Forever Bridal produces the largest-scale bridal shows in the Triangle, and their next event is this Sunday- The Southern Bridal Show & Expo. This is a show you do not want to miss, especially if you are early on in your wedding planning! You will meet with hundreds of the area's top wedding professionals, see fashion shows, and maybe even win a prize!

Sunday, August 15th, 11:00am-4:00pm at The Jim Graham Building at the NC State Fairgrounds

For more information and to register for this show, please visit www.foreverbridal.net.

And there is more...

All Southern Bridal Show & Expo attendees are invited to The After Party at Midtown Place

Wednesday, August 18th, 5:00-8:00PM

Midtown Place is where the Forever Bridal offices are located, as well as several other excellent wedding professionals. Stop in for a snack and a drink to celebrate your engagement and continue to explore your wedding vendor options. To register for this After Party event, please visit www.midtownplace.net or call 919.341.0717.

Sunday, August 29, 2010 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm | $5.00 per person

Experience The Franklin Hotel, a unique and personal wedding venue located in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill. Enjoy a lovely afternoon in an elegant and relaxed setting meeting with the region's top wedding professionals. Each bride who attends will receive a welcome bag with specialty items and coupons from each participating vendor. Pre-register to be entered into a drawing for fabulous prizes including a Honeymoon Night at The Franklin Hotel.

The following is a partial list of activities and available consultations - many of whom also work with Southern Bride & Groom and we personally recommend:

• Premier wedding planners showcasing the hottest trends in the industry
• Wedding Cake design & tastings by Sugarland, as featured on the Food Network and in Southern Living Magazine.
• Fashion Show featuring the latest designs from Tre Bella Bridal
• Complimentary hair and make-up consultations by Bella Trio Day Spa
• Menu tastings from award winning Caterers
• Joe Bunn DJ, a full-service Entertainment Agency
• Internationally renowned photographers
• Exquisite floral design by University Florist
• View Franklin Street from Blue Diamond Limousine
• Tour beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites

For registration and information, please contact Joann Sullivan, Director of Catering, at  919.442.4094  or via email at jsullivan@franklinhotelnc.com.  

Tre Bella Inc & the North Carolina Museum of Art are presenting:
The 3rd Annual Altar Ego, An Event All About You
Thursday, May 6, 6:30pm-10:00pm

This special evening will include a fashion show, raffle prizes, table top designs, food, music & art. The event is presented in partership with Dress for Success Triangle in an effort to raise funds and awareness for this amazing charity.

Carol Hannah Whitfield of Project Runway will be attending the event to debut her new bridal line, which Tre Bella Bridal will carry. She will also available for appointments this week, on May 7th & 8th.

Some of the exciting raffle prizes include including a Manuel Mota Salisbury bridal gown valued at $2,300 from Tre Bella Bridal, an overnight package at the O. Henry Hotel in Greensboro, and several gift certificates to Triangle restaurants. Raffle tickets are $5 and must be purchased before the event!

For tickets and more information please visit: http://trebellabridal.com/altarego.htm

Now that I'm back from a quick vacay in New Mexico, I finally have a minute to post some photos from SB&G's vendor appreciation event, which was held on April 8 at the Chatham Hill Winery in Morrisville. SB&G holds an event each year to thank all of our advertisers and also to provide a chance to all the amazing wedding specialists to mix & mingle. We had a great time at this year's locally-themed wine & food tasting event, and hope everyone who attended did as well! Thank you to the Chatham Hill Winery, Triangle Catering, Tre Bella Inc, Edible Art, East Coast Entertainment, American Party Rentals and Purple Puddle for helping to bring the soiree together!

The Carolina Inn Bridal Show was snowed out this past Sunday. The makeup date is this Sunday, February 7, from 1:00-4:00pm. Tickets are still $10. (No worries- Superbowl festivities don't begin until 6:00pm so you can do both!) 

SB&G still has some free passes. If any brides are interested please contact info@southernbrideandgroom.com.

See you this weekend! 

SB&G spent this past Sunday at the third annual Washington Duke Bridal show. The afternoon kicked off with all guests hearing insider tips from a panel of wedding industry professionals while enjoying a delicious three-course lunch. The brides then moved to the beautiful event tent for an intimate tour of decor & apparel displays, cake tastings, and prize giveaways. 

Stay tuned for more upcoming shows that you don't want to miss! 

Photos by Jenna Parks

Come join in an unusual and exciting Facebook event and scavenger hunt for a $20,000 RING!! The "Ultimate Finders Keepers" is Saturday, Oct. 24th, in Raleigh. Sponsored by Bailey's Fine Jewelry. See our SB&G website "Wedding Shows" page for more info. Photo below by Marthanna Yater.

This Sunday, Oct. 25th, join Southern Bride & Groom magazine and dozens of other outstanding wedding vendors at the Triangle Bridal Showcase. It's being held at the Hilton Durham, from 1 to 5pm.  Come sample fine foods, talk to experienced industry professionals, and see some exciting wedding fashions on display. Don't miss it!

Gorgeous Gowns is hosting a Bridal Event on Sunday, Nov. 8th, from 1-5pm, at the Homewood Suites in Cary. Come meet with wedding vendors, and enjoy the Fashion Shows which start at 1:30 and 3:30.  There is no entry fee, but brides can purchase raffle tickets (prizes include a 3-night stay at Amelia Island, FL; a Canon Digital Camera; and a $100 Belk Gift Certificate!), with proceeds going to the American Diabetes Association.

Brides-to-be: if you haven't attended a bridal show yet, you should definitely plan to soon! The most recent extravaganza at the state fairgrounds on August 16th, the Southern Bridal Show & Expo put together by Forever Bridal, was a rousing success. Attendance was high, participation of vendors was enthusiastic, and the excitement was contagious. The tabletop designs were unique and extremely creative, causing much ooh-ing and aah-ing!

Engaged couples and their entourages flowed from one booth to another, gathering information, talking to the wedding industry's top professionals, sampling cakes and delicious tidbits, sipping champagne, watching fashion shows, and getting dozens of new ideas for planning their own weddings. The happiness was infectious, and Southern Bride & Groom staff spoke with lots of attendees who were just beginning the planning process. We handed out magazines, candy treats, advice, and prize drawing registrations to hundreds of brides, and had lots of fun ourselves! (See entry below for Prize Winners Emily and Drew.)

Below is a photo of our booth, with SB&G publisher Donna and creative staff member Patricia. Our beautiful floral arrangement was provided by Victorian Seasons. Photo by SB&G Staff.

The Hudson Manor in Louisburg, a lovely setting for an estate wedding, is holding a Spring Open House on Sunday, May 17th, so that couples can come have a look and a taste, and get a feel for what they offer as a wedding venue.  The event includes a delicious buffet, beer and wine, and beautiful scenery!  Just RSVP to attend, at info@thehudsonmanor.com. Photo courtesy of The Image Mill.

Southern Bride & Groom Magazine hosted a customer lunch in early April at Sisters’ Garden & Catering Company in Raleigh. The “Southern Roots” theme included traditional southern fare, authentic Piedmont Blues music played by Island Sound DJs and Video along with a slideshow of some favorite photos, and table displays of past magazine covers completing the decor. Our providers for the luncheon were Barbara Clark of An Elegant Affair as consultant, Floral Dimensions for spring table arrangements, Paperwhites Press for invitations, Classic Party Rentals for linens, and Sweet Memories for mini-cupcake desserts.  Photos provided by Bella Rose Photography and SB&G.