being a bride who is also a single parent to a teenager has its own unique challenges. My daughter Tylesha has been one of the biggest hurdles in my relationship. There was a time I was unsure if Shawn and I would survive Hurricane Tylesha. I was very young when I had Ty, so we basically grew up together. My Stinkey (my affectionate nickname for Ty – don’t judge me, LOL) was my shadow. We did everything together: vacations, restaurants, shows. You name it, we did it. While I did date, she was never privy to that, as far as she was concerned it was always “Mommy and Me” time.

Needless to say Tylesha was extremely territorial when Shawn and I became serious. Allowing a third person into our dynamic was not in her plan and she was having none of it. I will admit to being reduced to tears on more than one occasion. My baby has always been the most important thing to me. The thought of my relationship causing her pain was killing me. I know there were also times Shawn’s patience was tested, but he loves me and understood I was a package deal.

Advice from my own mother turned everything around for me.  She reminded me I deserved a chance at my own happiness. Tylesha was in high school and progressing on her own path. I had sacrificed and gave her the best I could, as a mother should. And while I gave her life, I could not live for her. With my mother’s advice in hand I sat my baby down. I explained to her she is the most important person to me, but I would no longer allow her to dictate my love life. I was firm, but compassionate and to my surprise it worked. We still have our occasional issues, it is by no means a crystal stair — old habits die hard; but we are all in a much better place. So good in fact that on my wedding day Ty will be standing with me as my maid of honor. The idea of that alone makes me teary eyed. Standing before God with the two most important people in my life makes the day that much more special to me.

This candid Marriage Matters feature from Desiree and Craig and Tie the Knot Tuesday from the Wares both tackle the often complicated realities of blended families. Read, then share your own trials and triumphs on this matter with Jene!

Bride: Celine Dixon, 29
Groom: Orville Martin, 28
Occupations: Dixon: accountant and freelance makeup artist; Martin: hospital clerk and DJ
Homebase: New York
Wedding Date: August 6, 2011
Wedding Location: The Riverview, Hastings on the Hudson, New York

High School Crush Celine didn’t expect to reconnect with the man that would become her future husband when she attended a baby shower for an old coach at her former high school five years ago. But that’s exactly what happened. “I had a crush on her in high school. She was a varsity cheerleader and I played basketball. When I saw her at the shower, all those old feelings came back,” confesses Orville. Celine was intrigued by Orville’s warm personality. “He’s just as outgoing as I am. He walks into a room and lights it up,” she shares. The twosome began talking and learned they had a lot in common. They kept in touch following that fateful day at their alma mater and from there a budding romance began.

Music & Makeup Celine and Orville hit it off and quickly rubbed off on each other. While both young professionals have careers that pay the bills, they also enjoy creative passions [makeup and DJing respectively] on the side. “Orville bought me a MAC gift card and a makeup case. He always says I push him but he pushes me as well,” says Celine. Being supportive of one another through life’s challenges is also paramount for the couple. “Her grandmother passed away in March of 2007, just two months into us dating,” recalls Orville. Celine notes that during her time of mourning he never left her side. Orville adds, “I didn’t want to meet her family like that but I did what came naturally.” 

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[All images by Chad Pennington of Sobitart Photography.]

Be sure to view Celine and Orville’s touching wedding trailer!

Southern Hospitality Celine held her beau down through his life’s valleys as well. “When we met I was in graduate school and she supported me 110%,” Orville brags. He continues, “As a man I have pride, but as a student I didn’t always have money. Celine has never made me feel less than. She helped me [financially] when we went out; we still stepped out like Jay Z  and Beyonce. ” Celine saw the bigger picture. “It wasn’t like Orville was a bum dude. He was trying to better himself,” she explains. Her ability to see past the present convinced Orville to ask for her hand in marriage. But he had to check in with the ‘rents  – who have been married forty years — first. “I’m a southern girl so he had to ask my parents for their permission,” expresses Celine who has Alabama roots. Orville obliged. “I dressed up in my suit and asked her brother and both of her parents for their blessing,” he remembers. Soon after, at a Mother’s Day family bar-b-que surrounded by loved ones, Orville proposed. And Celine happily said yes.

