Add a little oomph to your wedding flowers and accessories

There's always the vanilla/traditional way of doing things, but sometimes you feel like you want to add an extra oomph to your wedding flowers and accessories. Taking a fresh and out-of-the-box approach while planning your wedding, allows you to infuse some uniqueness into your wedding. It could be anything from infusing traditions from other cultures, to recreating the hottest designs on the runway.

 Over the past year or so, we have noticed an upward trend in the use of brooches to create unique and glamorous bouquets. 'Bling' is definitely in! 

Accessorising your bouquet with brooches, pearls or diamante will definitely make your bouquet stand out, and will make a fabulous gift for whoever catches is (that is if you have the will power to throw such a gorgeous bouquet :) ) and if your florist is creative enough or your imagination is wild enough, you can have a movie themed bouquet... think 'Great Gatsby' 

Photography by Katrina Morris Photography

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Honoring and appreciating your parents on your wedding day

Honoring and appreciating your parents on your wedding day is one of the most heartfelt gestures that you can do, to show you your parents how much you truly love and appreciate all they have done to bring you to this point. Below are a few tips that your can incorporate into your wedding. Enjoy!
 

Image by The Sugared Plums on Etsy

1. During the ceremony, have the officiant mention the names of any deceased parent or grandparent, and how much they influenced and molded you to the individuals you are today.

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Ada Ada by Flavour

Had to share this wedding music video by Flavour ... Ada Ada. 

Love, love this video! The bride and her ladies looked gorgeous, plus the traditional dancers, the decor, the traditional attires were all on point. As the song says "Better soup na money kill am!...". We love Nigerian weddings :)

Enjoy!

OH MY GOSH! We love this wedding proposal :)

Oh my gosh! we loooove this wedding proposal :) You should watch it...

You know how we always go on and on about weddings, brides, and decor right? Well, wedding proposals are also high up there on our list, and we are so loving this one! I won't say very much about it so i don't spoil it for you, but its oh sooo romantic...



If you have any funny or romantic wedding proposal videos or pictures that you would love to share with us, please email us at blog@christinescreatives.com and we'll post it. 

Bless xoxoxo!!

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) inspired wedding bouquet

When Will and Kate got married in 2011, we were all awed at how simply and elegantly put-together Kate was. Her wedding dress, flowers and bridal party were not over the top. Apparently, Kate had requested that her bouquet be "unpretentious, simple and natural" which seems to be a true reflection of her personality. Kate looked graceful and poised, a testament to how secure she felt transitioning into her new role as William's wife, future mother to their kid(s) and Britain's future queen. 

Image of bouquet on left by Christine's Creatives. 
Images of Royals on right by Jens Rost

Two years later, we find that brides are still inspired by her simple and elegant style. Over the weekend, we created a Kate inspired bouquet for one of our brides, and she loved it! Among the sea of colors at her wedding, her white airy bouquet created out of 'Baby's breath' stood out as simple, elegant and unique. 'Baby's breath' is used as a symbol of purity and being pure of heart, and was definitely a great choice for our bride.

While Kate's bouquet was created with more expensive flowers, it wouldn't break the bank to create a similar bouquet for the regular bride. We love this style, and agree that there is definitely something about understated wedding bouquets that exude an airy sense of simplicity and self-security. 

Cheers!!!

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• Kate To Give Birth At Same Hospital As Diana (news.sky.com)

Dessert Table / Wedding Cake alternatives?

So yesterday evening I attended a Google+ hangout hosted by a couple of big names in the wedding industry, including +HauteLook and +Nordstrom and it was such a blast! They addressed a lot of very interesting questions that brides have about planning their weddings including: pre-wedding diet routines, trending colors for 2014, and wedding cake alternatives (which i'll be discussing in this post).

One of the things I've learnt over the years being in the wedding planning/event decor business is that typically the components of every wedding are generally similar - you just need to tailor the wedding to the environment, culture, religion and demographics of the wedding attendees and host(s).

