Bridal Showers

Hello people,
How is everyone? We are fine and all is well, thank God. We will open our mailbox and anwser your questions this week. Thank you for all your comments and compliments. We foung this article on showers.........enjoy

Molara and Gbemi









Bridal Shower Themes

The job of planning a shower for the Bride-to-Be falls on the maid of honor. But it is just as common for all the bridesmaids to pitch in. Legend has it the first shower was thrown for a couple deeply in love, but lacking the money to marry. Their friends and family got together and "showered" the couple with gifts to help them start their new life together.

Today, the tradition lives, but it's more of an opportunity for the bride to gather with her girlfriends one last time before her big day! Although not necessary, a theme for the bridal shower can help bring a focus to the festivities. Once the shower theme is decided, all the details can come into place and the fun can begin! Bridal shower themes can be anything from a single color to an exotic locale, or the bride's favorite pastime.

A popular bridal shower theme is "Pampering the Bride".

The ladies get together and shower the bride with gifts meant to help her relax and unwind before the biggest day of her life. When planning a pampering shower, the invitation should instruct the guests to bring items suited to the purpose, such as bath products, gift certificates to a spa or salon, and yoga lessons.

One idea is to have the shower at a spa or salon. There are plenty of places that specialize in hosting showers. What is more enjoyable than to spend a day at a spa with a group of your best girls?

Themes can also be practical, catered to fulfill the bride's or the couple's needs. For instance, a honeymoon shower will focus the topic of discussion on the honeymoon destination. Gifts can include helpful items like maps, travel books, or luggage. Food, wedding decorations, bridal shower favors and music can also be used to incorporate the theme of a honeymoon destination.

The ideas are limitless, so use your imagination and make the occasion meaningful as well as unforgettable!

Popular Bridal Shower Themes. . .Room of the HouseEach guest is "assigned" a room of the house and brings a gift to be used in that room.

Lingerie

Guests bring their favorite lingerie for the bride!

Around the Clock

Each guest is assigned a "time," such as breakfast time or bath time. Their gifts should reflect this time.

Ethnic Theme

Using the bride's heritage, plan a shower with her favorite ethnic foods! For example, serve fresh fruit, isi ewu, and palm-wine an eastern area themed wedding shower. The decorations and favors should also have an ethnic flair.

Christmas Ornament

Guests are instructed to bring a ornament for the couple's first Christmas tree.

Garden Party

Host a shower in a garden setting and decorate the tables with beautiful flowers. Ask guests to bring gifts that the bride in use in her garden.

Stock the Bar

If you're throwing a couple wedding shower, a popular theme is stock the pantry. Guests bring gifts to help the couple stock their bar.

Month of the Year

Each guest is assigned a month of the year. This allows the bride to receive seasonal gifts that she can enjoy throughout the year.

Favorite Memories

Each guest brings a gift that represents a favorite past time spent with the bride.

Pajamas Theme

Have guests arrive in the evening dressed in their PJ's. The evening is filled with manicures, pedicures, facials and massages, and lots of girl talk!

Stock the Pantry

Have each guest write their favorite recipe on a recipe card and bring the card along with all non-perishable ingredients for the recipe in a box or gift basket.

Major Molara & Gbemi Rant:

Like the above article says a sister, besto, maid of honour/chief bridesmaid is the one to plan a shower. In some cases the wedding planner with special instructions from the above. Here comes our rant on bridal showers:

Showers are not meant to be male bashing, in-law bashing parties. Keep your sad stories to yourself or save your story for when you are alone with the bride.

If you are invited to a shower DO NOT invite other guests – most times showers are intimate. If you are required to invite other guests you will be told.

If you cannot afford to host a shower do not volunteer – it is extremely TACKY to go round collecting money from friends of the bride you don’t know. Gather a few common friends that you KNOW and raise funds.

