Bridal Blis: Cynthia Bailey Wedding Photos from Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta

On February 2, 2011 Cynthia Bailey from Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta wed Peter Thomas.  An absolutely blissful wedding gown.

Featured by ESSENCE.com

Credits Allen Cooley Photography

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

ASK BEVERLY: What are some bridal shower and engagement party themes ?

5 Engagement Party Theme Ideas

Cake and Champagne Dreams. This engagement party theme is all about sparkle. You'll want plenty of candles lit around the house, or at the very least, some twinkling white Christmas lights.

A Cocktail Party. This is if you're going to have more than about eight people, a cocktail party might be a better choice than a dinner party. For this engagement party theme, serve fancy drinks, preferably with umbrellas in them. Keep the music a lively jazz mix. Get lots of ice. Set up a bar, and serve trays of appetizers. Make sure the appetizers are the 'walk around' variety, that people can eat anywhere, so they aren't stuck near a table, trying to dunk their carrots into a bowl of dip. Be sure to position the engagement party food in various places around the house, so that everyone is not crowded in the kitchen where you're mixing drinks. Traffic flow is important at cocktail engagement theme parties, so serve food they can pick up on a small plate or napkin and walk away with. If you're really creative, you can even "invent" a new drink and name it after the happy couple. For engagement party theme decorations, you might find an embarrassing or too-cute photo of the happy couple, and bring it to a Kinko's to be blown up life-size and hung on the wall for all the guests to sign. For a game to "break the ice" ask all the guests to write their best wedding or marriage advice on a cocktail napkin and then read each one aloud.

Costume Ball. This engagement party theme is out of the ordinary. Ask guests to come dressed as their favorite married couples from history, the big screen, or the tabloid pages. Have a blast trying to guess who they are.

 

Mexican Fiesta. Serve Tex-Mex casseroles or chili as an entree. Or, if you're looking to keep the food snack-size, serve corn chips and other hand-held Mexican appetizers. For this engagement party theme, mix Margaritas and salsa music as loud as you please. For decorations, you might want to pick up a pinata and fill it with adult-fun favors, letting the bride and groom supervise the smashing of the paper beastie. Multi-colored balloons will add to the gaiety of your engagement party.

 

Afternoon Barbecue. Even less formal engagement party theme is the backyard barbecue. Fire up the grill, break out the plastic cups and the paper plates, and gussy up your backyard for a party. Hot dogs, hamburgers and beer are the usual fare, and music can range from country to classic rock. The main obstacle to barbecues are that someone is going to have to stand in front of the grill for a long time to feed all those people, the food is unlikely to be done at the same time, and you may run out of easy seating when it's time to open the engagement party gifts.

 

5 Wedding Shower Party Theme Ideas

Silver & Lilac Wonderland. This party should shine with a gorgeous winter wonderland-inspired theme! Shades of lilac and purple add a soft splash of color to the traditional silver and white in this festive theme.

Coffee & Dessert. This party should have bright colors, bold patterns, and tempting treats. This is a fun & festive party theme and is guaranteed to get guests in the mood to celebrate! This is perfect for both small, intimate gatherings and large crowds.

Orange & Chocolate. Rich orange hues, chocolate browns, bright blossoms, and retro-mod patterns come together to create a decidedly chic and inviting atmosphere that's perfect for everything from special occasions to casual dinner parties with friends.

Bling Bride. The "Bling Bride" shower is a fun, girlie way to celebrate bride-to-be, and the perfect shower theme to really go crazy with...the more bling the better! Provide the guest of honor with lots of sparkle too. Tiaras, ring pops, even shimmery lip gloss is great.

Something Blue. This is perfect for giving the bride-to-be her "Something Blue" a little early! Vintage-mod patterns, elegant ribbons, sparkling champagne, and the ever-enticing "little blue box"... Something Blue = something she's sure to love!

