The Wedding Planner: books for the twenty first century bride of African descent illustrate a range of stylish options for a unique ceremony that reflects her heritage. - The Afrocentric Bride: A Style Guide - book review

Black Issues Book Review, May-June, 2003 by Ingrid Sturgis

Just ten years ago, black couples planning o get married were hard-pressed to find e resources they needed to help them create a unique ceremony that reflected their African heritage. There was little information in either books, magazines or online about what goes into an Afrocentric ceremony or where to hire African-inspired tailors and designers. Even Essence magazine, long the arbiter of contemporary style and culture that celebrates the African Diaspora, had very little information about black heritage wedding ceremonies.

Then in 1994, Essences former lifestyle editor Harriette Cole wrote her groundbreaking Jumping the Broom: The African-American Wedding Planner. The first book on the subject, Jumping the Broom remains a best-seller. The book offers ideas to create a very stylish and modern wedding, while unselfconsciously incorporating Afrocentric flourishes. Plans are underway to release a 10th anniversary edition next year.

Now Therez Fleetwood, the wedding gown designer whose work was featured prominently in Jumping the Broom, adds her own book to the growing list of rifles on Afrocentric wedding style. The Afrocentric Bride: A Style Guide (Amber Books, May 2003, $16.95, ISBN 0-972-75191-2) acknowledges the growth in demand for approaches that unabashedly blend African with American culture.

"Most mainstream bridal magazines don't cater to this niche" observes Fleetwood. "It is as if it doesn't exist." Filled with information about wedding gowns and garb from African-influenced to contemporary and traditional, as well as rips about makeup, wedding lingerie accessories, men's wedding attire and more, her guide is a valuable source for today's brides and wedding consultants.

Fleetwood, whose ethnic-flavor fashions have appeared both in Essence and In Style Weddings and also featured in museum exhibits, lets brides-to-be know what to expect when working with a designer on a custom-made gown. The colorful guide offers tips on outfitting the bride, groom and entire wedding party in garments made of luxurious fabrics--Guinea brocade, ashoke, kente--in rich colors in gold and white, royal purple, white, orange.

This is the place for the African-inspired bride to find modern interpretations of ancient garb from Egypt, as well as contemporary designs with understated African references. "Most often people think that Afrocentric wedding attire is based on traditional West African silhouettes" says Fleetwood. "This is so untrue. Brides have more choices."

Fleetwood's own custom designs range from a sweeping traditional African bubah with ashoke cloth to a gown with kente patchwork quilt skirt that brings to mind a modern take on an antebellum ball gown. For do-it-yourselfers, she offers tips on working with such design elements as cowrie shells, imported African fabrics, quilting and embroidery techniques. Hers is a fine addition to any collection on wedding celebrations.

And thanks to pioneering authors like Cole and others who followed her, Afrocentric-style weddings are now commonplace, both in big cities and small towns. Some couples may opt for a full-blown African ceremony with all the trimmings--traditional garb with headdress, rituals, drummers and food over the course of several days. Some might choose a simple affair that uses black caterers and other suppliers.

Regardless, African American couples want their big day to reflect their heritage and incorporate discreet Afrocentric touches, such as a broom jumping ceremony, libation or tuxedos with kente cloth accents.

Instead of feeling compelled to choose between an American model and an African one, many blend cultures and take aspects from each. Some couples are more likely to create their own vows and promises that will one day become part of their family's cultural memory.

A Bridal Bibliography

The bounty of books and information about our African, Caribbean and African American wedding heritage makes it easy for couples to make individual choices. Here are some wedding resources to help round out your planning and help bring all the elements together.

* African-American Wedding Readings (E P Dutton, January 1998, ASIN 0-525-94403-6), edited by Tamara Nikuradse, is filled with heartfelt passages perfect for any wedding ceremony.

* Going to the Chapek From Traditional to African-Inspired, and Everything in Between: The Ultimate Wedding Guide for Today's Black Couple (Putnam Pub Group, January 1999, ASIN 0-399-14463-3) by the editors of Signature Bride magazine helps couples evaluate their own unique style and create a personalized wedding celebration that suits it.

* Jumping the Broom: The African-American Wedding Planner and Jumping the Broom Wedding Workbook: A Step-By-Step Write-In Guide for Planning the Perfect African-American Wedding by Harriette Cole (Henry Holt, February 1996, ASIN 0-805-04212-1).

* The Nubian Wedding Book: Words and Rituals to Celebrate and Plan an African-American Wedding (Three Rivers Press, March 1998, ISBN 0-609-80185-6) by Ingrid Sturgis is a comprehensive wedding planning guide with details about ceremonies, vows, toasts, wedding prayers, libations and recipes, as well as anecdotes and suggestions for Afrocentric gift giving. T13is book will be republished next year.