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All posts by Samantha's Bridal Team
How to find the ring…after finding the one
There’s a hushed rule that holds a man should spend at least two months worth of his income on the engagement ring! But while many a man will break into a run at the mention of this –the very reason no one screams about it..!
It may be interesting to know that apart from diamonds being a girl’s best friend, they are also the most durable, and so should be your engagement!
In an interview with Raju of Rajshyn Jewelers he acknowledges that the Kenyan man takes the engagement stone with as much fervor as the wedding band, ‘While most will walk in without a hint of what they want apart from ‘a beautiful ring’ we notice that a high percentage of our male clientele place quality way above cost’ The shop has been in existent for thirty five years, he notes that more than ever, grooms to be are more conscious of their Fiancées’ ring as they know it will have a great influence on the wedding bands, which will probably also match!
An engagement ring contains at least one larger ‘center’ diamond and many smaller diamonds along the larger than life rock! If there’s just one single stone, then it’s a solitaire.
A run down on the terms you are likely to encounter on your rock-shopping spree fosters the impression that you know what you are looking. This gem101s will not only boost your confidence, it also allows for clever conversation during the dialogue:
1. Band -This is the circular part of the ring that sits around the finger.
2. Setting – Refers to the piece that holds the gemstone in place, which is attached to the band. The setting is said to be either‘Pronged-to mean it has tong like extensions or teeth holding the gemstone in place, its also said to be ‘invisible’ Meaning that it doesn’t have the extensions
3. Gemstone – This is the main feature of the ring, preferably referred to as the ‘rock’. It’s the centerpiece attraction on the band.
4. The 4C’s – This C -Words denote Carat, color, clarity and cut of the gemstone.
5. Customizing – It’s the ability to recreate or redesign the ring into something bespoke and suiting to your fiancees taste
6. Re-plating – This means covering a metal with a different layer that’s less prone to oxidation and tarnishing
Kemunto and Moses
Though growing up in the same side of the city of Nairobi attending the same church and even having several friends in common, Kemunto and Moses had their very first interaction in December of 2007 at the parking lot of the International Airport of Houston.
“We had a great ride hope and instantly became great friends” says Kemunto.They officially began dating in 2010 and the enjoyed travelling to new destinations and had many friends in common.But did not really interact until they got to the U.S the first memorable meeting was in December 2007 at the international airport of Houston. Kemunto was in Houston for Christmas from England , his cousin Cliff was to pick her but he was nowhere to be seen.H e was on a romantic date with his girlfriend Eva, so Eva suggested his brother Moses to pick Kemunto and that was the first meeting at the airport parking lot.
A relative of Kemunto was supposed to go pick her up but since he was on a date and didn’t want to cut it short his date suggested that her brother Moses picks her up instead. They immediately hit off and became fast friends. Moses; at the time a med student was doing a rotation at the same hospital in which Kemunto, also a med student was interning so he took on the opportunity and managed to convince her to go on a dinner date with him. She did.
Fast forward to 2013 after lots of dates, falling in love and shuttling back and forth to see each other amidst all their work relocations it was time to make it official. They took a trip to Sedona for a romantic getaway.
Theirs was an elegant affair with a spectacular colour theme, emotional moments, lots of laughs, music and lots of love. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness.
Moses had a table set up at the most romantic location with breathtaking views and at this point Kemunto saw it coming. They finished all six courses of their dinner but still, no proposal. But just as they were about to leave, Moses asked the Waitress to take one last photo of them and that’s when she turned around only to find him on one knee.
Kemunto had ample time prepare ,feel and look the part.We call it picture perfect.
Photography : Photoshots Kenya
Officially husband and wife.
The couple chose to have a decorated bicycle at the reception to symbolize their humble beginning in life as married couple and also the journeys they had together as they traveled to different p;aces together.Also to show the progress they have made together since they meet .
The bridesmaids and groomsmen together with the couple toasted to a happy life and a wonderful day well celebrated.
Photography By Photoshots Kenya
Venue Windsor Golf and Country Club
JEAN Photography
Jean is a Hebrew word meaning gift. Jean photography aims at capturing life’s moments and delivering them as a gift to clients that will be etched in their minds for generations to come.
