Weddingbee boards

So, although we're not planning the wedding yet, over lunch, Mr. Snuggie and I were talking about the engagement and the wedding in general.  I've known for a while that I wanted to do an Old Hollywood themed wedding.  Mr. Snuggie was all for it.  Then we started talking about how to incorporate Old Hollywood African-American figures into our theme (thanks to some conversations with 91011Bride) and somehow we started talking about Harlem Nights and how we both enjoyed that movie and the style.  And then the Harlem Renaissance Themed Wedding was born.  LOL!!!  I'm going to do some searching now for ideas, but thought I'd start with the hive and get any input you might have on incorporating the Harlem Renaissance into our wedding.  Thanks in advance.  I have a mental list of things to look for when we watch Harlem Nights and Idlewild for inspiration.  Check out this look I found on google images of Paula Patton from Idlewild. 

OMG!  You both have my creative juices flowing.  @Crebre, I just found yvonne614's blog on The Knot and she has fabulous ideas.   @CurlyDreamer - i love the writing from that period, so am for sure going to us the lines from poems on the napkins with the artwork on the tables.  My grandfather was a well known Sax player from that time, so I so love your idea about including a saxophone player.  I'm thinking... cocktail hour!  Thanks ladies!!!

The first poem I know I'll include in my decor.  It's by Langston Hughes and is called Juke Box Love Song.

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<td style="width: 100%;" valign="top">I could take the Harlem night
and wrap around you,
Take the neon lights and make a crown,
Take the Lenox Avenue busses,
Taxis, subways,
And for your love song tone their rumble down.
Take Harlem's heartbeat,
Make a drumbeat,
Put it on a record, let it whirl,
And while we listen to it play,
Dance with you till day--
Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl. </td>
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Ladies, what do you think of these for the bridesmaids.  We both want a NYE or NY day wedding.  I think this would be fun!  Totally 1920's attire. 

I even found this 1930's bridal look.  What do you think?

This is honestly one of my favorite theme ideas of all time! Langston Hughes is my favorite poet and there is just something about the whole time period that is so romantic. The women of that time period and location were probably the most beautiful... ever. Hoodlum, with Lawrence Fishburne is another great movie for inspiration (Vanessa Williams looks Ah-Mazing).

I saw you already had a picture of Josephine Baker, but I've always loved this pic, and I think it would be a great look instead of a veil. The huge Art Deco earrings and the headpiece. Meg Jewelery makes a lot of great pieces similar to this style.

http://www.megweddingjewelry.com/

@Curlydreamer:  I might just have to invite you if you keep providing me with these awesome ideas!  I'm obsessed now.  LOL!!!  I am actually going to write an article on Themed Weddings and including some of my finds in the article.  I'll PM you with the link when the article is published. 

@Puggy:  I love the era as well.  It's very romantic. 

I'm waiting to hear back from the Apollo to see if they allow weddings and receptions there.  How awesome to do a Destination wedding to Harlem.  Only problem... cost and my guests.  Although we're doing a more intimate type wedding with no more than 100 people, we'd have to pay for many of our guest to attend in New York on NYE or even NY day.  Could get super expensive!  I guess I can find a Apollo looking theater or Savoy looking club in Northern California and turn it into Harlem. 

@crebre: We've changed it from 2010 to 2011 to give us more time to plan (and save money).  12/31/11 is a Saturday.  I did mention that and he felt we needed to have a long engagement so we can afford to pay for our "dream" wedding.  In my research for this article, I've found that some places are suggesting couples book weddings at least 18 months in advance for NYE weddings.  I refuse to pay any money or purchase anything wedding related until I have the ring.  I think it's bad luck!  Research... fine.  Spending money on wedding related items prior to engagement, in my opinion and experience, is BAD LUCK.  So... I'm waiting for MY RING.  LOL!!! 

Check out Amerie from the November 2009 edition of Essence magazine.  This is so the look I want for our reception. 

Now... I just need to figure out how to wear my hair like that.  It's shoulder length.  I so love her make-up and the hair and hair piece.  I'll have to pick up the magazine for more inspiration.