Editor's Note

 

EVERYTHING BRIDE & BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Since the year began, there is no single week that I do not receive alert on wedding invitation via fb, BBM and Whaspp. Intending couples are displaying their pre-wedding pictures and status are changing this season.
Few weeks back, I was excited to be the maid of honour to my bestie Vera. It occurred to me that this was the closest I have ever involved myself in all the weddings I have ever attended. It was a more humbling experience when she requested that I propose her toast as best friend of fifteen years. Here is wishing her a blissful union.
In the spirit of the season, the inspiration came to package this special bridal edition. This is one edition of Big Sister that will most definitely inspire all brides to-be plan their wedding better. Starting with six months wedding preparation checklist, on Living column.
As a plus size magazine, we are celebrating the curvy brides. On fashion and style column, we republish an earlier feature on choosing the right wedding gown as a plus size sister by Kemi Farquharson, a renowned U.K. based designer. Style pick column features your must have wedding accessories. Beauty zone features lovely bridal hair plus our interesting interview with our cover bride, Vera.
Read these and other interesting features.
Cheers!
Elsie-Coco

Cover Story

Let’s meet you…
Vera Charles Nsa is my name, formerly Vera Oku. I am half Nigerian and half Liberian. I am in the corporate world, a Sales rep and business woman.

Meeting your better half…
He is someone I have known for a while. At some point, we lost touch but later reestablished contact and here we are today.

Charles your choice…
It was not about those who came earlier, it was about who stayed to prove his genuine love and devotion for me. It was about the right man who did not want to toy around with me emotions. It was about a man whose greatest desire was to make me his wife and mother of all his children. It was about Charles Nsa.

The proposal…
He did what every real man who takes a woman seriously does. He went further to my elder brother Oku Ekpeyong and asked for my hand in marriage. I thought, that was very respectful and that made take his proposal seriously.

The dream wedding…
We wanted to keep it simple. We wanted our family members and friends to be part of. However, we had to follow things through due process. It all started with our registry marriage at Ikoyi Registry, Lagos. As an Efik princess that I am, we had to travel down to my hometown Calabar, Cross River State  for the traditional marriage. The church wedding followed the next morning.

The preparation…
It was very hectic, planning a wedding. We had to involve our family members from both sides. Almost everyone was very helpful. For the wedding reception, my cousin did a fantastic job with the catering. One of my cousin who is a broadcaster ‘Double E’ was our M.C. My cousin and one of my close friends did my hair and makeup dressed me up. I am just grateful to God that we pulled through and and no last minute hitches.

The ‘I-DO’ Moment…
Very emotional! I broke down severally when I was saying my vows. I remember my maid of honour (Elsie-Coco) dabbing tears from my eyes and calming me down. Those were tears of joy. That moment where I let go all the hurt and pain that love ever caused me and finally finding my true love and soul mate.

Wedding memories…
I remember my elder brother Oku, walking me to the altar and handing me over to Charles  formerly. I thought I was the best dancer between my husband and i. I remember my mother joining us on the dance floor. Our M.C. was very hilarious during the cake cutting and my maid of honour Elsie-Coco proposed a moving toast.

Love message to your husband….
I LOVE YOU!!!

CHOOSING THE RIGHT WEDDING GOWN AS A PLUS SIZE SISTER

 

So you said Yes and now for planning the dream day. Whilst shopping is always fun, finding the wedding dress of your dreams it can be stressful for the best of brides not to mention ladies with curves – I know from experience!

So as a Bridal Designer for the Curvy Bride, here are my top tips on finding your perfect wedding dress.

1. Set a budget. It is so important to keep to budget and look for various options within your bracket. When visiting shops, boutiques and designers let them know your budget early on as this ensures that you don’t fall in love with a dress that you can’t afford.

2. Know your silhouette. The design that best flatters you will depend on your silhouette and shape. Most designers and boutiques will offer a style assessment service. The design is the foundation, so take your time and get it right, after that its easy to work on the finishing and details.

3. Try new styles but not too many dresses! Some styles that you may not have considered may turn out to be flattering, but if you try on lots of dresses in the same style it will just leave you overwhelmed. My advice is to pick three different styles and try 3 dresses per style; anything more will be confusing rather than helpful.

4. Don't get distracted. Try to limit your shopping trips to 1 or 2 trusted  friends or family. Having too large a crowd whilst fun can be distracting, offering to many opinions.

5. Time is of the essence. Especially if you want a bespoke dress as it will take approximately 6-8 months to design and create, for off the peg dresses purchased from a boutique you need to leave 3-6 months although they can often accommodate you in shorter time if need be. Ideally start shopping at least 9 months in advance and don’t forget to check out the sample sales.

6 Don’t change. Sometimes ladies tell me they love a dress but just want to lose some weight for the day, I never recommend this. Firstly your husband proposed to you as you are now so why change just for a day? Secondly yo-yo diets are not good for your health and you are more likely to end up heavier than you started. If you choose to make healthy lifestyle changes that is very different, just remember that your dress is either made to your measurements or altered, either way if your weight is fluctuating it will have an impact on your dress.

7. Don’t panic if you don’t find the one. Not every bride is going to have a moment when she puts on ‘the one’ and falls into a flood of tears, it may happen for you it might not, for me the moment didn’t come when I chose my dress or even tried it on for the first time but it happened as I walked down the aisle and saw the look in my husband’s eyes. Also once you have decided on your dress, stop looking, it only creates confusion and wastes time.

8.Bespoke or Retail? There are advantages to both, especially for Curvy Brides. Bespoke will allow you to spend time with the designer creating your ultimate a gown and of course you are guaranteed a truly unique look from head to toe. Likewise retail is an option and a good boutique will also be able to offer you advice, just make sure you do your research and look for a shop that stocks plus size dresses.

Please quote:

Kemi Boutique
Kemi Farquharson
www.kemiboutique.com
+44 07830 236 223

Kemi Farquharson

Designer | Creative Entrepreneur

Kemi@kemiboutique.com

07830 236 223

http://www.kemiboutique.com

https://www.lovingyourcurves.co.uk

http://www.kemicourses.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/KemiBoutiqueBridalCouture  

Sister's Gist

                                            NOW THAT YOU ARE MARRIED…
Now that you are married, a successful marriage is possible in a time where divorce rate is high. Longevity, strife free and fruitful marriage is very possible. There are two basic things involved when it   comes to marriage; either the marriage works or does not work.
For every successful marriage, there are basic principles that the couple has applied and for the unsuccessful marriages, there are obviously principles that were never applied or considered.
Marriage could be likened to a building, the principles of a building relates in marriage as well.  All buildings are products of knowledge and understanding, a building that will accommodate people must be well maintained, renovated and cared for if you do not want to loose it. And so is marriage. It is not just enough to have a marriage, if you abandon it shortly after your wedding, then you are likely to loose it.
For every successful marriage, there are some basic wisdom and principles to put in practice;
NEVER ABANDON GOD
Marriage is a threefold cord. God is the third cord that binds the two together. Your connection with God determines the quality of life that flows in your marriage. Do not loose your prayer life, even if you do not have one, this is the best time to build one. Study the word of God and fellowship with God’s  people.

NEVER ABANDON YOUR SPOUSE
De-prioritizing your spouse is a very dangerous thing to do. Only God should come first and then your spouse. Never put things such s career not even your children before your spouse. Never take your spouse for granted and do not talk to your spouse without regard. Abandoning your spouse means the death of your romance-not necessarily sex.
BE KIND AND CONSIDERATE
In marriage you ought to make some adjustments or change in consideration of your spouse. Love your spouse. Be submissive as a wife. Learn to forgive and be kind.