Vendors - You could win $100.00

WIN $100.00!!

The vendor who refers the most qualified brides getting married in 2011 will win $100.00!
So get to work & invite all your brides! Let me know if you need flyers or cards.

On the pre-registration form, there is a question for the brides asking who referred them. The bride can list more than one source.

6 Spaces Left!

Don't wait - reserve your spot today!
I am so sorry, but telling me you want to be in the show is not a confirmation. We must have payment and information.
http://obgvendor.eventbrite.com/

More 2011 Vendors!

• Wed by the Beach
• Panache
• Your Perfect Cake
• Special Arrangements Florist
• Special Events by Sandy
• Premier Jewelry

We are glad to have all of you!

All participating Vendors - Please email 8-10 high quality pictures for a power point presentation. Please put your company name on the pic if you can. These will be played all day on Sunday.

2011 Vendors

Don't miss the following vendors at the Onlsow Bridal Gala! More is being added each week!! Most will be adding items to the goody bags, having a door prize or both!!

Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation
www.visitmexico.com
Shindigz / Stumps
The Green Bride Guide
Get Married
Perfect Wedding Guide Triad/Triangle
Carolina Wedding Guide
Wed Alert
Crystal Coast Bride
Cape Fear Bride
Grand Strand Bride
All About Honeymoons
American Dream Cakes, Inc
Camp Lejeune - Marstons
Celebrating Home
Country Aire
Cynthia Rose Photography
DJ Professionals & Video
Emerald Isle Realty
Island Essentials
Jacksonville Country club
JC Carolina Formals
Mary Kay
MM Digital Photography
Open Aperture Photography
Planet Beach Contempo Spa
Promised Hearts Inc.
REEDS Jewelers
Rev. Paula Bradley
Sheraton Atlantic Beach
Something Special Weddings & Events
Special Events Catering, Inc
Weddings of Grace
Wilmington Convention Center
Watermark Marina
The Intimate Bridal & Formal
Poconos Resorts
Sandals Resorts
Twilight Limo
AQ Catering and Events
Bluewater/Oceanic

2011 Vendors

For 2011 are limiting the number of vendors per category to provide our brides with a more targeted and select group of vendors.

We will be accepting nominations for new vendors until category reaches the cap. Participating food vendors must be NC licensed. Vendors must have at least two vendor/client recommendations, a professional website and an impeccable record of customer service.

Space is limited and available on a first come first served basis to vendors that meet eligibility requirements.

Contact Pam DuVal at 252.671.6939 for rates and availability.
We look forward to a fun en exciting event!

Attention Vendors

Early registration ends December 30, 2009 and we are limiting the number of vendors per category. Don't delay, spaces are going quickly!!
We are excited about the progress and participation this year! Contact us to get a contract sent to you.

We have had a lot of positive feedback from vendors and are getting listed on several great websites: The Knot, GetMarried.com, Crystal Coast Bride, and more... We will have posters ready soon so let us know if you need some.

Vendors

We will be limiting the number of vendors in each category so we recommend you reserve your spot early.

This Week's Vendor: Uniquely You Photographs

My name: Arthine Saunders Thomas
Business name: Uniquely You Photographs
My e-mail: photographer1@uniquelyyouphotographs.com
Business website: http://www.uniquelyyouphotographs.com/

Business mailing address: P.O. Box 801 Richlands, NC 28574
Business phone: 910-324-2126

Bio: I am a native of Onslow County. Born in Richlands to Doug and Hazel Saunders. Graduated from Richlands High School and East Carolina University. I taught in the Onslow County School System for over 29 years retiring in June 2008. I have a daughter, Kimberly, and a granddaughter, Janiya. I am the widow of Michael Thomas.

Q1. The best advice I can give the bride and the groom it to remember that it is your day and your wishes, hopes, and dreams are what is most important.

Q2. The trend I see today is that couples are still doing the traditional things at their weddings, but putting their own unique "spin" on them.
Q3. The most touching thing I witnessed at a wedding reception was the groom "marrying" the 3 young stepdaughters with each getting their own ring.

