If you love me

Try these tunes for wedding day.

I Always Love You Dolly Parton
If You Love Me BB King
Rock Your Body Justin Timberlake
The Climb Miley Cyrus
Lifetime Thing Issac Hayes
Love Me Tender Elvis

After Party Mix Only, even the clean
If I Was Ya Girlfriend Misskey

John

When I was a teenager, I love the story of Peter and Catherine Marshall. It is a beautiful love story of a preacher's wife.

A Man Called Peter is a great book.They have an old movie as well.It is about a young man from scotland who finds his wife and his faith.

You should pick up both the book and movie.

Be inspired by this wedding theme.

invitation
a love letter on blue paper.

centerpiece
Blue pillar candles on a heart shaped mirror.

the song
My love by Justin Timberlake

ceremony
Exchange cross necklace

Ecclesiastes 3:11-14, 4:9-10

sign in
Elvis cover

cake
two tier heart shaped cake in blue with a cross topper.

cut the cake with a sword.

source
wikipedia.org
A Man Called Peter Catherine Marshall, Elenor Grifttin

Thank you Dan for picture.

Making The Cut

Pick up this workout book to shed those last pounds before your moment.

Making The Cut Jullian Micheals

Thank you Graeme Weatherston

Sylvia

Love is a gift especially when you nurture it.

The best love story I ever heard is two people who met in the south as kids. Over time, they started dating and later married.

Their lives took them from north to south. Sometimes, it took them all over the world.

Together or separated, they supported each other.

It was a love most people envied.

It is the love story of Sylvia and the late Herbert Woods. Real love, not a fairy tale. You should pick up her cook book and read it before your big day.


Be inspired by this love story.

bride
white off shoulder dress with gold shoes.Gold tiara.

invitation
white card stock with gold bow

centerpiece
gold metal balls in clear container. Sprinkle table with red rose petals.

sign in
Favorite cookbook with candy tree.


cake
two tier white cake with dots of gold on the side of the cake. Topper of gold sugar roses.

menu
chicken with mushroom sauce
herb poach salmon
herb roasted potatoes
string beans
slviarestraunt.com

song
If This World Were Mine Luther Vandross Cherlyl Lynn
Candy Girl New Edition

Source
Sylvia Family Cookbook Sylvia Woods and Melissa Cook
kreation specialities kreationspecialities.com (908)769-6825

Thank you Simon Haden for picture.

The After Party Jam

Follow Us Sir Lucious Left Foot Big Boi Feat. vonnegutt

Have a great weekend!

Strategy

When the kids go off to high school or college,I write them a letter. I outline what they need to do and maybe some of the mistakes I have made.

I want to them have a strategy for their life. I want them to go out there and roar like a lion and devour every opportunity in sight.

Be inspired by this wedding.

invitation
blue card stock with a red ribbon with black ink.

dress
white dress with 3 gardenia with a blue ribbon.

groom
tux with a brown or tan vest and bow tie.

camouflage ring pillow-thingsfestival.com

song
Love In The First Degree Alabama

centerpiece
A gardenia in gold bud vase.

cake
White sheet cake with blue border. A picture of the American flag.

"Our marriage is based upon on mutual trust and respect" Colin Powell
place this quote under the flag.
about.com

charity
Collect school supplies from your guests and donate it to a local school.

Thank you Bernie C for free pictue.

The Game

For your date night in, consider these board games for you and your mate.

Risk
boardgamecentral.com

Do Tell
dotellthegame.com

About Time
barnesandnobel.com

Thank you Salvatore Vuno for picure.

The Dress

Consider these dresses for your moment.

A little red dress
discountdress.com

A satin bridesmaid dress
style number 81599
David Bridal

A ballroom gown
gownsbysimpleelegance.com
ALRQ213

Soulfood Cookbooks

When I think of soul food, my daddy comes to mind. He was from Twiggs County Georgia, and he knew about things smothered in gravy. After work, he came home and cooked for us. We would stand in the kitchen with him as he sang, told jokes, and served the best stuff you ever would eat.

Sylvia's Family Cookbook Sylvia Woods, Melissa Cook
It has great life lessons in it. This would be a great book for a college graduate.

