Crystal Dream Wedding & Lifestyle Exposition 2014
We will be at the Centre of Excellence for the CRYSTAL DREAM WEDDING & LIFESTYLE EXPOSITION 2014 on Saturday 29th March and Sunday 30th March, 2014. The entire team at Caribbean Belle WEDDINGS will be there, so come by and say ‘hi’ to Al, Christine, Stella and Ron.
We look forward to see you there!
- Published in News
L. Edwin Wedding & Lifestyle Exposition
Thank you to everyone who visited our booth at the L. Edwin Wedding and Lifestyle Exposition at the Hilton Hotel on Saturday 22nd March, 2014 and Sunday 23 March, 2014.
Our lucky visitor and contest winner, Joel Jeffrey, has just won two return tickets to Tobago! Congrats Joel!
We will be at the Centre of Excellence for the CRYSTAL DREAM WEDDING & LIFESTYLE EXPOSITION 2014 on Saturday 29th March and Sunday 30th March, 2014. We look forward to see you there!
- Published in News
CBW iPhone App – FREE DOWNLOAD
She plans weddings…She works for FREE
Download the Caribbean Belle WEDDINGS (CBW) iPhone app for FREE in the Apple App Store.
She’ll give you all the resources to plan your perfect day.
- Published in News
Best Overall Magazine Design
Caribbean Belle WEDDINGS has won Gold for Best Overall Magazine Design at the Caribbean Advertising Federation (CAF) ADDY Awards 2014, while its sister magazine, Caribbean BELLE, snags silver.
The CAF is a member of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), which represents thousands of advertising companies in the United States and the Caribbean. The ADDY Awards are sponsored by AAF and are the advertising industry’s most comprehensive and prestigious competition recognising creative excellence in numerous categories of various media types.
This year, 769 entries were judged from over 45 different companies representing Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Belize, Grand Cayman and Curacao.
- Published in News
Happy Bridesmaids = Happy Bride!
Practical tips for the bride-to-be on delicate bridal party topics Of course it’s your big day, but remember that your friends are coming together because they love and support you.
The epic moments you spend with your closest girlfriends are sure to make it to your list of Top 10 Wedding Memories. You’ll laugh and recount stories about what happened at your bachelorette party, not to mention the last-minute wardrobe/hair/make-up malfunctions on the morning of the wedding!
Since your bridesmaids feature prominently at your wedding, you want them to make you look good. Their dresses, hair, shoes and jewelry must all come together to create a stunning package. Sounds easy? In reality, it never is.
Many brides-to-be have approached us about these details, so we spoke to a number of newlyweds and bridesmaids to come up with some tips for you.
Share your Dreams
The key here is to clarify your expectations of your bridesmaids, and allow them to do the same. You will, of course, want them to create a certain look and image together—so share that vision with your girls. It is important that they fall in love with your ideas too! If your dream is to have a Cinderella-themed wedding with your bridesmaids in fairy-like puffy pink dresses, ensure that your girls are on board with that.
Above all, keep the ‘princess’ attitude in check; of course it’s your big day, but remember that your friends are coming together because they love and support you.
Vary Style with Shape
Each of your bridesmaids has a unique body shape and size. It is not always easy to choose a single dress that will flatter every body type. Some girls may want to add sleeves, while some may want a longer hemline than the one you’ve chosen. There may even be a certain level of modesty that your girls are accustomed to and want to uphold. Our advice – be flexible! You want your girls not only looking beautiful, but feeling comfortable in their finery. When you are open to suggestions and feedback, you’ll find that many unnecessary negative sentiments and conflicts can easily be avoided.
Specific vs General
The brides covered in our Wedding Stories this issue varied in their approach to choosing bridesmaids’ dresses. One bride selected a specific dress from a supplier for her bridesmaids, while another picked a colour and asked her girls to wear any dress they loved, in that shade. Each approach has its pros and cons, so talk to your girls and see what’s most convenient and cost effective for them.
Who Pays?
Traditionally, the bride took care of all these expenses. But don’t be alarmed. These days, there’s no set rule. First of all, be clear about your budget and realistically decide which items in your bridesmaids’ ensembles you can afford. Remember, it’s not only the dress; shoes, jewelry, hair and makeup are also costs to consider.
Recent brides advise that if you choose a dress that your bridesmaids can wear again and again, it’s not unfair that they pay for their own dress. However, do strongly consider sponsoring if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime statement piece that you have your heart set on.
Speak to each of your girls and see what they’re able and prepared to take care of. Some may be travelling from overseas to be part of your wedding, while others may be living on student budgets that do not allow for these expenses. Draw on your sense of practicality and ability to be understanding when making these important decisions.
