If you would like to have your wedding announcement posted on Soulful Engagements enter your names, wedding date and the city & state where your wedding will be held in the form below.

If you want a picture included with your announcement please email us a picture and be sure to include all of the information listed above in your email.
 
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Your Colors 02/27/2010
 
Are you having trouble deciding what colors to pick for your wedding? If you want an energetic and joyous event go with a shade of yellow. If you’re looking to exude luxury and extravagance pick a shade of purple. Check our color list to find out what colors best fit the theme and mood you’re looking for.

RED
Red is associated with bravery, purity, happiness, good luck, heat, fire, energy, and emotions such as passion, love, and sacrifice. Several studies have indicated that red carries the strongest reaction of all the colors. In heraldry, red is used to indicate courage.

Orange
Orange is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, stimulation and it gives the sensation of heat. Orange is the color of fall and harvest. In heraldry, orange is symbolic of strength and endurance.

Yellow
Yellow is associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. Yellow produces a warming effect and arouses cheerfulness. Bright, pure yellow is an attention getter. Use yellow to evoke pleasant, cheerful feelings. Yellow is also very effective in attracting attention. In heraldry, yellow indicates honor and loyalty.

Green
Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. Green suggests stability and endurance. In heraldry, green indicates growth and hope.

Blue
Blue is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. In heraldry, blue is used to symbolize piety and sincerity.

Purple
Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic. 

White
White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the color of perfection. White means safety, purity, and cleanliness. White can represent a successful beginning. In heraldry, white depicts faith and purity. 

Black
Black is associated with power, elegance, formality and mystery. Black denotes strength and authority; it is considered to be a very formal, elegant, and prestigious color.


 
 
The damask is in the details. Check out these fabulously unique damask details.
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Oscar de la Renta’s dramatic and fashion forward gowns are sure to be a crowd pleaser. Check out some of our favorite dresses from Oscar de la Renta’s 2010 collection. To view more dresses from Oscar de la Renta click here.
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Pictures by Dan Lecca


 
Afternoon Poll 02/24/2010
 
 


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Abundant Bliss Ceremonies
Rev. Dawn Shedrick
Long Island, NY
www.abundantblissceremonies.com
*dawn@abundantblissceremonies.com
(631.435.0106
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Rev. Dawn Shedrick
I am an Interfaith Minister and Wedding Officiant. I design and perform weddings and other ceremonies on Long Island, NY, in NYC and throughout the NY Tri-State area. I write unique ceremonies that authentically reflect each couple's energy and vision. I believe the two things that differentiate me from my peers are... 
1) I specialize in designing ceremonies that weave in unique cultural, ethnic, religious and social customs from around the world. I also love to work with couples to create new rituals or customs to include in their ceremony. 
2) I go beyond telling my clients to "enjoy the wedding planning process." I am available to my clients throughout the entire process and am able to provide support to those who may feel overwhelmed by the planning process. I create a safe space for couples to feel validated for any concerns about their wedding, and then clear the way for them to genuinely enjoy the ride!

SE: What is your starting price point?
Dawn: My fees are based on several factors including the length of the ceremony, amount of time to write and design the ceremony, whether I will be present for the rehearsal dinner and the cost of travel to the ceremony. My average fee is $450.

SE: How long have you been in business?
Dawn: I have technically been doing weddings for more than 3 years, as I started off by marrying a few close friends. When I realized how much I enjoyed performing ceremonies I decided to establish a formal business and further develop it..hence Abundant Bliss Ceremonies was born in 2009.

SE: How many weddings do you do a year?
Dawn: I am available to perform approximately 40 weddings a year.

SE: What is your favorite part about your job?
Dawn: It may sound cliche, but I really do love everything about what I do. I love everything from marketing, to connecting with other vendors to meeting with new couples to conceptualizing and designing the ceremony to...of course...performing the ceremony. I'm also so blessed because many of my couples keep in touch with me and send me updates! How wonderful is THAT!

SE: What is the craziest thing you’ve seen at a wedding?
Dawn: I can't say that I've seen anything crazy. But almost every groom or partner who started at the altar has gotten nervous/anxious/woozy after seeing their bride start down the aisle. This is when I whisper them through some brief deep-breathing techniques to prevent them from fainting! One of my groom's almost fainted a few months ago, but the best man and I were able to avert it! Thank goodness the bride had a very long aisle to walk down, lol!

SE: What is the best piece of advice you can give to couples planning their wedding?
Dawn: Take time to enjoy each other during the process...romantic dinners, movie nights, plant in your garden, weekend getaways, or just good uninterrupted conversation. It will keep you further grounded in why you've decided to live happily ever after together. And...smile!


 
 
Check out these beautiful pre-ceremony photos taken by Feuza Reis Photography. She was the second shooter for Oby and Benson's wedding. Their wedding was held on August 8, 2009 at the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott in New Jersey.

The theme of their wedding was ''contemporary classy''. The couple chose the color red to add a classy touch and melon and champagne to add a contemporary feel. They also incorporated some Nigerian traditions in their wedding by combining the church wedding and traditional wedding into one.