Be mature – what happens at bridal showers SHOULD stay at bridal showers

It's almost Friday

Hello people,
How are you all doing? Thank you for your emails and phone calls. We will like to thank you for your pictures as well, we will post most pictures but if we have not posted yours yet it is because we are recieving a lot and we have to go in order, unless......... :)
We are still searching for the hottest wedding, if you think its yours, your sisters, brothers, friends etc - send in your pictures. Have a lovely week.

Gbemi and Molaraxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Question of the week

You have been a size 14 most of your life, why do you want to be a size 6 for your wedding. Why do most brides want to 'over-slim' down for thier wedding vs being fit (toned)

Vendor of the Week

Our vendor of the week is Ayoteju of BCG Event Decor, read her interview below and see some of her works as well.
What is BCG Creations?

BCG Event Decor is a one of a kind event decor company, that specializes in creating event designs for the client who wants more than just an event,; who wants an experience, an experience made in HEAVEN.

Who is Ayoteju?

Ayoteju, is a Child of God, who is passionate about the gift He has given her; which is to display His Glory through the works of her hands.

What is your vision for bridal decoration in the years to come?

The vision for "Event Decor" ( I don't want to limit BCG Event Decor to just weddings), is to create one of a kind experiences. People should remember your event for a lifetime, not just for the food or the band, but the entire package, especially the ambiance. It should evoke an emotion and that is what BCG Event Decor looks to deliver.

Where are you located?

I am located in Maryland, USA or the Greater Washington DC area if you would prefer. However my goal is to expand beyond MD and the United States, soon enough, I want BCG Event Decor to be an International company.

What are your prices like?

As far as pricing goes, I would say they are commesurate with the quality of my work. I believe that my business is a product, and for the discriminating client, they would appreciate the quality of my product as it relates to pricing. Like I have said, this to me is a GIFT from God. And with that comes an extra ordinary passion that fuels me to always give it my all and best. No one event should ever be the same; that is my motto and obviously my goal. We are all created, uniquely and wonderfully and your event should reflect YOU.




Proposal of the Week

Oma & Jojo

How we got engaged

Oma:

Like every girl, I had imagined how I wanted to be proposed to, not taking into consideration that it is the guy's call. My imagination became wishful thinking in December 2005.
Three nights to Christmas of 2005, I had gotten into a big fight with Jojo and as far as we were concerned, we had broken up. Somehow, on the 24th, we got chatting online trying to resolve our differences and he ended up taking me to dinner. The following day (Christmas day), he picked me up from my place and we went to church together. After church, I went over to his place where his family was gathered for christmas. After a while, I noticed he wasn't downstairs so I went in search of him. I found him in his room lying on his bed in a meditative mood. I was wondering what was wrong with him then he asked me to pass a bag to him. I did, he brought out a box and handed it over to me saying "here's your christmas gift". I took it expecting it to be an earring and when I opened the box, it was a ring! I waited a while for him to say something but he didn't. I gave him the ring and asked what this was meant to be and his response was "THE RING SAYS IT ALL". Wow! There was NO will you marry me? There went my "imaginary ideal proposal". We told our parents about the ring and said there would be no wedding until after my MBA. Little did I know there was more to come.
On 17 February 2007, Jojo called to find out when I was gonna be done with classes on Monday Feb. 19th. I told him noon and was wondering what errand he wanted me to run. Then he said, be ready at 6.30pm the dress code is business casual. I then assumed that we were going out with his colleagues. You know, something official.
When we got to the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch on 19 February 2007, I realized that he had booked a table for 2 at their restaurant. He started off with a toast to his future wife, many more years together, love --------. That was not the norm but I still did not suspect anything. Whilst having our dinner, the waitress brought two tickets for a gondola ride and I remembered Jojo asking her if the show would be on since it had begun raining. I still had no clue of Jojo's intentions and thought it was one of his usual treats.
After dinner, it was raining heavily so we couldn't go on our ride. Jojo excused himself and asked me to sit in the lounge. When he got back he sat down. I was wondering if we were waiting for the rain to stop or what? Then he started talking incoherently which is NOT Jojo, because my man is a smooth talker. He said "I know I am rambling, this is not perfect because if it were perfect it wouldn't be raining now, When people ask for a ladies hand in marriage they give them a ring, but I have something other than a ring to give you". And then he brought out a diamond bracelet and wore it round my wrist. I was so confused that all I could say was thank you over and over again and ---(see me for more details, ha ha).
I always dreamt of being proposed to on a ship cruise. I came close to being proposed on a boat rather than a ship but the rain prevented it. By the way, I never shared my dream proposal with Jojo nor with anyone that could have mentioned it to him.
A word of advice to everyone, please don't stop dreaming because I can testify that dreams do come true. We are who we think of ourselves. So think good thoughts towards you and have high aspirations. God Bless.

