Our 5th Annual Bridal Expo - March 6th!

It's that time of year again! Our annual bridal expo is just around the corner with only a month to go! I've got a lot of returning vendors and some great new vendors as well. There will of course be a fashion show presented by Bridals by Rochelle and once again we'll have a dance demonstration, this time from Dance & Beyond. As always there will be gorgeous, mouthwatering cakes from Specialty Wedding Cakes and our caterer's are sure to have some amazing delicacies to sample!

New this year, I have a photo booth vendor which I'm really excited about, Images Event Studios has come on board! Brides will have a chance to try it out, see how much fun it can be to have one at their reception and they'll leave with some free photos. I plan on trying it out as well at the end of the day. By that time I'll be ready to just let go and be silly, we all need that from time to time, I can't wait!

In the past I've done spotlight posts on the participating vendors, this year I'll do it a bit differently. In the next few days I'll do a single post providing links to those past vendor spotlights so you can read about them and visit their websites. In the coming weeks, I'll do a spotlight post featuring the vendors that are new this year with links to their websites as well.

Click here for more details about our upcoming expo!

Wayside Inn Bridal Show

Yesterday was a gorgeous day for a bridal show! Once the doors opened the traffic was non stop. The Wayside Inn did an amazing job with everything. Lobster endives and bacon wrapped scallops were just a couple of the passed hors d'oeuvres being served as well as mimosas and other drinks. I am so pleased with the turnout for this show and even more honored to have been a co-manager for it. It was amazing to work with Kathy and everyone else at the inn. They're nothing short of fabulous.

Before the show started I made it a point to take some pictures of some of the vendors. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures that Jim Abrams of Shooting Star Photography took, I know they're going to be amazing. Here's a couple pictures that I took, you can check out the rest on our Facebook fan page by clicking here.

Out Of Asia had a stunning display, the colors were amazing!

Russell's Garden Center was also very colorful and beautiful.

Spotlight on :: Ceremonies From The Heart

LisaAnn captures your essence as individuals and as a couple, creating a unique and special ceremony that you, your family and friends will speak about for years to come. A Celebrant, ordained interfaith Minister and Relationship Coach, LisaAnn's approach is highly personalized as she gently guides you in the creation of your wedding ceremony.

LisaAnn also has created an unique process for couples to create a marriage vision. While many people offer premarital counseling, LisaAnn's approach to Relationship Coaching is fun, compassionate and an adventure.

Please be sure to stop by and visit LisaAnn at the Wayside Inn Bridal Show this Sunday. To visit LisaAnn's website, please click here.

Spotlight on :: Bella Cakes

Bella Cakes, located in Marlborough Massachusetts, has been opened since 2008. Aside from offering absolutely stunning cakes, they're more than just beautiful. With the growing number of allergies, Bella Cakes is a nut-free shop offering gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan cakes. Being especially small allows them to truly control their ingredients and eliminate the risk of cross-contamination.

Since they're in a market where few offer these type of baked goods, they have a rapidly growing clientele. Offering such options makes the wedding cake special for everyone as everyone can enjoy it and no one will feel left out because of allergy concerns.

Be sure to visit Bella Cakes online to view their photo gallery as well as learning more about the options available for cake flavor, fillings and frosting.

Spotlight on :: Steve Kimball Photography

Steve has been photographing weddings for 5 years and has built a solid reputation for his personal service. Enthusiasm, passion, sense of humor, and a knowledge of both the technical and artistic aspects of photography make Steve a great choice to capture what are sure to be your most treasured memories. A well trained associate photographer is always included as part of your photography team. Steve personally edits your images and designs your album. Whether you prefer a traditional matted album, a modern coffee table compositional book or a combination of both, Steve has the knowledge and expertise to design an heirloom album that you will treasure forever. Come meet him at the Wayside Bridal Show and view his sample albums. I'm sure you will be impressed with the quality of his work.

To visit Steve's website click here.

