Beauty, Brains & Brands!

As a makeup artist, I get asked the same questions all the time...

• What are some effective products for an indoor vs. outdoor wedding?
• Are cost-efficient products just as effective as high-end products?
• What are the "must have's" to keep my wedding day look perfect from start to finish?

Moisturize!  Moisturize!  Moisturize!!

A great moisturizer replenishes the skin, protecting it from premature dryness.



Cleansing and moisturizing your skin is extremely important and something that I cannot stress enough.  There are great products that can be purchased over the counter or through your local beauty agents.  Some of my personal favorites include Mary Kay's Timewise 3-in-1 Cleanser, Mary Kay's Day Solution Moisturizer with SPF 15 Sunscreen (protection for the outdoor bride), Clinique's Comfort Cream Cleanders and Neutrogena's Deep Clean Cream Cleanser.  Whether you are hosting an indoor or outdoor wedding, applying a makeup primer or matte creme (I prefer to use MAC or Smashbox) will keep the skin radiant and fresh!

More bang for the buck?  Or simply a bang to the wallet??

So many brands!  How's a girl to choose??

Now, let's smash the myth "the more it costs, the better it is."  Not necessarily.  When purchasing products, experiment with different varieties and chose what works best for you.  I battle between using high-end MAC or Make Up Forever concealers vs. the more cost-effective Black Opal or Covergirl concealers.  It's not the cost of a product that makes it any better than another, it's about the performance of the product.  Does it work for your skin?  Does it meet its intended purpose?  These are questions you should ask when choosing products to add to your makeup routine.

Dress?  Check.  Bride?  Check!  Wedding day beauty?  Double check!!

Wedding day preparation can mean all the difference between a picture perfect bride and...

...the frazzled bride!  (don't end up like this!)

Finally, as a woman, but most importantly as a bride, there are some "must have's" that should be tucked in the "lady pocket" of your wedding dress or within arms reach of your Maid-of-Honor.  These items include a blotter, lipstick or gloss, and a Kleenex!

Beauty tip of the week:  Remember to use waterproof makeup on your wedding day.  Specifically waterproof mascara and eyeliner.  This will prevent unsightly dark smudges or tear trails on the face.

Beautifully yours,

Rhonda

*Follow Rhonda, our resident makeup maven, on Twitter -- @FacesbyRhonda  Tweet her all of your beauty/makeup questions!

Featured Love :: Rhonda & Tony -- Proposal, Interrupted...Love, Reconnected!

Not only is Rhonda our resident makeup maven, but she is also a NEWLYWED!  Rhonda and her new hubby, Tony, tied the knot on August 29, 2010 in a beautiful ceremony at the historic Biltmore Hotel Atlanta.  TBB is pleased to feature Rhonda and Tony's story from campus crush to endless love!

Our Engagement Story

Tony planned to pop the question just before dark at the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. He thought he had a "fail-proof" plan...until he got to the parking lot! We drove around and around. When we finally got a parking space, it was too late and a security officer informed us that the park was closed.

We drove back to my apartment where Tony spontaneously "popped the question."  I, on the other hand, was getting ready to go to sleep. I got in the bed and he grabbed me and took me over to the bar. Then, he got down on one knee. I said, "Are you going to propose to me?" Then, he proposed! I burst out crying. It was emotional. It was beautiful. It was perfect.

Our Wedding Story

It all began one hot spring afternoon in Savannah, Georgia on the campus of Savannah State University in 2002. I was sitting in my sociology class and the topic that day, ironically, was about love and relationships. My professor called on the young man sitting behind me in class. She asked him what his definition of love was and his answer was so intriguing that the class immediately erupted in a series of "oohs" and "ahs". I had noticed him before, but this time I REALLY noticed him. The answer was poetic, like an excerpt from a love story. At that moment, I knew there was something special about him.

After class, he proceeded to stop me in the parking lot to make casual conversation, which was followed up by compliments on how attractive he thought I was and how he had been wanting to approach me. He then asked for my phone number so we could chat and get to know each other a little better. Immediately, we began talking on the phone and later going on casual dates. Our friendship began to grow, but with the rigors of school and other obligations, our encounters grew scarce.

In August of 2006, Tony called me and informed me of a job opportunity that he had accepted in the metro Atlanta area. Immediately, I was excited to know that he was moving closer to me. Besides, he was living over four hours away and I hadn't seen him in over three years. From the day that he arrived in Atlanta, we began to hang out more and simply enjoy each other. We starting growing inseparable. We began meeting for dinner every night and then would chat for five to six hours at a time throughout the nights.

We decided to pursue a relationship in 2007 and dated for two years before he proposed on June 19, 2009.

