HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

The first American Mother's Day celebration happened in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother. Her mother, Anna Reeves Jarvis, a peace advocate, died in 1905.  That same year, Anna  had a mission to honor her mother by continuing  her work and she also started a movement for a special day to honor all mothers. Anna's persistence and determination to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the United States paid off. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation creating Mother's Day.

Honeymoons: Everything You Need to Know

Honeymoons: Everything You Need to Know

All-Inclusive Resort Honeymoons

All-Inclusive Resort Honeymoons

Michael Jordan married girlfriend Yvette Prieto, celebrated in a really big tent

Michael Jordan (left) and Yvette Prieto flash their biggest smiles (Ethan Miller/ Getty).

Any discussion of the NBA postseason eventually turns to Michael Jordan, the greatest player in NBA history and a strong point of comparison for today's stars 15 years after he participated in his last playoff game. That was particularly the case on Saturday, when Chicago Bulls guard Nate Robinson came up one point short of Jordan's franchise record for fourth-quarter scoring in the postseason in a wild Game 4 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

However, the day was an important one for Jordan for reasons entirely unrelated to basketball. More than a year after becoming engaged in December 2011, Jordan married fiancee and former model Yvette Prieto, his girlfriend of five years. People.com has details:

After five years of dating, former NBA star Michael Jordan, 50, and his model-fiancée, Yvette Prieto, 35, made it official with a wedding in Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday.

About 500 people arriving by tour buses piled into an Episcopal church called Bethesda-by-the Sea, where Donald Trump was married to Melania in 2005.

Jordan invited another 1,500 to join them for the reception at the Bears Club, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course community in Jupiter, Fla., where Jordan recently built a 38,000-square-foot home.

While 2,000 combined guests does not exactly suggest a modest affair, the full size of this monstrous event cannot be communicated by words. After the jump, check out aerial photos of the wedding tent.

Michael Jordan’s Wedding Tent is 40,000 sq ft, 5000 sq ft larger than his 35,000 sq ft home in the elegant and classy Bears Club in Jupiter, Fl. As you can see from the aerial, Jack Nicklaus has graciously allowed Jordan to place the largest tent in wedding history on the driving range of his renowned golf course in order to house the only 2,200 invited guests! [...]

The sound system for the affair arrived in four semi-trailers and the band spent the entire day Friday rehearsing for the BIG EVENT. Golfers had a great time on the course, with a backdrop of music to play to.

So, to recap, Michael Jordan's wedding reception occurred in a temporary tent larger than his own house, complete with bathrooms big enough to host a separate large wedding and a dance floor with its own lighting effects system. What an intimate affair!

This is Jordan's second marriage. In 2006, he split with Juanita, his wife of 17 years, in what Forbes called the costliest divorce ever. He has two sons and one daughter from that marriage.

There are as yet no details on the content of Saturday's ceremony and/or reception, so we can only speculate if His Airness wore special Air Jordans or how many buttons were on his suit jacket. It's safe to guess that several of Jordan's former teammates were in attendance, although chances are he didn't invite Craig Ehlo.

Also, while it may seem odd for the owner of an NBA franchise to schedule his wedding during the playoffs, please remember that Jordan presides over the Charlotte Bobcats, the second-worst team in the league this season at 21-61. I'm pretty sure both MJ and Prieto knew their schedule would be free.

 

By Eric Freeman | Ball Don't Lie – 

Top Ten Castles for a Fairy Wedding

As wedding locations go, there’s no place more romantic to tie the knot than an enchanting historic castle. Whether you’re planning a renaissance wedding or you’re simply seeking a stunning and secluded place to say “I do,” a castle is the ultimate location for your special day.

WOW- We Are Engaged - What's Next !!!!

12 MONTHS OR MORE BEFORE THE WEDDING

Announce your intention to marry to  BOTH  sets of parents. Arrange to have them meet if they haven't already.

Determine type (formal, semi-formal, informal), style and theme of the wedding.

Make a list of what is important to you for your wedding; this will help you determine your budget. 

 Sit down with your fiance and ALL parents and discuss the wedding budget, and who will pay for what.

 

Get or make a wedding organizer (a 3 ring binder with pockets works great). Use it to store all your information, contracts, ideas, photos, etc.

Speak with your clergy/officiant and review synagogue/church requirements.