Jojo:

My darling Oma is a romantic, while I am your typical Nigerian man, simple and short. Left to me I would have had her go with me to pick out the ring, but knowing her I wanted to do it right. So I had planned dinner at the Hyatt and we were suppposed to go on a Gondola ride where they would sing in italian to us and I was going to propose then. But that was not to be. It was raining cats and dogs, so my carefully planned proposal was being destroyed. Being the creative person Oma has made me, I improvised. I grabbed some chairs in the lounge, and yes I did ramble a litte, then I asked the most important question of my life "Will you marry me?" I dont remember her saying yes, but I guess she did since we are planning on geting married on the 22nd of December. I guess it's all good.

The Wedding Planners are here

Hello Everyone,

How are you guys doing? We are fine preparing for a busy next month, we would like to thank you for all your comments and emails (and in some cases pictures). Nneka - we are still laughing out loud from your comment about the snake skin wedding gown. That will be crazy but if there is one out there we will like to see :)
Most of the emails we receive are about wedding planners, who we are, how much we charge etc. This post will attempt to cover all those questions, if we don't please keep asking.

Take Care
Gbemi and Molara

Who is a Wedding Planner?

A Wedding Planner is known as a wedding consultant, event planner, event or wedding co-ordinator etc If you've ever been a bride, a groom, or even a bridesmaid, you also know the kind of stress involved with planning a wedding. A wedding planner must be able to remain calm in the face of adversity. He/She must be personable,and be a good negotiator. He/She is the mouthpiece for the bride and groom when it comes to hiring vendors and negotiating etc.

The Wedding Planner will be able to get you the best service for the lowest price (your budget). She must also be very well organized. A wedding planner will have a good fashion sense. He or she will know about colour, music, and flowers etc. A good knowledge of religions is also imperative, since a wedding ceremony is often a religious one. Related to this, is a knowledge of customs and traditions, which are also part of many wedding ceremonies.

How to hire a Wedding planner?

1. Must good planners nowadays have a website for information

2. A planner should be able to show you some of her work

3. A planner should be able to provide you with verifiable references

4. When you speak to a planner once you don't connect, keep walking! You must be able to trust

and be comfortable with you planner.

Meet the planners

As of now we have 3 planners below, we are expecting some more planners and their profiles soon.

Molara Akinosho of Just Weddings

Name of company:

Just Weddings (JW Events)

Website/Email Address:

http://jwevents.net/ (Official site)
Temporary site - Just Weddings

Countries you service:

Africa and beyond

Briefly tell us about your company:

JW Events is a Lagos based Event Design and Co-ordination company with a focus on chic weddings and special events. We are young, creative and passionate about style and creating beautiful, memorable events for our clients. We are that *wow* factor company!

What is your main speciality:

We believe each bride is different and so is each wedding. I would say event designing and planning for each bride.

5 Words to describe you:

Down to earth, creative, friendly, adventurous, fun loving

1 Advantage of your job:

You get to meet a lot of people, people you only read about or see on TV, next thing you are entering their house, room, having a close relationship with them

1 Disadvantage of your job:

There is no social life what so ever. It’s terrible!