And those stories of love separated and proposals interrupted became the eternal love story of Rhonda and Tony! 

The bride making her entrance

The Rawls/Peterson ceremony - The Historic Biltmore Hotel

The first kiss as husband and wife



Meet Mr. & Mrs. Peterson!

 

The groom and his groomsmen



The lovely couple!  The bride carried a gorgeous bouquet comprised

of shades of red, amethyst, and creme.



Purple satin bows accented the beautifully crafted golden ceremony programs



The beautiful gown awaiting its bride

The "something blue" any bride would love!

This is one skilled bride!  Rhonda demonstrating her makeup artistry for her big day!



The symbols of love

 

Crafted with fondant and icing to provide a beautiful texture with golden ribbons along the bottom of each layer.  This creation was not only beautiful, but delicious as well!



The wedding...sealed with a kiss!

Rhonda is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  She and Tony have chosen to reside in the metro Atlanta area.

*The Blessed Bride is proud to have featured Rhonda and Tony's wedding celebration.  A special thank you to the bride, Rhonda, for sharing your love story with us. 

- Angela

Meet "The Blessed Bride," Angela!



Angela was raised in the southern Georgia town of Metter.  She attended Georgia Southern University where she became involved in event planning for the student entertainment board of the university.  Additionally, she worked as a staff writer for the university newspaper and news director/host for the campus radio station.  Angela obtained her degree in broadcasting and relocated to the Atlanta area.

With a background that spans from entertainment to education, Angela has always shared a bond with all things bridal and wedding related.  From serving as a flower girl (multiple times over), bridesmaid (again, multiple times over), to now becoming the bride herself, Angela is ready to embark on her journey as "The Blessed Bride!" 

Angela's vision for The Blessed Bride (TBB) is to not only illustrate her experiences and encounters throughout the wedding process, but to launch TBB as a beacon of inspiration, encouragement, style, sophistication, and overall joy for every reader, whether a blushing bride-to-be or not.

Angela in a nutshell --> God's girl :: media / communications junkie :: connoisseur of the performing arts :: journalist in my own right :: music enthusiast :: peace advocate :: educator :: AKA :: releasing my potential

Angela's message:  Hi there!  I am so excited for the blessings that God has in store for not only me and The Blessed Bride, but in your life also!  It fills me with such delight to share my life and the lives of others with you through TBB.  I truly hope to add a blessing to readers, but to gain love, strength, and encouragement from you in return.

I encourage you to live like you've never lived before and love like you've never loved before!  Go after your goals, dreams, and ambitions with all your heart.  For it is through the heart and soul in which we truly live... - Angela

Contact Me

I love people!  I feel that everyone has a story to share...and I aspire to hear as many as possible!  Send me a message.  I would love to hear from you! 

Email Angela at blessedbride2be@gmail.com

The gift of glam! Meet our resident makeup artist, Rhonda!

It is with great excitement that I introduce The Blessed Bride's new resident makeup extraordinaire, Rhonda!  I have had the pleasure to know Rhonda personally (as a friend & sorority sister) and professionally (as my wedding makeup artist!) and I must say, the girl knows her stuff when it comes to all of the glitz, glam, and fresh-faced knowledge of makeup artistry! 

Readers, you are in for a treat!  Rhonda will contribute a weekly post devoted to all things beautiful, glamorous, fun, and flirty in the world of makeup artistry.  TBB is so blessed to have such a gem of a gal join the team!  She definitely has the gift of glam! 

Rhonda is a native of Atlanta, Georgia.  As a makeup artist, she specializes in bridal, fashion, pagentry, and practically any special event that requires a touch of glam.  She began her career as a makeup artist in high school.  What started as a hobby transformed into a career for this makeup maven!

While in college, Rhonda began working with local photographers.  Upon graduating with a degree in mass communications and art, she realized that makeup artistry was her natural career choice.

Rhonda's client list includes some of the top photographers in the bridal and fashion industry.  Additionally, Rhonda was featured as a spokeswoman for the "Healthy Makes It Happen" beauty campaign with Essence Magazine and Pantene Pro-V.  Rhonda is the owner of her company, "Faces by Rhonda."

Rhonda's mission is to capture a person's unique beauty and style while transforming them into perfection.  She parallels her craft to that of a painter -- transforming blank canvases into amazing works of art!

"I believe that beauty is skin deep, however, the surface also tells a story," says Rhonda.  "I am so blessed to do what I love and love what I do!"

"Beauty is not caused.  It is..." - Emily Dickinson

The Blessed Bride is so thankful to have Rhonda as a vital addition toward our efforts to assist our readers in finding their answers to all things bridal!