Come up with 2 or 3 possible wedding dates and start looking for ceremony and reception venues. If a venue you like is available on one of your chosen dates, book it immediately; many venues will often be booked up to 2 years in advance, so have several choices in mind beforehand in case they are already booked.

If you are using one, start looking for and book a wedding consultant.

9 TO 11 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

               Start looking for and interviewing all the remaining vendors:

               Photographer

               Videographer

               Caterer (if needed)

               Officiant (if needed)

               Florist

If any vendor you like is available on your date and is within your budget, book them IMMEDIATELY! Like reception and ceremony venues, many of these vendors can be booked up to a year in advance.
 

              

 Together with your parents, begin compiling your preliminary guest list. You can always narrow down this list to fit within your size requirements and budget limitations at a late date.

                

Start getting ideas by looking through bridal magazines, going to Bridal Fairs and doing research on the internet.

Finalize your wedding colors, theme and style.

Select your attendants (bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, flower girl and ring bear) and ask them to honor you by being in your wedding. Make sure they are aware of what their "duties" are.

Choose and purchase your wedding rings.

Begin looking at honeymoon options. Discuss where you both would like to go, and if needed visit a travel agent.

Start looking for a wedding gown, veil, accessories and your attendants attire.

6 TO 8 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

Start planning ceremony and reception music choices. 
 If you haven't already finalize and purchase your wedding gown, veil, and accessories.

 If you are having a prenuptial agreement, take care of that now.

 Finalize attire for attendants.

 Start pre-marriage counceling (if required)

 Start looking at invitations.

  Sign up for your gift registry

  Send save-the-date cards/newsletter

4 TO 5 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

 Work with your florist and finalize your arrangements.

 Place wedding announcement in local newspaper

 Order wedding stationary (invitations, envelopes, programs, etc.)

 Start shopping for bridal party tuxedos

 Book limo/transportation

 Start planning the wedding decorations

 Arrange accommadations for out of town guests (book blocks of hotel rooms)

 Select wedding cake (and Groom's cake if you are having one)

 Start making arrangement for rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

 Book calligrapher

 Decide on wedding favors

 If you decided not to use a Wedding Coordinator, consider asking a close friend not in the wedding party to be your Wedding Coordinator/Personal Assistant.

3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

 Order your wedding cake and groom's cake

 Meet with your officiant to discuss details of the ceremony

  Finalize the guest list

  Reconfirm the rehearsal dinner plans

  Buy the cake knife, guest book, toasting glasses and garter

  Choose gifts for your attendants, parents, helpers.

  Have the male members of the wedding party, including fathers, fitted for tuxedos.

   Reconfirm honeymoon arrangements.

    Start writing your wedding vows, if you are doing them yourself.

   Start addressing the invitations (or drop them off with calligrapher)

2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING

  

Send out invitations

Schedule a hair and make up consultation to do a trial run.

Start making/buying wedding favors

Obtain wedding license

Schedule your first wedding dress fitting.

Write thank you notes for any gifts that may start arriving.

If you are having one, begin putting together your ceremony program.

Meet with vendors (caterer, florists, etc.) to finalize arrangements.

If you are changing your name, complete the proper documents

Finalize music selections for the ceremony and reception and turn them in to the DJ/Band/etc.

                

Have formal wedding portrait taken.            

Meet with your officiant to finalize ceremony details.

Reserve room for wedding night.

1 MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING

Confirm honeymoon your reservations. Meet with photographer and/or videographer to discuss last minute details.

Start working on the reception seating chart.

Have final wedding gown fitting.

Arrange for a reception babysitter, if needed. 
Finish (and print) the wedding program. 
 Finalize wedding vows 
 Confirm all final payment amounts with your vendors as well as date, time, etc.

 Pick up marriage license.

2 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING

 Finalize reception seating chart.

 Confirm delivery time and locations with florist.

 Contact any guests who did not respond to the invitation.

1 WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING

Pick up wedding gown, attendants' gowns and all accessories.

Give final guest count to reception venue/caterer.

Reconfirm everything with vendors one last time.

Make sure men get their final fitting for their tuxedos.

1 DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING

Attend rehearsal.

Attend rehearsal dinner. Give attendants their gifts.

Have a manicure and/or a pedicure.

Put together the tip envelopes (for the vendors) and give them to the designated "tip person" (generally the best man).