Jean Photography also runs a studio photography business specializing in people and event photography. Jean Photography captures different stories of different people and brings them to life through a photograph.
There is no better way to remember your special occasion than by cherishing your photographs. Jean Photography is committed to ensuring that we capture our clients’ events and make the photographs unforgettable.
Jean Photography is set on providing top quality and professional service to our customers.
Contacts; 0706620998
0727 310892
Tel; 020 2188282
Email; jeanphotographie@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/JEAN-Photographie-649278975193753/timeline/
Frugal Bride Guide On ‘wow’ Wedding on a Budget
“Is Frugabridelista a word yet? If ever there were a moment for intimate weddings and austerity, isn’t this it?” Move over bridezilla. There’s a new bride in town. She’s taking on the big, fat, expensive white wedding by the horn. She is a Frugal bride, who knows how to have a fabulous wedding for only a fraction of the so called “average” bride spends.
1. A Small Guest List.
A frugal bride scales down her list. She invites only the people who matter to her. If she hasn’t seen or heard from her friend Sally “Never calls” in five years, chances are she’s not on the list. And she doesn’t invite people simply out of obligation. (Just because she was invited to her hairdresser’s wedding last year doesn’t mean she has to return the favor.) Co-workers and distant relatives are often left off of the list.
2.DIY
A Frugal bride learns how to make everything from centerpieces for her reception to wedding favours. And if she’s not the crafty type she sources out the projects to friends and family.
3.Haggling
A Frugal bride saves money by negotiating with Suppliers. She’s not afraid to ask them for a better price or to throw in a few extras.
4.Flexibility.
A Frugal bride knows that Saturday is the most sought after time slot for a wedding – and the most expensive, so she’s willing to have her wedding on a Friday night or Sunday – or even during the week.
5.She is a savvy Bride
Who always checks out references and runs fast if she detects even the slightest hint of unprofessionalism. A frugal bridal seeks out wedding professionals who are willing to work within her budget.
6.Prioritising
A Frugal bride knows her priorities. She splurges only on the things that really matter to her. If she’s a foodie and a decadent meal is important to her, then she’s willing to cut back on wedding items that made her ‘b’ list. That might mean she prints her own invitations instead of having custom letterpress stationery.
7. Resourcefulness.
She makes use of the many talents among her relatives and circle of friends. If her aunt is a piano player, she’ll ask her to play at the wedding ceremony. If her sister-in-law is a graphic designer, she’ll hire her to design the invitations.A Frugal bride realizes that getting her loved ones involved will not only cut costs, it will maker her wedding more meaningful.
Beach Theme Wedding
Whether you are both old beach bums or you are going to a beach honeymoon, you can work your passion into the celebration.
First by relaxing your wedding day dress code . wear a simple dress . The bride should wear a bare shoulder dress in a floaty fabric like chiffon and a slim silhouette (not straight cut but not firmly A-line). Sandals for all, including the guys. Dress the men in a nice light fabric, like cheesecloth or linen , in a sandy or white color. Just shirt and pants.
Music will play role in the reception. Hire a band that can play Taarab, Bango or Caribbean style, calypso or coastal music.
For the cards, create a seaside motif with the use of pressed shells. Blue paper with white shells. Sprinkle sand over glue in the corners of the cards for that added ocean side feel.Of course a beach would be an ideal location but you can create your own by dumping sand over the whole event area or just on the walkway area..
The guests could receive a manzi welcome drink.Tall palm tree set in the corner of the room will Add some beach side flair. For center pieces and flower decoration use hibiscus, birds of paradise and even orchids if you can get. Use oil-burning torches to line the walkway. A beach soiree is very informal so I’d hold off on anything at the head of the walkway.
A blue reception helps create that sea and sky feel. Dress the tables with blue tablecloths and have white dressed chairs. Centerpieces of individual clear vases with white blooms wrapped with blue ribbon. The cake can be decorated in the same blue with white waves flowing round the body of the cake and topped with a white fondant sailboat. If indoors, keep the setting light and airy – look for a room with high ceilings, windows, maybe a sunset view. Have your servers dress in island style.
Serve your guests loads of seafood and coastal dishes. Let fish and coconuts be the guideline when deciding on what to offer during each course.
