Tracy Damas

(Jumping the Broom by Annie Lee - Image Courtesy of Howerton Wooten Events)

Hey, everybody! We at Yazzie & Co. know that your wedding day is one of the biggest milestones in your life and definitely understand the importance of tradition. This is why it’s the perfect opportunity to incorporate the time-honored act of jumping the broom. More than just a mere catchphrase, it has been regarded as a rite of passage in symbolizing devotion for generations. While jumping the broom had once been considered as a painful reminder of black love and commitment being unrecognized during slavery, the success of Alex Haley’s celebration of African American heritage, Roots, brought it back to prominence. If you’re not quite sure if this is the route that you’d like to take, consider the parts that complete the special broom. The broomstick represents family and its handle symbolizes an Almighty spirit, while the ribbons represent the ties that bind you and your beloved together for eternity. Once you’ve got that in mind, it’ll be easy for you to bring that great tradition to life with your own special touch.

(Image Courtesy of Stuart’s Creations)

If you’ve decided on staging a Jumping the Broom ceremony, you should definitely choose your broom a few weeks in advance. After all, you want to make sure that you have the time to pick that special broom with care. According to Black Bridal Guide, it can feature anything from refined ribbons that hint at your wedding theme to beautiful cowrie shells that are a nod to your culture. Silk and fresh flowers are also welcome decorations that will spruce up your broom. You can purchase one from a local ethnic store or an online black bridal store such asBlack Bridal Guide. If you’d prefer to cut costs, a simple household broom will do just fine. Larry James of Weddings by Lance suggests that you decorate it with your bridesmaids on a night before your wedding. Not only will you be personalizing your broom, but you’ll have the chance to bond with your sistas without the craziness that wedding planning brings.

(Image Courtesy of Katrina at the Get Real Photography)

Black Bridal Guide suggests that you make sure that the spiritual leader that you’ve chosen to officiate over your wedding ceremony is willing to include your Jump the Broom moment. Although the tradition is widely accepted in African American culture, there are some that prefer not to act out the rite of passage because of social and/or religious beliefs. If he or she has no qualms about it, then you can go forward and include everyone in attendance to participate in your Jumping the Broom ceremony on your big day by having them tie ribbons with their written initials around the broom branches before the ceremony. That way, your guests will represent the proverbial Village that is watching you take your leap to the next stage in your life. Larry James of Weddings by Lance suggests that you choose a convenient time before the bridal ceremony for them to do so. After you and your beloved hubby share your first kiss as man and wife, your maid of honor or his best man can place the broom in front of the two of you so that you can jump. Once presented as the new Mr. and Mrs., you’ll take that giant step towards your new life together and let the sweeping music carry you away towards great possibilities.

(Image Courtesy of the Pike’s Peak Wedding)

Once the festivities are over, don’t forget to save your wedding broom as a memento of your special day. According to Black Bridal Guide, you can preserve it in a special keepsake box so that it will stand the test of time. It can be passed down to your future children and grandchildren when they decide to tie the knot, thus keeping African American tradition alive. If you’re also looking for a chic way to give props to this special rite of passage, you can purchase our one-of-kind Jumping The Broom/Soul Inspiration bridal tee from our official website. It’ll serve as the perfect example of paying homage to love’s legacy and lifetime devotion – much like your Jumping the Broom ceremony!

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

(Image Courtesy of UK Times Online)

Hello, everyone. While we at Yazzie & Co. usually dish on the best ways to be bridal beautiful, we’re going to shift gears this time around. Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti has shed light on the heartbreaking results of such devastation, reminding us just how connected we really are. Regardless of gender, race, or religion, we are one as a people that are capable of feeling both joy and pain. However, we are also able to rally together to help one another in need – something that we’d like to encourage you to do this Martin Luther King Day.

Not quite sure if and what you can do? Well, you should take heart in the overwhelming generosity that has been displayed over the past week. Though everyone had their own problems to contend with, they set them aside to donate whatever they could to assist the distraught people in Haiti. From five dollar donations through cellular phone texts to Yele Haiti to money contributions to Doctors Without Borders, many opened their hearts to those that needed it the most. We believe that Dr. King would want us to carry out his message of love and compassion through charity and hope that you find it in your heart to do so this Monday.

