I kind of understand...

Johnanna makes a good arguement for DJs. However, I don`t see that arguement holding up for florist, limos, photographers or video. I would think anyone would want the best quality for their dollar, regardless of who provides the service. Afterall, when we go for a job don`t we all want equal opportunity? Let`s face it, being women, we`re all at a disadvantage. For every dollar a man makes, women only make 70 cents! But does this mean we should all be booking women for everything with our weddings? I certainly am not.

I kind of understand...

VERY GOOD POINT!!!

Jackee and Ayanna Re: the DIVA :)

I'm sorry but I can't help you because I'm not having a groom's cake. The catering hall is providing me with a cake (that I will cut up and give it to the guests to take home) and I also have Charmaine, making my castle cake (to go with my theme) for the wedding. I just thought that two cake was more than enough. But, I'm curious to see the respone to your questions.

Vendors of Color - NONE AROUND

You are absolutely right they don't advertise in the wedding magazine often! But, they are around I was just looking for some suggeetions. I guess that they use some other form of advertisement.

To Brides of all colors. (long)

To all of my fellow brides , Thank you for all of your feed back. I in not way intended to offend any of you so if I did.........I am truly sorry. However, you all have to ageee on one thing. That this is a sensative topic and no matter what side you agree with the final decision should always be the bride and groom. Also, in no way was any of my posting intended to be a debate or a race issue. We brides have to learn to respect other peoples opinon wether we agree with them or not. If you have not reach the maturity in life to respect another person opinon, maybe some of you should reconsider getting married. Because once you are married you are going to have to learn to repsect your husband's opinon, your mother in law and host of new relatives's opinons. Bottom line is a opinon is ...just an opinon. As for discrimination, we all (black, white, brown, yellow etc.) discriminate. If you don't think you discriminate, think about the last time you did not shop at a particular store beacuse the line was too long, or you did not board a certain train or bus because it was too crowded, or the time you did not buy a loaf of bread because is was crushed. You see we all are guilty of this wether we admitt it or not. And lastly, anyone seeking service has the right to choose whomever he/she wants. If I choose to seek vendors of colors as my first choice than thats my choice. I can't believe that some of my fellow brides are silly enough to believe that I would choose a vendor soley based on the color of thier skin and not that take in to consideration all of the other professionlism aspects. There are alot of venodrs of color that could never get my business not because the're not good vendors .....just that the' re not good for me. Thanks for letting me vent.............One Love!!!

Seems like lot of people sort of missed the point

its not a matter of selecting a black vendor just because s/he is black (although that was the case for my DJ) because it was an issue of musical taste)....but for myself and a lot of other black brides i know its a matter of both finding a quality, professional vendor but also supporting our community. I don't know why this concept is so difficult to understand ...its just the way a lot of socialy conscious black people feel...that it is the only way black business will grow and prosper and black people as a whole will get out from under the ravages of oppression. It is all connected...( i dont want to get in to a whole socio economical racial political discussion here but the reason there are no stores thriving int he predomiately black neighborhoods it because black people are taking their bucks into other communites) If you understand that women are discriminated you can understand how much more a black woman experiences those same things and as such, how much this issue would hold meaning for her....you cant knock anyone for wanting to at least try....like I said before not all my vendors are black but I made an effort....I felt it was important.

Okay but another point was made too

separate of the vendor of color issue, it was an offensive comment and it was posted in reverse where someone was asking specifically for 'vendors of a lighter shade' I`m sure you wouldn`t like it either. Your point is taken and understood but try to see it from another angle and you will also understand.