Patti LaBelle Lite Cusine Cookbook

Down Home with the Neelys:A Southern Family Cookbook

The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook Paula Deen

Thank you Graur Codrin.

September

In September at school we would have soul food day. Now in college this was like gold because it meant salt, fat, and you know, taste.

So people lined up for something that actually tasted like food.

Soul, Peace, and Love for this wedding inspiration.

invitation
your favorite recipe printed in the middle of pretty paper with the information
in each corner.

bride
white dress with a candy bouquet of lollipops.

centerpiece
mixed colorful beans in clear containers.

Sprinkle the table with greenery.

sign in
top chef t shirt at cafepress.com

song
September Earth, Wind, and Fire

menu
stuffed cabbages
jerk chicken
lemon biscuits
sweet potato mini cupcakes

Cake
Two cake with kente cloth ribbon around each tier.
Red peppers made out of sugar as a topper.

special touch
soul train line for your wedding party dance.

source
soulfoodcookbook.com

Thank you Suat Eman for picture.

the dream

I am excited about both of my nieces who are freshmen in college. They are both good girls, and they are about to embark on a great journey.

The day before they graduated I went to the toy store and walked down the Barbie aisle with tears in my eyes. Both of them were no longer little girls who need a doll to play with. They had grown up.

My hope that they find their Ken doll and live out all their career choices.

I want all their dreams to come true.

Live out the dream and be inspired by this wedding.

the invitation
letter on recycle paper

the bride
white dress with white gloves.Bouquet of red roses.

Hold a handkerchief with June 18, 1953 on it. This is Martin Luther King's wedding date.

gold tiara.

ceremony
two gold candelabra with red tea roses.

scripture for ceremony
Song of Solomon 2:11-15

groom
white jacket, black pants, black bow tie.

sign in
a globe

centerpiece
two toasting glasses with tea roses with butterfly picks.

song
Unfailing Love Jimmy Needham
Imagine John Lennon

cake
two tier cake with a crown cake topper.

cookie table
dreams such as house, education, career goals.

sources
tiaratown.com
partypop.com
cake topper-factorydirect.com on Amazon.

Thank you Filoem Scalise for picture.

The Workout

I gained all my freshmen 15. In our house, my daddy was old school. No cereal.

So when I left home, I brought every box known to man. Sugar plus no exercise equals your freshmen 15.

Since I was so small, people thought I was pregnant. Old school dad. Teen pregnancy is called suicide.

Work it out!

the book
Everything Wedding Workout Book Shirley Archer

Yoga for Dummies, Georg Feuerstein Larry Payne

the tape
tae bo
billyblanks.com

dance
Collagevideo.com

Thank you Stefano Valle for picture.

Into the Groove

Try these tunes at wedding reception.


Anytime Brian McKnight
Into the Groove Madonna
Vogue Madonna
The Fame Lady Gaga
Hood Love Mary J. Blidge ft. Trey Songz
Need You Now Lady Antebellum
Lover, Lover Jerrod Neiman
I Can't Help Falling in Love Elvis
Pretty Boy Swag Soulja Boy
Hello Morning Diddy-Dirty Money ft. TI, Rick Ross

Greek

One of my favorite movies is My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It is about transformation.
It is about family and romance.

invitation
dream vacation spot post card.

bride
white gown with a halo of tea roses and baby breath.

bridesmaids
short dress with a halo of greenery and baby breath.

flower girl
white dress with a pretty decorative mask.

ring bearer
white toga with a gold pillow.

centerpieces
funny quotes from the movie in gold frames.

sign in
a picture of your dream house.

cake
two tier white cake with a gold horse.

special touch
Get your local fraternity to step for you.

The Plan

Wedding planners are like maps. You may need one to get through this journey or huge puzzle called a wedding.

Book
Wedding Planning For Dummies Marcy Blume, Laura Fisher Kaiser

A Wedding Planner
A wedding planner is a great resource. You can find one who is trying to build up their business to save money.


Association for Wedding Planners
afwpi.com

Software
My Style Wedding
weddingoutlet.com

For Fun
Diary of a Mad Bride Laura Wolf
This is not a planner but it does have a checklist. It was great for stress when I was planning my own wedding.

