We Require a Kiss To Pass

In some military weddings, the newly married couple exit the ceremony under an impressive archway of swords, sabers or rifles. This unique tradition is perhaps one of the most defining differences between a military and civilian wedding. It is also sure to rate three tissues for tears of pride.

US Naval Academy Wedding  Gea and Chris    Dennis Drenner Photographs

See more Gea and Chris Wedding

For commissioned officers, the ceremony is referred to as the Arch of Sabers. Non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel use a variation of it is known as the Arch of Rifles.

Generally speaking, after the I do’s are exchanged, the bride and groom leave the service and enter the archway lined by honor guards holding the ceremonial weapons. They may stop to kiss and then pass through. Before completing the symbolic safe passage into marriage, the last two members of the honor guard block their journey while one of guards gives the new military spouse a rather un-ceremonial swat on the rear accompanied by words of welcome to whatever branch of service she has married into. You won’t find it written down anywhere, but perhaps those blocked weapons of choice and swat are also quite symbolic of the challenges military couples face! [source Military Weddings 101].

Below a video of what that ceremony looks like.

Bridal Plasty

Bridal Plasty

I bet you thought Bridezilla was as low as Reality TV could go and then the bottom dropped.  When I heard about Bridal Plasty, I was more appalled than intrigued.  Brides-to-be compete in challenges to earn plastic-surgery procedures in a quest to win their ultimate dream wedding.  Whaaaaaaaaaaat!!! this sounds as absurd as The Swan, an ugly duckling goes through major plastic surgery to compete in a beauty pageant (umm...isn't that the beauty pageant industry?).  That show was a new low for 2004-2005.

Then I realized my nose was getting too far out of joint.  There are lots of procedures that women will go through to better themselves for the big day.  Some procedures are a simple doctors visit and require no anesthesia.  

Photo from Live Strong

Botox: It's not what you think.  Some women suffer severe sweating issues and Botox can control the symtoms by blocking the chemical signals from nerves that stimulate sweat glands.  Read more here.

Photo From Family Dental Associates

Dental: I was at a wedding and the guy who caught the garter looked like Jack-O-lantern.  Ok this is a big dental procedure, but many women will have their teeth whitened  (a diy take home type or dental office visit) or  have their smiles improved by straightning the teeth. 

From the blog: There Won't Be Any Doves

  
Weight Loss: I think every bride has said this to me, they are working out to tighten this, that, or what ever.  One bride didn't want me to measure her until she had lost 30lbs.  She stopped eating rice and bread.  She was successful in loosing the lbs and looked great on her wedding day.  

Another bride I had did go under the knife for liposuction.  Although this was severe, she had the figure she wanted on her special day. It's not for everyone but it was a good option for her.

Photo from Beauty and The Bath

Lasik: If you wear glasses all the time, there are few photos of beautiful brides with glasses in the bridal magazines.  They want their wedding day photo's to be perfect (read more about The Lasik Procedure).  This procedure will last several years and can be life changing for eye glass wearers.

Contact Lens:  Lasik's isn't for everyone, but for those who don't want photos with squinting will opt for Disposable Contact Lens.   A non permanent solution those pesky specs.

Silicone Breasts: In the fashion industry we call them chicken cutlets, because that's what they feel like.  When brides want to look more boob-a-licious, without the surgery this accessories can enhance a wedding look perfectly.


Bridal Plasty sounded crazy at first but after thinking about it brides go through some level of augmentation.  Just remember he fell in love with YOU, and loves you just the way you are.

Include This In Your Plans

If you are planning a wedding you are so caught up in the euphoric spiral that you forget to plan your life.  I found this on Twitter and I think it is soooo appropriate for couples.   Getting yourself organized and creating an open space for each other will be nourishing.

Key To My Heart

Stat Key Designer Keys

He has the key to your heart and you have the key to his. Make it literal, Sat Key Designer Keys can make it true. Now that you have entered into holy matrimony, make the key exchange more personal. I love the house key for a newlyweds first home. There are 10 designs to choose from. You can even suggest your own design. Log on and find out more about these special keys. Stat Key Company

Celebrating The Fabric Of Our Culture

Patchwork 4 ply silk and crepe back satin bias cut gown in the works

The MCAI will celebrate The Fabric Of Our Culture at an event filled with jazz, art, fashion, and more. Myself, designers from Pittsburgh and Therese Fleetwood will be creating jazz inspired garments for the fashion show.
I have been assigned Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and Billi Holiday (above dress). The fashion show is produced by Fashion Africana, that celebrates the beauty and diversity of African Diaspora.

