Congratulations to the Grand Prize Winners at YOUR Dream Wedding Bridal Show:

$500.00 Toward Wedding Gown – Amy Lester, St. Louis

$500.00 Toward Photography – Kaylee Christenson

Night’s Stay at The Wildwood Hotel – Amanda Deen

 

 

 

Other winners of prizes include:

Candy Basket from Papa Bear Popcorn – Jenny Karns

Body Wraps from It Works – Rina Lueck

Fun Tyme Limousine Gift Certificate – Heather Hrdlicka

J2 Brewing Gift Certificate – Taylor Stellern

Gift from Alex Waldbart Florist – Kayla Tenneyson

Gift from Pinot’s Palette – Lauren Pratt

Hermann Hill Gift Certificate – Ashley Burns

Gift Certificate from Engraving by Jen – Deanna Westhoff

Tupperware Gift – Carisma Vives

Gift Certificate from American Music DJ Service – Lauren Heppermann

Gift Certificate from Wine Town Designs – Kaleigh Wurtz

Gift Certificate from Northing Bundt Cakes – Kathy Cleveland

Gift Certificate to Victoria’s Secret by Brian Mueller – Nancy Johnsmeyer

Harp Package – Lizette Morgan

Tupperware Package – Amy Kilpatrick

Night at Lodge at Grant’s Trail from Orlando’s Event & Conf. Center – Leslie Vollertsen

Monogrammed Veil from Margo’s A Wedding Place – Teneja Griffin

Thanks to EVERYONE who joined us for a great afternoon.  Be sure to catch our next event April 12^th at Pezold’s Knight’s of Columbus Hall in Cotterville, Missouri. (St. Charles Area).

Before we end this week, I just wanted to say “Thank You” to everyone who attended “Engaged! For Sweethearts” last Sunday at the Holiday Inn – Route 66.  We certainly hope that everyone enjoyed themselves and had a fabulous time, plus learned some valuable information in planning their wedding.  We would love to hear feedback from all  brides who attended and we will be sending you an email requesting that you let us know what you liked, what you would like to see more of, and what we could improve on.  In the meantime, here are some images from our fabulous bridal gowns that were displayed.

 

A sincerely thanks goes as well to these contributing vendors:

Artizta Bridal & Formal Wear (www.artiztabridal.com)

John Knoll Florists (http://www.johnknollflorist.com/)

Rayna Jewelry Boutique (www.runal@artefactregistry.com)

St. Louis Bridal Hair & Makeup (www.stlouisbridalhairandmakeup.com)

We are just 2 days away from “Engaged! For Sweethearts” and I hope that everyone has February 16, 2014 marked on their calendar.  Our event is at the Holiday Inn – Route 66, 10709 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63127 from 12 noon to 4 pm.

The fun begins as 12 noon with champagne w/orchids and wonderful music from Dragon Duo.  Our workshop/seminar is unlike any other bridal show in town.  We have entertainment – Lamar Pilsing will sing several wonderful selections and a little later, after an exquisite fashion show presented by Artizta Bridal & Formal Wear, we have a laser light show presented by Fullhouse Productions; we have 12 FREE Seminars (see list below); and we have some terrific grand prizes, including a $500 honeymoon package from The Honeymoon Gal and a Five Senses Basket from the Holiday Inn (Valued at $350).  Plus visit with 53 of the most amazing vendors.  See and experience fabulous décor to spark your creative soul by Adorned Occasions and Ree-Dun Imagination.

Everyone will have a FUN TIME and learn everything they need to know to plan their own dream wedding.  Get out of the house, the weather should be fine, and come visit with us.  Plus, 50% of all registration fees will be donated to No Kill Animal Shelters.  (And we will have some puppies there that you can adopt that day!)

The FREE Seminars are:

SALON 1

12:30 – 12:50 pm

Wedding Planning 101 – Where to Begin & How to Create a Budget

Presented by Renee Joshu of Weddings by Renee (www.STLWeddingsbyRenee.com)

 

1:00 –   1:20 pm

Tips for a Stress Free Wedding from a Top Wedding Planner

 Presented by Renee Joshu of Weddings by Renee (www.STLWeddingsbyRenee.com)

 

1:30 pm – 1:50 pm

All About Albums – Traditional, Flush Mount,  and How They Tell Your Story

Presented by Raquita Henderson, of Pinxit Photo (www.Pinxitphoto.com)

 

 

2:00 pm – 2:20 pm

Get Inspired – Creative Ideas for a Unique Wedding

Presented by Rick Dickerson of Gateway DJS (www.Gatewaydjs.com)

 

SALON 2

12:30 pm – 12:50 pm

Upscale Lighting on a Modest Budget!

