BRIDESMAIDS- 9 tips on how to choose who!

Stressing over which friends and/or relatives will be bridesmaids? Choosing the bridal party is no laughing matter. Scan these deciding factors, and the selection process will be a breeze.

How Many Maids?

One of the first things to consider when selecting your bridal party is how many guests you're planning to invite. While bridal parties can range anywhere from a single maid/matron of honor to more than a dozen attendants, most wedding experts agree that a good rule of thumb is to have one groomsman and one corresponding bridesmaid for every 50 guests. (This doesn't mean, though, that you have to go ask a stranger to be in your wedding just because your fiance has one more attendant than you do. Life will go on if you have uneven numbers of groomsmen and bridesmaids.) Also, a large wedding party traditionally signifies a formal wedding. So if you're planning a small, intimate gathering, ten bridesmaids might be a bit too much.

More isn't Merrier

Speaking of size, remember that the more bridesmaids you have, the greater the potential for complications. In other words, you'll need to get more people to agree on a dress or decide on abridal shower date. And if you're on a limited budget, think about who has to pay for all those bridesmaids bouquets. That's right -- you.

Blood is Thicker Than Water

If you're close to your sister or future sister-in-law, the thought of not including them in your wedding party probably never even occurred to you. But if you suffer from a serious Jan Brady complex, the thought of asking your sister (or sister-in-law) to be a bridesmaid probably ranks right up there with getting a football in the nose. Still, it's usually worth including family members just to avoid unnecessary conflict. Think of it as having more bargaining power when you're battling with your mom over the guest list.

No Backsies

You don't need to ask someone to be in your wedding just because she asked you to be in her wedding. Don't ask the college roommate you haven't spoken to in five years just to return the favor. Weddings are no time for quid pro quo. Period.

Location, Location

What do you expect from your bridesmaids? Will simple moral support suffice, or do you expect them to be your personal Pollyannas, addressing wedding invitations and tying tiny ribbons around your wedding favors? If it's the latter, think twice about asking friends who live far away or who have extremely hectic schedules. You don't want to find yourself getting frustrated with a friend you knew wouldn't be able to give you all the help you wanted.

Don't Assume

Try not to make hasty assumptions. Don't write off some friends simply because you think they don't have enough money to afford that Vera Wang bridesmaid dress you have your eye on. If you want to ask a friend whom you know is having financial difficulties, you can always say something like, "I'd love for you to be a bridesmaid, but I understand the tough time you're going through now. If you can't do it, I'd love to find something else for you to do in the wedding." (Or, you can offer to pay her way if you can't stand the idea of her not being in the wedding.)

Guys Count

A bridesmaid doesn't have to be a woman. Despite the prevalence of feminine pronouns in this guide, if your best friend is a guy, there's no reason why he can't be in your wedding. Today, many brides (and grooms) are including members of the opposite sex as attendants. In these cases, a man on the bride's side is simply called an attendant or bridesman, while a woman on the groom's side can be called an attendant or a groomswoman.

Other Honors

Still stuck? Keep in mind that there are plenty of other roles good friends can play in your wedding if they don't make the cut -- do a reading, hand out programs, or perform a song.

Spread the News

Once you make up your mind about your bridesmaids, you'll want to get the word out. The only thing worse than a coworker who thinks she's invited to your wedding is a friend who assumes she's going to be a bridesmaid. If you're afraid of hurting someone's feelings, remember that, as cliched as it sounds, any true friend will understand whatever decision you ultimately make. And finally, the sooner you make your decision, the sooner you get to check off one more box on your endless wedding checklist.

MERCY JOHNSON COUNTS HER BLESSINGS

Mercy Johnson-Okojie

A-list actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie has expressed gratitude to fans for standing by her and taking on her fight in 2013. She described the year as incredible, saying she couldn’t ask for more. “It is one year I won’t forget in a hurry,” she said. She promised to go head in another direction in the new year. “In 2014, there will be new direction for the brand, keep your fingers crossed while God and my team work out the magic.”

Mercy who is reputed to be the highest paid actress in Nigeria at the moment, acknowledged her exalted position in the most subtle manner. “How can I forget 2013, the year I had the honour of being the most searched Nollywood actress for the third consecutive year? Social media, Twitter most especially, played significant role in reaching out directly. The teaming fans on Twitter and other platforms, this is for you; thank you for loving, tolerating and being there for me.”

