Savoy's Bridal Shower Tips...

Purpose
The purpose of a bridal shower is to shower the bride-to-be with gifts of  friendship, love and support. This is the time for the bride-to-be to celebrate being a bride around friends and family.  This is an important time for friends and family to help the bride-to-be enjoy her new life.

Hosting
The bridal shower is usually given by the maid of honor, the bridal party as a group or a close friend.

Theme 
Make the shower memorable, and personalize it. Think about the bride. Who she is. What does she likes. Select elements of the bride's personality and favorite things. What does the bride really want?

• Does she like sit-down parties or would she rather mingle with her guests?
• What are her hobbies and interests?
• Does she like to dress-up or is she more of a casual person?
• Is she having a theme wedding?

The goal is to please the bride and make this experience memorable.  This will be a memory and a lasting impression.  If you were the bride, what would you want?

Virginia's Own Patrice Covington Celebrates, "Black Marriaged Day"

Studies show that while 35% of Americans between age 24 and 34 have never been married, that percentage increases to 54% for African Americans in the same age group. Additionally, married couples head 76% of our American families, while African American married couples head only 47.9% of American families.


While the overall rate for single parent households in America has increased for all children, it is especially alarming among African Americans. Between 1960 and 1995, the number of African American children living with two married parents dropped from 75% to 33%. At this moment, 69% of African American births are to single mothers as compared to 33% nationally.

The statistics above are important so much so, Wedded Bliss Foundation will be preparing for the 10th Anniversary of Black Marriage Day in 2013.  On March 25, 2012 as many as 300 communities and neighborhoods across the country organize events to celebrate marriage in the Black community. I am proud to say one of my sorority sisters, Patrice Covington and her husband will be encouraging that movement on March 24th at The Trinity Life Center.

Modern Invitations for the Chic Couple

Chic meaning "stylish" or "smart", is an element of fashion.

Couple's today want their wedding to be stylish and chic.  All elements of their wedding should represent them as a fashion forward couple.

Your invitations should make that statement.  Your guest should know all of your expectations with one glance of your invitation.  What statement do you think these invitations are making?



"Favor" Seeds (eco-friendly favor idea)...

Savoy The Socialite suggest that you "Favor" seeds for your upcoming wedding. 

Alexa Eco friendly wedding favor place cards serves as a budget friendly idea to an event. 

This one item serves as a place card and favor. This is such the picture-perfect gift, as it implies growth of your union and rememberance of your day.

This listing is for our special ‘going green’ custom-designed wedding seed favors.  Each favor will consist of a small pack of the flower seeds, a small card with planting instructions, and an envelope to hold the two items. On the envelope there will be the name of your guest and a poem or quote. Each favor will have a different poem or quote.

Cocktail of the Month: Shanghai Love

2 oz Peach Schnapps

2 oz Guava Rum

2oz Vodka

2 oz Citron Rum

1 oz Guava Nectar

1oz Peach Nectar

Splash of Grenadine

Splash of Sprite



1. Fill tall tumbler with ice. Pour liquors in first.

2. Add nectars and stir.

3. Add sprite, then grenadine for color.

4. Garnish with a lime slice, orange slice and a cherry.

End the month of February with Love....Shanghai Love and send me a tweet @savoysocialite.  I am excited to know about your drink and the results...

Ingredients to Love: Asian Inspired Theme

Last week, I wrote a post about couple cooking.  What I did not share was that I was about to embark on this activity. This weekend we were honored to be in the company of Chef Sequoia Ross. She was absolutely phenomenal and witty.  As a valentine's gift, boyfriend and I had an Asian inspired couple cooking class...The menu consisted of the following:

Appetizers: Spring Eggrolls & Sushi Rolls

Salad: Thai crab & sweet mango salad

Entree: Spicy ginger chicken noodle bowl

Cocktail: Shaghai Love (Our Fav)

I enjoyed the fresh and organic herbs, fruits and vegetables that we used in our cooking.
As a couple we have vowed to eat and be healthy. I encourage all of us for 2012 to inspire to be committed to health, love and lasting relationships.


Thank you,
Chef Sequoia Ross
chefbello@yahoo.com



Cooking Up Romance...

A way to a man's heart is FOOD.  We all have heard that phrase...
So why not consider a couple's cooking engagement shoot or couple's cooking lessons as a gift.  Think about how many times your man came home and saw you cooking. What was his response?  I enjoy trying new recipes and making my daddy and boyfriend sample.  For some couple's cooking can be enjoyable or a task, but there is a benefit to cooking together:

1. Quality Time
2. Team Work
3. Learning Together
4. Romance (Date Night)
5. Eating Together

Because I love this idea so much, I thought I would feature some couple's cooking engagement shoots. Do you feel the chemistry and the love of cooking in these celebratory shoots?



Non-Traditional Wedding Cake Ideas

Modern couples are creating their own memories when it comes to their wedding reception.  Wedding cakes are so traditional but many of us do not like the taste of wedding cakes or the cost to feed our guest.  Wedding cake slices can range from $2.50 to $3.75 or more a slice.  Now multiple that times the number of guest and include delivery and setup. Include fondant vs buttercreme, decoration, flowers, and the intricate details of the cake. 

 The question is?

Will your cake be memorable or is it just a tradition that you want to keep? 

 Here are some ideas for the non-traditional couple:

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Cupcakes on Tiers

(Some couple have a wedding cake on top to cut)

Pie Bar

(This is such a cute idea, especially when you can solict the aunts to make their famous pies)

Dessert Station

(You can have all of your favorites desserts for guest to try)

Ice Cream Truck/Bar

(My Absolute Favorite Idea)

Valentine's Day Cocktail: Valentini

Every girl wants a little cocktail to finish the day or start her night.  This is a light refreshing cocktail to try with the girls or with beau.

Ingredients: (Makes 1 cocktail)

• 1-1/2 ounces raspberry, strawberry, or plain flavored vodka
• 1 ounce raspberry schnapps
• Squirt of lime juice
• A few fresh raspberries
• Champagne

Directions:
Combine vodka, schnapps, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker and gently shake. Strain into a Champagne glass with a few raspberries in the bottom. Fill glass with Champagne.

Virginia Wives Themed Event

Q: What is a Virginia Wife?

A: Homemakers, businesswomen & philanthropist who are wives, girlfriends, partners, lovers, in   relationships, dating. This theme party was taken from the reality tv shows of Beverly Hills, Atlanta Housewives, Basketball wives, Mob wives and Love and Hip Hop.  The women of Virginia had a ball.

There were over 30 women that turned out to the Virginia Themed Party. 

Thank You...

Thanks to Virginia Wife Felder for the great wine selection...

True enough but Virginia is for Lovers and the chocovino, fruit and moscato cupcakes from KeshaJoBakes were amazing...

One of these remarkable ladies is a football wife. Ashley, Tiffany & TaRhonda, thanks for the participation. 

Virginia Wife Allen...Red Hot

Virginia Wife Hayden-Fletcher raises her glass and toast to the amazing event.

With all my heart...

Valentine's still carries the meaning "Special"...As a girly girl, you want very much to dress up and be presented with flowers, candy, balloons and hopefully a ring.  My Daddy made all of my holidays perfect for me & my BF does too.  I am such a romantic and I will be celebrating the entire month of February in Love...Stay tune to see what I do...

A Valentine's Dinner for Two

We are in love with the designer Mochatini, featured in Bright Bazaar...

The Chevron look is so amazing this year.  I am stopping myself from being obsessed with the pattern.

 

The mixture of patterns for this tablescape is meaningful...Who would not feel loved...