Confirm wedding day transportation.

Reconfirm hair and make up appointments.

If you have access to the ceremony and/or reception venues, bring everything over there that you may need (decorations, guest book, etc). 
 Layout everything you need for the next day in a safe place (marriage license, dress, shoes, etc.).

Speak with everyone in the wedding party and make sure everyone knows where to be at what time.

Try to go to bed early and get some sleep.

YOUR WEDDING DAY

Eat breakfast, even if you think you aren't hungry.

Share a private moment with your fiance.

Have your hair and makeup done.

Give the best man the groom's ring.

 Begin dressing two hours before ceremony is scheduled to begin.

 Spend a quiet moment looking at yourself in the mirror before you walk down the aisle.

NY the Wedding Affair - Saturday, January 26, 2013

NY the Wedding Affair is looking for the following representatives for the upcoming Bridal Show in Richmond Hill, GA

520 Cedar Street, Richmond Hill, GA

Saturday, January 26, 2013

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Ardyss Body Shapers

Avon

Candy Station Vendors

Dance

Lingerie

Mary Kay

Pamper Chef

Passion Party

Pure Romance

Slumber Parties

Weight Loss

Yoga

Are you or do you know a representative for one of these vendors that would like to be a part of the upcoming show if so please goes to www.nytheweddingaffair.com for more details.

Celebrity News Weddings/Engagements

Josh Lucas Weds Jessica Ciencin Henriquez: 

Just married!

Josh Lucas and an expectant Jessica Ciencin Henriquez take their first steps as husband and wife after tying the knot on Saturday, March 17 at the Conservatory Garden in New York City's Central Park.

The Firm star wore a blue suit, while his new bride, a writer, chose a long gown with a lace overlay, accented by jeweled heels and a wavy hairstyle.

Lucas, 40, and Ciencin Henriquez are set to welcome their first child

later this year.

 Hayley Sparks

Celebrity News Weddings/Engagements

Dick Van Dyke, 86, marries 40-year-old makeup artist Arlene Silver, says 'I found the perfect one!'
The veteran actor said their decision to wed was 'kinda on the spur of the moment'

By Cristina Everett / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Dick Van Dyke is a newlywed!
The “Mary Poppins” star, 86, tied the knot with makeup artist Arlene Silver, 40, on Feb. 29, according to RumorFix.com.

"The Wedding Affair"

Contact: Amanda Sherman
AtUrBest Special Events
Phone– 704.502.0312
Fax –866.295.6201
www.aturbest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“AtUrBest Special Events applauds the City Council and Conference Center Management decision to suspend activities at the Conference Center”.

The Wedding Affair "A Premier" Bridal Expo, is among the many organizations affected by the closing of the Gastonia Conference Center.  The Wedding Affair Expo was scheduled for April 21-22^nd, 2012. 

Amanda Sherman, CEO of AtUrBest Special Events, commented "that we were looking forward to hosting this event at the newly opened conference center.  We are in agreement with the city council's decision to temporary close the Conference Center.  We feel that it is in the best interest of our sponsors and exhibitors.  Their safety is our main concern.  Our clients who were scheduled to attend "The Wedding Affair" would be traveling from New York, Florida, California and surrounding states.  This event would have made a major contribution to the Gastonia Conference Center."  

Congratulations to all Valentine's Day Engagements

"The Wedding Affair"  - is looking for the Signature Bride and Groom for  -12-12-12 Unbelizeable Belize -

For all our couples that have not registered for "The Wedding Affair" please go to ww.nytheweddingaffair.com

3 Must-Read Wedding Planning Books Hitting Shelves This Season

"The Wedding Affair" - "Register to win one of the top three "Planning Books Hitting Shelves"

Brides Across America - "The Wedding Affair" -

"The Wedding Affair"  - is proud to announce one of the charities that we strongly believe in is hosting  "Wedding Gown Giveaway Event" -

Brides Across America Wedding Gown Giveaway Event is coming to a city near you in 2012!

Are You Thinking About Proposing?

As December is responsible for over 32% of the country's proposals and with Christmas Eve being on a Saturday. . .we want to wish our nervous friends who have that ring box in their pockets the best of luck and know come Monday, we will be right here to take you through the fun process of planning your big weekend. 

