Yetunde + Oladapo | Colorful Nigerian Wedding Tradition

Something a little different and colorful for you today from Don't FRETT Photography. Lots of busy-ness going on around here at DLA, so we have had a little hiatus but we are back with the beautiful  wedding ceremony of Yetunde and Oladapo. This lovely couple is Nigerian, and both come from different tribes in with different customs, which they incorporated into their beautiful, vibrant and colorful Traditional Wedding Ceremony. I just had to share the amazing festiveness, intricate embroidery and design, and grand display of their traditional wedding attire. I'd like to see this kind of color more often!

Most Nigerian couples have a traditional ceremony and perform the traditional customs specific to their tribe, then a "white" wedding the following day. Traditional Ceremonies are very sacred and are important parts of the wedding festivities for both families. It was the way their forefathers were wed. 

Some customs include, prayers over the couple by both sides of the family, cutting of the cake, exchanging rings, Bride finding and seeking counsel from the Bible. The Bride's family and friends ushering her into the Hall to meet her Groom's family and friends, a declaration being read from the Groom's family on how he will take good care of his wife. It's usually a fun filled and very colorful event which takes place the day or two before the Church wedding.

Congratulations to Yetunde and Oladapo, and thanks for sharing this special part of your wedding celebration! We love couples who embrace cultural as part of their I do's and uphold family heritage. Thanks also to Don't FRETT Photography for introducing us to Nigeria wedding celebrations in all their gorgeous, colorful glory!

What do you think about the bride's gorgeous jewelry and accessories? Leave us a message below and then pop over to FACEBOOK and join the conversation.

Have a great week! Make it colorful.

{Jewelry Giveaway} The Extraordinary Days of Christmas from Blue Nile

Unwrap Something Extaordinary

If you are anything like me, you love the bling and twinkle of the holiday season, especially if it is of the kind you wear on your wrist or finger! You adore sparkly jewels for parties and presents and general dress up. Even better, we love giveaways, prizes, can't believe I won, oh yeah... that was free. And if you are planning a wedding right now, you'll need all the help you can get! 

Well, lucky you, we're teaming up with Blue Nile, the ultimate expert in engagement rings, wedding jewelry, and gorgeous gifts, for their Extraordinary Days of Christmas Game.  For 12 days, Blue Nile Facebook fans will have a chance to unwrap one of six fabulous presents ranging from percentage off discount codes to $11,000 diamond rings. Hello....

Here's The Extraordinary Days of Christmas game deets:

 It is a game of chance with prizes ranging from percentage off discount codes to $11,000 diamond rings. Can you believe that Blue Nile will be giving away a cumulative prize value of $100,000 over the course of 12 days? 

• In order to participate, you must be a Fan for the Blue Nile Facebook Page. 
• Everyday from now until Dec 7, go to the Blue Nile Fan page, look for the Game tab at the top,  and then "virtually" upwrap one of the six unique gifts in hopes of winning one of 12 extraordinary jewelry prizes.
• One extraordinary jewelry prize will be given out per day, ranging from $3,500 to $13,500 but everyone will win something.
• The campaign started on Cyber Monday (November 26, 2012) and will end on December 7, 2012.

It is that Easy Peasy! Today, I actually won a $75 off coupon for my next purchase...and all I did was click a present! Prizes include, but are not limited to, multiple diamond engagement rings (including one from the new Monique Lhuillier line), 2-carat diamond earrings, a sapphire and diamond ring, and a 4-carat diamond bracelet. All told, $100,000 worth of extraordinary jewelry prizes will be awarded from November 26 –December 7 and everyone is guaranteed a Blue Nile gift!

Now, you know de Lovely Affair stands for quality products, services, vendors as well as budget busting, practical ideas.  Blue Nile is both; quality products and great practical gifts and jewelry at reasonable, won't break the bank prices. 

So good luck, I hope you unwrap something EXTRAORDINARY! And while you are on Facebook, stop by our Fan Page, say hi and let us know what you won!

Have a great weekend,

Kayla + Josh | Modern Anthropologie Style meets Vintage Romantic Picnic

Cupcakes, Mountain Meadows, and Happily Ever After with Katy Hall

This adorable, lighthearted, full of life and love engagement shoot was a must have - not because of the equally attractive Kayla and Josh, or their super stylish Anthropologie ensembles, or even their old-school romance inspired picnic complete with a colorful bunting, well loved quilt, and a basket of goodies. Its because their engagement shoot, captured by the super talented Katy Hall, is a testament to young love, a promising future, and every fabulous thing in between. This couple looks exactly how love should feel....as soon as you see the rest you will get exactly what I mean. Stylish, simple and real, their love, that sparkle and light and fun spirit shines through in every image.

Katy tells us: "The moment I met this sweet girl, I knew I wanted to be the one to capture her special day. She is full of love and a passion for life that I thought was unmatched. Then I met this amazing guy and I realised he’s equally contagious in his love for adventure, life, and laughter. Their engagement session encompasses their love for adventure and the simple pleasures in life.”

I am just in love with their love story! As Kayla tells it: Josh and I met my first night at college at a friend’s house and continued bumping into each other through mutual friends. We first began hanging out because of our interest in the show LOST which we watched at his house for a study break. I knew he must really like me when I got Swine Flu that semester and he still hung out with me when I was feeling pretty sick!” True love, most certainly!

But it's Josh's proposal that takes the cake -- or the cupcake in this case: "There is a lookout over the whole town called Garvin Heights. Some of my friends brought me up there one night and led me down a little path lit with candles. He was waiting at the end with chocolate covered strawberries and my favorite food – cupcakes and of course a ring! A friend filmed the whole thing. My favorite part of the whole story is that’s where my dad proposed to my mom.” Serious husband points!

 All photos submitted through Two Bright Lights.

Kayla’s Clothing:   Anthropologie
Vintage Items:  Goodwill Southern California,Hunt and Gather
Josh’s Clothing:  J.crew
Bakery:  Byerly’s
Paper Props:  Patina
Photographer:  Katy Hall Photography

Thanks so much to Katy Hall for sharing this seriously gorgeous, moving engagement shoot. You really captured the essence of this vibrant, happy, so in love couple! Kayla and Josh, congratulations on your upcoming wedding; we can't wait to share it with the de Lovely family.

What is your favorite outfit or scene in this stylish e-shoot? I love all the different moods each one reflects! Leave us a message below and then join us over on Facebook for more great wedding conversation. 

Also, pop by tomorrow of a sneak peek, super sweet behind the scenes look at this session!

Have a happy week,

Eclectic Bridal Style - Sassy Dresses & Flirty Skirts with Luxe House Photographic

Bring on the sass, bring on the style, say hello to some bridal personality -- how many of you can jump that high in a fancy dress.  I have something fun and different for you today from Luxe House Photographic; I totally dig their unique take on the wedding biz. There's nothing like a little bridal individuality to make a statement about who you are or to help you buck age old traditional bridal roles.

Luxe House Photographic put together a super stylish, colorful, and playful shoot in the heart of the Carolina Mountains. They also did a little studio setting to show off all the gorgeous detail they put into the dresses, hair accessories, and bouquets. Their eclectic mix of feathers, flowers, lace, and even paper shows that you create a bridal look all your own.

This dress is to die for and so in fashion for 2013 with its short length and feather accents!

Thanks for Luxe House Photographic for this look at eclectic bridal style - we love the sassy dresses and flirty skirts and would LOVE to see what you choose for your wedding celebration. There are so many occasions to dress up for when you get married and one dress is just never enough. Send an email with photos of your eclectic bridal style. Join us on Pinterest for more great looks!

Have a great weekend and remember to make it your own!