Of course, if you happen to be organizing your wedding registry at this time, this would be the perfect moment to encourage your loved ones to give back. Instead of requesting that toaster oven that you were eyeing, you can ask your guests to donate some money to reputable organizations such as the Red Cross. If money is truly tight, you can provide your perishables to a local food bank or volunteer your time at an outreach center. In any case, the spirit of giving will be what will ultimately bind us together.

Sincerely,

The Yazzie Blogger

(Image Courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess)

Hey, ladies! Are you poised to plan your wedding this year? With the New Year rolling in, this would be the ideal time to fuse your bridal plans with the spirit of resolutions. After all, you’ll have a straight head on your shoulders when it comes to putting everything together for the main event. And if you’re not sure just where to begin, well, we at Yazzie & Co. have some surefire suggestions that’ll help you out with everything!

(Image Courtesy of Magazine Express)

#1 – Don’t expect your wedding to be perfect. Now, don’t misunderstand us, for we definitely want your big day to be magical. But, the minute that you start incorporating ideas from Modern BrideMagazine , it’s a sign that you’re getting ahead of yourself. Since the last thing you need is stress when planning your wedding, you should bear in mind that everything isn’t micro manageable. Resist the urge to be a boorish Bridezilla and you’ll definitely come across as the beautiful bride that you were meant to be.

(Image Courtesy of Essence Magazine’s Bridal Bliss Blog)

#2 – Don’t bite off more than you can chew. We know that planning a wedding requires that you put in a lot of time and attention, but that doesn’t mean that you should be forced to shoulder all the responsibilities. You’ve got family, friends, and a darling fiancé, so why not delegate some of the duties to them. After all, both friends and relatives will be psyched to play roles in this life-changing event, while your soon-to-be spouse will be kept in the loop. Even better, you’ll be able to make confident decisions while refraining from overspending on unneeded frivolities.

(Image Courtesy of Coconut Cove)

#3 – Be nice to your fiancé. And by that, we mean to remember that you’ll be marrying and spending the rest of your life with him. Sure, the wedding is a great opportunity for you to be totally fabulous, but there’s a marriage ahead that will be absolutely divine. Set aside some non-bridal planning time for the two of you and you’ll be guaranteed a life together that’s worth far more than a wedding day!

We at Yazzie & Co. want 2010 to be start of something wonderful for every bride and bride-to-be everywhere. Thus, we are continuing our mission to provide sassy advice for the soulful and sophisticated sista. After all, we want you to be your best you this year!

Sincerely,

The Yazzie Blogger

(Image Courtesy of Charmed Events Planning)

Though we at Yazzie & Co. would usually kick off the holiday season by writing about holiday weddings, we wanted to switch gears this time around by honoring our troops. With so many of you all fighting for our country, we thought it right to discuss wedding planning – military style. After all, you brave men and women are in love with love as much as we civilians are, so why not share in that by learning how to pull off a magnificent military wedding? It’s not as daunting as you’d think, so stick around and let us show you how to pull it off with panache!

(Image Courtesy of MB Weddings)

Should you decide to go all out by getting married in a military chapel or military academy, you’d do well to book well in advance. EHowthinks that a year’s time will suffice in ensuring that you don’t get lost in the military marriage shuffle. Do make sure that you thoroughly investigate who you choose as your chaplain, for you don’t want to be stuck with someone who is unlicensed or unqualified to preside over a military wedding. According to EHow, decoration standards are very particular, so you also want to check with the staff to make sure that what you’ve chosen is in line with what they allow. If you’re not sure how to go about decorating your military venue, we suggest featuring the American flag. Not only does it pay homage to your military background, it also serves as a symbol of unity. Even better, you can take things a step further by featuring flowers that reflect the flag – like red and white roses and blue cornflowers. While military chapels don’t charge to rent for weddings, Tracy Guth from The Knotrecommends that you donate to its fund out of courtesy. Think of it as giving back to the milieu that made you the person that will stand tall in front of your new spouse.