Purple & Platinum “Purple is my favorite color!” announces Celine adding that her birthstone is amethyst. She continues, “I’m not really a gold kinda girl.” Thus her decision to go for a purple and platinum color scheme for the big day. DIY [do-it-yourself] was crucial to ensuring the couple had the wedding of their dreams and bank accounts. For example, the bride’s mother made her veil and decorated the couple’s broom for their ceremony. The day was one the newlyweds will never forget and both agree wholeheartedly that the most memorable part of their reception was dancing to “The Wobble” with their guests. Now that all the bridal dust has settled Orville is still convinced he made the right decision. “Celine encompasses what a woman, wife and mother should be. I knew early on that I wasn’t gonna let her go.”

Celine’s Money Saving Tips for Future Brides

Prioritize “Take at least take one-two days out of the week to not do anything wedding-related related with your  fiance,” suggests Celine. Follow Celine and Orville’s lead to ensure your wedding planning doesn’t take over your life. You will likely make more sane financial decisions this way.

Nix the Peanut Gallery Don’t let the opinions of loved ones (who may have the best intentions) send you to the poor house. Celine shares, “You can’t please everybody. Plus some people just want to be nosey.” Do what works best for you and your financial situation only.

Be a Budget Babe Celine warns future brides to realistically set and keep a budget, understanding the difference between wants and needs. “We didn’t need a 10-course meal at our reception so we negotiated for six,” Celine says. She adds, “Remember to budget for every aspect of your wedding, even the wedding bands.”

Take a look at past Tie the Knot Tuesday features here.

***Did you or someone you know recently tie the knot? Complete this brief form and the wedding just might be featured in an upcoming Black Bridal Bliss feature!***

Song Bouquet offers couples a change to have a selection written just for them!

Confession: My very first “boyfriend” wrote all of the lyrics of A Teenage Love by Slick Rick on loose leaf paper and slipped it to me after school. I saved the papers for months and cherished them like my beloved Cabbage Patch Kids. Even I recognized waaaay back  then that this gesture took a lot of effort. (Remember, this was before the days of simply turning to Google to retrieve the lyrics of a song.)

Fast forward to 2012. A talented group of folks has taken this concept up a few notches (okay, more than a few) to bring us Song Bouquet. This innovative company writes personalized love songs for anyone looking to express their feelings in a bespoke way.
They create selections in all genres of music and have three different tiers of packages to choose from. The first starts at sixty bucks ($10 additional for hard-copy CD with cover art). Imagine the chance to have details specific to your relationship (like your names, your children’s names, the location of your first date) included in a song written just for you and your honey. Find out how this nifty service came about here. When I first learned of this awesome service I thought it was perfect for Triple B nearlyweds! But in addition, it is also excellent to use during a marriage proposal or anniversary.

The good folks at Song Bouquet were kind enough to share some of their musical expertise with Triple B on wedding day music. Check out their tips below:

“Song Bouquet’s Tips for Selecting Wedding Music“

Processional – The bride’s entrance signifies the beauty of matrimony. Your music should express that and amplify the significance of the moment. Find music that gets the attention of your guests.  Go classic or modern, but don’t stray too far away. The attention should be on you the bride.

Recessional – For all weddings this is the defining moment, signifying the life you’re beginning together. If you’re in a religious facility, a traditional tune is more appropriate but find something that reflects you. If you’re outside the church you can be more playful and vibrant.

First dance as newlyweds – A classic slow song that sparks into a spicy samba, or a traditional waltz that will stand the test of time would fit nicely. Here is where you can’t go wrong, whatever you choose will be amazing. Just remember to keep it appropriate, but make it your own.

Father/daughter dance, mother/son dance – make this a moment not just you will remember but, your mother or father will remember for the rest of their lives. Creating that moment will take special choosing with music, remember this part isn’t all about you, it’s about the mother/father that got you to this point. Keep it simple, classic and timeless because that’s exactly what it will be for them, timeless.

EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY***In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Triple B and Song Bouquet are giving YOU the chance to win a tier one selection! Tell me the artist and song name Triple B’s first Tie the Knot Tuesday couple Cleo and Lyncoln Dujon used for their wedding video trailer. (HINT: The entire video is black and white.) Just email your answer to me at: blackbridalbliss@gmail.com by February 20th at midnight EST. You MUST be a fan of Black Bridal Bliss on Facebook in order to win. I will announce the winner on the site later this month.

I look forward to hearing from you guys!

Bride-to-be Jene's struggles to maintain her bustling new biz and her diet goals.

