Its All About Location

Location is a very major factor in wedding planning. Where are we having the ceremony? Who will host the reception? Do we want the wedding outside or indoors? Do we want the ceremony and reception to be held at the same venue? There are so many questions surrounding the setting of a wedding. Even though it seems like common knowledge, a lot of couples disregard how significant the role of a wedding’s theme is on the venue choice.

Our wedding was very untraditional. To start off it was a same sex wedding so that kind of ruled out a church ceremony.  The wedding was in Baltimore in the middle of March so the weather was way too unpredictable to have an outdoor wedding. Oh yeah, did I mention that we were paying for everything ourselves? Yup! So our budget was extremely tight. With all of these fun facts in mind, picking a location for our special day was extremely difficult.

Venues that held same sex marriages in Baltimore were limited. Since March is considered off peak season, there were many discounts for our intended nuptial date. The greatest issue for us wasn’t the ceremony but rather the food for the reception. Some places are just event halls. They often have a suggested list of caterers that can either be too expensive or not necessarily you preferred style of cuisine. Some may have a fee to use an outside caterer. With food being so important to my fiancé I made that my main focus in picking our wedding venue.

Throughout our 2 years of dating we enjoyed many Sunday brunches at this very artsy, eclectic restaurant in Inner Harbor called Teavolve Café. One Sunday afternoon between indulging in their signature red velvet pancakes and toasting with their home made sangria; we got the crazy idea to have our gala there. Luckily for us the Event Coordinator for Teavolve, Nicole Nichelson,  made the planning process such a very smooth experience. Our ceremony and reception came to life at one of our favorite restaurants and I couldn’t have been happier with our decision. It didn't hurt that the restaurant is black owned also.

The Newlyweds & Teavolve Cafe's Owner

 

The Newlyweds & Teavolve Cafe's Event Coordinator

 

 

We came in within budget since there was no extra fees for catering. Since we rented out the entire restaurant, we only had to fulfill a purchase minimum for drinks and beverage that was more than reasonable.  Their décor was so artistic and beautiful already that we really didn’t need too many decorations. Our main décor expense was for the ceremony and that really wasn’t too much. Since the restaurant was located in the heart of Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor; the scenery surrounding the venue was amazing for photography. I couldn’t believe how amazing everything turned out. I guess it’s true; It Is All About Location!

Photo Shoot in Teavolve's surrounding neighborhood.

 

 Photography by Kelli Williams Photography (kelliwilliams07@gmail.com)
Venue Location: Teavolve Café, 1401 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21201

Getting Fit vs Fitting In

             

 
 
 
                    So many brides struggle with weight gain in during their engagements. Some engagements last a few months and others may go on for years. The longer the engagement; the greater chances for your body and weight to change.  Have you ever looked at photos of yourself from a year ago and wondered what have I been eating or doing in the last 12 months that have me in this current size situation?  Whether it is bigger or smaller there are ways to handle wedding weight change. In my case there was a lot to consider in my journey to getting healthy.

               After my mother passed in April 2012, I purchased my wedding gown a few months later. While I mourned losing my best friend, I gained over 50 lbs. 1 year later I was a whopping size 20. Let’s just say that my dream dress was becoming just a dream. I decided that I will marry my future wife in the dress I fell in love with and had fantasized about for the last 12 months. My dress was a slim bridal size 18 which in the real world is a 16. I tried on my dream dress again and I couldn’t even zip it up. Something had to be done. So that’s where my journey began.

 I joined a local gym strictly dedicated to and facilitated by women that offered personal training and fun classes that I enjoy in November 2013. I took pole-dancing classes at this really cute studio in Baltimore called Xpose Fitness which really made me appreciate the work that strippers do. I’m just saying, it is not as easy as it looks. I changed my diet to no fried foods and more portioned meals. I explored different food options which became more of an experience than a challenge.  I began to love it.

               I encouraged my bridal party to join in the fun to provide a better support system within my wedding team. It worked out great! I truly began to love the new me. As time grew closer to the big day, I searched for healthy natural ways to boost my immune system and get all of my vitamins. I researched juicing as an option. That Christmas I asked for a juicer. My fiancé got me a Brevelle Juicer and let me just say that I loved it. I completed a 5 day juice fast that helped me shed 10 lbs and opened my body up to a better eating and active lifestyle.