Styling Tips:
Some brides prefer to keep it low-key and let their bridesmaids do their own hair and make-up, but it’s important to give some direction and styling tips to ensure that there will be no surprises. Other brides hire professional hairstylists and make-up artists to beautify their bridesmaids so that the hair and make-up looks will be the same for each bridesmaid. Styling elements such as jewellery and shoes should be coordinated in advance to achieve uniformity. Why not plan a relaxing ladies-only spa day just before the wedding? This will ensure that everyone is well-rested, glowing and photo-ready on your big day!
Embrace Gratitude
It’s no surprise that ladies are very particular about what they wear! From the bride to the wedding guests, everyone wants to look their splendid best. With a number of girls in your bridal party, expect a plethora of tastes, preferences and opinions. It’s impossible to please yourself and everyone else without hurting some feelings and bruising some egos.
A spirit of gratitude gives you the superpower to face all situations with poise and a clear focus on what’s truly important. It’s less about which shade of pink to go with, and more about the love, joy and harmony of being together.
Of course it’s your big day, but remember that your friends are coming together because they love and support you.
- Published in Ask the Bride, Tips and Tools
Amita & Zaheer
The Meeting
Both Anita and Zaheer were members of the West Indian Students’ Association at the University of Toronto where they were both studying. They began dating soon after Zaheer called up Amita for a coffee date, and not long after, Zaheer planned a special ‘one-month anniversary’ treat. Using a ‘reminisce’ theme, the couple retraced their dates and visited all the places they had gone together during that month.
The Proposal
Though the couple had been together for six years, Zaheer knew for a long time that Amita was ‘the one’. When he felt ready to provide for his future bride, he approached his parents, and sealed the deal with a custom-made engagement ring.
The Wedding
Venue & Program
Amita and Zaheer, both living in Toronto, chose the picturesque Ohana Villa in Tobago for their wedding and reception. Day 1, the wedding, featured a traditional Hindu marriage ceremony. On Day 2, the couple hosted a reception dinner and party with a ‘Trini flair’.
Theme & Décor
The wedding and reception were designed to feature two distinct looks. For the wedding, the mood was warm, inviting and tropical with hues of gold and red accented by crystals. The beautiful mandap (wedding area for a Hindu marriage ceremony) paired well with Ohana’s modern Tahitian-styled wooden villa. The reception featured a medley of white, silver, turquoise, fuchsia and orange that complemented the breathtaking ocean view.
Wedding Attire
Amita wore a brilliant yellow sari for the marriage ceremony, and then changed into a luxurious red lehenga for the afterwedding festivities. Zaheer wore a cream-coloured sherwani with deep red and crystal accents. At the reception, Amita was resplendent in a crystal-embroidered strapless gown from Mona Richie in Toronto, and her groom donned a grey suit, blue shirt and a white tie.
Cake
The couple’s cake featured the wedding colours: fuchsia, turquoise, orange and white. To accommodate their vegetarian guests, they chose an eggless vanilla cake with rennet-free fondant for the top tier.
Flowers
The bride’s bouquet was a tropical mixture of pink and orange florals, while the centerpieces showcased bright pinroses as well as orange and pink tiger lily arrangements.
Unique Features
The couple tried to avoid (in the words of Zaheer), “a wedding where guests just come to the banquet hall, eat dinner, and cry!” The couple styled their wedding invitations like a boarding pass with travel stamps, since their guests were flying in from all over the world. To honor their Caribbean heritage, they designed a logo of a hibiscus flower—to highlight their Trinidadian origin—and a water lily, the national flower of Guyana, as Amita’s father is Guyanese. This logo was then emblazoned on their wedding stationery and guest book.
Memorable Moments
Amita is a woman who believes in signs. She remembers waking up early on the morning of her wedding to the sound of pouring rain—they had forgotten it was the rainy season! But just then, she experienced a nice omen when the clouds began to part, the sun began to shine, and she knew everything would go well for her wedding day. Zaheer’s favourite memory is when the DJ played “Palance” at the reception and most of their wedding party got up and began ‘palancing’ with them!
Resources
Photography: Relate Studios, www.itsgoodtorelate.com
Wedding Planner: Tricia Ng-A-Mann, Events by Tricia, 868-740-2015
Décor: Brian Pantin, Absolutely Fabulous Events, 868-355-0451
BELLE recommended food: Monix
BELLE recommended cakes: Cakes Your Way
- Published in Real Weddings
Alana & Taurean
The Meeting
At Roytec, where they were both students, Alana and Taurean were put into a study group by one of their lecturers. After two years of going steady, they became proud parents of their daughter, Lauri, and decided to get married one year later.