Silver & Lilac Wonderland. Beautiful shades of purple and green come together to create a refreshingly chic party theme that's perfect for a bridal shower luncheon!

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

Bridal Accessories: Crystal necklaces to die for!

Wedding accessories are important to complete your bridal look. Without wedding accessories, the wedding gown would look bare and incomplete

Accessories from Bella Bleu Bridal

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

MARKETING INSOMNIAC: MARKETING FOR THE NEW ECONOMY

At this one day Boot Camp Workshop you will learn from Jen O'Sullivan everything you need to know about gaining a better understanding of the current economy and how to market your services in the best way. You will learn how to position yourself to make more money and how to make your brand stand out in a crowd of many. Gain more clients, more money, and a more rewarding life!

Sunday, March 13 · 8:00am - 6:00pm in Beverly Hills.

Only $199 for a full day 10 hour workshop. 

Contact Jen at jen@jenosullivan.com to register.

Beverly Harris Wedding & Events

(310) 487-9698

A Disneyland Wedding, Glass Slipper and All!

I thought this was the coolest thing, so I had to share it with you.  He looks as if he was going to tumble over.  "Help somebody, I'm going to drop this thing!"

It looks like he's having a hard time getting the ring out of the slipper.  Still, COOL!  

Thanks for sharing your photos Jen O'Sullivan  Photography

March & April Wedding Planning Checklist

Now that the engagement is on it's time to start the planning process.  The family is happy, your future is bright and filled willed endless possibilities.  To make the dream come true requires time, effort, and major doses of the "three Cs" of wedding planning: consideration, communication and compromise, and more compromise.  You are approaching major decisions; however, don't forget to relish in this time.  It's your opportunity to explore your wedding fantasies---and those your loved ones may share.  Happy Wedding Planning!

 

• Inform out-of-town guests of wedding date and/or send save-the-date email.
• Locate a bridal salon and begin trying on wedding gowns and veils.  Make sure you bring stockings, heels, a strapless bra, and a hair clip to each appointment.
• Get in shape for your wedding gown by starting an exercise routine.
• Get ideas for honeymoon locations and research pricing. (This could a project for the groom)
• Start looking at floral designs and interview florists for style and cost.
• Search for menu ideas and start meeting with caterers.
• Research wedding photography and interview wedding photographers/videographers.
• Get ideas for music and interview bands/DJs.
• Finalize flower and decor ideas, and select a florist.  Include specifics of each floral arrangement in your contract.
• Sign a caterer.
• Order your wedding gown.
• Shop for and select the perfect bridesmaid dress.
• Book your honeymoon.
• Find out if your ceremony location requires liability insurance.
• Finalize contracts with your wedding protographer and videographer.
• Book your DJ/band.
• Browse and purchase wedding dress accessories, including shoes, lingerie, purse, and gloves.
• Choose officiant and discuss ceremony ideas.
• Start thinking about all of your gift registry options.
• Select three hotels in varying price ranges and reserve rooms for out-of-town guests.

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698

ASK BEVERLY: How can I make my soon-to-be husband feel special?

1. Order a Groom’s cake, but make it really unique to him.

2. Let him pick some of his favorite songs for the DJ or band to play at your wedding.

3. Do something unique with the “garter” – use his favorite scent or put a special treat in the garter for him to find.

4. Have snacks and drinks for him and the Groomsmen before the ceremony

5. Direct questions to both the Bride and Groom – ask questions specifically of him when profiling

6. Let him give suggestions and incorporate those ideas

7. Pick some part of the reception or ceremony and ask him to “surprise you” with his own idea. Let him design it and put his ideas into play! You may be surprised!

8. Send a gift to his hotel room the night before your wedding or to him the morning after his bachelor party.

9. Let him pick the menu – the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, after all!

10. Send his parents or his mother flowers and a card thanking them for raising such a wonderful son.

11. Send him a sweet text before the ceremony.

 

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events

(310) 487-9698