Thank you Paul Martin Eldridge

Sweethearts

My niece who was valedictorian of her class has headed off to college. So this week, I have been trying to be a big girl and not a control freak and let life take its course without calling her.

Baby steps.

Be inspired by the sweetheart theme.

invitation
letter on red paper.

bride
white dress with tea roses.

ceremony
Exchange dress pins instead of a the unity candle.

centerpiece
Get old books and cover them with contact paper in red, white, and black patterns.
Place a red rose on top.

cake
cocktail cupcakes in favorite flavors.

sign in
college t shirt or jersey.


Sprinkle heart shape confetti on the table in gold.

favors
sweetheart candies

sources
collegstuff.com
thingsfestive.com

Thank you Paul Martin Eldridge

After Party Jam

Your Love Nicki Minaj

Have a great weekend!

The Dance Dress

The dance. For a shy girl who could not dance, this was fright night at Six Flags.

Did my mom care? No. She pushed me right out there with my two good moves. Yeah, some things have not changed. I still only have two good moves.

For a affordable wedding dress, consider a dance dress.


Check out:
ekclothing.com
latindancestore.com

Lunch Menu

Fresh berries
Peanut butter Chicken-cooks.com
Popcorn Salad-allrecipes.com
Bread
Lemon Sorbet

Thank you Maggie Smith for the picture.

Popcorn Love

As a teenager, going to the movie is one of the easiest first dates. You sit there, in the dark, hold hands. Afterward, you can talk about the movie. Easy conversation starter.

For a parent, you can hide in the back. Hopefully, you don't get caught.

Be inspired by popcorn love.

invitation
brown card stock, black ink, peppermint scent on the back.

bride
Little white dress. White container with a handle filled with white tea roses with
brown bead stems.

centerpiece
White rose in bud vase surrounded by candle holders filled with candies.

sign in
Favorite wedding movie poster.

song
Popcorn Love New Edition

cake
One tier heart shape cake. gold dusted popcorn on top.

special touch
Snack table. Candies, various flavored popcorn, cheese nachos.

sources
candywarehouse.com
candydirect.com
garvick.com-popcorn ideas

thank you Francesco Marino for picture.

The Kiss

My first kiss. I was four years old, he was the boy next door to my grandmother's. It happened quickly.

My grandma had a look on her face as if she wanted to laugh but she could not. So she gave us a long lecture. Maybe she laughed with my grandaddy later.

Anyway, be inspired by the kiss.

invitation
Type up your favorite love poem in the center of the page and then details in each
corner.

the bride
white dress with a red lip. Bouquet of red beads and brown dyed roses.

the bridesmaids
red dress with pink paper flowers.

the sign in
The Kiss Gustav Klimt

song for the reception
I was Made for Lovin' You Kiss
Kiss Prince
Lip gloss Lil Mama

centerpiece
lyrics to your favorite love songs in a gold frame. sprinkle table with
red rose petals. Then make sure incorporate these songs into your
wedding.

special touch
Hershey kiss dessert table. pie, cookies, pizza.

source
artifical flowers Melissa Mckean ehow.com

Thank you Francesco Marino for the image.

The lipstick

Wedding makeup. It is like the chocolate on the cupcake. It brings everything together.

Here are some beauty sites for your wedding day.

makeupdivas.com
beautycheap.com
bridalbeautybuzz.com
beauty-blogs.com

Thank you Tina Phillips.

Holding Hands

Holding hands is the ultimate thing when you are young. It is walking around the park, grinning at each other in the school hallway, or sharing a moment at the movie.

It is love communication. So innocent. A lost art form.

The most beautiful thing is to see a couple that has been together forever like my cousin and they are still holding hands.

invitation
blank note cards

bride
White dress with orange blossom(innocence) bouquet.

bridesmaids
blue dress with baby breath bouquet

ceremony
A song in sign language

centerpiece
blue and white ribbon bouquet in a clear container.

sign in
Have the guests to trace their hands

belly dancer
during dessert

cake
one round tier basket weave in white with a holding hands cake topper.
www.weddingfavorsunlimited.com

Thank you Aleksander Kutsayer

Cupid

Happy Tuesday!

