Kelly Clarkson rocks a wedding dress in her engagement shoot

Kelly Clarkson is different.. Gotta give that to her

Unlike other celebrities who like to keep it low, she has since disclosed her wedding date, (she is getting married in October 2013 to Brandon Blackstock), worn a real wedding dress at her engagement shoot, has revealed what her wedding dress looks like "It is my personality in a dress. It's sweetly damaged. A little rock and roll. A little tattered. Nothing like a princess thing!" From the description it is doubtful that it is the same dress. Well only her can pull off the white wedding dress in an engagement shoot. Check out her engagement shot below

What do you think of the shot? Love the literary/library theme.

Galia Lahav 2013 - 2014 wedding dress collection

Isreali Bridal designer, Galia Lahav just took me to couture heaven and back *swoons

Says his team about the collection

This season Galia Lahav’s bride explores the French Riviera, sails her yacht and rides her Harley Davidson from the heels of Monte Carlo, to the hot white graveled beaches in Cannes. From the film festival, the Casino and the royal palace in Monaco this is where royalties, actors, super-models, and celebrities meet and this collection is inspired by two princesses, on and off screen Brigitte Bardot and Grace Kelly.

Body-hugging silhouettes, softly embracing each curve, imperial ball gowns, and statuesque red carpet glamour dresses, all in a modern look, but with a wink at the sizzling 60s. Classic silk satins, chiffons, and French laces, Tulle and dotted net, mixed with hand embroidered details, using crystal and pearl embellishments, and antique cross-stitched ‘Gobelins’ medallions and floral motifs.

We couldn't agree more.

Join me in swooning as you check out some of the pieces

4th of July Inspiration

'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
- (The Star spangled Banner, United States of America National Anthem)

It's 4th of July.... the Stars and Stripes will fly high and proud today.. the sound of the star spangled banner will resonate all over the world.. yes, world! Happy Independence Day, United States of America.

Check out some fabulous 4th of July inspiration from around the web

courtesy bridesandjoy.ie

The star spangled banner on the cupcakes.. lovely idea
as seen on weddingpartyapp.com

Credit: lilybrookevents

Credit: brides and bloom design

Credit: bridal guide

To our American readers, have a beautiful holiday.

RIP Adenike Ogungbe of Ewar Makeovers

Adieu Adenike Ogungbe, CEO Ewar makeovers

We were greeted with sad news yesterday about the death one of the most talented make up artists we've come across, Adenike Ogungbe of Ewar Makeovers Nike passed on yesterday afternoon due to complications from childbirth. May God console her husband and keep her new born daughter. She was just 32 years old.

Nike's work has inspired many. Many make up artists today can attest to the fact that they learnt some skills from Nike's many DIY tutorials. We've lost a gem. Sleep on Nike

See some of her work after the cut

How to create a "Twilight" theme

It's almost impossible to get over the union between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen in the Twilight: the Breaking Dawn movie. With many twihards falling over themselves to copy Bella and Edward, the twilight theme has become one of the most popular wedding themes at the moment

Here is how to get the twilight theme to a 'T'

The Dress: Bella looked beautiful in a wedding dress designed by Carolina Herrera. The dress is made of satin and French Chantilly lace and has up to 150 buttons. You can get a replica of the dress by Alfredo Angelo for just $800

Bella Swan replica dress by Alfredo Angelo

Use a vintage hair comb like Bella Swan and wear your hair in delicate swept up style with a french braid

hair combs available at Etsy

Have your bridesmaids wear different shades of purple

Make simple vintage styled invitations and put your family seal on the envelope. Don't have a family seal? The tradition can begin with you

Father of the bride gifts

Thinking about what to give your dad on your wedding day? I found these beautiful personalised gifts that I'm sure your dad will cherish forever.

I love the frames the best., oooh the cufflinks and the flask too.

All gifts are available on etsy

Our top '5' celebrity engagement rings

Who doesn't just love the bling? With the millions of dollars these celebrities drop on engagement rings, I guess it's safe to say they belong to another planet. Please regular peeps don't beat yourselves up trying to compete with these people.