Spotlight on :: Bravo Baskets

Nikki's company, Bravo Baskets, designs unique and inviting hospitality baskets for guests attending your special event. Nothing says "welcome, we're so happy you have joined us", like a personally designed Bravo Basket filled with an assortment of yummy treats, fresh fruit, and thirst-quenching drinks. Nikki works exclusively with you to select just the items you want all the while being mindful of the price point you want to spend. She designs all the baskets herself so clients are assured personal service, attention to detail, and great value for their money.

In addition, Nikki also designs and sends customized gift baskets for any occasion for clients who don't want run-of-the-mill choices that others offer. So if you want your baskets to BE fantastic, you must call Nikki at Bravo Baskets!

Spotlight on::Encore Party Rentals

Encore Party Rentals has pretty much everything you need for your wedding or next special event. Whether it's tents, amusements, linens or china, they've got a massive inventory to cover it! Being in business for over 70 years, they take pride in their work and are known for their reputation for customer service and satisfaction. Encore was bought from Robinson's Rental in the 1990's.

Encore Party Rentals can assist you with all your needs for any event including weddings, private & corporate functions, school and college graduations and events and more. Their specialty is most definitely backyard events, there is no doubt you're guaranteed to have a gorgeous event!

Visit their website to see some of the products they have to offer as well as their contact information.

Wayside Inn Bridal Show - Vendor Spotlights!

This week I'll be featuring different vendors that will be participating in Sunday's bridal show at The Wayside Inn. Since there are a couple vendors that are participating in this show that also participated in mine I figured I'd just post links to those posts first so if you want to read up on them (again) you can!

Shooting Star Photography
Bonardi's Formalwear

Stay tuned for more blog posts this week!

For details on the bridal & fashion show at the Wayside Inn, feel free to check out the bridal show website by clicking here. This is going to be an amazing event!

Expo was a Success!

The expo went great, as well as I hoped it would. I spent hours setting up on Saturday and put the finishing touches on everything Sunday morning. Now that I have some pictures of my table and the candy buffet I'm ready to write about the show.

As some of you know I was supposed to be a part of the show at the Hynes Convention Center which was also supposed to be last weekend, however it was a scam. I was beyond upset by this not only because I was duped and out money but also because I was really excited to decorate my booth for that show. I had put a lot of time and energy into it and when I realized it wouldn't happen I was pretty bummed out. I wanted to create that booth! So after the shock of the situation wore off I decided I'd work it into my show by incorporating a candy buffet w/ the decor I already had planned out. I had to act quick as this was only a week before my show and I didn't have much time to pull it all together so I ordered up a bunch of candy and nearly choked on the shipping cost (but in the end it was worth it).

My ultimate goal was for the candy buffet to be the first thing the guests saw and for them to say "wow". I wanted them to enjoy it as much as I did creating it and I wanted it to be a little thank you from me to them. I really love how it came out...and I'm pretty sure everyone else did too. So below are pictures of the candy buffet and also the table for So Chic Events. I'll be posting all of the pictures from the expo on the website within a couple weeks.

Special thanks to the following vendors for their help with the fashion show - Bridals By Rochelle for providing the dresses and models, 77 Blossom Shop & Mendon Greenhouse for the flowers, Salon Colour for the hair and make-up and DJ Ron Auger for providing the music. I'd also like to thank Shooting Star Photography & Morin's Studio for taking pictures of the expo. I really appreciate ALL your help! I'm so lucky to have such amazing vendors!

Spotlight on:: Salon Colour

Have you thought about you color, style and condition of your hair so you can look your best on your BIG day? After all, it's your day, leave them breathless! Salon Colour is a place where anyone can feel welcome, get pampered, and above all, know they'll be completely taken care of.

Salon Colour is rooted in a warm environment with a staff of personable highly trained specialists. Their stylists have been trained all over the country in color, special occasion hair and the newest Keratin Smoothing System. Whether you and your wedding party would like to come to the salon or be in the comfort of your own home or hotel room, Salon Colour can provide for those needs.

