The clock read half past midnight as I stood idly by the bar waiting for two customers to finish their desert. The sight of the warm chocolate banana cake a reminder, that in less than an hour I would turn 28. I love birthdays, and I have a penchant for starting them early and celebrating them for at least a week. This one would be no different. I had plans to meet my boyfriend for lunch tomorrow, then a party with my coworkers on Thursday night, and a joint birthday bash on Saturday to celebrate mine and my mans illustrious day of birth. Caught up in a daze of birthday planning, I jumped as Ichi, the manager of the small downtown sushi restaurant, came up behind me. In a thick Japanese accent he said "Appy bert-day! You gettoo go 'ome early. We close now." A huge grin spread across my face, as I booked it over to the table to drop my last check.

Walking home, I was excited to see my boyfriend and have a little midnight celebration.

Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Season two 'American Idol' winner Ruben Studdard got married this weekend.

The 29-year-old R&B crooner, dubbed "The Velvet Teddy Bear" by soul icon Gladys Knight, wed Surata Zuri McCants at Canterbury United Methodist Church in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala. on Saturday.

Studdard and his 30-year-old bride took out a marriage license at the County Probate Office in Columbiana, Ala., last Monday.

Studdard met McCants in October 2006, when he was signing CDs at a Wal-Mart in Atlanta. Captivated by her beauty, he followed her to the store's toy department, and requested her telephone number.

My wife and I have been married for 14 years, and have been together since we were 17 years old (1986). Now that we're older she is more into church, God. I have been going more often than usual to learn more myself. But the last three years it seems that we have grown apart. She even mentioned before in an argument that she needs for me to come up to her level, spiritually. I still like to have fun, watch TV, and go to the movies. I have since sold my motorcycle, the one thing I had left that I enjoyed, because she said it brought too much attention from other women. She gets a message from the pastor and runs with it. Sometimes my family can't watch TV or listen to music. She just wants everyone to be still all day and read the word.

What can I do to bring the fun back into my marriage?

By Karu F. Daniels, BlackVoices.com

On June 20, neo-soul diva Jill Scott celebrated her Carnegie Hall debut with a special announcement of her new engagement to young drummer Lil' Jon Roberts.

While she began to sing a tear-filled intro to her signature song 'He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat),' the blond-striped coiffed musician emerged with a bouquet of yellow roses and kissed the double-Grammy Award winner after whispering sweet sentiments in her left ear.

The sold-out crowd, who came to partake in one of the biggest highlights of "The 2008 JVC Jazz Festival," cheered its approval – some standing at their feet.

Let's face it...wedding hair can be expensive! The average bride spends between $100 and $1,100 on her hair alone. Here are a few tips to help you save a few bucks on your way to the altar.

1) Need some advice or inspiration? Forget spending hundreds on magazine subscriptions. Check wedding and hair forums for style inspirations and guidance. It's a great way to meet other brides and exchange questions and suggestions. Wedding blogs can also provide you with tops of tips, links and advice from a real people who are going through the same process.

2) Check You-tube and Expert Village for hairstyling tutorials and unique techniques. These videos can help you walk through styling trouble spots or will just provide a great visual aid to learn new styles. If your find a style you like, keep practicing each week until its second nature.

Congratulations!!! She said yes. Now its time to choose a wedding band. A friend of mine is in that very situation and has been overwhelmed by all the choices; choices that he didn't even know exist, mainly what metal to choose.

There are several different kinds of metals used to make wedding bands. There's gold, platinum, rhodium, titanium, silver, tungsten carbide and last but not least, stainless steel.

Gold
What is it about gold that makes it so popular? Is it the bright yellow coloring or all the history it has as many of the early American settlers gave their all to find just one nugget.

When shopping for gold consider the karat and the color. Karat is the measure of actual gold in the metal. Most people don't realize it but you will never get a piece of jewelry that is 100% gold.

FYI:
9kt gold contains 37.5% pure gold (375 parts per thousand parts).
14kt gold contains 58.5% pre gold (585 parts per thousand parts).
18kt gold contains 75% pure gold (750 parts per thousand parts).