Details of the event below

Saturday, September 12th, 2009
7:00pm
The August Wilson Center
980 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh Downtown Cultural District
Tickets
VIP: $75
Show and After Party: $50
Show Only: $35

Order Tickets and more info: 412.394.3353
Pro Arts Tickets.org

Thank- You I Do Black Love

I recently cam across this blog post "I should be writing thank you cards right now" from I Do Black Love, Or, I Do; Black Love. It is the period on the big celebration of love fun and family. Plus you don't want everyone to think you are completely narcissistic, send out a heartfelt thank you.

Some of you may have a guest list over 200, I feel your pain, so hand writing thank yous is a daunting task. Take a little sting out of the job by having the stationers that printed your invites also include the thank you notes. I know you should add personal touch so do just that, create a poem that is personal. See my poems below:

Wedding Thanks

The limo was late. The DJ was drunk and somebody's escort smelled like a skunk. We drank cheap wine and ate baked chicken. We still thought it was finger licken'. After cutting the cake of confection and cream. She threw the bouquet and every women screamed. The men were louder when he threw the garter. It was so much fun A lot to remember. The best day of our lives.

Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you
For being by our sides

With much Love

Jumped

We've jumped the broom
Cut the cake
Did a little dancing
Until it was late

We had so much fun from beginning to end
And before we get settled like a rooster and hen
Together we say
Thank you so much
For sharing our special day
Lot's of Love

Now go out and be thankful.

Whoa, What's That Up There

I have admired so many other bridal blogs and their headers for a long time. Logging onto them is like arriving at a meadow of fresh flowers. So I got my graphics department busy and created a new header. They toiled away on Sunday to create a perfect blog header. These graphic artist are the best in the business and I would have no less than the best. All three of us would not let up until it was perfect.

Thank you Me, Myself, and I, Monday lunch is on the boss.

And That's When The Fight Started

Sometimes in the midst of all the planning woes, take time to have a laugh.

A Husband and Wife were watching "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" while they were in bed. He turned to her and said,
"Do you want to have sex?"
"No," she answered.
He then said, "Is that your final answer?"
She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying "Yes."
So he said, "Then I'd like to phone a friend."
And that's when the fight started....


A man and a woman were asleep like two innocent babies.
Suddenly, at 3 o'clock in the morning, a loud noise came from outside.
The woman, bewildered, jumped up from the bed and yelled at the man 'Holy crap. That must be my husband!'
So the man jumped out of the bed; scared and naked jumped out the window. He smashed himself on the ground, ran through a thorn bush and to his car as fast as he could go.
A few minutes later he returned and went up to the bedroom and screamed at the woman, 'I AM your husband!'
The woman yelled back, 'Yeah, then why were you running?'
And that's when the fight started.....

WHEW!

Yes, it has been a month from my last post. I have been busy doing this or that and I have not been able to write. Well, I'm back baby and better than ever. Ideas are flowing from me like a cool water. I have searched and found great vendors, creative ideas, fashion, and everything to make your wedding unique magical and fabulous.
Thanks
Cassandra Bromfield

Old New Borrow Blue

Old

New

Borrowed

Blue

Good Luck

Follows

All

Your

Tomorrows

*

*

Many

Brides

Choose

Blue

It"s

Really

True

*

*

They

Don't

Stress

With

Maids

In

A

Blue

Dress

Maybe

A

Blue

Thong

Is

More

Your

Song

Only

You

Will

Know

If

It's

Right

Or

Wrong

*

*

Here's

A

Cute

Fellow

With

A

Blue

Pillow

*

*

I

Love

Ladies

With

Flair

Who

Wear

Blue

In

Their

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*

*

So

Now

You

Have

The

Wedding

Blues

I

Hope

Not

Bad,

But

Only

The

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*

*

Even

If

You

Don't

Choose

Blue

At

All

Don't

Fret

It's

Just

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Poem

That

Makes

No

Sense!