Presented by Matt Bryan of Full House Productions (www.FullhouseProductions.com)

 

1:00 pm – 1:20 pm

Planning Photography for your Wedding Day

Presented by Patrick Pope of Patrick Pope Photography (www.PatrickPopePhotography.com)

 

1:30 pm – 1:50pm

Great Photographic Locations in Our Area – And Some Perfect for Those Hot or Rainy Days

Presented by Krista Rose Frohling of L’Amore Rose Photography (www.lamorerose.com)

 

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Honeymoon Destinations – Where are the Best Spots

Presented by Veronica White of The Honeymoon Gal (www.TheHoneymoonGal.com)

 

SALON 3

12:30 pm – 12:50 pm

Dove Releases for the Romantic at Heart

Presented by Candy & Dave Stuckenschneider of Wish Upon a Dove (www.WishUponaDove.com)

 

1:00 pm – 1:20 pm

Create Beautiful Table Centerpieces on a Tight Budget

Presented by Farai Machina, of Adorned Occasions (www.AdornedOccasions.com)

 

1:30 pm – 2:20 pm

Dance Lessons for Couples – Learn Some Basic Moves in Just 30 Minutes

Presented by Terry & Barbara James of JitterSwing Dance Club (www.JitterSwing.com)

 

At 3PM the Fashion Show begins and at 3:30 a not-to-be missed Laser Show will be presented.

 

There is so much happening – all day long so plan to spend the day.  Holiday Inn – Route 66 is a gracious host with food tastings to keep your energy up….including a pasta bar, a salad bar, and a potato bar!

And finally we will pull the grand prize winners at the end of the day.  You just might win the $500 Honeymoon Travel Package from The Honeymoon Gal or The Five Senses Baskets from Holiday Inn – Route 66 valued at $350.00.

And just one more thing, DAMAR Travel (www.DamarTavel.com) will be launching a Mystery Romance Trip at our workshop/show.  Contestants will read a clue each week towards figuring out exactly what city and country it is — when you figure this out you will know the destination!.  Come get the details.

See you Sunday!

I don’t know about you, but I need something – anything – to help warm my soul.  You, too?  Well, why not stay warm by attending our bridal workshop/show next week – “Engaged! For Sweethearts”.   (Find more information on the home page of our web site.)

Wedding shows can be fun and exciting, as you put together the pieces of your wedding day.  And they are indoors…where it’s warm!  So you can warm your body and excite your spirit.

As we get ready for our own show next week, I wanted to toss out some suggestions on how to best make the most of bridal shows.  Many brides tell me that they are thoroughly overwhelmed the first time they attend a bridal fair, so I thought it might be good to lay out a few guidelines to help you make the most of your time.

• Before you go – print several sheets of adhesive address labels with your name, contact information, AND wedding date.  Quickly peel off a label and stick it on an inquiry sheet at any booth that you would like to receive additional information.
• Bring your checkbook – you just might want to book or hold a date.  High demand dates can go quickly.
• Bring family or friends you trust, and whose opinion matters.  But be careful of the size of your group.  Too many opinions – and you could be overwhelmed with indecision.
• Invite your groom – but take him only if he wants to have a voice in this part of the wedding planning.  If this is not his thing, don’t torture him!
• Know what you are looking for and what’s your budget.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
• Most prizes are awarded toward the end of the show (about 3:30 pm or so) and many require you to be present to win.  So, be sure to plan your time accordingly for an opportunity to win some of the great gifts and prizes.
• Be ready with phrases such as, “I’ll think about that.”  And always give yourself a set amount of time and make a decision.  One of the biggest causes of stress in wedding planning is not making decisions on a timely basis…and then things start to really back up and you’ll find yourself in a spin trying to finalize decisions.

Whether your wedding is a few months away or an entire year, a bridal show will help you pull everything together.  At our twelve workshop sessions on Sunday you will actually learn things and have fun.  And they are FREE.

One of the things that I like most about bridal shows is the opportunity to meet so many of you future brides and learn about how we can best help you.  Yesterday, we had a wonderful afternoon at the Something New Bridal Fair that was held at Spazio’s in Westport Plaza and I had the opportunity to meet some fabulous vendors as well, so watch for future blog posts about some terrific companies and their services/products.