Alexia's Bridal Boutique and Vera Wang Salon is hosting two trunk shows at their Cary location that all dressless brides-to-be should NOT miss! Mark your calendar, and call for an appointment- 919.481.6633.

September 10 & 11- Bliss by Monique Lhuillier

September 17 & 18- Vera Wang

For more upcoming bridal events and trunk show listings, visit SB&G's Wedding Shows page.

Save the Date- Monday, July 19 at 8:00PM, Food Network

This spring, TV's Food Network filmed at our very own Sugarland- Chapel Hill's hottest bakery. The air date of this special program has just been announced - July 19 at 8pm. Clearly they got it right when they picked Sugarland to be featured on this show, which highlights the best places to eat dessert in American and is hosted by Adam Gertlier. Sugarland makes amazing cakes, cookies, cupcakes, gelato and even specialty cocktails from their storefront on Franklin Street, in the heart of Chapel Thrill. Tune in to Food Network on Monday evening to check out Katrina Ryan and the Sugarland crew! Visit Sugarland's Website to learn more about their fabulous bakery! www.sugarlandchapelhill.com

Congratulations to SB&G advertisers who won Independent’s Best of the Triangle 2010. We are proud to work with so many outstanding businesses!

Best Hotel in Wake County- The Umstead Hotel & Spa
Runners Up: Raleigh Marriott City Center & Sheraton Raleigh Hotel

Best Hotel Durham County- The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
Runners Up: Doubletree Guest Suites, Hilton Durham, The King’s Daughters Inn & Durham Marriott Convention Center

Best Hotel in Orange/Chatham County- The Carolina Inn
Runners Up- The Siena Hotel, The Fearrington House Country Inn, The Franklin Hotel

Best Bed & Breakfast in Triangle- The King's Daughters Inn
Runner up- The Fearrington House Country Inn

Best Day Spa in Triangle Runners Up- Bella Trio Day Spa & The Umstead Hotel & Spa

Best Jewelry Store in Wake County- Bailey’s Fine Jewelry

Best Catering in Triangle- Rocky Top Hospitality

Most Romantic Restaurant in the Triangle- Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern

Best Candy Selection in the Triangle Winner, Best Local Wine Store in Orange/Chatham County Winner, and Best Retail Cheese Selection in Triangle Runner Up- A Southern Season

Best Florist in Triangle Runners Up- Ninth Street Flowers & University Florist & Gift Shop

Best Men’s Clothing in Triangle Runner Up- Belk

Best Dance Club in Triangle Runner Up-  and Best Upscale Bar in Triangle Runner Up- Solas

Best Outdoor Music Venue in Triangle  Runner Up and Best Place to see music before 10pm Runner Up- American Tobacco

Best Art Gallery in Triangle Runner Up- Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

Best Dry Cleaner in Triangle Runner Up- Medlin Davis Cleaners

Open House Tea for brides & their families- Sunday, June 27, 1:00-4:00PM

The former Delta Zeta House (420 Hillsborough Street) in Chapel Hill has been acquired by the Altridge Group and has been renovated to serve as a new event space. The gorgeous building boasts a central dining room with high ceilings & new hardwood floors, and a large shaded patio, which will be a perfect venue for corporate events as well as weddings. This open house tea event is for brides, grooms & their families, as well as wedding industry professionals, and will feature refreshments by Maslow Event Design Catering and The Picnic Basket.  Invitations can be picked up at The Picnic Basket sales office and The Terrace Cafe at Duke Gardens in Durham. Several local vendors will be featured at the event, including The Picnic Basket, Sugarland, Island Sound DJs, A Southern Season Bridal Registry Desk, and Victoria Park Florist.

To RSVP please call 919.321.6204, or click HERE for more information.

This Thursday, June 17, from 5-9pm, come celebrate the opening of The Merry Martini, a new stationary & gift item store in Durham's Sutton Station. This grand opening cocktail party will be held to ring in the new locally-owned business. Guests will be welcomed with food and of course, "merry martinis," and will receive gift bags (VIP bags for the first 25 guests), coupon books, and raffle prizes.

The Merry Martini is located at 5826 Fayetteville Street, Suite 105. Visit www.themerrymartini.com for more information.

On Tuesday night, SB&G attended a very special event. The Triangle chapter of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) donated a wedding to a very deserving Garner couple. Shortly after the couple got engaged last summer, the bride was diagnosed with cancer, and she has now been given 3-5 months to live. Their original wedding venue fell through, so NACE, along with the help of several generous vendors, stepped in to help them have a memorable wedding day. Read more about their story here.

Several local wedding businesses donated different aspects of the wedding. The event took place at The Sutherland in Wake Forest. A dress was donated by Alexia's Bridal Boutique and a tux from Savvi Formalwear, the cake was provided by Sweet Memories Bakery, rentals & linens were from Classic Party Rentals, and both Katie Hamister and Brian Mullins were onsite to photograph the occasion. 

A few of the other local vendors who donated their services include Grace Leisure Events, Joe Bunn DJ Company, Mitchell's Catering & Events, Fleurtations Floral, Ed & Becky Sansbury, the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, On Lokation Make-Up Artistry, Sea Sound Studio, Focused Videography, Raleigh Wedding Cars, and A Step To Gold International Ballroom.

This photograph of the couple being wed by Ed & Becky Sansbury was taken by Dara Blakeley (with my handheld camera!). 

And here are a few photos taken by Katie Hamister:

Some of our local Carolina photographers have organized a new charity called Clicks for Quakes. The goal of the alliance is to help raise funds to support the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti. 

As their first effort, Clicks for Quakes is organizing a Photo Drive. Throughout February, these photographers are offering $50/15 min studio sessions. Those who book will receive one digital file, high resolution, to be used for any personal purpose. 100% of the session fee will be donated to Lime-Aid, which will directly aid food and medical supplies in Haiti. Clicks for Quakes hopes to raise $5,000 for the cause.

Participating photographers can be found at: http://clicksforquates.wordpress.com  

Please remember to ask your photographer if any special promos are being offered in addition to the standard package.