Wordless Wednesday On Wax

Another fantastic shoot from our good friend Carlton D. Mackey at Vision Photography in Atlanta, GA. He rocks.

Casting Call for Brides-To-Be

Want to be a bridal star? If so, you're in luck. Our friends at Get Married are looking for brides around the country to appear on their national television show. If you haven't seen their program as yet, it airs every Saturday on WE tv. Host Stacie Francombe helps brides match their personalities with their unique bridal vision through expert planners and challenges.

If you're interested, visit www.getmarried.com/omg for more details on signing up.

Getting Married After You Have Kids

- by guest blogger
Maryann Reid

These days more couples are having children before they walk down the aisle. Whether you agree with it or not, it’s still a beautiful thing when they finally take the leap. But there’s some profane feeling that after you have kids marriage is no longer relevant. Somehow the kids become the only priority. However, shouldn't the priority be the relationship? Because without a solid relationship between the couple that is legalized, sound, and court and community approved (aka marriage licensed), anything can happen. A happy mommy and daddy make a happy baby.

While doing Marry Your Baby Daddy Day™, many women have told me they felt their relationships were still missing something after the children. They didn’t leave the dream alone. They set their foot down and instead of hoping to get married, they expected it. They no longer settled for being strung along by their indecisive partners.

There’s still life after kids. Below are some ways you can make sure you still walk down the aisle with a smile:

1) Discuss family planning with your partner before the baby arrives. When will you get married? Set a date.

2) Get any legal matters handled to protect you, the property and child should the father unexpectedly die or become ill. In most cases, if you are not married, his mother/family is considered next of kin and they can takeover. Check your state laws.

3) Communicate with your man in a nonverbal way what you expect. Come up with a plan on how to get there. Do not set ultimatums, but be creative.

4) Begin shopping for rings and wedding options together. Fake it till you make it.

5) Research all the financial and legal benefits to being married. In some instances there are tax advantages, and home financing options not as easily available to singles.


If your relationship is ready for a baby, it is ready for marriage. Every home needs a good foundation. Marry Your Baby Daddy Day is an all-expense paid wedding for moms and dads who want to strengthen their 2-parent homes through marriage and build stronger communities. The 6th Marry Your Baby Daddy Day will be September 23rd. Check out my online community of moms turning into wives at www.marryyourbabydaddy.com.

The opinions in this blog post are exclusively those of the author. Maryann Reid is the author of several novels, a contributor to major publications such as Glamour, Black Enterprise, etc., and a regular tv/radio social commentator. She has been on the Michael Baisden Show, Wendy Williams, 20/20, The CBS Early Show, and The New Yorker.

Fully Engaged!

One woman starting off the new year as a bride-to-be is our own contributing blogger and event designer Brittiny . She just got engaged to her sweetie and we will be following her journey to the altar, so stay tuned for frequent updates on her planning activities from the woman herself! Brittiny is a DIY queen, budget fashionista, and inspiration board virtuoso. So if you're newly engaged you're guaranteed to learn some creative money-saving tips along the way. Today she gave us a first peek at her vision for her wedding:



Much more inspiration to come from this wedding planner -turned- real bride!

Keep Your Wedding Costs Down

- by Lisa

Congratulations to all of our new readers who got engaged over the holidays! We hope you enjoy this special time in your life. Planning the kind of wedding you want can be so much FUN, but it can also be quite a challenge in today's economy. Here are some suggestions for cutting your wedding costs.

1. Trim the guest list - if possible. Sometimes it's not possible due to family situations etc. This is the number 1 way of cutting costs.

2. Consider a freelance photographer – A great “freelance” photographer might fit the bill. Often, the wedding is looked through a fresh and creative lens. Expensive back-end costs are often reduced. Warning – if a professional album is your goal, this might not be a viable option for you. Tip - one might even reduce their cost, for a chance at getting a great wedding in their portfolio!

3. Buy a custom-made dress as opposed to a gown from a bridal salon. I had a bride who loved a $3,500.00 dress. We got a dress made out of "real" silk satin, a cathedral veil which was lined in the same fabric, and a bolero jacket - all for $2,000.00. If that’s not cost savings, I don't know what is.

4. Trunk shows and sample sales are great!

5. Opting for a smaller "show" cake and offering sheet cakes in the back.

6. Cutting the alcohol out of your bar (they will survive one night, I promise). Nobody is saying that you have to offer, but if you offer it - in my opinion, you should pay for it.

7. Choosing a venue that has table, chairs, glassware, silver, etc. Covering the chairs is not as expensive as renting ones (if you find an economic rental solution. Don’t rent the covers through the venue).

8. Choosing a venue you are happy with, decor wise - choosing a venue that you do not like because it’s inexpensive, and then paying twice the rental fee in decor - is not a good plan.

9. Cutting out favors, or combining favors and place cards into one offering.

10. Make every aspect of your wedding matter. Follow this rule of thumb, “don’t just do it because you think you “need’ to do it. Do it because it has a significance to you, your fiancé, your families (collectively) and your guests”. Make the significance known to everyone.

11. Downsize your wedding party (or have no wedding party at all).

12. Have your ceremony and reception in one place - no need to transport yourselves or your guests.

13. Rent instead of buy. Check prices. You will only use this stuff once, and renting will eliminate the need to sell afterwards.

14. Get married during the “off” season. Many vendors would love to work early December, January and February - when things are typically quiet. They might even offer you a terrific deal if you give them your wedding!

15. Create a realistic budget and prioritize. Be honest to yourself and your vendors about how much you can and/or want to spend on your big day.

16. Hire a planner who has a strong network of vendors that they always use. This will save you time and money.

I hope this list will offer you realistic ideas on not only helping you cut costs, but also on maintaining the spirit of your day!

Happy planning!

Wedding Gowns of the Day: Mika Inatome

Enjoy these two stunning lace and silk creations by Mika Inatome Bridal.