Born – January 15, 1929 in Atlanta Georgia – Assassinated – April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee  ~ this is now the Civil Right Museum

He was best known for leading the civil rights movement in the United States and advocating nonviolent protest against segregation and racial discrimination. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived a life graced with memorable milestones and accomplishments to include (but not limited to):

• 1955-1956 Led a successful effort to desegregate Montgomery, Alabama buses 
• 1958 Published Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story
• 1963 Wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
• 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered
• 1964 Won the Nobel Peace Prize 
• 1964 The first African American to be honored as Time magazine’s Man of the Year

To learn more about his legacy – check out the following links:

American Rhetoric – I Have a Dream Speech

Nobel Prize – Biography

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Maid/Matron of Honor

• Moral support provider
• Assist with shopping for wedding gown and accessories
• Assist in making wedding favors and addressing invitations
• Host bridal shower/plan bachelorette party
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Organize bridesmaids and flower girls/hold bride’s bouquet during ceremony
• Help with train /bustle
• Act as witness when signing marriage license
• Propose a toast at reception

Bridesmaids

• Purchase attire
• Assist in making wedding favors
• Help maid/matron of honor with planned parties/ showers
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Assist bride with errands
• Participate in reception activities/mingle with guests

Best Man

• Moral support provider
• Assist with shopping for formalwear
• Purchase attire
• Plan and pay for bachelor party
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Make toast at the rehearsal dinner and reception
• Ensure that groom is dressed and at the ceremony on time/carry the bride’s ring
• Make sure groom has the marriage license/deliver officiant’s fee before the ceremony
• Mingle with guests
• Assist with transportation and luggage from the reception

Groomsmen/Ushers

• Purchase attire
• Attend and help pay for bachelor party
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner/offer a toast
• Arrive on time and be available for photo ops
• Seat guests according to couples wishes/escort bride and grooms mothers to their seat
• Direct guest to the reception/attend to bridesmaids at reception
• Decorate getaway car

When planning your wedding ceremony, it should be a reflection of both of you. This is a time for you to profess your undying love to one another in front of family and close friends. Most religious ceremonies include the following elements – personalized to individual taste:

• Call to worship
• Charge to the couple
• The vows
• Exchange of rings
• The pronouncement

You may also decide to add special readings, a sacred scripture, unity symbols, or even write your own vows. Sample Ceremony – Courtesy of A Personal Wedding

On behalf of N., and N., I would like to thank each of you for attending this wedding celebration. You are indeed participating in one of the happiest moments of their lives. For N., and N., your very presence here as family and honored guest not only heightens the beauty of this moment for them–but it also completes it! (Bride to be Given Away)

Through out time and tradition, it has always been the distinct honor and privilege for someone to present the bride in marriage. Who presents N., in marriage today? I do (or her mother and I)

(Congregation is asked to be seated)

We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people. Two people whose hearts and spirits are already entwined as one. In fact, those of you who know N., an N., best, can also attest to their love for one another and to the blended hopes, dreams and goals that they share. When such a bond exists of this magnitude, then it is only appropriate that we have an open public demonstration of their love such as this wedding ceremony. And so it is that N., and N., now will profess (before God,) their family and their friends, of their desire to henceforth walk the road of life together.

(Questions of intent-to groom and bride)

Do you, N. (groom), knowing of this woman’s love for you and returning it,

Realizing her strengths and learning from them, recognizing her weaknesses and accepting them, Take N. (bride), to be your lawfully wedded wife?

I DO

Do you, N. (bride), knowing of this man’s love for you and returning it,

Realizing his strengths and learning from them, recognizing his weaknesses and accepting them, Take N. (groom), to be your lawfully wedded husband?

I DO

N., and N., You are now taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person you love the most. You are agreeing to share strengths, responsibilities, and love. As husband and wife you will be each other’s best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener and protector. As your relationship grows it will deepen and enrich every facet of your life. Your happiness is fuller, your memories fresher, and your commitments will be stronger. You will indeed experience marriage to be one of life’s greatest commitments, one of life’s greatest blessings, but also one of life’s greatest challenges. So, be mindful of this; every effort to preserve love with one another by demonstrating patience, by holding each other gently, and by lifting each other up, will go a long, long way in guaranteeing a wonderful and happy life together.

Marriage Vows

N., and N., as you prepare to pledge your vows to each other, let me remind you that no other vows are more sacred, no other words are more tender than those you are about to assume. May these vows only be broken by death, and may you both live a very long and happy life together.As a symbol of your union, will you now join hands and look into the eyes of the one you love and repeat after me:

VOWS

I, N, take you, N

As my friend and my love

Beside me and apart from me

In laughter and in tears

In conflict and in tranquility,

Asking that you be no other than yourself

Loving what I know of you

Trusting what I do not know

And in all the ways that life may lead us

Ring Vows

(Minister holds up rings before congregation and states)

These two rings are made of precious metals and gems to represent the precious love between N., and N., They are also circular to represent the ‘Unbroken circle of love’. For love that is freely given has no beginning or no end. May these rings always remind you that your love is never ending.

Prayer

‘May God bless these rings and the two of you who wear them. May you always abide in His peace and continue in His favor. Amen’

Groom, please take (Bride’s) ring and place it on her left ring finger to seal your commitment of love. (Repeat after me)

N., with this ring I commit to you/ As this ring encircles your finger/ always be reminded / My love encircles your heart/

(Bride repeats the same ring vows)

Pronouncement

Forasmuch as N., and N., have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before (God and) this company, and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings, I hereby pronounce that they are husband and wife together. What God has joined together let not man put asunder. Amen 

Minister says to Groom:

(Groom)You may kiss your beautiful bride

Formal Introduction

(Congregation is asked to stand)

It’s my privilege to present to you for the very first time: Mr. and Mrs. N.

1. Don’t experiment – if you have never tried it before, don’t pick your wedding day for something new

2. Have a trial run – you can explain the look to your stylist 100 times but until he/she actually does a trial run it means nothing. Make sure the two of you are on the same page… schedule your trial a few weeks prior to your big day

3. Let your personality shine through – be sure the style you select is something that compliments your style

Want to add a little pizzazz to the perfect style? Consider a tiara, headpiece, hair comb or hair pin. Two of our favorite sites:

Hair Comes the Bride
Maria Elena Headpieces

Renaissance Lobby

Fusion Event Group is hosting a Bridal Showcase with our pal Charlene at Renaissance Hotel – Airport. Click here to register or for more information!

Remembering When Event Planning gets Wedding Wire’s Brides Choice Award

1) Bath towels – soft and luxurious
2) Coffee Maker – all the bells and whistles
3) Cutlery – Santoku, Wusthof
4) Fondue set – perfect for a “staying in” date
5) Wine Tumblers - modern, dishwasher safe
6) Entertaining china - something fun for dinner parties
7) Grill set and matching apron – when he cooks dinner
Juicer – for the healthy in you
9) Digital frame – for wedding and honeymoon photos
10) Gift card – you can’t go wrong

Popular registry sites: Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy’s

They’re hosting their September wedding at the beautiful Shingle Creek Resort and have been such a pleasure to work with. Tara is that organized bride that planners dream of and Duriel is an involved groom…impressive! Me and Duriel’s only problem is that Ms. Tara keeps trying to blow our budget with her over the top ideas Their wedding is going to be AMAZING!!!!