Here's our top 5 celebrity engagement rings

Beyonce tops this list and her hub Jayz is the illest. He dropped a whooping $5 million on an engagement ring for his girl. The 18 carat flawless diamond engagement ring designed by Lorraine Schwartz has a center with an emerald cut that is set in platinum... (cues in Jayz's rap in the Beyonce) 'Upgrade you' track "Lorraine Schwartz sorta dude.. it's big balling baby when I'm courting you"... "Cos that rock on your finger is like a tumour, you can't fit your hand in your new purse". Jay is definitely a man of his words.

Check out the sparkler

Next on the list- We are lavving Kate Middleton's ring. Prince William gave his princess a ring that originally belonged to his mum, Princess Diana. It is an 18 carat oval sapphire ring. The sapphire stone is surrounded by 14 small diamonds and originally cost $65,000 (wonder what it's worth now). It's definitely her something old, something blue and something borrowed.

Picking a dress for a registry wedding

It is very tricky choosing a dress for a civil ceremony. A lot of people look back at photos of their civil ceremony and go 'what the hell was i thinking?'

I personally feel every step of your wedding should be extremely special and what better time to look your best that at your civil ceremony when you are both bound together by marriage in the eye of the law.

Below are some dresses we think are appropriate for a civil ceremony

love the dress and the jacket, very appropriate for a formal wedding
dress from Monique Lhuillier 2014 bridal collection

Also by Monique Lhuillier

I love this fuchsia pink dress that real bride, Tope, wore at her civil ceremony.

Dream Weddings II by Mai Atafo

Mai Atafo's 2013 collection is FIYAH!

Last year's 'Dream Wedding by Mai Atafo' was a royal theme headlined by former MBGN Munachi Abii and Uti Nwachukwu. This year featured a modern and contemporary theme and was a star studded affair with the likes of Banky W, Tinsel star Chris Attoh, Lynxxx, Yvonne Nelson, Seyi Shay, Isio Wanogho and Timi Dakolo gracing the runway turned aisle.

There were several soulful renditions from Mr Capable himself, Banky W, Timi Dakolo, Praiz and Waje. The event held at Landmark Events Center on June 13 2013.

Okay..  enough of the yapping , pictures are worth more than a thousand words, right?.

It's another Royal Wedding... Princess Madeleine weds Christopher O'Neill

The Swedish princess got married to her New York banker beau last weekend. She looked every inch the bride in a Valentino gown.

A sketch of the dress

 

 

Candelabra or Floral centerpieces?

I just got into an argument with my friends and decided to throw it open to you guys. Which would you rather have at your wedding? A calendabra centerpiece or the good ol' floral centerpiece? Check out some some swoon worthy photos to help you choose right :-)

This beautiful floral centerpiece is from the Amber Ridinger and Duane McLaughlin wedding

 

 

Another beautiful centerpiece

Did you notice the 'apples' in the flower vase? Great idea.


 

Below is a gorgeous Calendabra with a capital "G"

 

 

The effect of flickering candle and chandeliers in a well decorated venue is to die for

 

 

What about the combination of flickering candle lights and flowers? Totally Adorbs!

 

Decor by Oaken Events

 

Which is your favorite centerpiece?

 

We love... Vintage lace wedding cake

 

 

The lace details on this cake... One word.. Heavenly! We absolutely love.

 

Photo Credit: Bridal guide

 

Is Pink the new White?

Very feminine demure and elegant with a pop of colour, the blush pink wedding dress is definitely a trend to watch

The first celebrity bride I saw rock a pink dress was Gwen Stefani. It was a custom ombré dress designed by John Galliano for Dior. It was named one of the most iconic wedding dresses of all time.

 

Throwback Thursday: Dakore Egbuson-Akande with hubby

 

Don't know if this qualifies as a throwback post cos the wedding was just a little over two years ago. But i loves it and wanna share.It's Nollywood star, Dakore Egbuson-Akande's 2011 wedding to Olumide Akande. Catch the beautiful photos

 

WATCH: Nathalie and Omar Romantic Dubai Wedding

Nathalie & Omar - Blame it on Gili Islands from Deneemotion Wedding Cinema on Vimeo.