In a year in which she poured so much encomium all everyone who did any kind of business with her, she expectedly singled out her husband, Prince Odi Okojie for special praise, describing him as the most wonderful man in the world.  “If there were to be reincarnation, I will take the step of faith with you again. Odi, you are a good man, wonderful husband and loving daddy. I am blessed to be your wife and blessed will you continue to be among men.”
Not one to be drawn into a fight, she side-stepped those who may have no good word for her. “The critics played their parts too. I took the constructive ones, made adjustment and became a better person.”

Our favourite soul star Bez married his sweetheartBolatito Ladoja

You know no one loves weddings like we do !
We are so excited about the first celebrity wedding of 2014. Our favourite soul star Bez married his sweetheartBolatito Ladoja 

at the Guiding Light Assembly Church in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi today – 4th January 2014.

The lovely couple have now proceeded to their reception where they will enjoy a day of bliss and celebration surrounded by their families and friends.

Bez looked very dapper in a bespoke blue suede tuxedo with a black satin lapel by Mai Atafo Inspired. Definitely a superstar look while his bride looked elegant in a lace dress with asymmetric off shoulder sleeves  by Love, Tims – the bridal line of I Do Weddings. 

WORDS ARE POWERFUL! - are you blocking your blessings?

Happy Sunday all !!! 
          
           I was actually thinking of a topic to write on that will inspire our lives and change our thoughts .  The words that we speak are so powerful that they shape and define our lives. Our words can also transmit FEAR or FAITH into our lives. You have the power to choose what happens in your life by the words you speak. Our conditioning does not allow us to speak the way God wants us to speak rather we are conditioned to speak the way we feel concerning any particular circumstance. Whatever situation we face every day of our lives, we should be conditioned to speak the promises of God. 



                                                 

The Scripture says in  Proverbs 18:21~ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. 

You want it so bad that all you do is talk about it, but what are you really saying? Are you speaking your dreams into existence or are you blocking your own blessings?

Sometimes we can be our worst enemy when it comes to our thoughts and our choice of words. When you put negative energy into the atmosphere, just know that the enemy will definitely use your own words against you. That’s when he’ll start telling you.. “You’re never going to be anything to anyone”. “You’re never going to get far”. You might as well stop wasting your time and give up now”. The sad part about it is…many of us will give in to that fear. Why? Because we are the ones who planted the seed.

Sometimes despite the way it looks , you have to learn to see it the way you want it to be. Your business is not picking up the way you expected it to?…You can choose to say “Maybe I should quit while I’m ahead” or “I know my season is just around the corner. Failure is not an option.” …Another bad breakup? You can choose to say “I’ll never find the right person” or “I know God is sending me ‘Mr. Right’ .” Instead of telling yourself “I don’t know how I’m going to make it.”, tell yourself “I know God will provide.”  Always say the right things and see the glory of God at work in your life. 

Being realistic is one thing, but being pessimistic is another. Words are seeds, they can make or destroy us. Before you speak, think about what you are planting.

Bible Reference : Job 19 : 2, Luke 4 : 22

Have a great week ahead!  

an open letter to SINGLE WOMEN - about your future husband

An Open Letter To Single Women
    - about your future husband.


              Dear beautiful,


                     

l, Gorgeous, Smart, Intelligent and God loving Sisters,

I would like to introduce you to someone. Let’s call her Sharon. Recently, Sharon was going on a date with a potential “future husband”, so she sent me a message to get my honest and brotherly opinion about her “future husband” and men generally.

Giggling like a teenager, she was excited because her dream of getting married this year finally looked like a reality – by the way, she is approaching the age of 30. She had been in a few failed relationships, tried a Ben 10 (younger lover), and had even gone through a failed marriage. This time, with all the experiences she had collected, she asked me for my sincere advice on what to look out for in a “future husband”.

As a husband, pastor, mentor, author and journalist, I have researched and lived the life of a “future husband”. I have interviewed and counseled countless people on relationships.

I felt so privileged to be trusted to give counsel. I wish more men and women would stop fighting each other and start talking to each other. Trust me; I am an honest evaluator – direct but sensitive and truthful. I know the truth sometimes hurts, but it heals afterwards. She was humble enough to seek my advice in order to avoid the pitfalls so many women have fallen into.

As a man, I get very angry whenever I see women being disrespected, devalued and treated with little dignity by other men. Let’s just say it has a way of catapulting my holy anger, I always do my best to protect women from some predator, abuser and cheater who calls himself a man, but is disguised as a “future husband”.

Anyway, I delightfully shared with Sharon some of the points from my ‘Future Husband Template for a Godly Woman.’

