Have a stress-free wedding dress shopping experience by sticking to these ten golden rules…

1.Do your Research

If you walk into a boutique with no idea what wedding dress style, material or shape you’re looking for, you’re likely to feel overwhelmed by the sea of taffeta and lace. Do some bridal gown research before you go shopping and you’ll get more out of the appointment, as the staff will know where to start.

2.Budget

Wouldn’t it be tragic to try on and fall in love with a gown only to find out that it is way too pricy? Ensure that you have a budget and share it with the bridal shop attendants so as to save you from frustration and save time.

3. Shopping Party

Every bridal shop wants to give you the best service possible and that can be difficult when there’s one too many opinions flying around the room. Most boutiques are intimate places with limited space and staff, so stick to a few close companions to lessen the stress and have a peaceful shopping experience.

4. Contingency Funds

Be sure to have contingency funds in the event alterations will be needed. The prices vary with the amount of work that needs to be done, the decorative detail, the material used and the design of the gown. Be prepared to spend a little extra as the bridal boutiques don’t incur the costs on alterations

5. Curb the Greed

Trying on a bridal gown is far more time consuming and exhausting compared to trying on your average dress, so whittle your selection down to a few favorite pieces and have ample time to enjoy the process in choosing your dream wedding dress.

6. Payments

Most boutiques will not offer a refund if you change your mind, so don’t commit to a dress unless you are sure it is ‘The One’. Look around other bridal shops so as to have options on prices and dresses as well. However, if you are shopping when a sale is on, there will be pressure to buy on the spot, so it’s best to do your research first and have a particular style in mind.

7. Weight Issues

Let the shop attendants know if you are working towards losing a significant amount of weight before the big day or if you are to get married during your third trimester, so they can put off alterations until the last minute. Ensure that there are no surprises on your big day when there will be no time for fixes.

8. Undergarments

Wear underwear that is true to your natural shape. Padded bras and panties can easily alter your measurements that in turn may result in an ill-fitting gown. Avoid wearing heavily padded bras and basics to a fitting, unless you plan on wearing them on the wedding day.

9. Makeup Tips

Makeup can be messy, especially because it is likely to smudge. While you obviously want to feel glamorous when you’re trying on bridal gowns, steer clear of caked-on foundation that comes off easily which could cost you if smudged on a crisp white wedding gown.

10. Appointments

Lots of places operate with a booking system to ease the pressure and provide exceptional service, so be sure to call ahead to facilitate comfort for your most important shopping affair.

African fabrics are rich in colour and design. This is something that gets featured more than anything else. Most of the outfits are mainly ceremonial. As you have seen with African Heritage Design Company style of clothing.

Pan African Brides from Nigeria (seated) wearing ‘Okene’ weave by Nigerian women. She shows off a jacket with matching skirt, and head tie. Malachite and cast brass mask necklace by African Heritage. The Dramatic headdress is from the Cameroon.
Adapted from the Ceremonial Beaded Elephant Masks of the Cameroon. This Bride (standng) displays and elaborately beaded panel atop a flowing gown. The feather headdress is ceremonial, also from Cameroon.

Malagassy Silk  Flowing dress with Raw silk Malagassy silk front. Elegant Silk Coat with leather “alo alo” applique at back. Multi strand necklace and matching earrings by African Heritage. Her hat adapted form Nubian Basketry from Uganda and Sudan.

Ghanaian Royalty
This bare back Kaftan is trimmed with Royal Kente. African Heritage jewelry adorns the bride and is made
from assorted Pan African Beads. The earring are “Fulani gold” worn traditionally by nomadic Fulani people.
Photo: David

Contemporary Adornment
Inspired by the traditional colorful beaded jewelry for the Maasai and other northern communities. African Heritage presents this fresh collection of accessories using white beds.Shown is an elabolrate headress and single line bangles Bridal Elegance.This outfit features a fabulous beaded shawl and headdress from assorted white beads accessories with bangles to match.

The model shows of a special “8 panel” Khanga gown originally designed by Jane Owinga Shabaan. This has been recreated and features gold printed designs at the bottom and is embellished with gold sequins around the neckline slits. The flowing outfit
made using 8 pieces of white Khanga is completed with a white matching head wrap
Photo: David Beatty

Ceremonial Guardian
The Sentry wears a traditional Luo (Kenya) monkey skin outfit complete with fly whisk and warthog teeth headdress.

Majestic Ethiopian
This Bride wear an elegant “Shema” Cloth trimmed cotton outfit with train. Gold jewelry from African Heritage Collection.

More Royalty
A 3 piece outfit with sequined corset, off shoulder ruffle and Kente skirt. Matching porcupine earrings.
Photo: David Beatty

Kenyan Princess
Rose is escorted, on the opposite page, by 2 Maasai warriors wearing white skirts in place of the traditional leather. She adorns an elegant flowing beaded dress over a silk mid rib by African Heritage. This outfit expresses the abundance of wealth in Kenyan bead-work which is done by women.