Being an upcoming bride, who is trying to lose weight for my big day, my relationship with food is a constant struggle. Although I am getting married I know food and weight issues are definitely not exclusive to a bride. I always say food addiction is worse than any drug or alcohol. Just saying no to food is so much more difficult. It is possible to avoid those other vices, but you are faced with food choices everyday to sustain life. SMH!  Fried chicken is always more tempting than a salad. Truth — I am nothing if not honest.

For me it is even more of a hardship though. I have recently started my own baking business. I now know why most television chefs have a extra bit of pudge. I must say my baking is both a blessing and a curse. The extra income the cakes bring in comes in handy toward our wedding fund. The blessing is business has been pretty consistent, with a few orders a week. The curse is CAKE has been pretty consistent in the house every week too, URGH! Trying to avoid nibbling on extra cupcakes or over sampling frosting has been the bane of my existence. Anyone who cooks knows it is necessary to taste as part of preparation to ensure you are putting out the best possible product. However sugar is a dieter’s mortal enemy. So even though “Jeanie Kakes” is helping pay the bills, I cannot allow its temptation to over-shadow “Jene’s Wedding”, or derail my weight loss efforts.

Lord give me strength.

Do you have helpful hints, tips or tricks for Jene? Share them with her in the comments!

Newlyweds Joi & John are lucky in love! Share their story...

Bride: Joi Burrell, 31
Groom: John Deberry, 30
Occupations: Burrell: registered nurse; Deberry: graduate student and Janay Herbal Products Vice President
Homebase: North Carolina
Wedding Date: May 30, 2011
Wedding Location: Ceremony & Reception: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

What cha drinkin’?: Native North Carolinians Joi  and John met at a local lounge in their homestate one crisp fall evening. “He had the countriest twang I’ve ever heard in my life! I said, ‘Good Lord, where is this man from talking like this?’” recalls Joi with a laugh. “I ordered Hennessy with cranberry juice,” she adds. She later learned that Hennessy is John’s favorite spirit. “You don’t meet too many women who like to drink Henny,” shares John. He continues, “I thought, ‘Oh, I can hang out with her.’” What John also observed about Joi was her physical appearance. “I said to myself, ‘She’s bad! She wasn’t giving me the time of day at first though.’” Sharing mutual friends, the pair began to converse and before long discovered they shared more in common than their appreciation for brown liquor….And their love affair began.

Distance Makes the Heart…When asked what made her fall for John, Joi responds, “He’s such a sweet guy. From the beginning there was something different about him.” Shortly after they started dating John accepted a job offer  in Washington, D.C. — leaving his girlfriend Joi behind in North Carolina. Joi was less than thrilled about this move and for good reason. “I had tried the long-distance relationship thing before and it never worked,” Joi admits. But thankfully she gave it another shot with John. “I think being apart made us stronger and a lot more appreciative of each other,” Joi confides. John agrees, “Every opportunity Joi had to come to D.C. she was there. I was like, ‘Wow. This is something real.” Joi was smitten. “I watched how he interacted with his family — that was important to me. Plus, he’s business savvy and challenges me. John motivates me to want to do better,” shares Joi. John, a graduate student, has similar feelings toward Joi about her encouragement of his studies. “It gets on my nerves sometimes but she’ll tell me, ‘You need to stop doing this and get on that paper.”

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Ready or Not: “I don’t think there are two other people in the world that enjoy each other as much as we do,” John declares. He says further, “We have so much fun together. I thought, I’m gonna have to go ahead and make a move on this girl. I just knew.” While John might have known that he was ready to ask his beloved for her hand in marriage, Joi was not so sure. “He told me a month before he actually proposed that he was going to marry me but I thought he was just running his mouth,” she remembers laughing. She adds, “There was no bended knee. No long drawn out proposal. He simply asked me if I was ready to be husband and wife.” And Joi happily answered, “Yes.” So after approximately one year of dating, the couple decided to get hitched!

Vegas, Baby! The duo originally wanted to tie the knot in Turks and Caicos but decided against it due to finances. “We just didn’t see it as right to ask people to spend so much money on us,” explains John. Joi shares, “We thought about eloping.” They ultimately decided to do the deed in Las Vegas and held a larger post-wedding celebration in their hometown of Durham, North Carolina two months later for those loved ones who couldn’t make it to the first intimate affair. The couple ran with the theme, “Lucky in Love” for their big day and both have blissful memories about the occasion. “Joi was beautiful walking down the aisle,” says John fondly. He adds, “We were on the 16th floor — it was amazing!” Joi agrees and says, “It was untraditional but we decided to just do our thing.” The newlyweds extended their stay in Vegas for their honeymoon and hotel hopped after guests returned home. Joi reminisces, “We had so much fun!”