(Image Courtesy of the Old Glory Ranch)

Your next priority, soldiers, is to address your guests properly. Not quite as easy as seating your soon-to-be in-laws in the front row, one needs to follow proper military protocol when inviting your wedding guests. For instance, while using regular invitations are fine, you should include yours and/or your soon-to-be spouse’s rank and title on them. Also offer your military loved ones and colleagues the option of attending in full dress, EHow suggests. That way, they will be able to pay tribute to your military bond in uniform. You should also be aware of who you invite and where they will be seated, since this also directly reflects on military tradition. According to Gigi Rena Rogers of Favor Ideas, your commander and high-ranking officers should be seated beside your immediate family while your colleagues should be seated directly behind them. Once you work your seating arrangements out, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step – dressing the part.

(Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

If you’re a soon-to-be bride that’s currently serving, you aren’t bound to wear your uniform. However, you can if you choose to do so. Should you be a soon-to-be groom in the military, it is recommended that you dress in traditional military garb for your big day. Since Winter’s around the corner, EHow recommends that you wear a blue uniform with your medal(s) and pristine white gloves. You’ll be dapper enough in your gleaming shoes to do the Arch of Sabers walk with your new bride. The most defining moment of a military wedding ceremony, this consists of you and your new bride walking through an arch of sabers towards your new life together. Whether you’re using swords as a Naval or Coast Guard officer or sabers as an Army officer or a Marine, EHow strongly suggests that check to see that your chosen base location has them available. Also make sure that there are commissioned officers available to hold up those swords or sabers during that moment on your wedding day, for Tracy Guth mentions that they’re the only ones that are authorized to participate in this part of the ceremony. Once the walk has been walked, your former civilian spouse will now officially be a military spouse – another thing that you’ll be proud to hold your head up high about as a member of the military.

Thanking You from the Bottom of Our Hearts for Your Dedicated Service,

The Yazzie Blogger

(Image Courtesy of Melissa Blemur Photographer’s Blog)

Penning your wedding vows can be as difficult as picking out an engagement ring or choosing your wedding dress. This is why Yazzie & Co. felt it right to dedicate this blog to all the soon-to-be marrieds who are stumped on how to speak their heart on paper. After all, the last thing we want is for you to become so overwhelmed that you forget the main focus – to express your love in front of those that are near and dear to you. So, how to pull this off, you ask? Well, keep reading for great tips on creating those timeless vows.

(Image Courtesy of the InMagine)

Say that you and your love have decided to collaborate on your vows. You both should bring your voices into the mix while being able to compromise on what you’d like to include and omit. This is where patience and open-mindedness come in, for the main thing that should be kept in mind is that these vows will reflect your new life together. In addition, About.com suggests that you be mindful of what you’re writing if you both decide to get married in a house of worship. After all, you don’t want the official to decline presiding over your nuptials out of offense.

(Image Courtesy of the Wedding Channel)

Then again, if you’d prefer to surprise your love with words of tenderness on your wedding day, no need to worry about getting it all wrong. All you need to do is remember the little things about him or her that made you fall in love with them, as well as the big things that solidified your love for them. Whether this takes you back to the first time that you ever laid eyes on them or the day that you decided to commit yourself, express these heartfelt feelings by putting pen to paper. If it takes you checking out some great love poems or sincere love letters for extra inspiration, About.com believes that it wouldn’t hurt - just as long as you allow yourself to shine in the finished product.

(Image Courtesy of the Forever - Tim and Becky’s Finger Lake Wedding)

Above all are the heartfelt words that you put to paper when you write your vows, since they represent your innermost thoughts about your spouse-to-be. Streamline them so that they resonate just as well when you recite them aloud on your wedding day. Ask a loved one to listen in and provide you with their feedback so that you can be prepared to share your feelings about your love to the world.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

(Image Courtesy of Bridal Clarity)

Hey, ladies! Ever wanted to celebrate your big day without endangering the environment? With Earth Day being today, we atYazzie & Co. thought it’d be appropriate to show you how to have that glamorous wedding while protecting our earth. You will not have to sacrifice your sensational style to be conscious about the environment. If you’re still not sure where to start, read on for a few fabulous tips on going green the bridal way!

