In Great Company: My + Moderator Cori Murray Flanked by the Cupcakes, Cocktails & Conversation Panelists
In Great Company: Me + Moderator Cori Murray Flanked by the Cupcakes, Cocktails & Conversation Panelists

Ladies and gentlemen, the Black Bridal Bliss Cupcakes, Cocktails & Conversation in Washington, D.C. was a bona fide hit! On November 8, 2015, beautiful people made their way to the historic Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inn in Dupont Circle for sexy signature craft cocktails from Stir D.C. and yummy pastries from Mimi’s Mocha Treats. The equally fun and informative conversation which covered a wide range of topics from blended families to relationship social media boundaries with our all-male panel of married men was moderated by the lovely Cori Murray of ESSENCE Magazine. Each guest was also gifted with a copy of the November 2015 issue of ESSENCE. However, I can show you better than I can tell you. Take a look at these pictures to get a glimpse of Cupcakes, Cocktails & Conversation for yourself.

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Guests were treated to this caramel macchiato goodness.
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These happy newlyweds were camera-ready.
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Cleo + Lyncoln were our very first Tie the Knot Tuesday featured couple!
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Moderator Cori Murray and Cousin Mars holding court.
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Say what? The panelists kept everyone intrigued.
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Panelist Donnie and his fashionable wife Ty stuntin’ on our purple carpet.
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The cocktail menu for day. My drink of choice? The Blackberry Bliss of course! (And yes, it is purple.)
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This engaged pair is serious about planning their wedding AND their marriage.
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Panelist Jaracus breaks it down.
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Tie the Knot Tuesday alums Kesha + Steven came out, too.
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Panelist Lyncoln didn’t hold back either.
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Raven White of The EnVision Firm showed love and shared her expert planning tips with attendees.
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Me striking a pose with the ladies of Stir D.C. Their craft cocktails were amazing!
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Who says Black love doesn’t exist? The Akwaaba in D.C. was brimming with it on November 8 for Cupcakes, Cocktails & Conversation.
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Our talented moderator Cori hit the panelists with engaging questions.
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Let’s Hear it For Our Married Panel of Men! From L to R: Moses, Jaracus, Lyncoln and Donnie.
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Details matter.
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Stir created four specialty craft cocktails specifically for this event: Blackberry Bliss (my fave!), Sweet Sensation, Keep it Spicy! + Where’s the Passion?

Oh and the raffle prizes? I’m not one to brag but as the young people say these days…They were lit. How lit you ask? Well, our raffle items included a set of his + hers Sean John sunglasses, not one but two pairs of black diamond earrings (studs and hoops), a one hour photo session with Rising Virgo — editing included, an Oyin Handmade beauty basket, a gift certificate from Decadent by Design and a complimentary romantic night’s stay, as well as a half-price wedding package, at The Mansion at Noble Lane in Bethany, PA. Whew.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge those who helped to make this event a success. I’m extremely thankful for my praying + encouraging mama, always has my back brother, awesome event sponsors, raffle sponsors, attendees, panelists, moderator, our photographer and videographer, the graphic designer who created our marketing materials, the folks at Majic 102.3 FM, those who could not attend but purchased a ticket anyway (!), friends of Triple B who went above and beyond to help promote the event via social media, word-of-mouth or both, the selfless folks who helped set-up and clean-up on event day and last but certainly most important: my fione (that’s not a typo), uber-supportive, smart, stellar negotiating, super resourceful, I’m going to make sure there are two types of signature cocktails hook or crook, SUV driving on the New Jersey Turnpike while I’m still jet-lagged, quiet storm husband of mine. TB, babe. Always and all ways.

To view more pics + video from this fun-filled affair, head to Instagram and search under the hashtag #triplebdcccc.

What city should we take Cupcakes, Cocktails & Conversation to next? Philadelphia? Atlanta? Los Angeles? Let me know in the comments!

[All images by Rising Virgo.]