Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Fab Brides! Have a wonderful day and try to take advantage of all of the sales tomorrow!

xoxo,

Ayana

Kleinfeld Sample Sale!

Let Them Eat Cake!

Hey Fab Brides!

One of my favorite things about going to a wedding is eating the cake. There was a time when guests never paid too much attention to the cake, but now it is often used as the focal point of the room. There are so many options for cakes today. You can have a traditional wedding cakes with sugar flowers or a much more modern cake with a variety of themes. Below are some of my favorite cake designs. If you're willing to take a chance, many bakeries will ship a cake to you. If that doesn't work for you, try finding  your favorite cake design online and take it to a bakery. A great place to find hundreds of cake designs is The Knot. I hope these fabulous cake designs inspire you. Happy planning!

  Continental Pastries - Battle Creek, MI

  The Cake Girls - Chicago, IL

  Chocolate Pi - Tampa, FL

  Trifles - Farmington Hills, MI

Colette's Cakes - New York, NY

  Charm City Cakes - Baltimore, MD

xoxo,

Ayana

Fabulous Natural Wedding Hairstyles

Hey fab brides! I know many of you have natural hair and are wondering what styles will work best for you on your wedding day. I told you I would introduce you to hairstylists around the country with fab ideas for your wedding day. 

 Danisha Thomas is a talented DC native raised in Maryland. After a brief stint in Corporate America, Danisha decided to pursue her dream of self employment, promoting a positive self image and healthy living by helping people transition to and maintain natural hair styles. Formally, she's practiced her craft at Knotty Naturals Hair Salon (DC), and Skinology/Artistic Expressions (Camp Springs, MD). She hopes to have her own salon within a few years and she will incorporate another passion of hers, helping people take amazing care of themselves using natural products.

Danisha holds a Master's in Business Administration from Florida A&M University. Her hobbies include international travel, Spanish language, and Salsa Dance.

1. What are your favorite hair care products and why?

 I use Warm Spirit Anahita Hair Oil, Warm Spirit Anahita Hair Butter, and Fantasia Aloe Vera Gel. Warm Spirit products are all natural and based in shea butter and pure essential oils but although the ingredients are spa quality, you can get them for affordable pricing from your Warm Spirit independent consultant. If you don't have one, call me and I'll get you the products. Fantasia is committed to products that don't have harsh alcohols so the Aloe Vera Gel provides a good hold without the crispy feel.

2. What advice would you give to brides to be in the process of going natural?

Plan well! If you are in transition, you should look into extension styles, a rod set, or adding a piece so you feel fabulous and glamorous on your special day. Do a test run (or two) a few months in advance so you know what to expect. If you are committed to being 100% natural on your special day, get rid of your permed ends with a healthy chop ASAP! Then get regular hot oil treatments and deep conditioning treatments to promote healthy hair/scalp/and growth prior to your wedding. And still very important, work with a natural stylist that will help you with a test run prior to the big day.

3. What tips would you give to a bride attempting to do her own hair on her wedding day?

There are several books available that can help you learn how to style your hair. Try Pamela Ferrell's Where Beauty Touches Me. Also, start collecting black hair magazines and searching out the natural do's that are included in the special inserts. My advice is work with someone however, especially if you are new to natural hair. It will free up mental energy for other things you have to plan!

4. What are you favorite wedding day hairstyles?

I love soft curls piled high and spilling down. Create this style with 2 strand twists set on large rods. Create a pin up with bobbi or hair pins and leave some tendrils to frame the face. If your hair is not long enough for this look, you can always add natural looking extensions to create the twists and then pin it up. For short hair, a face framing tiny weeny afro is very pretty after adding a flower by the ear. Setting lotion or gel will bring out the natural curl and define it a little better for a ringlet look depending on your hair texture.

Here are a few pictures of Danisha's work. If you would like to see more or contact her, please visit her MySpace Page, (www.myspace.com/danishanicole), or give her a call, 240-354-7129.

 

xoxo,

Ayana

Hey Fab Brides!

An average wedding cost $28,000 and with the economy is shambles, one might wonder how to spend her wedding budget. No worries brides, I've found the perfect budget tool in an unsuspected place. The Ritz Carlton has a wonderful tool on their web site that will allow you to enter your number of guests, budget, and all the things you want to include in your wedding.

Here's an example of a wedding for 100 guest with a budget of $50,000. 

Breakdown per Category Breakdown per item in Category Ceremony $500  Site Fee    Officiant Fee $250  Ceremony Accessories $250   Reception $24,000  Site Fee $3,958  Food & Beverage (including wedding cake) $20,042   Fashion & Beauty $5,000  Gown & Alterations $3,030  Headpiece & Veil $505  Bride's Accessories $505  Hair & Makeup $252  Pre-Wedding Pampering $252  Groom's Attire $302  Groom's Accessories $152   Flowers $3,500  Bride's Bouquet $328  Bridesmaid Bouquets $438  Groom & Groomsmen Boutonnieres $88  Flower Girl's Flowers $65  Additional Boutonnieres & Corsages $220  Reception Centerpieces $1,750  Ceremony Flowers $612   Entertainment $3,500  Ceremony Music $438  Cocktail Music $438  Reception Music $2,625   Photography & Videography $5,000  Photography $2,708  Videography $2,292   Stationery $1,000  Invitations $833  Other (thank you notes) $167   Rings $1,000  Her Ring $500  His Ring $500   Transportation & Room Accommodations $750  Bride/Groom Guestroom accommodations $250  Valet Parking $500  Limousine Rental   Gifts $1,500  Favors $750  Attendants' Gifts $750   Miscellaneous $1,500  Wedding Coordinator $1,500   Gratuities $1,000 $1,000   Unallocated funds $1,750 $1,750   SUBTOTAL $50,000 $50,000 You don't have to have your wedding at the RItz, but use their free service! Happy Planning. xoxo, Ayana

Fabulous Menu Ideas

As the holidays approach and food on my mind, I thought I would write about fab menu ideas. I've been to more than a few weddings with totally different themes, but pretty much the same menu. Fab brides, let's expand our palates and consider a menu of your favorite foods with a twist.

Try exploring these new ideas for the cocktail hour.

1. Mini macaroni and cheese bites

2. Gumbo shots (gumbo in a shot glass)

3. Coconut crusted shrimp with a mango sauce

4. Sweet potato fritters

5. Pulled pork on polenta crisp

And for your entree here are a few new options.

1. Mustard pepper salmon with red wine sauce

2. Chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and basil with a burgundy sauce

3. Garlic honey mustard short ribs

Try finding a caterer that is willing to create a new menu for you. If you are unsure of what caterer to choose in your hometown, please contact me for ideas. 

Your guest will appreciate eating familiar foods with a new flavor!

All menu ideas are courtesy of Real Food Catering located in NYC.

xoxo,

Ayana