It's wedding season and let's face it most of us do not have Melania Trump's budget to plan a wedding. And what if you've decided to forgo spending full price on a dreamy Vera Wang or Monique L'Huillier? (Because a down payment on your house with your soon-to-be husband is far more priority) The trick is to spend only a fraction of those designer wedding gown prices. It may seem impossible but yes, you can be a princess for a day on a budget.

Retail chains such as J.Crew, Ann Taylor and even plus-size retail chain Lane Bryant all offer affordable simple yet elegant styles. Discount retailer Filene's Basement have annual wedding dress sales that are so great they've caused quite a stir for their basement bottom prices. So don't fret, there are options. Here are some additional tips:

Custom
Once you've narrowed down to several styles or "the one" go to your local tailor or wedding seamstress. Keep in mind that custom orders can take an average of three to six months so start researching styles as soon as you set the date. If you order online you still have to take it to your tailor or seamstress afterwards for final alterations. Fittings, selecting fabric and constant changes to detail takes time. Remember, don't forget a sales contract that includes the size and custom requires one-third to half of total cost as down payment.

Beaded Satin A-line, $399, davidsbridal.com

Boy sees girl. Girl ignores boy. Boy pursues girl. Girl gives into boy after she sees the good in boy. Boy falls in love and so does girl. Boy realizes he wants to marry girl. Now begins the search for that perfect diamond ring.

It has been said that diamonds are a girl's best friend and from my experience, when you give her that bling and ask her that special four-worded question it won't even matter how big the ring is at the time but a few days later as she shows the ring off to her friends, that is when the size of the ring counts.

Before you even think about shopping for a ring you need to learn the 4C's of diamonds:

Clarity, Color, Carat and Cut

My fiancé is planning a bachelor party in Las Vegas, and even though I trust him, I do not want him to go to a strip club. I think they are repulsive and degrading to women. His boys will probably push him into going there, and the thought of it is stressing me out. Help!

My fiancé and I have been together for 3 years and we are planning to wed this summer. I am the child of a broken home, and my parents divorced when I was 9. I love my man with all my heart and I want to spend my life with him, but what if it doesn't work out? How do we solve the problems so they don't end in divorce?

As we are now waist deep in the official wedding season, we've decided to highlight wedding hair trends happening this year. In this week's post we explore the variety of hair accessories available for today's bride and her bridal party. Side note to all reluctant bridesmaids, unlike many bridesmaids dresses. hair accessories, can be quite fun and something you will most likely wear long after the wedding is over! Yay!

Bride Chidi Ogbuta of Allen, Texas had this life-sized wedding cake made to look just like her for her September 2007 wedding. These amazing pics are just making the rounds of the Internet now. I don't know how it took so long, because this cake is incredible! I love it. I think it came off well, and I give her props for such an unusual cake and dress.

Both great ideas had the potential to come off very tacky, but I think the results are actually positively dazzling. Would you agree?

Saying Your "I Do's" in The Motherland

Courtesy of Odyssey Couleur Magazine

By Ann Brown

When people think of exotic wedding locations, Africa might not be the first place to come to mind. But that is changing as more and more people each year head to the continent for their dream wedding. And exchanging vows in Africa is a lot easier than many may think-plus, the post-card perfect location possibilities are endless. There are travel agents specializing in African weddings, and many of the countries can provide you with information on where and how to get married in Africa. If something here strikes your fancy, your next step should be to contact the country's tourism board, which can provide a list of wedding planners, travel agents and packages for weddings.

Kenya: Lions and Tigers, Oh My...
According to Maisa Fernandez, spokesperson for the Kenya Tourism Board, Kenya is fast becoming a favorite wedding destination. And no wonder. Kenya offers a range of wedding choices: classic beach weddings, balloon weddings over the Masai Mara Game Reserve, wild bush weddings, traditional African weddings. A popular location is on the edge of Laikipia Plateau overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River, where you can exchange vows at sunset.