(Image Courtesy of Organic Green and Natural)

Your wedding cuisine is also a great opportunity to apply that environmentally conscious spirit to your dishes. With a variety of deliciously organic, vegetarian, and vegan courses to choose from, you shouldn’t have a problem with satisfying your guests’ tastes. If you are hiring a chef to cater your wedding reception, do make sure that he or she specializes in making savory meals that include pesticide-free beef and free range chicken. What’s more, you can serve your guests with fresh organic wine, thus treating them to a libation that doesn’t include any chemicals or pesticides. As for your wedding cake, forgo artificial sweeteners for fresh fruit filling and maple sugar ingredients for a fresher taste that falls in line with your green wedding theme. The best part? It’s healthy fare that will be enjoyed by all.

(Image Courtesy of Here Comes The Guide)

Instead of collecting endless appliances and moneyed envelopes, you can request that your guests gift donate to eco charities such as Sustainable South Bronx, the Environmental Defense Fund, or Greenproofing under your name. Their money will definitely be spent on making the world a greener place. On your part, you can donate your post-bridal floral arrangements to a retirement home or a hospital. These flowers will enjoy a second life by bringing smiles to another audience. As for capturing those wedding day memories? We at Yazzie & Co. recommend that you skip spending money on developing your wonderful pictures and create a free online album instead. Not only will you skip out on using toxic chemicals, you and your loved ones can check your pics out at any time. After all, it’s easier to be greener on your wedding day! Stay tuned, for tomorrow wrap up on tips on how to go green on your wedding day!

Until then - Wishing You a Happy Earth Day,

The Yazzie Blogger

(Image Courtesy of Katrina at the LI Weddings message forum)

Hello, ladies! With your guest list set and your wedding venue reserved, you’ve made way for one of the most enjoyable aspects of the wedding planning process - choosing your entertainment. While hosting a wonderful wedding weighs heavily on your mind, it’s also important to make sure that you’re able to enjoy one of the best days of your life. This is why we at Yazzie & Co. have come up with a great way for you to bring on the fun – by hiring a wedding band to play. Not only will your wedding day be blessed with fantastic music, the band will guarantee that your guests will have a good time. If you’re unsure on how to make the best choice in a wedding band, scroll on for some terrific tips for keeping your big day in tune.

(The Avenue Band’s Image Courtesy of Jerry Bruno)

If you’re thinking of hiring a band to play at your wedding, you definitely have much to consider when shopping around. First and foremost, do make sure that this is something that you can afford to fit in your bridal budget. According to About.com , a wedding band runs anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 a night – depending on the size of the band and their resourcefulness. Thus, if you’re willing, but wary, about spending that amount, you should definitely pay close attention to their payment and cancellation policies. You’ll surely save yourself the trouble by doing so. Another thing to consider is the whether a band is versatile enough to play the music that you’ve chosen as your musical theme. Their ability to accommodate the mood of your big day while specializing in many musical genres is something that will greatly affect how it all plays out. Do also keep in mind that while a live band definitely outpaces a DJ in their ability to move the crowd, they will also need to break a few times to collect themselves and enjoy your delicious wedding cuisine. Thus, it will also be a great idea to keep a CD or two on hand for those occasions.

(Image Courtesy of Katrina at the LI Weddings message forum)

Should you decide that a live band is the way that you’d like to go for your wedding day entertainment, make sure that you choose one that can cater to your style of music while providing a great time to your guests. With your choice of bands that play everything from Golden Standards to Jazz and Funk, you’re bound to find one that is just right for you. More importantly, you want to make sure that your band is flexible enough to learn songs that aren’t standards in their repertoire, for their willingness to work with you is a definite plus as far as getting the job done. You will be able to get a feel for what a band is about by meeting its leader to make sure that he or she understands what you’d need from them to make your wedding day go smoothly. In addition, you want to make sure that the band that you choose has a great camaraderie with one another and has performed for quite a while. That way, if unavoidable circumstances – such as sickness or termination - happen to befall a member of the band, they’d be able to cover the last-minute absence. You should also look into liability insurance, just in case.

