Found on Tumblr.
New Looks from Tekay Designs
It's been a while since we've written about Tekay Designs, run by designer Kimma Wreh. Back in 2005 we were just discovering her elegant, African-influenced bridal gowns. The company has always been known for creating custom dresses at an affordable price, and for paying attention to the maternity bridal market. Kimma was born Liberia and you can definitely see the West African influence in all of her designs. Inspired by pregnant, soon-to-be bride Jessica Simpson, Kimma recently sketched her vision of Simpson's wedding dress. Here's a look at that design, as well as some of her other gowns:
Finding Wedding Readings
-Special guest contribution to African-AmericanBrides.com
Why do we need readings at weddings? For the purpose of standing there longer in our exquisite dresses basking in the admiration of our friends and family, right? Sure, that’s one reason. Of course, besides prolonging the ceremony, finding the right reading for your wedding is important for several reasons. Finding the right reading is crucial because it helps set the tone– be it romantic, light-hearted, emotional, reflective. The right reading can be the perfect complement to your already special day and with everything in order from your wedding insurance to your dress fitting, you need to set some time aside to choose readings which mean something to you.
How to Choose
The best advice is to choose based on what hits your gut first, and draws you in. Then, make sure it’s something that’s not so obscure and vague that no one will understand it. Also, you don’t want it to be something that will be too shocking. There’s no point in giving your old prudish aunt a fit in the front row. Besides, you want the focus to be on you when you exit the room, not people leaning to each other whispering about how sexy the poetry was.
Who Should Read
The reading is an excellent way to involve your bridesmaids in the wedding ceremony. Also, you may be able to include a friend who didn’t have the time to be a bridesmaid or who lived too far away and couldn’t commit to the schedule you set. Make sure the person you’ve chosen is comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. Remember that public speaking is the number one fear in America, right after death, so you may encounter some resistance. Don’t give up, though, you’ll find the right person.
Start Searching For Your Reading
There’s no harm involving the groom in your choosing process. We at African-Americanbrides.com recommend cuddling up with your husband-to-be and starting with the two poems below, a couple of great pieces by poets whose works are seminal pieces of American literature. You may choose one of these for your ceremony, or it may just start a dialogue that gets your search heading in the right direction.
Touched by an Angel by Maya Angelou
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free
Juke Box Love Song by Langston Hughes
I could take the Harlem night
and wrap around you,
Take the neon lights and make a crown,
Take the Lenox Avenue busses,
Taxis, subways,
And for your love song tone their rumble down.
Take Harlem's heartbeat,
Make a drumbeat,
Put it on a record, let it whirl,
And while we listen to it play,
Dance with you till day--
Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl
after loving you
Hopefully, these two poems got you in the mood and you're ready now to go on your own search for the perfect reading. While you're sampling, go ahead and pull your fiance close, light some candles, and get ready for some very happy hunting. Other recommended poems include 'Love Of My Life
' by Mr. Dvyne
, 'My Soul Mate' by Jessica Ammons, and 'I Wrote A Good Omelet' by Nikki Giovanni.
Spring 2012 Bridal Jewelry Trends
When it comes to wedding day bling, the big issue is no longer what to wear, but where to wear it all. Brides are no longer content to confine jewelry to their ears, necks and wrists. It's more popular than ever to literally have a sprinkling of unique bridal jewelry from head to toe.
Brooches are big again, thanks to the trend toward vintage styles. If you want to create a point of interest on your gown, a sparkling brooch might be just the thing for you. 
Another major trend among brides: Taking advantage of hair jewelry and headpieces. 
[Source: You May Kiss The Bride ]
A creative bride or hairdresser can make a gorgeous "headpiece" by incorporating a favorite necklace into a hairdo. Lisa Raye was way in front on this trend when she tied the knot several years ago. 
If you're wearing earrings or a necklace, it's always a good idea to make sure they complement you hairstyle and your wedding day attire. This will never change. Wearing a set is fine, as long as it doesn't look TOO matchy-matchy.
Don't forget the little things. Bracelets and bejeweled garters offer another way to add extra sparkle, if that's what you're after. 
What do you think? What are some other ways brides can use jewelry to create personalized looks?
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