The FETE AGD line of jewelry

I first met Analicia Garcia-Dubrisingh, Designer of  the FETE AGD line of jewelry, upon the suggestion of Stephanie Ramlogan, my Fashion Stylist for the launch the 2013 issue of the TW Wed-Zine magazine. 

I had never heard of her before but Stephanie insisted that I had to see this young designer's work. She thought it would be a perfect fit for the look she was creating for me, which she called: "chic, sophisticated entrepreneur at cocktail hour."

In the end, we met and after hitting it off and having a great conversation about fashion and design with Analicia and her brother Estevan, Analicia loaned me two very special pieces. 

"Something blue" cuff - photo by Trinidad Weddings. Copyright 2013

One was a "something blue" silk-satin cuff, with silver, white and pale pink cultured freshwater pearls, moonstones, pink Swarovski crystals and silver Czech glass beads sewn onto it. 

The other was FETE's teardrop-cut, Rose-de-France amethyst necklace.This necklace was sterling silver with graduated amethysts, all together totaling about 10 carats. 

Amethyst Necklace - photo by Trinidad Weddings. Copyright 2013

So, it's no surprise that I would support and be eager to view Analicia's Thebes Collection, which she recently launched at The Gallery's Holiday showcase on November 21, 2013 at Long Circular Mall. 

The Thebes Collection is named after an ancient Egyptian city of the same name. 

It was inspired by a love of ancient far- Eastern and Egyptian art and design. The collection was formed following Analicia's visits to NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art, which exposed her to the impact of intricate detail and fluid, recurring forms. 

This is why all of the hand-beaded circular pieces are called "Mandala" - after the Buddhist symbol. It's also why many of her collar necklaces and bracelets are color-blocked, with beaded bands - which are similar to Egyptian pieces; except that Analicia has created them in vivid, tropical colors.

It's amazing that Analicia is only 21 and since her launch of Fete A.G.D. in 2012, she has expanded in 2013, to include wedding pieces. 

Analicia, Designer of FETE AGD, wearing one of her Thebes Collection statement necklaces.

She will be going to London next year to study fashion design but plans to continue designing bi-annually released collections for her label, building it as she increases her design knowledge. 

I'm so proud of her and happy to know her! Good luck Analicia on your design journey ahead...

If you would like TrinidadWeddings.com to cover your event, please drop us a line at contactus@trinidadweddings.com

 All photos on this blog post provided by Stephanie Ramlogan, unless otherwise stated.

Plan Your Wedding on Wheels Limo Tour!

I’ve been in the wedding industry in Trinidad & Tobago for 10 years now and after all this time, it was refreshing to see a wedding promotion that was so different and innovative!

The “Plan Your Wedding on Wheels Limousine Tour” hosted by Jennifer GoberdhanSignature Weddings and Events was the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago.

It first came to life as a creative way to commemorate the launch of the company’s business and website, www.jennifergoberdhan.com


5 brides & Jennifer Goberdhan (2nd from left)

Then, preparations started off on Facebook - with a competition for brides-to-be. To enter, they had to introduce themselves and their fiancé and describe how they met and became a couple.  The ladies who had the most interesting and heartfelt stories were chosen as the 5 winners.



The 5 brides who won, were taken in a gold, Hummer limousine (another first in Trinidad & Tobago!) to different wedding vendors’ locations.

While enroute to the vendors, they were given “do-it-yourself” tips on planning their weddings by Jennifer Goberdhan herself, who is an internationally trained Wedding Designer and Planner with the Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute in the US. 



Getting glamed up by Fashionista Image Management

The lucky ladies generated buzz and excitement wherever they went and emerged from the Hummer (kindly provided by Transport Solutions)!  

Stops were made at: Bakery Treatz, Claudia Pegus, Trinidad Weddings (that’s us!), Fashionista Image Consultants, Berment’s Catering, Naalri’s Photoplanet, and Spira’s Celestial Gemstones & Jewelry. 

Each vendor eagerly gave insider advice to the brides and showered them with gifts of their specialty  products and services .

Lunch at Berment's Catering

Cake tasting at Bakery Treatz

Jewelry Shopping at Spira's Celestial

Gift of a Trinidad Weddings Tote bag

Hors' D'oeuvres & TW Wed-Zine Magazines! 

Fashion styling tips from designer Claudia Pegus

The goal is for Jennifer Goberdhan’s Plan Your Wedding on Wheels Limo Tour to mushroom into a highly anticipated event in the future and to create a business development avenue for all partnering vendors.

According to Jennifer, “These vendors are selected for their expertise and standards of premium quality, in order to introduce brides- to-be and the people of T&T to an experience that is not only fun and different but of a standard that is world-class.”

All photos on this page were done by: Naalri's Photo Planet

The Outlet Market’s Cupcake Challenge

There are some offers in life you just can’t refuse-  getting to be a judge at a cupcake challenge, is one of them!