 

Illustration by Karen Kurycki /For The Washington Post

Steps to Planning a Wedding

A wedding is (hopefully) a once in a lifetime experience and therefore, it's essential that you plan in advance to make it memorable. This article discusses steps to planning a wedding for guys.

Having gotten over your commitment issues and having made the decision to get married (read gotten engaged), you think that all the major decisions of life have been finally made and all that remains is to plan the wedding. Having gotten over and overcome your 'Fear of Commitment' which is probably one of the toughest things ever, guys like me think that planning for a wedding will be easy (a cake walk to be precise). How difficult can that be? Right? Wait till you start planning for the wedding cake! This viewpoint gets a drastic jolt when you sit with your fiancee and calculate the estimate of the 'dream wedding' planned by her and get to know the complexity of the task! This article will elucidate the steps to planning a wedding for guys, who intend to play a proactive role in this largely female dominated job!

Celebrity News Weddings/Engagements

According to TMZ, Eddie Griffin is a married man! The Undercover Brother actor got in touch with his frugal side for his walk down the aisle. Eddie Griffin and Nia Rivers have exchanged vows in Vegas! The pair married last Thursday in front of a grand total of four guests according to TMZ, dropping $199 for the 'cherish special'



Newlyweds Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick.

WEDDING guests partied into the early hours of this morning to toast newlyweds Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick.

Even the deluge of rain couldn't dampen this momentous day.

Alan's co-star on Celebrity Salon, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, was one of the last to leave and was spotted struggling with her stunning blue dress in puddles of rain early this morning after the party wound up -- and she had a laugh after getting into the driver's seat of a waiting taxi by mistake.

The happy couple tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony at the Unitarian Church in Dublin's city centre. Both wore designer dress suits and matching cravates -- Karl in charcoal grey and Alan in a lighter shade of grey.


Emotional

"We are doing something that comes natural. This should be the normal thing in the world," Mr Broderick, a composer, said as the pair arrived in a chauffeur-driven Bentley at 2.45pm.

The rain stayed off long enough for guests to be photographed outside the church.

But there were waterworks at the ceremony as an emotional Alan (43) struggled to overcome the nerves on their special day.

"We waited 16 years for this day and we wanted to do it in Ireland," said the Ireland AM star. "I lost it totally during the ceremony. It was beautiful."

Taking a leaf out of the recent British royal wedding, two bridesmaids, Hughes's sister Doreen Freeman and Broderick's sister Ann Broderick, wore white and clutched pink and purple posies. Celebrity guests included RTE's Derek Mooney and most of TV3's big names -- Ireland AM's Mark Cagney, Sinead Desmond, Aidan Cooney and new mum Anna Daly, who looked radiant in a bohemian black dress.

Stylist Lisa Fitzpatrick performed a reading at the wedding along with TV3 producer Debbie O'Donnell.

The reception was at the Mansion House -- but the real party kicked off at 7.30pm, when 150 showbiz guests were invited to join in celebrations at the afters.

Friends ripped up the dancefloor when X Factor darling Mary Byrne and Eurovision singer Niamh Kavanagh took to the stage. The couple will honeymoon in the US.

clairemurphy@herald.ie

- Claire Murphy



'Mindfreak' Criss Angel Engaged!

Rock-star magician Criss Angel is engaged! The Vegas illusionist proposed to his girlfriend Sandra Gonzalez and got engaged in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on September 7, reports People.com.

"The couple is ecstatic," Angel's rep tells the magazine.

Angel met Gonzalez four years ago while on the set of his series Mindfreak. He proposed to her with a 5-carat diamond and platinum ring that he helped design along with jeweler Idayne Kaye.


Ne-Yo Is Engaged

R&B megstar, Ne-Yo is engaged -- and about to be a father again. The "Closer" singer is set to wed his longtime girlfriend, Atlanta boutique owner Monyetta Shaw, and the two are expecting their second child together, their rep confirmed to Us magazine.


Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, first became a dad in November 2010 when Shaw gave birth to their daughter Madilyn Grace. And according to insiders, the second baby is due very soon -- in October. Ne-Yo was pretty excited last fall when his first daughter was born. "She's healthy and happy. Feels like I'm in luv for the first time," he tweeted at the time. "Welcoming that lil' girl to the world last night defined for me what 'willing to kill and die for' truly means. My world, my life, all hers."

No word yet on when their wedding will take place.