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AUGUST 17

Southern Bridal Show & Expo ::
Jim Graham Building -
NC State Fairgrounds
12-5pm

MAY 20

Submissions for June Newsletter

JULY 7

Dream It - Plan It - Live It ::
Wedding Organizer
Ads due for Aug./Oct. issues

JULY 18

Southern Bridal Show & Expo ::
Exhibitor Info due
Booth Preferences &
Print Inclusion Deadline

Our Around Town section is the perfect place to announce your open house, trunk show, or other special event.

MAY 5-24

Enchanting Moments ::
Debutante Gown Trunk Show

MAY 6

Triangle Bridal Association ::
Second Quarter Meeting
ess. Lounge
6-8pm

KUDOS ::

We have to give ourselves a little pat on the back. Forever Bridal was recognized with a prestigious Star Award at the Bridal Show Producers International conference last week. Our five-card mail piece to brides won in the Best Direct Mail Piece to Brides category. This is our second Star Award, and we are happy to be recognized as a leading company among bridal show producers on an international level.

Kudos to all the vendors named to The Knot Magazine's Best of Weddings 2008 issue. These businesses were rated as top picks for the North Carolina region in their respective categories: Expressions of Love Florist , Enchanting Moments, Victorian Rose Bridals, Cinda's Creative Cakes, Edible Art, Complete Music of Carolina, Joe Bunn DJ Company, Ron K. Smith Productions, Carolina Productions & Entertainment, Neil Boyd Photography, Photography by Walters & Walters, Catering Works, Capital Style Luxury Transportation, The Carolina Inn, One Eleven Place, Preston Woodall House, Prestonwood Country Club, and Sisters' Garden.

INSPIRING NEWS ::

Forever Bridal is in transition. We're currently between offices, temporarily working out of Laura and Dom's house while we put the finishing touches on a new office space. We will be sharing space with a florist, two wedding photographers, a dj/videographer, and an event planner. There are two loft office spaces still available, and a first floor showroom, if you are interested in joining us. Our office phone remains the same. We'll keep you updated on further details.

Our April Southern Bridal Show & Expo was a big success! We were happy to have 162 exhibiting vendors, including 38 new companies. Thanks to all who made it a fantastic experience for the 523 brides (and 1,350 total ticket-buyers) who attended. The Vendor Blender at Sisters' Garden was a great party celebrating the show! Fresh Affairs was chosen as the Vendors' Choice Award winner. French 75 Events impressed peers, and won the Best New Exhibitor Booth Award. Outstanding Booth Awards went to The Triangle Bridal Association, Triangle Catering, and the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley Hotel. Great work on those outstanding booth displays! Door prize winners were: Travel Network (twice!), Azul Photography, Aperture Aficionado Photography, A Southern Soiree, First Command, French 75 Events, Realty World Partners, and The Heavenly Gourmet.

July 18th is the print inclusion deadline for our next bridal show, the Southern Bridal Show & Expo on August 17th at the NC State Fairgrounds. Be sure to get your contract in before then to have your company listed in our printed materials. Exhibiting in one of our bridal shows is the most cost-effective way to market...and the only way to get face time with hundreds of local brides in a single day!

Our Dream It - Plan It - Live It wedding organizer has undergone a complete makeover and the new design is so updated and elegant. If you are interested in renewing your ad, or placing an ad, the deadline to be included in the August and October editions is July 7. If you have questions, please direct them to Laura.

INSPIRING EXHIBITOR ::

Triangle Catering goes above and beyond for every event they design. With a new Flair division, the staff brings original decor design to complement the delicious food, making both weddings and corporate events truly memorable. Since the company has the ability to combine fantastic food and service with stylish design elements, it's no surprise Triangle Catering was hired by Duke University's Nasher Museum of Art to come up with a dinner reception to match the Spanish Masters exhibit, which will run from August 21st to November 9th. Michelle and Dodd Aldred, the owners, came up with the broad variety of Spanish foods, and used the Renaissance as inspiration for eight-foot vertical food towers and lavish arrangements of the paella, gazpacho, empanadas, and other delectables. Jeff Eisenhuth, the Director of Sales, couldn't be prouder of the company's excellent reputation and continual growth. Triangle Catering has added an additional office space with a warehouse for storing furniture and decor items from its flair division. Some of that new furniture and lighting played a part in taking home an Outstanding Booth Award from the Southern Bridal Show & Expo in April. Truly, Triangle Catering is an inspiring example to us all!

NUPTIAL NUMBERS :: Ok, so these aren't exactly nuptial numbers...but they are some great numbers for North Carolina small businesses! In its April issue, Fortune Small Businesses Magazine named its top 100 Great Places to own or start a small business. North Carolina cities claimed six spots on the list: #8 Charlotte #12 Durham #20 Raleigh #41 Asheville #50 Greensboro #56 Winston-Salem. Ah, North Carolina. What a glorious state.		TBA CORNER :: The Triangle Bridal Association is proud to have won an award for Outstanding Booth Display at the Southern Bridal Show & Expo last month. The booth design, with three life size "Happy Brides," caught brides' attention, and showed the dedication of the Association to constantly improve its image, marketing power, and branding with local brides. A big thanks to Elle Alexander for helping with the design. Look here for what's new with the TBA each month! Not a member? Request an information kit.

THE FACT IS ::

It's officially WEDDING SEASON! Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are ready to invent a story to sneak in and woo some members of the wedding party. Well, not really. We're dealing with a whole other animal... As we hit the high season for nuptials, a growing trend might appear, pounce, yip, roll over, and ask you for a belly rub. Pets, especially the all-American dog, are making their mark on weddings nationwide, including here in the Triangle. Whether they are ring bearers, loyal witnesses to the vows, or just friendly "guests" at the reception, dogs need a little extra consideration. It's time to think about making your business puppy-proof. Venues: have you thought about ways to accommodate couples that want their pets to be present on their big day? Florists: can you offer to make a fancy floral collar for little Spot? Bakers and caterers: any canine-friendly gourmet items? Photographers and videographers: have you practiced capturing Rufus on film? Adopting pet-friendly policies will give you the ability to attract more pet-loving couples, and referrals will surely follow.