What do you do when you get engaged, start planning your wedding, and then make the hard decision to break up and cancel the wedding? Toniah's childhood friend Ashelei tells us about her experience with her ex, when she knew it was time to let the relationship go, and how hard it was to undo all the wedding planning she'd started.
34. Renting A Gorgeous Wedding Dress is Possible
We met Lundyn Carter from Laine London through one of Ashleigh's coworkers. When we found out about her story and her bridal gown rental brick and mortar, we were blown away. Lundyn chatted with us about the bridal gown shopping process, why Laine London is a better solution to the wedding aesthetic, and breaking down the stigma that comes with rentals.
33. Finding Love in An Off The Rack Gown
We had the pleasure of talking to Roberta Noronha from The Bridal Finery in central Florida about off the rack gowns. Ashleigh got her gown from an OTR shop and LOVES it. It is truly something every bride should consider, especially in a crisis where it might take too long to wait on your designer smigner gown. We talked about the benefits of an OTR gown and a lotta things gown shopping!
32. Style Trends for the Bride and Groom
Stylist Michelle Davis from Style to the Aisle chatted with us about wedding fashion, more specifically the trends for brides and grooms. We talked about grooms and that white dinner jacket, reception second looks, and how New York Fashion Week impacts the bridal gown industry.
31. What Is In Our Wedding Contracts?
Miss Rona has made all of us bride-to-bes look at our vendor contracts and assess what we can and can't do without incurring major fees. We had the pleasure of chatting with Shay M. Lawson, Esq. about how coronavirus shifted her wedding ceremonial plans and how we should all review our wedding vendors and their contracts BEFORE giving them our coins.
30. Realistically Breaking Down Wedding Budgets
When you get engaged, you have no idea how much anything costs. You might see vendor breakdowns and average wedding cost articles but they are all a LIE. If you were thinking your 150 person wedding was going to be under $30,000, you are mistaken! We talked to my wedding team, Leneille Moon of Special Event Factory and Courtney Jackson of The Charming Details about realistic wedding budgets.
29. Ex-Pat Fiancée Plans Her Stateside Wedding with Charisa Marie
Getting engaged, moving overseas away from your friends, family, and FIANCE, and planning your wedding and entire life back in Atlanta...that was our conversation with influencer Charisa Marie (IG @charisa_marie). She told us about how he proposed, why she moved and how long she'll be gone, and how she's managed to bask in her fiancee-glory from all the way over there.
28. What Couples Get Out of Pre-Marital Counseling with A Relationship Ministry
Sanitize your marriage with pre-marital counseling. This seems to be the most acceptable form of counseling for Black folks, but it is crucial to a successful marriage. Pre-marital counselors Michael and Larraine Forrester from A Relationship Ministry explained to us the different counseling styles, why couples should heed red flags, the benefits of relationship mentors, and so much more.
27. Inviting Kids to the Wedding with Kaycia Rhone Events
We love the kids, we truly do, but a lot of times, we want to turn up! How do you manage the party and the babies? Kaycia Rhone of Kaycia Rhone Events (@kayciarhoneevents) talked to us about the pros and cons of having children at your wedding, how that affects your wedding budget, and how to talk to guests about the choice you made regarding kids at the ceremony and/or wedding.
26. Month of Coordination Truths with Vanessa Hayward Events
Look. Y'all go on planning your own weddings and what not and then need someone to come step in at the last minute. WELL, We talked to Vanessa Hayward from Orlando's Vanessa Hayward Events about what a month of coordinator does, how soon they really step in, and what a good one actually does.