Here Come the Brides
Everybody loves a wedding, and when you’re the bride-to-be, there’s no shortage of advice on what to do at your celebration. Future brides filled shopping bags with samples and ideas for the big day at a recent BrideWorld event at the Los Angeles Convention Center. We stopped by to share the prenuptial madness.
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Yolanda Davis, 42
Stay-at-home mom
Paramount
When’s the big day?
April 15, 2006, at St. Reed Missionary Baptist Church in L.A.
Are you doing anything traditional?
The groom and I jump over a broom, sweeping away the old and welcoming the new. It’s an old tradition in the black world.
What kind of bride will you be?
A blushing, excited bride. I’ve done the Bridezilla moments already. I threw one sister out of the wedding three times, but she’s back in now.
Who should pay for the bridesmaids’ dresses?
The bridesmaids. They’re also supposed to go with the color I pick. We’re going to do butterscotch.
Who might misbehave?
I’m afraid one of my sisters might have a dramatic meltdown. My mother might, too, if the church isn’t decorated right.
Is there any scandal potential?
If my boyfriend’s ex-wife shows up.
What should the groom not wear?
Ugly shoes. I want one color.
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Mayra Gutierrez, 26
Social worker
Los Angeles
When’s the big day?
Next May in a Catholic church in Montebello.
Are you doing anything traditional?
I’ll throw the bouquet after all the single women run around me to the song “La Vibora de la Mar.” The girl who catches the bouquet will then dance the cha-cha-cha with the single man who catches my garter.
What kind of bride will you be?
I want people to see me as their sister, cousin or friend who is ready to commit to her new life with someone she loves.
What could cause a fight?
We won’t fight. He wanted a buffet and I wanted a sit-down dinner. We decided on the sit-down dinner.
What should the groom not wear?
As long as he’s there at the church, I don’t care.
What does the groom not know about you yet?
He hasn’t seen my big old stomach. I’m going to lose weight for my wedding.
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Kimberly Ikeda, 33
Creative services manager
Montebello
When’s the big day?
July 8, 2006, in Palos Verdes Estates.
Are you doing anything traditional?
Making 1,000 cranes, a Japanese tradition to ensure good fortune. The bride makes origami cranes,
in a picture or a collage, and it’s displayed at the wedding.
Are you having any creative twists?
Two colors instead of one in the flowers and invitations. I also want more than one centerpiece style at the reception. Some people will sit outside and some inside.
What kind of bride will you be?
A stressed-out one. I want to do a lot ahead of time.
What’s the most annoying advice you’ve received?
One relative tried to push peach on me because the wedding’s in July, but I want violet and green.
What does the groom not know about you yet?
How I’ll look the day of the wedding, how I’ll do my hair and makeup.
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Tiffany Harbin, 23
Preschool center director
Norwalk
When’s the big day?
June 17, 2006, in Seal Beach.
Are you doing anything traditional?
We’ll be married in my grandmother’s church.
Are you doing any creative twists?
Traditionally, the parents light the unity candle, then pass it to the bride and groom. We’re going to have the grandparents light it, pass it to the parents, then to us.
What could cause a fight?
Changing things at the last minute, like centerpieces or decorations.
Who are you worried will misbehave at the wedding?
My brother and sister don’t get along, so I hope they won’t argue.
What do you hope the groom will not want to wear?
White socks, because it looks tacky with a black suit.
What does the groom not know about you yet?
I can be extremely wild, loud and crazy.