Advise to brides to be about wedding planning / hiring a planner:

I would say employ an event planner, it is better for you, the ability to transfer all your stress and ideas of your wedding to someone else believe me it’s worth every penny of it. So you can focus on what is most important your marriage.

1 misconception about the wedding industry:

That we want to take all we can from every bride

1 misconception about you:

I don’t really know what people say I keep my focus on what God is saying or thinks

If you can change anything about the wedding planning industry what would it be:
I would want us to be more creative, and have more funds in the field so we can achieve more

Your favourite vendor to work with:

The MC I think we are the one that determine the mood of the party

Price range for day of events co-ordination and full wedding Planning:

It depends on how small or big your event is from 150 to a percentage of total budget

3 other planners you will recommend to other people and why:

Gbemi Adenekan (Omega Events) cause we think alike

Jibola Ponnle (Stencil Events) cause she is creative

Ibidun Ighodalo (Elizabeth R) cause I like her approach

Funke Obruthe (Zapphaire Events) cause I like her energy

Funke Obruthe of Zappahire Events

Name of company:

Zapphaire Events

Website/Email Address:

http://www.zapphaire.com/

Countries you service:

All countries

Briefly tell us about your company:
Zapphaire Events is an events planning, consulting and coordination Company. We plan all kinds of events from weddings, corporate events, social parties etc.we also provide ushers etc, advice you.

What is your main speciality:

All areas but more of weddings.

5 Words to describe you:
I am a go getter, energetic

1 Advantage of your job:

Getting to help people

1 Disadvantage of your job:

Not having a social life!

Advice to brides to be about wedding planning / hiring a planner:

Hire one you can trust and that you are really comfortable with

1 misconception about the wedding industry:

1 misconception about you:

That zapphaire events is really expensive to hire

If you can change anything about the wedding planning industry what would it be:
People getting into it should know what they are doing

Your favourite vendor to work with:

Price range for day of events co-ordination and full wedding Planning:
From 150k to 1million

3 other planners you will recommend to other people and why:



Gbemisola Adenekan of Omega Events

Name of company:

Omega Events

Website/email address:

http://www.myomegaevents.com/

Countries you service:

Nigeria and England (would go else were on request)

Briefly tell us about your company:

We are a full service Event designing, consulting, and planning and Coordinating Company managing the most important events (yours). At Omega Events creating personalized affairs is what we do best; we believe each occasion large or small deserves the same personal attention to detail.

What is your main speciality?

Every and anything related to wedding (focusing on budget monitoring)

5 Words to describe you:

Detailed, creative, calm, fun and very hands on.

1 Advantage of your job:

Meeting lots of different people and making new friends/acquaintances.

1 Disadvantage of your job:

It can be a bit physical

Advise to brides to be about wedding planning / hiring a planner:

If you do decide to hire a planner (which you should) interview her, ask lots of questions, ask for referrals and most of all if you don’t click don’t force it. You need to be comfortable with your planner to trust her with your wedding.

1 misconception about the wedding industry:

That anyone can plan a wedding, that Nigerian planners cannot match planners abroad.

1 misconception about you:

That Omega Events is expensive

If you can change anything about the wedding planning industry what would it be?

Have a regulating body to protect clients/planners from people who wake up one morning and call themselves wedding planners with no clue.

Your favourite vendor to work with:

The photographer

Price range for day of Events Co-ordination and Full Wedding Planning:

Depending on size, location, etc 75k and above.

3 other planners you will recommend to other people and why:

Molara Akinosho (Just Weddings) - apart from the love I have for her :), she is very creative.

Jibola Ponnle (Stencil Events) - We haven’t met yet but I know she is very professional and detailed.

Vivian Adeniyi (The Event House) - my very dear friend, very detailed, dedicated and she knows her stuff.

Question of the day

Why is it that people are willing to pay an MC - 400k or a musician 1mil but they feel a wedding planner is not worth much. Why are wedding planners not valued?

Rant of the day!!!!