With regards to wedding cake alternatives, one of the more common alternatives is cupcakes. Most people love the idea of individualised cakes for their guests, and the different look and feel of their cake table. In addition with cupcakes you don't have to worry about cutting a huge cake on site. 
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How would you pick your Bridesmaids/Maid of Honor? (PART 2)

(Photo credit: Egui_)

Based on our readership yesterday, I think it is fair to say that the issue of how to pick your bridesmaids/maid of honor is a hot button topic for a lot of brides - and rightfully so. Funny thing is I had the same discussion with a friend yesterday at lunch time. She is also a wedding planner (amongst all the other maaaaaany things she does) and is going to be the maid of honor at a wedding in 2 weeks. 

Interestingly, as we continued to chat we both agreed on the same thing - managing a bridal party with individuals who have very different temperaments is not easy - and this is not just bridesmaids specific, it also relates to groomsmen. She's had to deal with members of the bridal party coming to her to complain about each other, instead of resolving issues amongst themselves, and has also had to deal with groomsmen being too laid back and not wanting to participate in any of the planning activities. To provide some context, my friend is not Nigerian (or even African) so these issues definitely cut across cultures.
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How would you pick your Bridesmaids/Maid of Honor? (PART 1)

Bridesmaids (Photo credit: Mo_Lishomwa)

Seriously...How would you pick your Bridesmaids/Maid of Honor without causing drama? For a lot of brides, picking the ladies on their bridal train isn't quite so easy. There's family politics to consider, and there are friends who just assume they'll be on your train because you've know them since forever, or because they invited you to be on their train... yep!

Here are a few tips that may (and i stress 'may') make selecting your bridesmaids a little easier:

1. Bachelorette party - Pick bridesmaids who will make it their mission to throw you the funnest bachelorette party ever! After all, it's the last time you get to celebrate as a single woman. Do not complain that 'no one has your time or cares' if you decide to pick ladies who are too busy or just don't have a clue - that's all on you dear!
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How Do You Pick Your Ideal Wedding Colours?

So if you are like me, you probably read through the color palette posting (Red and Mustard Wedding Color Palette) a few days ago, and it got you thinking about how couples go about picking the colors for their special day. Is it divine inspiration, mathematical deduction, architectural thinking, artistic drive, the union of two worlds in radiant colors, the love of nature, or  sheer inspiration from others? Perhaps it is a little of all the above.

Chatter (Photo credit: loveylaurenn)

With this in mind, my question to myself is how will I choose my special colors? 

Fortunately for me, this isn't rocket science nor does it come from divine intervention.  I love the calmness and brightness of baby blue, pink, lime green and yellow tones however it's unlikely that these will make up the colors on my special day. 

Like many nature lovers out there, I get my inspiration from the colors of the season. my favorite color palettes boast a combination of oranges, reds, browns, greens and beige, YES YOU GUESSED RIGHT---- FALL COLORS. 

For my special day, I'll have colors that instill in me a sense of warmth and family, a sense of romance and passion. Colors that are calm yet bold. I'll have colors that will remind me of what a special day it is and what a lifetime with my special someone is going to bring: Warmth, Calmness, Romance, Passion and yes Family.

This is how I've picked my colors. 

Over to you. How did / would you pick yours?

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Nigerian Weddings: Traditional Wedding Cakes

In our line of work we meet a lot of vendors - cake decorators, musicians, photographers, caterers, makeup artists etc. Some of these vendors have been in the industry for years and are professionals at their trade, while some are still honing their skills. Obviously, we always hope we meet other vendors on site whose work compliments our event decor so that the event looks beautiful, very well put-together and is an overall success! 

Cakes by Syndy's Cakes - Abuja, Nigeria  Ph:+234 802 3230253 

  
On this post we will be featuring one of our favorite vendors - Syndy's Cakes, located in Abuja, Nigeria. Syndy's cakes is a high-end cake boutique that caters to brides who are looking
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Do not forget your wedding vehicle decor ...

There are so many moving parts when you start planning your wedding, and you really do not want to forget your wedding vehicle decor. Decorating the bride, groom, and bridal party vehicles is just as important as the boutonnieres and flowers for the bridal party. Besides the beauty and sense of festivity the wedding vehicle decor provides, it also helps to single out the most important vehicles of the event. Simply put, decorations on the wedding party vehicles should be just as beautiful as they are functional.