This Week's Vendor: J & S Creations

Greeting to everyone from J&S Custom Creations.

Creations. We are a small family owned cottage business located at Surf City. J&S or Jeff & Sue Conerly are the founders & owners. With backgrounds in Engineering and Pharmacy, we retired and moved from Raleigh, our home for 20 years to Surf City, the best move we have ever made. Retirement gave us the opportunity to meet lots of new friends and spend our time and energy doing the things that we love including activities at our church- Chapel by the Bay, our photography, virtual tours, and others. Our photographic activities quickly evolved to a full time –year around activity. We have had articles and photographs published in local newspapers and magazines. In general we provide a variety of services but our love is to focus on smaller beach weddings and beach oriented family portraits. Our goal is to capture the event as well as the traditional images. This gives us the opportunity to meet new friends and capture the memories they can enjoy for a lifetime. Check our website for some examples of our work: http://www.jandscustomcreations.com/ .

We are pleased to participate in the Lejeune Bridal Gala and are looking forward to meeting and visiting with everyone.

Q. What's the most important piece of advice you can offer a bride?


A. Based on our experience with quite a few brides there seems to be one common factor that can easily distract from what should be a very happy and enjoyable time. Don’t get stressed out over every little detail. Make vendor selections based on budget and quality expectations then meet with selected vendors then let them do their job. Regardless of the size of your wedding, a small informal beach wedding or a large formal event, keep it simple. It’s your wedding, enjoy it. We give this bit of advice to each bride & groom that we meet with. Their feedback has shown it to be sound advice.

Q. What is the biggest trend you're seeing in weddings?
A. Over the last few years we have observed two basic factors that are affecting local wedding plans. For military weddings plans and dates tend to be more frequently driven by deployment or returning from deployment dates. In the case of nonmilitary weddings, planning considerations and decisions are more frequently driven by the declining economic considerations. In either case the bride is looking for the best way to have the wedding she wants that fits in her shrinking budget.

Q. What was our most memorial wedding?
A. No doubt, our most memorable wedding was a beach wedding of approximately 20+ people. After the ceremony, the photos and the congratulations the party lined up on the beach holding hands and charged into the surf -bride in her wedding gown, bride’s maids in their dresses, and all. Of course, the photographer had to be out front to get the best photos. When all was done the entire party was splashing around like a bunch of kids playing in the surf while the photographer was waist deep capturing the fun and dodging the waves while keeping the camera dry. We have only had one wedding that went to this extent but this is a great example of everyone having a great time and our commitment to capturing the memories.

Why is so important to hire professional vendors?

When you think of hiring all your wedding vendors, you may think, “It is too expensive.” The real fact is - it may very well be the best investment you ever make. Most brides work full time, some have children, elderly parents, and countless other obligations. Add to that, the pre-wedding parties, gown fittings, etc.. With today’s hectic lifestyles, how are you going to fit it all in?
A good planner will be your best friend. They have done all the research and can recommend dependable, professional vendors or suppliers, most of the time at a better price. Planners can often suggest something you didn't think of, or a less expensive alternative. They will save you time, money, and relieve your stress. You, your family, and your friends deserve to have fun and enjoy your special day. Leave the worry behind.
You may want to do some or most of the planning yourself, after all that’s part of the fun. It can also be very time-consuming, checking prices, researching, making sure you are getting the best deal for your money. A wedding planner is always someone you can bounce ideas off of and talk to about anything. We are great at keeping secrets, our reputation depends on it.
If you have a medical problem, you see a doctor. If you need legal advice, you see a lawyer. Why would you not seek professionals for the most important day of your life? Even if you plan some of it yourself, you need someone there the day of to oversee everything. After all, you can't do everything and be everywhere. Professional vendors have the training and experience to handle any situation that may arise.
Don't' trust the most important day of your life to unqualified people. Although they mean well, they will want to enjoy your day with you. Hire professionals, you'll be very glad you did!