When you get a business card of say a caterer for example and it reads:

Mrs Abc

Catering, decorations, wedding planning, drink, cocktails, MC, band etc

Why is it that people can not stick to one thing or like things?

This week

Hello Everyone,

Hope you are having a great week? Sorry about the slow week but we will catch up soon

Enjoyxxxxx
Gbemi & Molara


Question of the week

What is the one thing you feel is most important to you for your wedding, that you are willing to spend anything on and why?



We have seen some ugly cakes (excuse us!) but this.............................is just scary or what do you all think.

Thanks Ayoteju for the pictures, lolll

Vendor of the Week

Our vendor of the week is Ronke Nedd based in Ghana, specializes in bridal accessories (white wedding and traditional Engagement). Read her interview below.

Name of collection
Ronke Nedd Inc.

Website or contact details
Phone: +233 24 930 5477
Email: adronke@gmail.com

How long does the order process take?
A day to a week depends on the complexity.

Why jewellery making?
I will be the first to tell you I wasn't born with this but it was an interest I developed. I had a desire to do this and I went for it. I love stones, I just can't help it!

Do you have any formal training?
Well, I don't know if this passes for formal but I took a one day course to harness my skills but a lot of what I know comes from research I have done. I soak in a lot of information pretty quickly and that has come in extremely handy for me.

Do you train people interested in making jewellery?
Not yet. I hope to get there as there is still a lot of ground to cover.

How did you start?
From the very beginning! (Laughs)!

How has the market been for you?
Considering how new I am in this, I would dare say it has been pretty receptive although I am still working on my reach but I am grateful to God for what I have done so far!

What would you say the look is for Nov – Jan Brides?
Do not be scared to accessorize, lots of colours as well but do it right

What is your price range?
It really depends on the type of stones used but my pieces are chic and affordable.

What stones are expensive – which ones are not?
I believe every stone is a classic as they all have stories behind them and I treat them all as such but there are four stones whose reputation precede them and they are Diamonds, Emeralds, Sapphire and Ruby.

3 words to describe your pieces:
Chic, Versatile, Swank

3 words to describe you:
Intrepid, Multifaceted and Adventurous!

Something people should know about your collection
All clasps are made out of 96% gold.

View some of her work: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcMmjVq2atG93&notag=1

Wedding of the Week

Ataome & Olatunji

Ataome & Olatunji
Church Venue – Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Reception Venue – Four Seasons Hotel
Location – Atlanta , Georgia


What was your favorite part of the wedding?

To be honest, the favorite part of our wedding was seeing all our planning and hard work come to fruition. The ceremony and reception turned out just the way we wanted and we couldn’t be more blessed. We had such a blast and having all our friends and family there to celebrate with us and seeing everyone having such a good time made us absolutely happy.

How was the planning process for you?

Two words – WORRY FREE. I pretty much did not stress over the little things and did not turn into a BRIDEZILLA (my bridesmaids can attest to that). I knew what I wanted, stuck to my decisions and set out to find the best possible bargains. Also, our families were great, especially our parents who pretty much let us take the reins without interference. Finally and most importantly, it was hella fun.

If you could change anything, what would it be?

Hmm! That’s a hard one because I think we are content with the way things turned out.

If you could add anything, what would it be?

My mom could not attend due to circumstances beyond our control and would have loved/killed to have her there you know.

Any advice for Brides-to-be?

You cannot pray enough, do not sweat the small stuff, learn when to let go, throw procrastination out the window, and do not ruin/neglect your role in your relationship because you are solely focused on the wedding day itself. A wedding is one day but a marriage union is a lifetime. And ladies, most importantly, do have fun planning your dream wedding.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

Congratulations!!!!!!

It is a baby girl for our colleague Funke Obruthe (Chief Executive of Zapphaire Events)and Hubby. God is faithful as always. Ku ise love, may this be the beginning of many more happy things in your life. God bless.