(Image Courtesy of the Perfect Music For Weddings)

Last, but not least, be sure to choose a band that fits the size of your bridal venue. The rule of thumb, according to Stitely.com, is that a six to eight piece band will work for a wedding of 100 guests or less while an eight to ten piece wedding band can accommodate approximately 100-200 guests. However, if your wedding is going to consist of 200-300 guests, then a nine to fourteen piece band will do. An even larger guest list that consists of 300-plus people will definitely call for a ten to seventeen piece band. No matter what size of band that you opt to go with, do make sure that they possess adequate instruments and a reliable sound system. The last thing that you need is terrible sound quality on one of the most magical days of your life. After all, ladies, we at Yazzie & Co. firmly believe that a wonderful wedding band makes all the difference.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

(Image Courtesy of Associated Content)

What’s up, ladies. Easter is around the corner and we at Yazzie & Co. thought it right to dedicate this blog to the idea of having a wedding on the day of resurrection. Not only does this holiday provide you with the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Spring weather, but you’ll have a lovely time with creating a lasting memory for all. What’s more, your wedding will be a great chance to keep with the holiday tradition of new beginnings while incorporating the ideas of love, family, and a brand new day.

(Image Courtesy of Silk Flowers 365)

If you’ve decided to have an Easter wedding, well, you’ll be happy to know that it isn’t as impossible a concept as it seems to be on paper. With just a bit of imagination and a lot of heart, your wedding will surely be a special affair. You can kick off your Easter wedding planning by putting together a celebration with a spiritual Spring theme. Your invitations should include religious elements and Springtime flavor such as a combination of crosses and flowers. Pastel colors can also be incorporated in your wedding day look through your bridal headdress, while they’ll work well with the groom’s floral boutonniere selection. Associated Content suggest that the bridal décor that you and your fiancé choose should incorporate pastel colors such as magenta and sky blue, while the best choice of venue would be a church. After all, it provides plenty personality for Easter.

(Image Courtesy of Ariel Skelley of Corbis)

Your Easter bridal reception should include the same spiritual subtlety as your bridal reception. In order to achieve that, we think each table in your chosen venue should include a centerpiece of floating candles with flower petals on the bottom of each votive to accentuate the beauty of the occasion. According to Associated Content, our bridal menu should evoke the spirit of Easter as well with roast ham or glazed lamb as your main dish, while your wedding cake should be made out of delicious buttercream to suggest that Spring feel. Kissing bunnies and pastel-colored frosting will definitely seal the deal for a winning Easter wedding cake. While your adult guests will enjoy personalized Easter bridal favors that include Jordan almonds or chocolate eggs, staging an Easter egg hunt for your youthful guests will definitely guarantee for all to have a great time.

(Image Courtesy of Black Voices Blogs)

In turn, we at Yazzie & Co. believe that you’ll be getting the best of both worlds. After all, Easter is a family affair while weddings are the best examples of love and happiness. By having your Easter wedding, you’ll be able to boast it as a bridal event that can be just as fun and full of color as a summer wedding. However, you must remember the most important aspect of this glorious occasion: making sure that it is the happiest day of both of your lives.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

(Image Courtesy of Ephraim Ben-Shimon of Corbis)

Hey, ladies. Your wedding day is one of the biggest milestones of your life. That’s why it’s integral that you look your best. While your natural glow of love while certainly shine through, an extra boost to your beauty certainly never hurts. That’s why we at Yazzie & Co.will dish on the best way to look your loveliest with magnificent makeup. After all, you want to make sure that every inch of you are dazzling on camera!