Favors of either real shells or chocolate shells, whichever you prefer.
Christance And Fred
Like all brides, Christance was looking for some- thing different. Searching for her dream dress was the first item on the wedding agenda. She wore a heavily beaded organza V-neck designer gown featuring a trumpet skirt and an attached train from Malaika Brides, Yaya Centre 2nd floor.
When I went looking for a gown for the first time, I tagged along my mom and younger sister to Malaika Brides and when I tried on my dress, I liked it and I wanted it but when I asked for the price, I nearly collapsed. I tried three other dresses but my heart was eked on my dream dress. I went back and was even more shocked when the sales lady told me that she was sorry she had quoted the wrong price. The dress was even more expensive than what I thought!
But Malaika Brides staff was really friendly and I loved the dress soo much that I ordered for it. It arrived two months to the wed- ding and guess what? I had lost and the dress was big! And being a designer dress, I could not adjust it because it would ruin the design besides the gown has a lot of crystals and stones! Luckily for me, my weight just fell back to normal three weeks to the wedding!
My dress was beautiful in itself so I accessorized with a simple chain and earrings not to take away from my dress.
My dress was beautiful in itself so I accessorized with a simple chain and earrings not to take away from my dress.
Wedding Date: 28th November
Ceremony: Winners Chapel International
Photos courtesy of bride
7 Tips For A Successful Dream Wedding
1.Wedding Budget
To have your dream wedding doesn’t mean you have to spend loads instead of thinking of a wanna-have list ask yourself “what can we afford to spend?” The easiest way to cut down on your wedding budget? Trim your guest list for that dream wedding, It is a fact that most of wedding expenses go to dining your guests. Remember, venue costs are likely to account for about one third to half of your budget.
2.Have a wedding prioritization checklist
Once you know your budget, first things first is aim’s to work out how much you actually can afford to spend on different things and know the priorities, what’s important to YOU.Write down all the things you need to spend money on. Always keep in mind that you don’t need to stick to convention or have everything you’re told you need. Discuss what’s most important to both of you. You may want a funky themed wedding cake, but would you rather a honeymoon abroad? Or a professional photographer?
3.Start booking as many vendors as soon as possible in advance.
You will be shocked how venues and vendors are usually booked up very quickly so it’s safe to secure all things for the set date as soon as possible. This will ensure that Not only do you have more options but it’s less straining as you the wedding day gets closer.
4.Prepare an alternate plan in case of weather acting up against you.
If you are planning an outdoor wedding chose a venue that has a hall or ballroom or cover pavilion available on your date just in case everything goes south on the wedding day.It is also a good idea to do your research on the weather for your set date and choose the set up according to the weather predicament for that season.For example in Kenya August is known to be a hot month is outdoor wedding is preferable for a date on this month and July is cold so an indoor wedding is preferable.But remember August is the wedding season month so keep in mind tip number 1 book vendors and venue as soon as possible.
5.Have a wedding coordinator the day of the wedding.
For a perfectly timed wedding. The wedding coordinator will help usher the guests from ceremony to reception, you can have appetizers and drink in waiting. If you have done the planning yourself be sure to engage the wedding coordinator at least 4 weeks prior so that she has a clear picture of what you want on the day and implement them for you so you don’t have to stress out on your big day.
6.Put in mind how your guests will get to the venue.
If the venue is in a remote area, have a bus to ferry guests from a central place to the wedding venue. This arrangement will put guests at ease that they didn’t have to drive and could enjoy more cocktails. And to cut the wedding budget cost have the ceremony and reception venue in one place if possible or as close to each other as possible.
7.Ensure you have a relaxed day before the wedding and restful night sleep.
It is important that you wake up as early as possible depending on you days program to ensure everything is not done in a rush and you surely have a successful and happy day. Plan at least 4 hours period for preparation to the time you leave the house to the venue. The best way to enjoy the day is to have everything happen in its time but if you loose on time ensure you catch up with time as early as possible by cutting down on unimportant things to avoid having a rushed event.
11 Tips keeping your mom on wedding fashion radar
As seen on Samantha Bridal fashion show during the July Wedding Expo, below are tips on how to place the mother of the bride on the wedding fashion radar.