Ethnic Beauty
This outfit is adapted from Kenya’s Kikuyu Traditional dress code. This is an off shoulder variation decorated with shells and bead-work. The Multi colored “hanging” are held by a shell decorated head band. Costume is completed with Sandals with cowhide straps.

Fresh Contemporary Flare
The bride wears a sleek raw silk blouse with flared sleeves over a flowing skirt with Apron concept at front. She adorns a spectacular African Heritage “boat neck” back and front necklace, made from hammered Aluminum elements, with matching earrings and incised cuff. The Groom is clad in a National Dress inspired Jacket (3 slit Collar) made also from Raw silk and hat and trimmed with grey to match trousers. Beaded Rubber sandals to complete his costume. Other photo: Groom is adorned in a regal Aluminum Cloak to match brides.
Photo: David Beatty

Beaded Satin, Rust and Ivory
Sleeveless Dress with matching bead-work. Traditional neck piece from Kenya’s Rendille/ Samburu community. Incised Aluminum Armbands and bangles and a classical beaded headdress. The Meru Gourd is finished in a stylish, geometric silver finish.
Photo: David Beatty

Now that US president Barack Obama is in Kenya, there is an instant air of pride and utter excitement in Kenya’s countrymen and women. Since we are all about the -weak in the knees- kind of love stories, weddings and everything blissful, we will certainly not bore you with political talk. I bet many of you would like to know the love story between the leader of the free world and his stunning wife; Michelle Obama.

The couple first met when 25 year old  Michelle Robinson was working at a law  firm as an adviser to 27 year old Barack  Obama, who was at the time a summer  associate from Harvard Law. Her first  impression of him was not so pleasant, but after  spending a lot of time together, an interest brewed for Obama, who even after his advances were rebuffed several  times, his persistence scored him a first date with Michelle. “I asked her out. She refused. I kept asking. She kept refusing.”I’m your adviser,” she said. “It’s not appropriate.” Finally, I offered to quit my job, and at last she relented.” President Barack Obama is quoted as saying in an O magazine interview.

They visited the Art Institute of Chicago, had lunch at the museums courtyard, took a long walk down Michigan Avenue to a movie theater where they watched a drama flick; Do the Right Thing and later went for some ice cream.

“On our first date, I treated her to the finest ice cream Baskin-Robbins had to offer, our dinner table doubling as the curb,” Barack Obama said in a 2007 O Magazine feature. “I kissed her, and it tasted like chocolate.”After their date, it was clear that they were seemingly head over heels for each other. “We clicked right away…by the end of the date, it was over…I was sold,” Michelle has been quoted saying. To commemorate their special moment, a plaque lies at the very same spot they shared their first kiss.

Michelle and Barack tied the knot on October 3, 1992. “Barack didn’t pledge riches, only a life that would be interesting. On that promise he delivered.” Michelle has said. President Barack Obama’s beautiful wife walked down the aisle in a stunning off shoulder, sweetheart neckline satin gown paired with a princess length veil and opera gloves.

“Sometimes, when we’re lying together, I look at her and I feel dizzy with the realization that here is another distinct person from me, who has memories, origins, thoughts, feelings that are different from my own. That tension between familiarity and mystery meshes something strong between us. Even if one builds a life together based on trust, attentiveness and mutual support, I think that it’s important that a partner continues to surprise.” President Barack Obama on his love for Michelle (Ian Kerner, Ph.D. “5 Love Lessons We Can Learn From the Obamas)

Credits:

Huffington Post

NBC Chicago

www.Instyle.com

Here is a suggested list of things to do just before your wedding So you don’t lose your cool on your wedding day here is the things you must do the day before.it is one more day to wedded bliss!

The hours leading up to your wedding should be totally serene and they will be, if you take care of these five things the day before

1.Lay out your getting ready clothes.

Since you will be likely photographed from the moment you wake up by your mom, your maids and eventually your photographer you probably wont want to throw on an old t-shirt with baggy gym shorts. Put some thought into your out fit. If you didn’t buy an official getting ready robe, opt for a dress you can step in and out of or a top that buttons or zips, so you didn’t have to drag your shirt or dress over finished hair and make up

2.Round up your day of essentials in a clutch

You wont need much on your wedded day, but its smart to fill a clutch with some just in case items a mini deodorant, gum, tissue and a list of your vendors phone numbers. If you plan to switch to flip-flops during the reception, toss those in there as well.

3.Pack all your accessories in one bag

Have everything in one place so you’re not scrambling to find an earring or a hairpin the morning of. This includes your day of clutch, jewelry, shoes, undergarments and hair accessories. Leave your accessories bag next to your wedding dress.

4.Hand over your cell phone to your MoH

Let your MoH screen your calls. She can field questions from relatives to the colleague who wants to know what time the wedding starts. If there are vendors calls that don’t know where the table numbers are the DJ wants to talk to someone at the reception site. Ask your wedding planner or MoH to deal with them, assuming she’s nearby.

5.Write a love note to your groom

I suggest you give the best man a note to slip to your grooms right before the ceremony. The note can either be sexy or sweet (“I cant wait to be your wife”), but either way it will get your guy even more excited to meet you at the end of the isle.