A taste of Africa

So, Mr. Brady and I are both African-American.  We've talked recently about incorporating African wedding traditions into our ceremony or the reception.  We're not sure how to incorporate such traditions, but I've seriously considered us changing our attire (after dinner during our reception) from the traditional wedding gown and white tux to something inspired by Africa.   I've found a few looks by Therez Fleetwood and am really loving the idea of changing into one of her gowns for the reception.  Here are some of the gowns I'm leaning toward. 

Therez Fleetwood gowns are the perfect combination of American and African for this African-American bride-to-be.  I'm could totally wear these gowns to the ceremony, if I wasn't so set on the romantic nature of lace.  In any event, I'm leaning toward the wardrobe change after dinner.  I'd love to wear any of the above pieces. 

Now, the mister would look awesome in any of these looks.

 

I absolutely love the third photo above.  The bride's attire is perfect as well. So loooove the fan in the photo!!! 

We're also considering adding some African inspired designs in the wedding and reception decor.  I have an image in my head, I just can't locate any photos to share here with you today.  It is certain we'll include our African heritage into our wedding ceremony and reception.  The first, of which we're sure to include, is the wardrobe change into gowns and suits inspired by Africa. 

What cultural aspect has inspired you in your wedding planning? 

Ms. Brady

(Photos are all from google image, unless otherwise noted; e.g. Therez Fleetwood gowns are from http://www.therezfleetwood.com/)

Swooning over Wedding Gowns

I thought I was a custom-designed-wedding-gown type of gal.  And then I was introduced to Maggie Sottero.  This designers' gowns are fabulous.  Being a destination bride, I have a soft spot in my heart for her Destination Collection.  I have a list of Maggie Sottero gowns I plan to try on this summer. (hint, hint - looking forward to trying on gowns in NY at Kleinfields, if they carry Maggie Sottero.  I did not see her name on their list of designers on their website, http://www.kleinfeldbridal.com/ but hoping it's an error... do any of you have any idea where I can go to try on her collection).  In any event, check out these lovely lacey gowns by Maggie Sottero (and a few with no lace that I just have to try on). 

And then there is Amsale.  How awesome is she?!  I've fallen in love with some of her non-lace pieces, surprisingly.  Check them out. 

How about the sophistication of Kenneth Pool gowns?  I love them, even if they don't have enough lace for me and may be more princess than I desire to be at this point in my life.  Nonetheless, Kenneth Pool gowns are beautiful!

I would actually consider wearing the third Kenneth Pool gown above and the one below.  These are two I am for sure going to try on at Kleinfields. 

The gowns below are all gowns I plan to try on before I decide to go with the custom-designed gown.  I'm thinking if I do all of these try-ons before the end of the summer 2010, I'll have more than enough time to design the gown and have it sketched and find a designer (already have a few in mind) and it made in time for the wedding in 2011.   What gowns are you swooning over? 

(PHOTO CREDITS: Google images and http://www.kleinfeld.com/)

Lake v. Bay

The venue fight.  That is what is going on currently between my mother and I.  She says the Bay and I say the Lake.   Being raised and born and living most of my life in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have a special place in my heart for The Bay.  However, I don't see myself getting married here.  I've had my heart set on Lake Tahoe since the day Mr. Brady and I decided we were getting married. 

This isn't my first venue fight.  The first was with Mr. Brady and he was pushing for Monterey, another Bay.  So, you see, I've been fighing against the Bay for some time.  Mr. Brady finally agreed with Lake Tahoe, with the help of the lovely ladies over at my favorite wedding site, Weddingbee.com.  Now I am having a venue fight with my mother, which Mr. Brady is sort of in the middle on.  He totally get's her point that more people will be able to come to the wedding.  I don't get it.  Those that want to come celebrate my marriage to Mr. Brady will travel across the world to see us get married and those are the people I actually want there. 

Being that my mother didn't get an opportunity to help me plan my starter marriage, I see that this marriage is her way of getting involved.  I in some ways regret telling her so soon about our plans to get married.  She has wedding fever and is pushing a fork full of ideas down my throat.  Some days I can't even breath before the fork is in my mouth.  Don't get me wrong.  I loooove my mother and appreciate the time and effort she's putting into my SECOND (and final) wedding.  A lot of people don't take second weddings as serious as the starter weddings.  So, I do have great appreciation for all that she is doing.  BUT... I don't want to fight this venue battle again.  And this time with my mother.  *sigh* 

Now, Mr. Brady and I are paying for this wedding.  Neither my family nor his family is contributing money towards the wedding.  At this point in our lives, we would never ask that they do so.  So, I feel as if they should not have much of a say so in where we have the wedding or what we decide to do with the wedding.  Of course, my mother totally disagrees and I somewhat see her point.  Weddings are about family and unity.  So, shouldn't I want all of my family to be at the wedding?  I do and I will do all that is possible to make it convenient for them.  However, they can easily drive to Lake Tahoe.  It is only like 3 or 4 hours away from all of them.  They've all done it on many many occassions and have done it for other weddings.  So, why would they have a problem with attending my Lake Tahoe wedding. 

So, the venue fight with my mother has begun and it is not going to be easy to win this case.  I'll have to come more prepared than I have ever been before.  I'm researching venues in the Bay and at the Lake.  Wherever I get married must have the option for the outside ceremony to move in doors quickly and the inside ceremony location must not be the same as the reception area.  I want the guests to see the reception area right after the cocktail hour.  I want the entrance to be GRAND. 

So far, I haven't found anything in the Bay that I like.  Well, like enough to keep me here for the wedding.  I'm looking and looking and hopefully in the next couple of months I'll find something and we'll book the venue and secure our fancy 9/10/11 date.  Until then, the venue fight continues.  You'll hear a lot more about this fight over the next few months, I'm sure of it. 

What wedding disagreements did you have with your mother?