Black Bag Bridal Magazine

We are proud to announce Kim Moss, AAWP ProMember and AAWP Certified Wedding Planner has published Black Bag Bridal, a new online quarterly magazine specifically for brides over 40, encore brides and brides of color.  Visit the site to check out the first ten pages free!

The DIY List - 50 promises: Be Gentle

Gentility is an acquired skill, it takes time to learn and time to craft it in such a way that it becomes a part of your DNA. When children are toddlers they're like bulls in china shops and one thing that is said to them is "be gentle".  Once they understand that things are fragile, they get it and all you need to say is "be gentle".  Being gentle is sometimes hard to do especially when you're pulling out your hair and can't seem to get your point across or you really want to smash glass or walls or other items that later, you'll wonder why you were so angry.  Being gentle with the love of your life is something that you should naturally do without thought, without any hesitation.  Men who are hearing they should be gentle are rolling their eyes and saying, "I'm a man, we aren't gentle!" That's actually true - men are not raised to be gentle and if they were, they tend to hide that side of themselves as they get older.  Be gentle with your voice and tone, be gentle when your spouse is depressed or sad, be gentle when you can't figure out what else to do is sometimes the best thing to do.  Even incorporate the words into your wedding vows that you will strive to be gentle.  Find ways to show a little gentility and you'll reap love in return!

The DIY List - 50 promises: Be Polite

Manners or as the old schooler's call it "home training" is really key when you are going from single to married.  Saying please, thank you, your welcome and other simple pleasantries are not to be left out or ignored when dealing with your spouse.  Its easy to be polite to those outside of your home, they're meeting your representative.  At home, your representative doesn't really exist, its the real you at home and as such you may feel like you don't have to be polite.  Not so.  Politeness can go a long way when it comes to love and showing it.  Everyone likes to hear the "magic words" of please and thank you - don't think for a minute that its not required.  Had a fight or an argument? Politeness clearly is not on your mind - but that little phrase of kill them with kindness can diffuse a situation.  Disarm your spouse by being kind and not "going there" even if the little angel on your shoulder says to go for it and you're agreeing.  Add this item to your DIY list, you'll thank us later!

The DIY List - 50 promises: Accept your differences

This is going to be the hardest thing to add to your list - accepting differences.  I went to a wedding a couple of days ago and one of the things the officiant reminded the couple, as well as the audience was that it was necessary to accept the differences your spouse and you have,  It is important to be clear - we aren't talking about a difference of opinion; we're talking about personality differences.  You can quickly decide that its your way or the high way and believe me when I say that you have much to learn if you take that approach.  Learning to accept the other person's quirks and such takes time and that's a two way street.  You cannot expect your beloved to accept your quirks without accepting theirs - it doesn't work and its not fair.  Accepting differences is one of the ABCs of Life and when you decide that you have to do this, everything else becomes clearer.  This is also important when planning your wedding - accepting that not every choice you make is going to be one that your fiancee is going to love as much as you do is key.  Come to a happy medium when it comes to wedding plans, even if you think the other person is crazy! Add this not only to your DIY list but your life list - it will make a lasting impression.

The DIY List - 50 promises: Date at least once a week

We know what you're saying - the word date, and any iteration of it is not in your vocabulary, you're about to be married! Well, here's the thing - you have to continue to have a date with your spouse!  It doesn't have to be fancy either, especially given the economic climate.  Date night can be a regular night each week that you agree can never be cancelled (unless its a true emergency), and should be looked forward to all week long.  Our best advice for date nights other than dinner and a movie?  How about a wine tasting for two? Candlelight and bubble bath for two? Indoor picnic or outdoor one complete with blanket, candlelight, music and play a game or two.  Looking forward to the date can keep the romance alive and even be a welcome change of pace especially once the excitement and energy from planning the wedding has ended,  Add this item to your DIY list and you won't go wrong!

To tweet or not to tweet?

Should you share your wedding details via social media? Is it proper etiquette?  Here's the thing, a wedding is a sacred, serious life changing ceremony for grown ups - its not something done in 140 characters or less.  Yes, the planning is exciting, you want to tell the world you're getting married, but should you really?  We agree that its great to share the news of your engagement, but caution should be exercised.  What if everyone you want to share the news with is not as technologically savvy or they don't FB or Tweet and are surprised they didn't here the news from you via phone or snail mail? There will no doubt be some hurt feelings and even some simmering anger.  Re-consider tweeting or posting to Facebook regardless of it being the 21st century way to communicate.   No, your family and friends don't have to "work with it" because its your wedding.  Honestly, its impersonal announcing this kind of event via the Internet.  Sending an Evite, Facebook message or Tweet to invite people to your engagement party or other wedding related event - says a couple of things about how you and your fiancee are approaching this life change: 
1. You're too busy to even take time to send actual paper invitations or announcements: Note,  this does not mean you're being Green!
2. You have no budget to do this the "right" code for the old school way (hint - this is a perception by your guests of the actual wedding to come).
3. Your style is 140 characters long - you don't have longer than that to do things that will be memorable for you and your guests
4. You're in love with the idea of the wedding planning and you could care less about the etiquette of it what it says about you as a couple.

Blogging is different and we understand that keeping an online journal can be helpful for sharing details with those who may not be able to attend the wedding for whatever reason, but even blogging should have limits.  We want to hear what you think - write us and let us know.

Do you have what it takes?

It's September and time to think about whether or not you want to change careers or not.  Do you love weddings? Have you watched the bridal shows on television and think - I can do that, its not that hard! Have you planned weddings as a favor to friends or relatives for free and think, I should do this all the time but get paid? Do you have what it takes?  Well if you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to become a certified planner with AAWP!  Visit the site to find out how to sign up online and change your career today!