Think about it.... decorating your wedding vehicles is just as good as a VIP pass. Have you seen how politicians and government officials clear traffic with their sirens and lights? Well, your wedding day is your day to be THE VIP. Your decorated vehicles will open up parking spots and clear the way for you if there is traffic on your way to your wedding/reception venue. 

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Wedding day accessories - Epaulettes, Hairpins, handbracelets...

Jewelry worn by a bride on her wedding day is just as reflective of her personality as the dress she wears. In as much as brides would like to wear dresses and accessories in trend, it is more important to be true to yourself and what kind of style you are comfortable with. 

Typically, the most expensive piece of jewelry a bride will be wearing on her wedding day is her wedding ring. This is a piece of jewelry that will be worn for a lifetime, as such the price tag attached to it is understandable. With the cost of weddings being so high, it is a breath of fresh air to know that brides have the option of wearing fashion jewelry on their wedding day. Fashion jewelry, if selected properly gives you the look you desire, but for a fraction of the price you would have paid for the real thing.

Victorian/Vintage style bridal jewelry

A bride's wedding accessories should typically complement the dress she is wearing. A more romantic bride can match rhinestone and pearl set jewelry accessories to a Victorian or vintage style wedding dress. 

The more elaborate your dress, the simpler your wedding accessories should be. Vintage inspired shoulder epaulettes, hairpins and/or necklaces are great accessories to include as part of the bridal outfit. 

 

Bohemian style bridal jewelry

For the whimsical bride with an eclectic taste, wearing a mother of pearls hand bracelet, bohemian style headpiece or foot jewelery may be more suited to your bridal style.

Whatever your personal style is, make sure it shines through on your wedding day. Trends are fine, but being comfortable in what you are wearing is more important.

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• 1940s Vintage Style Wedding Dresses - austerity chic (vintagestyleweddingdresses.wordpress.com)

Ifeoma and Uyi tie the knot in Lagos

The smile on Ifeoma's face as she walked down the aisle with her dad to meet her love - Uyi was... priceless!!! 

Ifeoma and Uyi tied the knot in Lagos on June 1st, 2013. We are so happy and congratulate the both of them.  Ifeoma wore a beautiful form fitting lace wedding dress that flattered her figure and flowed gracefully as she walked down the aisle. She carried a beautiful hand-tied bouquet with multi-colored roses, and was accompanied by her bridemaids dressed in elegant orange dresses.  

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Gbemi & Yewi tie the knot in Dubai

As you all know we LOVE! LOVE!! LOVE!!! weddings, and today we could not resist writing about a story we found on another blog (http://womeninwedding.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/colorful-nigerian-wedding/). Congrats to Gbemi and Yewi's for tying the knot in April, 2013.

Gbemi & Yewi's wedding in Dubai

 What caught our attention about this wedding is the simplicity, creativity and class that you can see and feel through the pictures.  

The bride is dressed in a simple lace and satin dress, Jimmy Choo shoes and is carrying a beautiful posy bouquet. You can tell it's expensive, but not overdone... she is simply classy! 

The bridesmaids are all wearing bright colored dresses that complement each other and carrying a single rose. Absolutely no fuss, and definitely classy. We are definitely loving the this wedding already!!!
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Take Wedding Pictures that tell a Story

In this age of advanced photography and videography, there's no reason why you cannot create a story out of your wedding pictures. In addition to the regular pictures you take with friends and family after the wedding ceremony, you should also consider taking pictures that tell a funny/interesting story. Sometimes, you may be lucky to get funny wedding pictures taken without planning ahead, but a lot of times you have to take deliberate action to make it happen. The video below is a pretty cool example of how to deliberately plan with your photographer to take cool wedding pictures.

 

Finding a very creative and imaginative photographer may cost a little more in terms of time and money, but it is usually very well worth it - especially when (in the future) you have excellent quality pictures and videos that allow you to reminisce with joy on the days and events that led up to you wedding day. 

As with any other aspect of wedding planning, ensure you do your due diligence and get referals before hiring a vendor. Sometimes you may not be able to get personal referrals, but the vendor's social media presence may help you decide whether or not you would like to hire them. 