Try these tunes for your wedding reception.

Heaven Solo
You Belong to Me Taylor Swift
Puppy Love Paul Anka
Our Hearts are Holding Hands Loretta Lynn
Halo Beyonce
Cupid 112
We Danced Brad Paisley
I Want to Hold Your Hand The Beatles
U Send Me Swingin' Mint Condition

The Dating Game

Authenticity is a great date in game which helps you to really get know each other.

www.playauthenticity.com


Thank you Jcreationszs for picture.

The Crush

Confession

The person I married started out as a crush. I met him at church in Sunday school class, and consequently, we went to the same high school.

Let's face facts, I was queen of the crush. I had a million of them because I was too shy to open my mouth. I was that girl always with a romance novel in my hand. Sweet Valley High, anyone?

Thankfully, the person I married knew how to take hint.

Be inspired by the school girl crush.

invitation
the letter to your wedding guests

Spray your favorite perfume on the back. Fill with rose petals.

bride
short dress with high heels. A bouquet of pink and white roses.

ceremony
If you can, take your favorite romance novel past or present and incorporate it into your vows.

sign in
A journal

song
Crush David Archuleta

centerpiece
Place a heart shaped balloon inside a clear container.Then fill with rose petals.

cake
A heart shaped cake with a couple teddy bear topper. On the cake table, place two teddy bears in a bride and groom outfit on the table.

Thank you Tina Philliphs for the picture.

After Party Jam

Turn off the Lights Teddy Pendergrass

Have a great weekend!

End of Season

It's August. I am ready for fall because it has been one long hot summer.

End of the season saving

the ex bride
The spring and early summer brides have worn it. You try to find it. Post a classified in your local newspaper, look on ebay.

Even try craigslist. You might find a deal.

the little summer dress
Fall clothes are coming in. So hit the clearance racks, you never know what you may find.

follow that wedding
On wedding sites and wedding blogs, brides are posting about their wedding. Ask them if they will sell or rent their gown to you.

Happy Shopping!

Have I Told You...

Sunflowers bring joy and happiness to any wedding.

invitation
business cards on yellow pager with black ink. Floral scent on the back.

bride
Sundress with heels. Sunflower choker.

centerpiece
Oreo cookies for dirt in a glass pottery container. sugar sunflowers.


sign in
A picture of the sunset.

cake
sheet cake with the picture of the bride holding sunflowers.

song
Have I told You Lately Rod Stewart

special touch
sun flower petals instead of rose petals

favors sunflower seeds

Thank you Pixomar for picture.

Miss Chicken II

Consider Miss Chicken for your menu.

Pecan Breaded Chicken
seaonal vegetables
french bread
spice tea

Martha Stewart Weddings

With You

If you want inspiration for your wedding, consider your favorite love song. Everyone has one. I have several.

With you by Tony Terry is one of my favorite love songs.

This song has everything you would want to say to the one you love.

Be inspired.

invitation
postcard of the sunset

bride
A knee length dress with a bouquet of yellow tulips(hopelessly in love).

the sign in
A world map

Sprinkle smiley face confetti on the table.

centerpiece
A yellow tulip in a bud vase.

cake
one tier heart shape cake with yellow butter cream tulips

groom cake
Stop sign. Stop for love in white letters.

Thank you Simon Howden

Giving Myself

Happy Tuesday!

Try these tunes for your wedding reception.

You Jessie Powell
She Believes In Me Kenny Rogers
I Met Rascal Flatts
Sweet Child o Mine Guns N Roses
Giving Myself Jennifer Hudson

Purple Rain

It is summer time. Hot and rainy.

It is kind of like Purple Rain.

The movie makes for a great date in movie while the soundtrack can be added to your wedding reception.

invitation
post card of Minnepolis

bride
White dress with purple callies.

bridesmaids
purple dress with baby breath and purple statice.

sign in
A poster of Prince. Rated G for everyone ladies.

the centerpiece
red rose floating candles in purple colored water.

the cocktail
the purple drink
drinkmixer.com

song
I Would Die 4 U by Prince

special touch
musical instrument cookie table

cocktail hour
purple appetizers

Jennifer Renee