Salon Colour is proud to have a licensed esthetician and professional make-up artist who knows what it takes to get healthy, radiant skin and maintain a beautiful appearance. She has created stunning looks for brides, photo shoots and special occasions.

Salon Colour would love to meet you on Sunday, March 7 at the Bridal Expo

Spotlight on::Shooting Star Photography

Jim Abrams of Shooting Star Photography has been shooting weddings for 17 years and has been fascinated with cameras, lighting and shooting photos in general, for a little over 20 years.

From the start, Jim has enjoyed working with each couple trying to find their unique tastes for wedding photography. Based on this info he does his best to capture images on their wedding day that will be special to them. This was the case with the couple pictured here. This couple loved their motorcycle and he thought that should be part of their album. It also happens to be one of my favorite shots of Jim's.

Other couples may have a love for hockey, baseball, football or even just a location that is significant to them. If possible, these interests will be captured on their wedding day. Some couples just want an album that simply shows their love for each other, for others incorporating elements that are special to them is what they focus on for their album memories.

Shooting Star Photography is located in Franklin and will travel just about anywhere in New England. Most weddings during the season are all over New England which keeps the shooting very interesting and gives the opportunity to discover new locations.

Having worked with Jim not only for my own wedding but on several others I know he is a dedicated professional. I've seen him first hand do whatever it takes to get the best shots.

Spotlight on:: Salon Vicaro

Celebrating 11 years in business, Salon Vicaro strives to give their clients a fabulous experience at their salon. Between the warm and cozy atmosphere and their experienced and friendly staff, they strive to take pride in their work. The stylists at Salon Vicaro are up to date with the newest color trends and cutting techniques, while still understanding and appreciating the need for classic styles.

They are known as one of the area's top hair salons for special occasion hair and have received both #1 Salon and Honorable Mention in the Readers Choice Awards. Their stylists are available by appointment and walk ins are always welcome.

Please be sure to visit the girls from Salon Vicaro at this weekend's bridal expo! They look forward to meeting you.

Spotlight on :: The Pouting Room

This post is going to be a different type of Spotlight.  Since I wrote a detailed blog post about The Pouting Room awhile back I thought it was just as easy to give you a link to that post instead of basically rewriting it.  So, that being said, please click here to read all about The Pouting Room!  And make sure to stop by and visit Stefanie this weekend at the bridal expo!

Spotlight on :: Ron Auger Productions

DJ Ron Auger knows that great music makes a great wedding.  With over 20 years of experience, he's sure to make your wedding a blast! The key to his business is personal attention to each of his clients, making sure to customize their event they way they want it.  From the moment you enter as husband and wife, to the cake cutting, to the final dance, he guides you through the process of music selections.

When it's time to get the party started, Ron knows how to play an eclectic mix that makes each event fantastic for all guests.  Ron will work with you to create a musical experience that will have everyone saying "Wow, what a wedding", and ultimately that is what every bride and groom wants.

You may contact Ron at 508.889.9635 or by emailing him at djron@djronauger.com

Spotlight on :: The Frost Collection

Be sure to visit The Frost Collection booth at the So Chic Bridal Expo!  The Frost Collection offers a wide array of papers, colors, and printing options to present your personality, or create a look that defines your moment perfectly.  Get inspired and express yourself! 

The Frost Collection was recently awarded the 2010 Wedding Guide Bride's Choice Award for Wedding Invitations.  The Frost Collection is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire Community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada.  Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

The Frost Collection is also online, offering bridal shower invitations, thank you notes and other items.

Spotlight on :: 77 Blossom Shop

77 Blossom Shop opened in June of 2006. Joyce Maffeo, the owner of 77 Blossom Shop, has over 25 years experience prior to opening her own shop. In 2008, they were awarded first prize in the wedding show competition at the Spring Garden and Patio show at the DCU center. Look for their display at this year's show.

Although the 77 Blossom Shop has a great day to day floral business, their wedding business has shown the most growth over the last couple years. Brides are very happy with their personal touch, attention to detail and affordable prices and it's because of this that they often recommend them to family and friends. In addition to being recommended by previous clients, they're also on the preferred vendor list of many local wedding venues including Crystal Lake Golf Club and Blissful Meadows Golf Club.