Get ready for this

http://www.rockyandkrystal.com/

click on engagement and u have to watch to the end

Hello Everyone,

How is everyone, trust you all are fine? Hope you had a nice weekend? We are fine, work, work, work. First week of “blogging” and it has been great!!!! First, we have to say a big thank you to everyone that has visited commented and recommended our site to someone and just so you know, we really appreciate it. We went through all the comments, you guys are amazing loll. The people who wear sunglasses, apollo or no it is still a no, no loll. O yes Lawunmi – we forgive you loll. People asked about the aso-oke buba, prices for the set starts from N35k. People have also asked if they can send in pictures, stories etc, yes you can. Thank you! You also complained about the cover picture, well we have changed it and we will keep changing till we get the one. Thank you so much again for everything. Hope you all have a great week! More posts during the week……………

N.B – Next week its all about the wedding planners so send in all your questions.


Lots of Love,
Gbemi and Molara

Busola & Kenny - Wedding of the week

What was your favorite part of the wedding?
The planning process, the excitement, the anticipation for the big day.

How was the planning process for you?
FUN!!!! I hired a wedding planner and so, the planning process wasn't too stressful, I had a good time planning it and above all, I made a lifelong friend during the process. It doesn't get any better than that :-)

If you could change anything what would it be?
Nothing, Absolutely nothing, I had my dream wedding :-)

If you could add anything what would it be?
An extra wedding day or maybe even two days. Make the Engagement a two day event and wedding day a two day event hehehehe lolllllll

Any advice for brides to be?
Seriously brides-to-be, the only advice I would give is that you should PRAY. There's nothing impossible for God to do. One of the major reasons why my wedding was perfect was because my wedding planner was there... She almost didn't make it to the wedding cos of personal reasons but I reported her to God and asked him to take control and to God be the glory, she bought her ticket a day before the wedding. To be honest, I told God all that I wanted for the wedding including finding the perfect dress to the flowers that will be used for the decoration, I prayed for everyone and everything that was going to be involved in the wedding, including those that would be sweeping the floors and arranging the chairs to the ministers and musicians, to the cow and ram that guests will eat. My wedding day was on environmental sanitation day and my mum was a bit worried that it'll be chaotic becos of traffic and all that but to God be the glory, Environmental Sanitation was cancelled that saturday :-) I know that every bride knows that they HAVE to get a wedding planner/co-ordinator. There's no "ifs or buts" about it, yes it's expensive but well worth it. If you can save for it, PLEASE DO IT, if you don't have the means, ask Baba God to provide, I know He will. By the time of your wedding, you will be pimple-free and stress-free. Your pictures will look flawless and you will enjoy your day.Also, brides-2-be, you have to know that the devil will try EVERYTHING possible to ruin your day, you can not allow that to affect you, don't stress over things you can't control. I ordered my shoes and bags from this lady in NY and at first, I didn't like the ones she sent cause the heels weren't high enough and so I returned them back and asked that she ordered new ones. Well, my shoes and bags were supposed to get to me the day I was leaving for Nigeria but guess what? It didn't make it, I got a call from the post office while on the plane to Nigeria that the plane that was supposed to bring my shoes got struck by lightning....LOLL, Can you beleive that? in the month of May? no rain no nothing. When I heard that I couldn't stop laughing, I just thought it was the funniest thing I have ever heard in my life. Well, I had to look for plan B, good enough, my sisters were coming the next day so I just figured, they'll pick it up from the post office and bring the shoes with them, well, Guess what? I have three sisters and my one sister that had the shoes and bags didn't make it on the plane............. but made it to Nigeria 3days before the wedding........ I have lots and lots of stories but I think you get the gist. In conclusion, my advice for brides to be is this: Get a wedding planner/co-ordinator and Pray, Pray, Pray.. Pray for your wedding planner/co-cordinator and everything and anything you'd need for the wedding(Don't be bashful, there's nothing too small or too big to pray about) sit back and enjoy your day/s.

Busola and Kenny
Wedding Venues: Unilag Multi-Purpose Halls A and C