Have a question for Rhonda??  Submit it in the comments section below or email your question to blessedbride2be@gmail.com.  Please include your name and state.

Featured Love: Jennifer & Justin - "Surprise Proposal!"



Jennifer & Justin

Welcome Jennifer & Justin to "The Blessed Bride!"  Jennifer is one of my best gal pals.  She and her fiance', Justin, are preparing for their July 2011 wedding!  (I'm a bridesmaid!)  Join in celebrating their love by reading the story of how they met and how Justin surprised his beautiful bride-to-be with the ultimate birthday gift!

Jennifer doned a beautiful fushia blouse & jeans to compliment Justin's look

How We Met

Justin and I first crossed paths while attending college at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. We had mutual friends, so we came in contact quite often. In the spring of 2006, we attended NSBE National Conference with the college chapter. We stayed up one night talking and getting to know each other. Before we left the conference, we exchanged numbers. He made me put my number in his phone, so I did, without hesitation because we had great conversation and it was obvious some "chemistry" was there. He came over to my place regularly to hang out, grab lunch or just watch TV in between classes. He was really just a good friend at the time to "chill" with.  I just KNEW he liked me, but I was playing some SERIOUS hard to get!!  The summer of 2007, we both interned in Atlanta and spent a lot of time together, going on dates and what not. When we returned to school, I told him we either need to be "just friends" or we need to be committed.  LOL!  He decided to commit and on Monday, September 24, 2007, he asked me to be his girlfriend and the rest is history!!

The couple chose their alma mater, Georgia Southern University, as the location for their engagement shoot.



The Proposal

I thought I knew exactly when Justin would propose...or how he would do it. Justin is very simple and straight to the point. But his proposal totally caught me off guard!!! I was expecting a proposal maybe closer to the end of the year (2009).  It was Thursday, October 22, 2009 (my 25th birthday!) I woke up as usual and headed straight to work. It was a lovely day and had no idea what was to occur just hours later before our planned evening to celebrate my birthday. Right before we were to head to dinner, at the entrance of my apartment, Justin spoke these very words, "I know today is your special day...I just want to make it a little more special. I love you! Will you marry me?" After being in complete shock and crying tears of joy, I said YES! He placed the beautiful LEO solitaire diamond engagement ring on my left ring finger. We made our way to dinner and I was so elated about what had just taken place, I called to share the news with my loved ones. He asked my parents for my hand in marriage the weekend prior to my birthday.  We drove to my parents home to celebrate with them after dinner. He also showed the ring to my twin sis, Stephanie and my best friend Jessica. I kept the news from my closest girlfriends as I waited to tell them when we arrived at our annual retreat days later in the mountains of North Georgia! It was a WONDERFUL experience. I can't wait to marry my best friend and the love of my life!

Jen's sparkling LEO diamond!

Beautiful moment caught by the photographer

Laughter & Love

Jennifer is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.  Justin is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.  The couple plans to reside near the metro Atlanta area.

*Photography courtesy of Virginia Hall of Moment by Moment Photography

**Special thanks to the bride-to-be, Jennifer for providing "The Blessed Bride" with your story of love.  Can't wait to share your wedding story!

- The Blessed Bride :: "Featured Love"

"Band in the Bed"

From the moment Patrick, my fiance', proposed to me, there was no greater feeling than seeing the ever-longed-for engagement ring resting on my finger.  Even hours after the proposal, I simply gazed at this sparkling stone set upon my hand.  I can fondly remember traveling back to my apartment and preparing for bed.  As I brushed my teeth, I glanced down thinking, "Well, what do we do, ring?"  I had placed my newly acquired ring box on my nightstand, but something within me questioned whether or not to sleep with my ring on.

Although that night I chose to safely place my ring back in its box, now that I have been engaged for nearly 7 months, it is not unlikely to find me wearing my ring to bed on occasion.  (although, it MUST come off for lotion application! :-) )  Wearing it to bed is not a trend with me, but I do wonder if it is a daily routine for some women.
Now, someone reading this may think, "How trivial!"  But, in all actuality, I'm certain there are more newly engaged brides-to-be who have wondered and currently wonder the same issue!

One point winning my argument for wearing your ring to bed is if you suddenly have to leave your home in a panic (i.e. family emergency, fire, etc.) *God forbid any of those happen* But, hey, it's a valid point.

I've grown to consider my ring not only as a symbol of our love, but more of an extension of our love.  I mean, I feel weird cleaning without my ring, yet alone forgetting to put it on one day!  (luckily that has happened only twice!)

So, this opens the question, "Do you sleep with or without your wedding ring?"