And so it was, on June 29, I took it to task at The Outlet Market’s Cupcake challenge, that was held at the Chinese Association.

Other judges on the panel were: Joel  Villafana, TV6 Sport Anchor and co-founder of TriniCooks.com, Tricia Corbin Oliveire from The Brown Box and Michelle Sohan from Bakery Treatz. We were an animated bunch but have no fear, we took the tastings seriously.

From left: Simone, Tricia and Joel





If the sugar rush hasn’t affected my brain post-challenge, I would estimate we tasted about 12 cupcakes.  

Competitors had to present us with their cupcakes, tell us a little about themselves/their baking history and present us with recipes for each cupcake.

Popular contenders for the “win,” were pina colada, chocolate and red velvet flavoured.  However, the plate of cupcakes that floored us and indeed demolished all the competition, was submitted by the youngest competitor, 16-year old Shennaih Moore.

She gave us a trio of curry-lime, tiramisu and maple-bacon cupcakes. 




Curry-Lime Cupcake (bottom middle)
Top: Tiramisu
Right: Maple-Bacon
Photo by: TrinidadWeddings.com

The best tasting out of the lot and surely the most novel, was the “curry-lime” cupcake.

The cake itself was infused with curry powder, with a gooey shredded coconut filling, topped off with a flourish of lime buttercream.

Michelle from Bakery Treatz (right)
congratulates Shennaih

Atop the cupcake was a chocolate leaf, which Shennaih made from spraying an actual leaf with oil spray and coating it with thick, milk chocolate, freezing it and then peeling away the actual leaf.

I had a chance to chat with Shennaih afterwards, so of course I had to ask,

"What’s your favourite cupcake flavour?"

You won’t believe her answer but I’m going to tell you anyway  -

“I don’t eat cupcakes. My favourite dessert is yogurt!”

Good luck in the future Shennaih – you’ve truly shown others that age has no power over talent!



Andrea Coutain, Founder of The Outlet Market
presents Shennaih with her prize.

 Photos by Elise Romany (unless otherwise stated)

Jennifer Goberdhan's Wedding & Event Design Showcase

“Everything in business happens at just the right time,” so says Jennifer Goberdhan, Wedding Designer extraordinaire; and you know what? She’s certainly right!

 June 15, 2013 was exactly “that right time”-  a day which Jennifer chose to host her Wedding & Event Design Showcase at the Trinidad Hilton.

I stopped by just after lunch, to chat with Jennifer and find out more about her designs.

Jennifer has had extensive training abroad, and has worked closely with Preston Bailey, who’s one of the most prestigious names in the global wedding industry.

She has an eye for being tasteful and restrained yet dramatic – and that’s a difficult combination to come by!

To top it all off, Jennifer has a warm, winning personality. It’s the type of persona that can immediately put couples at ease, knowing that their dream vision for décor, will materialize under her capable hands.

Above, to the top right, is a peek at some of my favourites from her Showcase.

To contact Jennifer, please visit this link: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/index.php?option=com_supplier&id=8999&catid=43&layout=supplierdetails&Itemid=2

The proof is in the make-up!

It’s humid. The temperature is like a furnace inside your bridal gown. Then, the perspiration comes - even though you don’t want it to. Little by little, you feel the beads of foundation trickling down your face. The perspiration drops accelerate and roll into your eyes. You try to wink them away but all you get is a train track of black mascara, eyeliner and blush, all down your face.

Phew…then you wake up. It was only a wedding nightmare after all!

It may seem like a bad dream but the reality is that sometimes even the best makeup doesn’t stand a chance against our tropical climate’s humidity, wind, rain and heat. This is particularly true if you’re having an outdoor or beach wedding. Add bouts of emotion and tears to the humidity factor and you have a recipe for a streaky face and raccoon eyes.

One solution to keep that “blushing bride look,” is to use water-proof makeup - which is made with ingredients that repel water. The first step for face coverage is to ask your makeup artist for water-proof versions of: primer, concealer, foundation, setting powder and lipsticks or lip stains. Primer helps makeup go on evenly and prevents creasing and caking of your foundation.

Waterproof cream-based blushes tend to stay well-pigmented on the skin and last throughout the day. This is in contrast to powder blushes, which may need re-applications.

The eyes are the most critical area, since many brides tend to tear up or be prone to contact lens irritation. Waterproof eyeshadows, gel-based eyeliners and waterproof mascaras are good choices. Be aware though, that not all mascaras are created equal.

“Water-resistant” mascaras may not equal the staying power of water-proof mascaras. Water-resistant mascaras are good for standing up to light perspiration or minimal eye-watering. However, water-proof mascaras can go the distance of lasting throughout a shower or a swim!  If you’re wearing fake eyelash strips, it is also best to use water-proof eyelash glue.