As we like to say, your event/wedding is your own production - make sure its a true reflection of you! Have fun & Cheers!! ;)

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"Real Housewives of Miami" star gets married in gorgeous grey wedding dress

Storify by Christine'sCreatives

Mon, May 20 2013 15:52:17

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"Real Housewife" gets married in a gorgeous grey wedding dress

"Real Housewives of Miami" star Adrianna De Moura gets married.

1. I am not a "Real Housewives" fan, but when i saw this wedding dress (or wedding dresses lol) I couldn't resist sharing. Adrianna De Moura of the "Real Housewives of Miami" got married over the weekend, and wore a beautiful one shouldered grey wedding dress - gorgeous! Also, she carried a bouquet of lilac orchids, which complemented her dress perfectly. In an interesting twist, the other "housewives" wore white dresses that could easily have been mistaken as wedding dresses.
2. "Real Housewives" Wedding: Adriana De Moura Ties The Knot!

   The bride wore ... gray? "Real Housewives of Miami" star Adriana De Moura wed longtime boyfriend Frederiq Marq in Coral Gables, Florida o...

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3. As you can tell, it was HUGE NEWS on the twitterverse.
4. 

   Real Housewives BH@RHOBHWetpaint

   HUGE NEWS! Real Housewife gets married!! wet.pt/12HA6Cd

   Mon, May 20 2013 15:00:56

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Do traditional weddings trump white weddings? - culturally that is...

Some people are of the opinion that traditional weddings trump white weddings when it comes to its cultural depth and richness. No doubt, each type of wedding has it's place in our society. While the traditional wedding is more about the fusion of two families, the white wedding is about the creation of a new nuclear family - in the presence of God and man.



Traditional weddings are typically preceded by the families meeting for the introduction ceremony, so that elders on both sides of the families can be introduced to one another. It then progresses to the actual traditional wedding ceremony where the groom formally asks for the bride's hand in marriage. With the traditional wedding you experience a culture of respect, responsibility and love. More and more, couples are getting married inter-tribally, and the choice to fuse our cultures helps us appreciate the richness and diversity that we possess as a people. We are truly blessed as a nation!
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Marriage on your mind? How do you pop the question?

You have decided that you love her, and she is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with; the question is how do you pop the question? You realize it is a moment you do not want her to forget, and would love her to cherish for the rest of your lives together. Also, you realize it is a significant milestone in both of your lives, where you are both consciously deciding to 'walk this walk of life' together. How do you plan the most romantic wedding proposal for the love of your life?


Wedding proposals can be lavish affairs or very simple, depending on what style you choose. You can choose to propose over a romantic dinner, or surprise her by creating an event just for her. Below, is a beautiful and very romantic wedding proposal... what do you think?




Regardless of how you choose to propose, sharing beautiful moments together is part of what builds a relationship. Life throws us curve balls from time to time, and we have to sometimes make a conscious effort to create our own beautiful moments. Wishing you all the best, and lots of love, fun and happiness as you plan your romantic wedding proposal...

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Live abroad but planning to get married at home (Nigeria)?

Do you live abroad but want to get married at home? Congratulations!!! You've just decided to plan a destination wedding! 

Destination weddings are fun - especially if you are going back home to get married. You get to leave your home-away-from-home to get married in an environment that is exciting, different and culturally rich. Planning a wedding from a distance may seem a little challenging, but if well planned is usually well worth it. You get to re-immerse yourself in the local culture; the people, the language, the food, the clothing, the music... ohhh the music - the Nigerian music industry is growing by leaps and bounds! Absolutely love the video below - "Obi Mu O by Obiora Obiwon"


Since you are so far away, you'll probably have very little control over most parts of the wedding planning process - and may have to rely on friends and family to help you with a lot of the running around. 

However, you can still be involved by clearly communicating your vision for your
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What type of bouquet should a bride carry?

Bouquets by Christine's Creatives Nigeria Limited

Most brides around the world choose to carry a bouquet on their wedding day. Brides typically select the style and size of their bouquet based on how elaborate or simple the wedding dress is going to be. For example, cascade styled bouquets are typically paired with wedding gowns that have a long train, while nosegay bouquets are typically matched with simple styled wedding dresses. The fan bouquet has also made a comeback and has been spotted at quite a few weddings this year. An excellent

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