77 Blossom Shop offers custom wedding designs along with a complete wedding package designed with beautiful roses for less than $400 for a party of eight! They also offer a free, no obligation consultation and are currently booking weddings for Spring, Summer and Autumn. If you mention this blog post you'll receive a free add when you book your wedding order.

77 Blossom Shop is located at 77 South Main Street in Uxbridge Massachusetts. They can be reached at 508.278.7737.

Spotlight on :: Bonardi's Formalwear

Bonardi's Formalwear has been dressing men for special occasions since 1923.  They have grown to be the largest provider of tuxedos in Central Massachusetts, known for their friendly staff and huge selection.  They continue to offer fashions for formal and informal occasions and their tuxedo line offers basic attire to very luxurious, all at budget friendly prices.  For 2010, they have added an extensive suit rental line in several colors and fabrics.  Bonardi's also offers a free rental for the groom with four other rentals. 

If you have out of state groomsmen, Bonardi's can still take care of them as well.  All of their tuxedos are in stock and custom fitting is done on site.  This will guarantee a perfect, comfortable fit for your entire wedding party.  With their attention to detail and great service, Bonardi's takes the worry out of getting dressed on your wedding day.

Please visit their website, or one of their convenient locations in Milford, Worcester, Framingham, Auburn and Sturbridge.  Stop by and meet them at the Myriad Ballroom during our bridal expo.

Spotlight on :: The Honorable Susan Green

Susan Green has been a Justice of the Peace for over 25 years performing ceremonies for many couples.  During this time, she's helped many clients design a ceremony that reflects their feelings and hopes.  Susan's approach to creating the perfect ceremony involves meeting with each couple to listen to their ideas and how they would like their day to feel, and in turn offering many samples to review and choose from.  Each couple has the ultimate say in their ceremony content.  Ceremonies can be large or small, long or short, complex or simple and may occur in a variety of settings.  Knowing every couple is unique, she happily incorporates their ideas so that their day is a reflection of their wishes.

Susan thoroughly enjoys her job and looks forward to meeting with you and beginning the process together.  Please feel free to email her by clicking here or calling her at 508.429.7770.

Spotlight on :: Morin's Studio of Photography

Morin's Studio of Photography, located in Milford, has been photographing area bridal couples since 1922.  Most people are surprised to learn that Morin's has three in-house, full time photographers with over 85 years of combined wedding experience!  Sue Morin Schoenberg, Morin's wedding consultant, will answer all of the questions that you have regarding their wedding services.  From your free engagement photo, the type of wedding coverage you need, your pricing options, album design choices, parent albums, canvas wraps, folios, and photo thank you cards, Morin's can meet all your photographic needs in a fair and competitive manner.  They have their own professional lab and print all of their portraits and wedding images in house.  Personalized service is always a priority. 

Weddings are filled with emotion and treasured memories and you can trust Morin's to record your wedding day and deliver a beautiful, finished album to you in a timely and professional manner.  They look forward to hearing from you for a free, no obligation wedding consult. 

Spotlight on :: Specialty Wedding Cakes

This next vendor I can truly attest to how amazingly wonderful she is. I've had the honor of having Heather's cake on more than one occasion and they're simply divine, mouthwatering and fabulously delicious! That being said, here's some information on Heather & Specialty Wedding Cakes!

Heather LaPlante, owner of Specialty Wedding Cakes, has been designing wedding cakes for over 10 years. Recently, Specialty Wedding Cakes has earned the award for "The Knot Best of Boston Cake Baker for 2009" so her brides are speaking out about how much they love her! Attention to detail, focus on freshness & quality and highest regard for client satisfaction has made her business successful. Years of instruction and practice of sugar art, as well as teaching, have provided the ability to create a beautiful, delicious and memorable wedding cake for your special day. Together, you will design the cake of your dreams! Contact Heather for a free consultation and cake tasting.