(Image Courtesy of the African American Wedding Hairstyles & Hairdos)

When plotting out your bridal look, the first thing that you need is an image in mind. Whether it’s a beauty icon that you’d like to replicate or your personal style that you’d like to enhance, a little research will go a long way with your wedding style. eHow recommends that you seek inspiration from wedding magazines and websites. If anything, it’ll work out for you whether you decide to do your makeup yourself or have it professionally done.

(Image Courtesy of the African American Wedding Hairstyles & Hairdos)

After you figure out what bridal look you’d like to go for, do ensure that it is sufficient for the time of day that you’re having your wedding. In addition to how you’ll look on camera, you’ll also have to bear in mind just how you’ll look in an indoor or outdoor venue. Once you have your wedding plans set in stone, you’ll be able to go forward in putting your best foot forward.

(Image Courtesy of the African American Wedding Hairstyles & Hairdos)

Finally, you want to make sure that you choose the best kind of makeup for your special day. Keeping the lighting of your venue in mind, you need to carefully shop for your makeup. According toeHow your best bet is to choose lightweight foundation for subtle coverage against the heat while using waterproof mascara to avoid raccoon eyes while crying your happy tears. When working on your face, make sure that the delicate shade of lipcolor that you choose matches the blush coloring in your cheeks. In addition, using bronzer will enhance your features while multi-shaded eyeshadow helps your eyes pop, guaranteeing that you’ll be a radiant bride.

(Image Courtesy of The Knot)

Whether you like to bring out the glam or sweep your groom away with a classic look, we at Yazzie & Co. want you to look your very best on your wedding day. After all, you deserve to be the belle of your bridal ball and what better than to do that than to shine brightly in flawlessly fabulous makeup.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

Hey, guys! With Spring just a few days away, we at Yazzie & Co.have decided to dedicate this blog to the one of the best things about the season: fantastic flowers. With a great selection of blooming flowers to choose from, you’ll never be at a loss of what flowers to choose on your big day. No matter if your taste in flowers varies from terrific tulips to gorgeous gerber daisies, there’s surely a spectacular opportunity to have a striking wedding. So, why not run with the idea of having fun by designing your own floral arrangement. This can be a fun project to do while saving a significant amount of money. Not only will you be surrounded by the beauty of flowers, but you’ll be able to say that you had a hand in creating one of the best days of your life!

Though most of the stunning floral arrangements that you do see are done by trained floral designers, you needn’t let that discourage you from taking on this project. If you aren’t sure just where to begin with this, we suggest that you check out various floral, interior design, and bridal magazines for inspiration. According to About.com, a weekend visit to a wedding reception at a five-star hotel will also season your creative juices. Whether you decide to snap photos with your camera phone or clip our pictures from the magazines, you should create a file of floral looks that truly catch your eye. In addition, be sure that you purchase basic supplies such as scissors, ribbons, and floral tape to create your floral arrangements. Do also make sure that your floor is covered in plastic to prevent the bleeding stains of some flowers and ensure that you have an abundance of buckets of water. If you’re all about saving money with your wedding flower design, According to About.com also suggests that you invest in carnations and roses. Not only are they simply stunning, but their beauty belies their low price.

Most importantly, creating your own bridal floral arrangements takes careful planning and constant practice. After deciding what creative vision you have for your bouquets, centerpieces, or other wedding arrangements, you would need to practice at least a few times to work through any early errors that you may make. According toAbout.com, you should also test the amount of time that it takes to do each bouquet or arrangement. Friends and family who are willing to help would definitely benefit you as well. What’s more, Do It Yourself Weddings recommends that the flowers that you eventually decide upon can serve as great wedding decoration and bridal wardrobe scheme. If you aren’t sure where to shop for lovely flowers for your Spring wedding, we at Yazzie & Co. suggest that you check out Cheap Flowers for some pretty great deals. If you prefer to shop for them in person and live in the tri-state area, you can also check out the Flower Market District on West 28th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan for some beautiful selections at a great deal. After all, you deserve the best wedding that the promise of Spring will bring.

Wishing You a Spectacular Spring Wedding Season,

The Yazzie Blogger