Finding The Right Symbol For Your Wedding

Adinkra Symbols are fast becoming a popular accents for cultural weddings today. They are most commonly associated with Akan people of Ghana. Symbols are painted on cloth, pottery, logos, and are seen all over.
They represent concepts or aphorisms. Todays couples are finding the right combination of symbols that best represent them and their lifestyle.


There are many uses for these symbols and below I share just some ideas:

1.


For Djanna and Nic's wedding,
Heavenly Crumbs created these
delicious cupcakes with an
edible cowrie shell and
the Adinkra Symbol, Bese Saka,
in gold. The symbol is nestled in the icing
of the cupcake.

2.
Have your invitations created with any one of the love symbols in gold on the cover. You can also purchase stickers to seal your envelopes. Carry the symbol through out placing it on your program and menu cards.


3.
Use Adinkra symbols as table numbers instead. At the place setting of the tables print the meaning of the symbol. Matching napkin rings make a nice statement and great gift for your guest. You can make your own by purchasing a brass ornament from Cultured Expressions. Loop it with raffia or a ribbon in your wedding colors. That's then tied around the napkin.
Documents and Design creates beautiful Table card ideas and more also for more custom design ideas Concepts to Completion

4.
Many jewelers are offering one-of-a-kind pieces using Adinkra Symbols on engagement rings and wedding bands. You can also give your bridesmaids Adinkra charms as gifts. 1865 Company, HLC Jewelry, The Jewelry Artist, Amazulu.


5.
Enjoy your wedding garment by having one or more symbols embroidered or beaded into your dress.

Sharing these important symbols in your wedding ceremony and reception is a great way to show off your culture.

Below are just a few symbols to get you started.
Log onto Well Tempered/ Adinkra and Adinkra Symbols for more symbols, meanings, and ideas for use.

AKOMA
"the heart"
symbol of patience and tolerance
According to Agbo, when a person is said to "have a heart in his stomach," that person is very tolerant.

NYAME NTI
"by God's grace"
symbol of faith and trust in God
similar to Gye NyameAccording to The Adinkra Dictionary by W. Bruce Willis: "This stalk is depicted as the staff of life in many cultures. It symbolizes to the Akan that food is a basis of life and that they could not survive if not for the food that God has placed here on Earth for their nourishment. "

ODO NNYEW FIE KWAN
"Love never loses its way home"
symbol of the power of love

Harlem Extravaganza Vendor List

Photo by Lenox Fontaine, Stylist Francesca De Franchis, Hair Robert Young, Makeup by Romelle, Dress Cassandra Bromfield.

If you missed the Harlem Wedding Extravaganza, shame on you. There were prizes, fashions, and even a Q and A by the experts. The beautiful Nubian Heritage was the backdrop for this unique event. The space can be used for a small intimate wedding so be sure you drop in and take a look at how they mesmerize your body, home, mind, and spirit.

Vendor List

Accessories
Elements of Earth Jewelry- 347-405-1289/718-978-4819
Wedding Broom Designs- 203-984-4229

Bakery
Annie Mae's Cheesecake- 877-577-8717

Beverage
Harlem Vintage- 212-866-WINE
Harlem Brewing Co.- 888-559-6735

Dental
Harlem Dental Associates- 212-368-6700

Designers
Cassandra Bromfield- 212-502-5277
Beauloni Style- 718-452-2920
Queen Bilquis Cosmic Spiritual Wear 917-472-1347
Allerton Formal Wear- 718-798-1412

Event Planning
Phifer Production
Your Wedding Affair- 866-711-5425

Florist
JE Flowers Corp- 646-643-9993
LIAJ- 718-294-1528
Moments to Treasure- 919-609-0407

Media
Harlem World Magazine
World Bride Magazine (click here for locations)

Music & Entertainment
Angela Mckenzie
DJ Mario- 212-714-7188
Premier Music Entertainment- 888-889-6026

Online Service & Directories
Black Bride.com
Black Bridal Guide.com
Wed Alert.com

Pamper, Spa, Make-up
Beauty Moves- 866-288-3467
Total Living Comfort- 866-212-8737 ext 9224

Photography
Nando Rodriguez Photography- 917-692-5913
Photo-Video OPS- 631-491-9001

Quick Change Artist

Paula's wedding day was filled with sun and fun. There was swimming, laughter and of course love.

The wedding was quite unique, beginning with the purchase of the dress. I am here in New York and she is in California. This was not a problem, as you may have read in Mail Order Bride, I was able to accommodate Paula without on hitch.
After seeing her dress in Brides February/March 2006, she made the call.
The Wedding was intimate and filled with beach fun. After the ceremony Paula changed into some walking shorts for a good time. There are even pictures of her driving a boat. See more of Cathy Cunningham Photography.




Paula and Tom's Vendors also included
Tiara Room
Tommy Bahama
J.Crew Dresses

World Bride Locations

There are a plethora of Bridal Magazines on the newstands, but very few that cover the bride of color. World Bride has hit the newstands with an explosion of cultures, religions, races, and ethnicities. The premier issue is available now at these locations:

New York
Memories Out of the Box
633 Vanderbilt Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Brownstone Bookstore
409 Lewis Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11233

4 W Circle of Arts
704 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11238

The Brownstone
2025 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10025

Newsstand of South Portland
Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Flatbush Avenue Grocery, News
377 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Newsstand of Montague Street (Front of Bank of America)
205 Montague Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231

Dekalb Convenience Store
249 Dekalb Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205

Brooklyn’s First Natural Hair Care Boutique
922 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Newsstand
40th Street trains station
Bryant Park
42 street, New York

Hue Man Bookstore and Cafe
2319 Fredrick Douglass Blvd
New York, NY 10027

Illinois
Afro centric Bookstore
4655 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL. 60653-4138

Pennsylvania
It's A Mystery To Me Bookstore
723 Church Lane
Yeadon, PA 19050