To see more pictures from Benson and Oby’s wedding visit Feuza Reis’ blog here

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You asked the questions and our expert makeup artist, LaVelle Johnson, has the answers. Lets meet our expert.

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Makeup By LaVelle 
Atlanta, GA & Indianapolis, IN
www.MakeupByLaVelle.com
*info@MakeupByLaVelle.com
(574-360-8517

I am a professional makeup artist/skincare specialist and have been in the industry for 15 years. I specialize in airbrush makeup and that is especially important for weddings! I do travel for special events.

There are a lot of trends in makeup that are really extreme and that I think work great with my facial structure, such as a red lip, or smoky eye. However, I have heard that it is best to go with something more natural or timeless. What do you think?
LaVelle: Yes, there are so many trends, but for your wedding day you definitely want something more natural/neutral tones and that will prove to be timeless such as peach/pink tones according to your skin type. You never want to look back ten years later, and wish you would have done something different. It is best to go for a fresh and clean natural look.

What should my daily skin care regimen be in the weeks leading up to the wedding? Is there anything special I should be doing?
LaVelle: You definitely want to have a daily regimen. I recommend skincare that works with your skin type and start 6 months prior to the wedding. Never get a facial a week before as impurities will come to the surface such as blemishes. You will already have stress leading up, so start early, you can avoid these issues.

I've heard a lot of good things about airbrush makeup. Is it really better than regular makeup?
LaVelle:  I specialize in airbrush makeup. I prefer airbrush foundation because it produces a flawless and timeless look for brides. It is great for photographs, it will last you all day, and will not smudge unless you are ready to take off. I highly recommend it!

Just looking for some thoughts and opinions on whether or not I should wear false eyelashes for the wedding. Do they really make a difference?
LaVelle: This is a bride's special day, and false eyelashes would be a great addition and I highly recommend. You will be taking lots of photographs, pick the right classic looking lashes and it will complement your look. You will want lashes that are natural and work with the shape of your eye. They really do make a difference!

I've been reading to stay away from mineral makeup do to its ingredients & the flash of the photography. I never wear makeup but want to look my best. I’m not sure that Ill be able to handle makeup that is wet so I'm leaning toward powder. Any advice?
LaVelle: If you are doing makeup yourself and on a budget, definitely stay away from mineral makeup as it will make your skin appear ghostly on camera. I would go to your local department store and ask the makeup sales associate to show you what is the best flawless makeup is for brides. Ask questions so you feel comfortable about the look and let them show you how to apply. You have many choices of products and you can see what is in your budget if you are not able to hire a professional artist. A great tip, after your foundation is applied complete your look with a translucent powder so it won't alter your foundation color. Since this is your special day, I would highly recommend hiring a professional. You may be able to find someone that fits your budget.

My best friend just asked to be in her wedding and I have a long tattoo going down my spine!! What would be best to cover it up?
LaVelle: I recommend Mehron Tattoo Cover Up, it is inexpensive and it covers the darkest tattoos, birthmarks and other skin discoloration's. It is a waterproof formula that is easy to apply and will conceal any skin flaw.

How can I achieve a rosy/dewy/bronzy cheek that lasts and stands out without seeming too unnatural?
LaVelle: Cremeblend Blush by MAC is a great choice. It brings a natural, softly dewy look to the cheek. It gives great depth and dimension to the cheek. It stays and lasts throughout the day.


Do you have a question about your wedding day makeup? Submit your question here.


 
 
 
We added the following vendors to our directory:

Beauty & Fitness
o Beauty by Sharon
o Kindred Kurves
o Makeup By LaVelle

Ceremony Sites & Officiants
o Abundant Bliss Ceremonies: Rev. Dawn Shedrick
o Hummingbird Hall Jamaica

Coordinators & Planners
o CELEBRATIONS! By Vivian 
o KEA Event Planners, LLC.
o Pure Dymonds Events
 o Pure In Heart Weddings & Events, LLC. 
o Weddings by Tracy

Gifts & Decor
o Creative Outlook Designs   
o I Do Cake Toppers

Photographers & Videographers
o Heather Parker Photography
o JP Brandano Photography
o Photography By O'Neil
o Weddings by XPhotography

Reception Venues
o Hummingbird Hall Jamaica

Stationary
o Creative Outlook Designs

Transportation & Travel
o TyLand Travel

If you would like to be added to our directory please complete this questionnaire.


 
 
If you have room in your budget, consider hiring a calligrapher to address your inner and outer envelopes. Calligraphy will add an extra touch of elegance to your invitations as well as save you some time.
When deciding on a calligrapher factor in the cost and timeliness. As with other vendors, ask to see a sample of their work. When looking at their samples pay attention to the consistency of their work, the pen strokes, the weight and the spacing of the letters.

Also ask how long it will take to complete your invitations. Generally speaking, it can take between 10-14 days to address 100 invitations, however the time varies based on the number of invitations and the complexity of your order.

Once you have made your final decision, provide your calligrapher with a list of addresses in the format that they request. Don't forget to proofread your guest list before you give it to the calligrapher. When you receive the completed envelopes from the calligrapher check and double check each envelope to ensure all names and addresses are spelled correctly.



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