Get married at the Mara Safari Club, Maasai Mara National Reserve, along the Tanzanian Border and the Serengeti National Park. Not only is the backdrop scenic, but this area is home to the highest concentration of game in Kenya and the largest lion population.

Tip: Couples marrying in Kenya are usually required to reside in Kenya for 21 days. However, if you apply for a Special License, you need only arrive in Kenya four working days in advance of your wedding day.

For more info: www.magicalkenya.com

Morocco: Like An African Queen
Just the name Morocco conjures up exotic images. The moment you land in Morocco, you feel transported to another time. There is so much to see in the country that mixes Arab, African and French cultures: kasbahs, Roman ruins, ancient cities. Your wedding guests can explore before and after the wedding, doing everything from shopping to riding donkey taxis to enjoying a spot of tea.

One of the most popular places for weddings in Morocco is La Mamounia in Marrakech, a former Moroccan palace that has been called one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. It's set in 300-year-old gardens and weddings are customized down to the last detail.

Tip: Before you marry, you'll need an affidavit translated into Arabic, which can be arranged through a Moroccan Embassy. Most types of marriages are permitted.

For more info: www.visitmorocco.org, www.mamounia.com

South Africa: Brides of the Bush
South Africa offers many destinations for weddings, with a wide variety of ceremony types-from a beach wedding to botanical garden settings to safari backdrops.

If it's romance you want, head to the banks of the Timbavati River, against a backdrop of African bush. The five-star Ngala Tented Safari Camp (www.ngala.co.za), on a private reserve within Kruger National Park, will arrange everything-including the ceremony, post-wedding dinner, honeymoon night accommodations, champagne bush breakfast and an afternoon game drive with a stop for cocktails served by a butler.

Others may enjoy a ceremony in the ivy-clad wedding chapel on the grounds of Blue Mountain Lodge, surrounded by indigenous bush, forest and farmland. The lodge also offers candlelit ceremonies at nightfall followed by a reception on the manicured lawns. After the ceremony, spend your honeymoon night in a villa with private pool and panoramic views of the mountains.

Tip: South Africa does have a somewhat detailed process for couples applying to get married in the country. In addition to the presenting the proper ID, you must complete an application process that may take up to eight weeks to be completed (you can do via the mail).

For more info: www.southafrica.net/satourism, www.bluemountainlodge.co.za

Tanzania: Out-of-Africa Vibe
Head to Tanzania for a truly unique ceremony. Say your wedding vows in a back-to-nature setting-then head for a honeymoon at an ultra-luxurious resort.

A favorite for couples is the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Here, bride and groom are escorted down the aisle by singing and chanting Masai. Then the ceremony can take place on the Tree Camp deck, which is covered with rose petals.

Tip: Like Kenya, Tanzania requires a stay of 21 days or more prior to the wedding. But you can apply for a Special License if this is not possible.

For more info: www.tanzaniatouristboard.com, www.ngorongorocrater.com

Zanzibar: Beach Nupitals
The mystical spice island of Zanzibar has some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. So it's no wonder they host countless oceanside weddings each year. And, with its pristine white sands and cool Indian Ocean breezes, Zanzibar is a hot spot to marry and honeymoon at any time of the year.

When planning your wedding here, you'll have lots of resorts to choose from, such as Breezes Beach Club (www.breezes-zanzibar.com) where they will arrange your wedding and honeymoon.

Tip: Zanzibar and Tanzania share a united government, so the same marriage rules apply for both.

For more info: www.tanzania.go.tz, www.zanzibargovernment.org, www.breezes-zanzibar.com

Zambia: Waterfall Weddings
Though Zambia is home to the breathtaking Victoria Falls, it has much more to offer: incredible wildlife, safaris, a rich culture and extremely friendly people. Say intimate "I do's" on a private island in the Zambezi River. Do so at the River Club, just upstream from Victoria Falls and home to 10 luxury chalets that can accommodate 20 people.

Tip: Zambia requires proper ID and paperwork.

For more info: www.zambiatourism.com

Ann Brown is a freelance writer based in New York.