Seems like lot of people sort of missed the point

Jenny, I must agree with you whole-heartedly. Most people missed the point of the original request, which was not targeted to offend anyone. It was a simple request to satisfy someone's preference. Jackee, I am using Ebony Entertainment for my DJ. You can contact Brad at 718-712-9754. Happy Planning Everyone!

i understand but

I understand that the orignal post was not meant to offend. I cant speak for the other brides, but I felt that if the post was asking for the opposite- recommendations for white vendors as opposed to darker shades, then that would have been prejudiced and the poster would have been called closed minded and perhaps even racist. I do understand wanting to give business to people whom you may feel are more similar to yourself. I think that alot of 'lighter' people are trying to be inclusive and non-prejudiced and were surpized to see a post like this one. Like I said, i cant speak for everyone..but I thought perhaps my post might explain some of what people are thinking. Happy Planning!

Jackee:o)!!!!

Jackee!! Oooooohhhhh!!! That is going to be beautiful! She can make a castle! She is so creative and I love her! She's actually doing individual cakes for all of my guests and I haven't yet chosen what cake of filling.... For the Grooms cake we're doing butter chocolate with raspberries!!! Mmmm! Good Luck! Ayanna P.S. I was thinking of her tangerine orange cake for my mini cakes...what do you think? I've never tasted that one before!

Kathi & DIVA Info...

Hi! She like to know early so tell her as soon as your comfortable. She is so sweet and you can go to her showroom in Hoboken, NJ. I did a grooms cake to feed 40, b/c the groom's cake is really only for the bridal party and close family. However, to be honest, I may not cut it b/c it is going to be FABULOUS!!! She is truly amazing and she's a doll! Good Luck! Ayanna

Let`s put the shoe on the other foot

Hi! Actually, I can reccommend quite a few WONDERFUL vendors, since most of my vendors are of a 'lighter shade' and the are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I think the point is, and maybe b/c people have been honest with me, but I have friends who's parents wouldn't let them use any vendors of color for their wedding b/c they only wanted to use Italians (in one case) and Japanese in the other, so suggestions of another race weren't even entertained... Is everyone like that, of course not, but let's just say that there is a large playing field for weddings and EVERY BRIDE has a choice on who she want's to play on hers... Good Luck!

A 'Shade' Debate???

Hi Michelle W, Interesting choice of words...I love all shades and I see shades, b/c the moment people see 'grey' I always tend to get my feelings hurt...Let's not try to be politically correct and instead SEE and APPRECIATE all shades, from the deepest night to the palest white... All are interesting and beautiful! Good Luck, Ayanna

Jackee:o)!!!!.......Ayanna

I'm so happy that you are going with the indv. cakes. I thought about doing indv. cakes but I decided against it because I only have a $2000 buget for the cake and with 185 guest I didn't think that will be within my budget. Another idea was to do cakes as centerpieces for each table. But my FI insisted that I use flowers instead. So that idea went out the window. By the way my florist is Stefan's of cedarhurst ( and for all of my critics he is of the lighter shade.) Take plenty of pictures!!!!!!!

Ebony Entertainment......(Star)

Hey Star, I called them and they faxed me thier package info. Have you ever seen them perform? Or know of someone who has? All of the 4 packages listed are for 5 hours. I was only looking for a 4 hour gig for the reception only because I wanted to use a steel band for the cocktail hour. However, I will go to St. Albans and look at thier demo. What package did you choose? Thanks for the recommendation.

Jackee I understand

I definetly understand where you are coming from. Most of us are spending thousands of dollars on this day and if you are interested in supporting vedors of color ON YOUR DAY, that is your right and you should not knocked for it. Good luck to you.

Thank You Natasha. *NM*

Jackee- YOU GO GIRL!! *NM*

Ebony Entertainment......(Star)

Hey Jackee. I haven't seen Ebony Entertainment perform just yet. Since I live in Maryland, I wasn't able to go see their showcase in November. My bridesmaids went and they gave the thumbs up on their services. I have a few friends that have used them in the past couple of years, and they say their professionalism and ability to move the crowd was a big hit. Brad is sending me a copy of their video right now, so I can see how they operate before the big day. I can't remember which package I got, but I think it's for 5 hours, ceremony music, cocktail hour and reception music, with handouts. Good Luck...