Joi’s Money Saving Tips for Future Brides

Get Web-Friendly: A savvy Joi purchased her bridal headpiece from eBay for a mere eighteen bucks! Don’t be afraid to purchase a gently worn veil or headpiece for your big day to save loads of cash, too.

Say Yes to the Dress…Twice! Joi might be a fool in love but she’s certainly no fool when it comes to finances. The frugal bride wore the same convertible gown to her Las Vegas nuptials as she did for her North Carolina post-wedding celebration. Convertible dresses help ensure the wearer gets the most bang for her bridal buck.

What About Your Friends? Positive relationships with loved ones now can reap financial rewards later. Joi’s friends (and family) looked out for their girl on her big day, big time. “My friend Kaia purchased a garter I wanted after seeing it featured here on Triple B and another friend bought my shoes. My mom bought my dress. People who believed in us just gave and gave. We didn’t have to ask for any of it.”

Take a look at past Tie the Knot Tuesday features here.

***Did you or someone you know recently tie the knot? Complete this brief form and the wedding just might be featured in an upcoming Black Bridal Bliss feature!***

The Nearlyweds Have a Night Out on the Town in NYC!

This week Shawn and I went out for my birthday. When saving for a wedding, we are learning to be creative with observing life’s milestones. We’re taking advantage of any and all money saving deals we can find. It just so happened that my birthday fell during NYC’s Restaurant and Broadway week. We were able to score two for one Broadway tickets as well as deeply discounted three course meals. We had a fabulous time. Memphis is a must see, and the food at City Lobster and Steak in the theatre district was delicious. Fortunately for my diet’s sake the portions were just enough to satisfy, because there was no way I was passing up dessert. It was my birthday for Pete’s sake. I was in love with the dress I wore for the evening. This body conscious dress served double duty. It allowed me to revel in my progress thus far, while reminding me just how much work I have left to do.

On the planning front we met with the caterer and liquor distributor this past weekend. The young man who will be catering our wedding is phenomenal. Everything he served was absolutely scrumptious. So good, words can barely describe it. There was a point during the tasting I had to prevent Shawn from licking the plate. I didn’t even want to go home to prepare Sunday dinner. I felt like an inept loser in the kitchen after sampling his proposed menu. Luckily he sent us home with a to-go box so I could spare my feelings for the evening. I will be sharing more information about the extraordinary young man in future Triple B entries. The ladies of “Vice Liquids” were equally as impressive. Vice will be providing the spirits for our big day. They prepared an array of concoctions for us to try in an attempt to select our signature drinks. The only problem we had was everything was so good it was difficult to make a choice. What a great problem to have.  Hiccup!!

This was an eventful and productive week in Harrison/Jackson nuptial planning. Go Team!                         

Triple B's resident bride-to-be is finding her way in the world of portion control.

Hey Triple B, I hope everyone’s week was well. As far as my diet is concerned, for the most part mine was great. However, Friday was a challenging day. I met some girlfriends for dinner at Carmines. If you are familiar with Carmines [in New York City] you already know their mammoth size family style portions of Italian fare can be any dieter’s nemesis. I handled it well, if I do say so myself. I gave myself permission to enjoy for the evening. Evoking an 80/20 rule of sorts, the Dieter’s edition.

“Since I had been on my best behavior the entire week (the 80%), tonight (the 20%) would not kill my progress.” This is how I rationalized it. Funny thing was though, after I gave myself permission, the desire to overindulge was gone.  I was able to taste without devouring and without feeling deprived.  I had a nice time, and was quite satisfied when I left the restaurant.  I also didn’t have the, wanting to jump off a bridge because “I ate the whole thing” feeling that I would have in the past.

This whole experience has been eye opening. It is also becoming less about fitting into a dress and more about a healthier lifestyle.  But let’s not get it twisted, I do want to slip into a fabulous dress and look damn good when I do it. I mean truth is truth. Who am I fooling?

To follow up on last week, mission impossible was accomplished.  Royshawn finished his guest list. WooHoo! It actually turned out not to be as difficult as I anticipated. We sat down on Sunday and he got it done in less than an hour. Surprise! Surprise! The rest of the planning is progressing slow and steady.  Hopefully I can continue this stress free pace and get everything done. Wishful thinking I know, but I can always hope.