1. Mom’s outfit should complement bridesmaids’ dresses, and not match them. You don’t want the ushers confusing the seating arrangement! 
2. Help her chose a color that suits well her tone, and sits pretty with the overall wedding palette
3. Just for modesty, its best to have your shoulders and arms covered, at least for the ceremony. Lace is the all-time graceful look;consider sheers and organza too, just a hint of elegance. Chose a comfortable style and cut to flatter your body.
4.Avoid black and white in whatever shades. The former is too severe, whereas the latter is too bridal, lest you be accused of trying to outshine the queen!
5. Good supportive underwear will come in handy, not only for comfort but to help you fit well into your Queenly role.
6 . Match your shoes and clutch bag, remember less is more and avoid too much beading especially for the daytime celebration. Heels are preferable. They will add to you that graceful gait for the occasion.
7. Don’t leave the buying to Mom because she is always selfless, thus likely to spend on other items like food.
8. Involve her. Have her understand that she too will attract attention on that day and needs to look fabulous for you.
9 If she can afford to buy her outfit, accompany her anyway and help her choose. If you are the groom and have no idea what to select, have a younger female relative accompany her.
10. If you do not know where to start, refer to fashion publications such as Samantha bridals for listings of outlets.
11. Finally, remind mom to walk and break into her shoe, and rehearse her graceful walk on the aisle before the dawn breaks to your nuptials.
Dressed by Next Boutique Bridal
Photography by Digital Eye
Hair and Make up : Revitalize Wellness Center and Spa
Tim and Pam
IN THE BEGINNING
Pam narrates… I vividly remember the dream; it was extraordinarily clairvoyant. Heavens spoke to me about it…. I had this feeling that I was to meet my husband in a few days time. I couldn’t really mark out the face in the dream. All I did was keep my faith, sounds strange? Well, not if you believe in intuition.
PLANNING
Pam and Tim decided against having a committee seeing unto the much time it would consume on discussions and deliberations. They instead settled on paying their suppliers from their savings, “we decided to share duties but also agreed whoever can pay as the months went along could pay. Tim ended paying for most of the wedding.” The two settled on an all-inclusive package at the same venue they had made their first contact simply for sentimental reasons and the efficiency of a one-stop shop.
The maids would wear blue, with a silver heel of comfortable length. Pam bought their accessories. To save on costs, Pam and Tim purchased the materials for the invites, came up with a simple, classy and personalized design then contracted someone to make them. “A month to the wedding, we contracted a Wedding Planner who took over the last minute programming and errands so we could rest and breath easy before finally walking down the aisle.
PROPOSAL
Tim flew the ring all the way to Dubai where Pam was working at the time. He went down on one knee and proposed outside her workplace on the 1st January of 2013. The wedding plans kicked off immediately.
Tim explains… In retrospect, Pam was almost giving up on meeting someone on that particular day; it was too weeks after her dream and we were both at a friend’s wedding. Towards the end of the day, we struck a conversation as we danced away to the rays of the sinking sun. That last dance marked the beginning of our two-year courtship.
TRADITIONS
Pam and Tim had three ceremonies as required by the Embu traditions, “He first brought his close friends to my parents home for the introduction, then we had the dowry payment –ruracio-later, just before the wedding date, his parents and kinsmen visited my parents.” pay as the months went along could pay.
CEREMONY With the date saved and the traditions cleared, Tim and Pam gathered upon two hundred guests drawn from close friends and family to witness their nuptials. Both ceremony and reception took place at the Oak Place gardens in Ridgeway where they had first met during a friend’s wedding. Their menu consisted of a variety of salads, fruity deserts and an array of local cuisine. Through out the day, Embu traditional dancers in their electric dance moves and drum beats kept the guests entertained.
HONEYMOON
The couple spent their honeymoon at the Serena Dar es Salaam for the first few days before visiting the exclusive Selous Game Reserve in the South of Tanzania. ‘We were put on presidential treatment’ says Pam. ‘The safari tours at the game reserve were breath taking and we stayed in a tent where hippos and other wild animals roamed. We also learnt that it’s the only game reserve of its kind that boasts of indigenous flora, fauna plus a wide range of endangered animals”
Ceremony and Reception: Oak Place
Photos: Paul Pichaz