I never knew how beautiful life could be when you take the time to nourish and love yourself.  Needless to say I lost weight and toned my body to the point that I fit into my dress that I had purchased almost 2 years prior, perfectly. My seamstress that altered my dress was even in shock. She was surprised that I lost the amount of weight that I did. The knowledge that I gained through this journey is something that I value deeply. I learned that it’s not about fitting in your dress but rather getting fit for yourself.  

 

 

Say Yes To The Dress: Brooklyn Style

   

        So, picking your wedding dress is one of the most excitingly nauseating experiences you will ever encounter. My dress shopping experience was extremely unconventional. Before I get into it there is a little backstory so you will be abreast with my circumstances. My mother passed away a few weeks after my engagement which definitely changed a lot things within my family and this wedding process. Everything was really and truly solely on me to decide. Now that that is cleared up, onto the story.

          I had gone to David's Bridal during that summer with my future mother in law to have the mother- daughter dress buying experience but unfortunately it didn't really work out the way I saw it in my mind. I found a dress that I almost bought but something strong in my spirit held me back. I decided that instead of pushing for tradition, I will let things happen on their own. I received an email from Brides Against Breast Cancer, an organization that collects donated gently-used wedding gowns; sells them for reasonable prices; and donates the majority of the proceeds to breast cancer research, about a gown sale event coming to Baltimore that weekend. I decided to check it out. I invited my sister Desiree to come along for the ride. It didn't hurt that I trust her judgment either.

        

 Anyway, we went in with a $600 budget in mind. We pulled about 6 dresses in my size and price range.  I tried the first 3 on and just as quick as I got in them, I jumped right back out. All dresses that are plus size don't actually fit every plus size woman. Different curves=Different problems. On to dress #4! I tried it on and I was in total shock. It was the same exact dress from David's Bridal that I tried on a few months before. It was the same color, price and actually altered to my exact height already. I thought, "This must be a sign." Desiree said, "Its beautiful but I don't think it's you." I agreed. Next!

             The next dress was so  simple. It was a white satin ball-gown with a sweet heart neckline. I looked at myself for about 5 minutes in the mirror wondering what about this dress screams ME? I adjusted it and wiped down my sides to find a pleasant surprise, pockets! I was sold. it was amazing. That simple addition made this dress a gem. I got out of the dress slowly. I strategically placed each hook on the hanger so that the dress was contained. Before I handed it off to my lovely stylist for the day, I noticed the brand name of my dream dress. It was from Jasmine Bridal (my real name is Jasmine by the way). That was undeniably a sign! No, it was Fate!  

 

 

 

 

Put A Ring On It: The Engagement

 

Single Ladies: Put A Ring On It!

 

         The Engagement is where it all begins. Its smack dab between exclusive dating and saying you "I DOs". For me, it was spectacular because I was the proposer.  I had everything very well planned out with the help of family and friends. She didn't even see it coming! Some may argue that it was cliché but it was romantic and sometimes that's all that really matters.

 

     On February 13, 2012, I entered the Black Love Open Mic at Johns Hopkins University. It was a packed house. When they called my name I quickly got up. My line sister was taping my performance from one angle and my unsuspecting girlfriend taped footage from the front row. I opened my mouth and began to sing. Halfway through my piece the mood changed.

I grabbed the microphone off of it's stand and began walking toward my love. Her face instantly changed from excitement to confusion. It amused me. I stepped closer and closer rhythmically.  I dug in my pocket to reveal a small black box that held every bit of my future within it. I handed it to her while I continued spitting my poetry. She sat in shock. She opened her gift slowly. A river of tears flowed down her right cheek as she placed the ebony band around her left ring finger.

She looked up at me filled with emotion. I gazed at her lovingly. We embraced each other with a long, warm hug as the audience applauded. It was beautiful. I won second place in the open mic but I got something much more valuable that night; her love.

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