The Proposal
Taurean, in his own words, decided to be “intimate and corny” and chose New Years Eve 2011 to ask Alana to be his wife. Armed with an engagement ring, Taurean proposed under a backdrop of celebratory fireworks and waited all of two seconds for Alana’s enthusiastic “yes!”
The Wedding
Venue
The couple chose the backyard of Alana’s mom’s home in Point Fortin, known for its starry nights and panoramic view of the Gulf of Paria. They even named it Clifton Hill Manor before sending out their invitations!
Theme & Décor
The couple chose a blend of classic and modern elegance to showcase their personal style and creativity. Taurean, an event planner by profession, worked alongside Alana to emblazon their personal style onto every aspect of their day.
Set against the ocean, aisles lined with white blossom trees led up to a pergola, designed by the groom, under which the couple exchanged vows.
The evening cocktail area was reminiscent of a sunset and featured purple lotuses with black and yellow linens. To mark the transition from evening to night, the couple designed the open-air reception area with black linens and contrasting fuchsia and apple-green accents. Tall cylindrical vases of crystals, LED lights and green apples surrounded shorter vases of pink tiger lilies and green foliage.
Taurean constructed a parquet dance floor which was decorated with ambient lighting. The deco trees styled to resemble weeping willows, set off by pink and green lighting, created a light and whimsical feel. The couple even used Alana’s mom’s dining furniture to remember their special moments every time they looked at her chairs.
Wedding Ensemble
Alana wore a ball gown with a sweetheart neckline from Everlasting Vows in Price Plaza, and Steve Madden crystal-studded ballet flats (since she and Taurean are almost the same height). Taurean opted for a locally-designed suit by Junior Findley of Findley Brothers. He wore classic black with a tailored white French wing tip collar shirt, white cravat tie, black Calvin Klein shoes and belt, and Kenneth Cole cufflinks.
Wedding Party Attire
Alana visualized her bridesmaids looking like ‘garden fairies with lots of tulle’—and got exactly that! The girls wore short, black dresses cutely accented with fuchsia pumps. Taurean favored a sharp, clean look for his groomsmen and chose classic black suits that featured fuchsia ties, except for the Best Man who wore a lime green tie.
Cake
The 3-tier fruit cake, designed by the creative couple, was fashioned with a polka dot ribboned base and simple pink and green flowers at the top.
Music
Alana and Taurean chose their music tracks to reflect their personal taste and special moments in their relationship. As the couple’s entry was announced at the reception, two moko jumbies (the decoy bride and groom) sauntered in, followed by the real couple.
Their first dance was a Bollywood piece, Pehli Nazar Mein, during which the couple twirled under a display of fireworks and softly falling rain. Romantic moments over, it was time for serious partying. Carnival was less than two month’s away, so not only was there a popular soca artist, but a rhythm section and a tassa band as well!
Must Haves
Dedicated family and friends, a keen spirit, and a great photographer! The couple recounts that hospitality should be at the forefront, as guests should be well-taken care of and given no reason to complain, and items such as entertainment and food should be well thought out. They also advise keeping a box of safety pins handy, as so many people asked for them on the day!
Memorable Moments
The couple risked having a completely uncovered, open-air event. Despite a brilliant sunrise, at around 10 am on the wedding day, the weather changed. A massive scramble of people, tables, chairs, centerpieces and every possible item of décor ensued, with everyone trying their level best to prevent any damage from the rainfall. Taurean entered nervous breakdown mode and locked himself in a room where he listened to the rain pour. At one point, the winds were so strong, trees and furniture got blown away, and they even experienced an electrical shortage in one part of the building. Meanwhile, the bridesmaids simply closed the blinds as the bride also suffered major panic and exclaimed, “He should have used the tents!” It was, officially, a disaster.
But, the couple’s amazing family and friends took action and transformed the catastrophe into a manageable situation—they washed, dried, and reset the linens not once, twice but three times during the course of the day. Then, five minutes before the ceremony started, the groom and groomsmen were still scrambling about trying to figure out which trousers belonged to each of them as all the suits had been laundered together!
Almost to the end of their eventful day, the newlyweds danced in the rain to their favourite song, hair flopped and soaking, under the fireworks. To them, it was perfect.
Resources
Photography: Gary Jordan, www.garyjordan.com
Décor & Event Management: Taurean Design Studios, taurean.design.studios@gmail.com
Food: Clifton Hill Manor Ltd, southinn@yahoo.com
BELLE recommended venues: Crews Inn Hotel and Yachting Centre; Anchorage Beach Club
BELLE recommended sweet treats: Cakes Your Way
- Published in Real Weddings