 

 

When you think about the word "romance" this wedding video embodies it. Shot on location in Dubai, the details in this wedding are definitely swoon worthy, from the decor, to the vintage style wedding dress, the something blue, something old and something borrowed... this wedding is reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. If you are a hopeless romantic like me, you should watch this video

Details

Location: Ritz-Carlton Dubai ritzcarlton.com, Planner: Clare Ebbs theperfectmoment.com, Cinematography: Deneemotion deneemotion.com, Photography: Katarina Borszik borszikphotography.com, Florist: Wud Flowers Dubai wudflowers.com, Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham jennypackham.com, Shoes: Manolo Blahnik manoloblahnik.com

Music Theme: Fall at Your Feet by Boy and Bear (Universal Republic)

 

Thank you Deneemotion for sharing <3

 

2 in 1 offer. Get this Tadashi Shoji dress and give for a good cause

This Seagreen Tadashi Shoji dress, estimated at $500 is currently on auction

We are offering you a great chance to own a Tadashi Shoji dress (you know we are great fans of the designer) and also give back to people in need.Have you been looking for a chance to give to a good cause? We've got you covered.

The charity organization, The Women Project Theater has put this dress on auction on the charity site, charitybuzz.com. Bids are currently pouring in and there are still 6 days left for you to bid. Proceeds from the auction will go to charity.


The dress was donated by the designer himself and is estimated to cost about $500 dollars. So why not take advantage of this opportunity while you can.

For more details visit charitybuzz.com

 

Ideas we love: Caricature Save-the-date cards

We absolutely dig the idea of having a caricature portrait of the couple on the Save-the-Date cards and all the wedding favours and stationery

Miami Heat's Lebron James and fiance Savannah Brinson's Save the Date card.
The caricature portrait also features the couple's two sons

Founder of one of the wedding blogs I stalk aisleperfect.com used this caricature Save the Date cards 

Heart it?

Meanwhile who has an idea of someone in Nigeria that can do a good caricature? Do help a sister out.

Hugz, kizzez and cupcakezzz (a'la tonto dikeh) lol

Wedding Bargains! 15% of Mori Lee and Allure Dresses by Imani Swank Bridals, Discounts on wedding cakes by SayCheese Cakes

The bargains I have for you guys today is out of this world-

Imani Swank Bridals is offering 15% off all purchased dresses from bridal designers Allure and Mori Lee between now and 31st of May 2013. To redeem this discount, print out the gift card above and go with it to the Imani Swank Bridal Store located at 23A Emma Abimbola Cole Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. You can also call 08170038986 or 08174694857 or visit www.imaniswank.com


Let's eat CAKE...

SayCheese Cakes is also offering an unbelievable promo on wedding cakes for people getting married between May 2013 and May 2014. There are 3 packages:

Package 1: N68,000
-3tier wedding cake(6", 10"&14" fruit cake)
-1tier trad cake(12" RedVelvet or Chocolate Cakes, or a combination of RedVelvet and Chocolate cakes)

-240 cutups(fruit cake cut outs)

Package 2: N93,000
-4tier wedding cake(5",8",11"&14" fruit cake)
-2tier trad cake(8"&12"RedVelvet or Chocolate Cakes, or a combination of RedVelvet and Chocolate cakes)
-300 Cutups(fruit cake cut outs)


Package 3: N120,000
-5tier wedding cake(4",7",10",13&16" fruit cake)
-2tier trad cake (8"&12"RedVelvet or Chocolate Cakes, or a combination of RedVelvet and Chocolate cakes)
-360 Cutups(fruit cake cut outs)



Offer ends on 31st of May 2013 but can be utilised till 1st of May 2014 when booking is secured. Contact SayCheese cakes on 01-2912524, 08139407530 BB Pin: 279D26A8

So what y'all waiting for? You've still got 11 more days, so pick up your phones and start dialing.

Did I hook you up or what?

#Throwback Thursday: Jada Pinkett-Smith and Will Smith

Yesterday I saw the 1996 movie Set it off.  That movie is a classic... go see it again if you have the chance. Jada was such a cutie, like soft with feminine features (how did she get so hard?), Vivica Fox was so beautiful before the nose job- she so didn't need it, Queen Latifah and Kimberly Elise look pretty much the same, just older. Black don't crack  ladies, lay of the surgery and enhancement we don't need it. Just eat right and exercise.

Well, the movie inspired today's throwback post. So honoured to share Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith's wedding pictures. This couple have been going strong for more than 15 years. That's a milestone in Hollywood, really proud of them.