Some make-up artists also recommend using makeup setting sprays. These are products designed to help your make-up become more water and sweat resistant. Liquid sealers are also available and are applied with a wand or brush. They work well to ensure makeup is long-wearing. However, they tend to leave a film or shine and so may not be suitable if you want to use shimmer eyeshadows and blush.

It’s important to note that rubbing can remove almost any type of waterproof makeup. Therefore, it’s best to avoid rubbing your eyes. Your makeup will last longer if you pat your face, especially with blotting papers.

After all, you need a dewy, fresh face and a pretty pucker for your “I do” kiss!

For more wedding articles, click here: http://www.trinidadweddings.com

Bridal Hair & Makeup Trends for 2012

Last year the bridal beauty watchwords were “natural and luminous.”

The emphasis was on the bride showcasing healthy, glowing skin; and there was widespread use of highlighter, bronzer or face shimmer, as well as peachy, coral or pink shades of blush.

This year, the look in bridal makeup is “romantic, feminine and retro,” with a profusion of pink and orange blush tones, pretty pastel eyes and dramatic lips.

Some trends in bridal hair and makeup trends for this year are:

Eyes - The smoky eye with the nude lip combination remains popular, however, this year, pastel eyeshadows in colours such as: lavender, mint green, pink and peach, are in vogue. These demure eye colours are being juxtaposed with false eyelashes or heavy mascara application and/or liquid eyeliner.  Alternatively, the eyes can be kept very neutral with colour enhancing the bride’s face, from a brighter choice of blush and lipstick.

Lip Colour – Many brides are going for a more “retro glam” type of makeup, preferring a neutral eye, in exchange for a deeper lip colour. These vibrant colours are replacing the nude and sheer lips of previous years. Last year’s lip “it” colours were deep mauve, cranberry, red and rose. This year, red will stay but bright pink, coral and orange-toned lips will be popular. There will be a preference of lipsticks versus lip glosses.

Hair – The most popular hairstyle for this year’s modern bride will be the chignon or ballerina bun. An embellished headband or a veil worn away from the face is a perfect complement to this hairstyle. More and more brides are choosing to wear their hair up or away from the face.

Bridal hairstyles with loose waves and soft curls will also be seen. These natural and “easy” hairstyles are a stark contrast to the formal, up-do’s of years gone by.

Brides who still favour a more structured hairstyle can choose the very vintage-like pin curls or a modern take on the “bee hive” hairdo.   

Bridal Gown Trends for 2011

2011 is beginning to seem like the year for fashionista brides – from the Royal wedding of Kate Middleton, to the weddings of: model Kate Moss, American actress Reese Witherspoon, British songstress Lily Allen and on August 20^th, American reality-TV star Kim Kardashian, in her stunning Vera Wang creation.

Here’s what’s trending in bridal collections this year:

Texture – gowns will be adorned with fabric flowers and petals, dramatic ruffles, accordion pleating and tiers. The Royal Wedding has also seemed to cause a resurgence of lace and wedding gowns featuring sleeves but in a more modern way; for example, with the use of non-traditional lace patterns, lace as an overlay over coloured fabric or with the strategic placement of lace appliqués to create “illusion” necklines or sleeves. Apart from lace, we are seeing more use of sequins, pleated tulle and metallic embroidery. The layering of fabrics is also popular this year, with many dresses featuring shimmer fabric or satin, under tulle or lace.

Colour – Reese Witherspoon got married this year in a blush-pink Monique L’huillier gown and Kate Moss’ vintage-styled John Galliano gown had accents of gold on the skirt. This year, rosy-hued dresses will be popular as well as pale gold, nude, café or latte-coloured gowns. Dresses will also continue to feature black accents, particularly in the form of sashes, rosettes, cummerbunds and touches of black lace.

Style - Strapless gowns are still “in” but have become more swoon-worthy with sheer or illusion necklines or back views, some which are particularly vintage in style; quite reminiscent of the 1920’s.

The ball gown is also back, featuring voluminous tulle skirts or skirts that seem floaty. layered and ethereal. Corseted bodices are also all the rage for brides who want a more figure-hugging look. Minis and tea-length gowns have also been seen this year. They are perfect for outdoor weddings or for brides who prefer a second dress for partying in, at the reception! Asymmetric, halter and cold-shoulder necklines, which were widely seen in 2010’s bridal collections, continue to be trendy this year; along with popular silhouettes such as the trumpet skirt and the mermaid gowns. Many designers are also featuring tiered and ruffled skirts, this year.

Accents – bodices or sashes encrusted with pearls, sequins, semi-precious stones and crystals that lend an extravagant, estate jewellery feel, are quite “on trend” at the moment. As in 2010, floral underlays and nature-inspired motifs have continued in popularity this year.