1. A future husband will know that you are a future wife – trust me, most men immediately know if you are “the one” or not. We just know and we will act on it.
2. A future husband will own up to his mistakes. If he keeps making excuses for his mistakes, he shouldn’t be in your future because most likely he is just a church boy (Immature Christian man).
3. A future husband will respect you no matter the circumstance. If he only respects you when he wants to get something in return – red flag!
4. A future husband will do whatever it takes to provide – he is a go-getter. He might not provide everything, but he always does his best.
5. A future husband has integrity. When he promises you heaven and earth, and cannot even deliver Soweto, something is wrong. He doesn’t make promises he knows he cannot keep.
6. A future husband seeks more than just outer beauty – like every other man he is visually-stimulated but his heart makes the best judgment not his eye. He wants to know you inside out and not just outside in so he can show off your inner and outer beauty.
7. A future husband is an investor – he is very ready to invest in your emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. (I am definitely investing in my wife so she can be a crossbreed between Meagan Good and Joyce Meyer.)
8. A future husband will point you to Jesus rather than to himself. If he behaves like he is your #1 superhero taking the place of “SuperYeshua”, then I sense a problem coming.
9. A future husband will pray with you because there is nothing more intimate. The beauty of any godly relationship is experienced when you pray together.
10. A future husband will make a good friend, not just a good lover. A tall, dark and handsome Idris Elba lookalike is not enough without true friendship.

I also reminded Sharon (and want to remind my sisters too) that it is not, nor has it ever been and never will be a woman’s job to look for a “future husband”. His job is to find YOU! – so my sisters, keep it biblical.

To all single women, someday you’ll be the LOVE of somebody’s life. Just be patient.

Whatever you do, you shouldn’t get desperate, feel lonely and start running around churches, clubs, concerts, weddings etc looking for your “future husband”. Keep looking sexy and elegant.
Develop a godly character so that when he finds you, he will know that you are cut from a different cloth – “future wife” material.

Your “future husband” adviser,

Solomon

What is your opinion regarding your “future husband?” Please share with us!!! We would love to know what your thoughts are.

CALABAR CARNIVAL! - Nollywood steals the show

Every Christmas, millions of tourists and fun seekers across the world  throng the ancient city of Calabar,  Cross River State,to catch  a glimpse of the annual Calabar carnival. And last  year’s Christmas was no exception.






                                

The carnival, which kicked off  from Saturday, November 30, with the lighting of Christmas Tree ran through  January 1. It was nothing less than the popular carnival da Rua in terms of colour, artistry and  love-filled atmosphere.

Many attendees described  it as “a memorable blend of culture, fun, adventure and creativity ability of the people as represented by the five bands of the carnival.

“But besides, the streets parade with makeshift costumes, crowded stadium, happy jamboree and soul rowing jollity that took the centre stage, graceful participation of Nollywood stars in last year’s carnival indisputably helped to add glamour  and sophistication to the annual event.

Prior to the establishment of Nollywood band as an addition to the already existing carnival bands including, Bayside, Passion 4, Masta Blasta, Seagull and Freedom band, movie stars have been part of the carnival in the recent past.But  this year, they featured prominently than ever in most of the carnival activities as they stole the show.

At  UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar  venue of the carnival grand finale,  the likes of  Tonto Dikeh, Funke Akindele, Uti Nwachukwu, Fred  Amata, Imeh Bishop Umoh, Mr. John Okafor a.k.a Mr Ibu,  Nkem Owoh(Osofia), KC Ejelonu, Linda Ejiofor, Gideon Okeke, Enyinna Nwigwe, OC Ukeje and several others were the cynosure of attraction.

Accompanying Senator, Florence Ita-Giwa’s  led Seagull band and Cross River State First Lady’s Master Blasta band, the movie stars caused a stir as they displayed alongside the bands  in  different forms ranging from their colours, costumes, choreography, music and  dance drama to the amusement of the cheering spectators who   thronged the  venue to catch a glimpse of the event.

Upon sighting Mr. Ibu, the crowd ran after him, just as shout of  “Osofia in Calabar’ filled the air.  Also, the sight of Tonto Dikeh was pleasing to the over one million participants who were eager to  meet the controversial actress.

The  stars also participated in the street party. While the street party  which was declared opened by the state governor, Liyel Imoke  lasted, the stars  were not found missing in action.

Just as the people  who flooded the 14 kilometres carnival route stretching into the U. J Esuene Stadium, the terminating point and theatre of communal celebration for the day, till the early hours of Saturday, december 28, felt the sensation and vibration as well as experienced the convivial social atmosphere of the yearly feast, which has been described as the biggest street party ever in the annals of the African continent.

The carnival climaxed last Wednesday, January 1, with a thanksgiving service.

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