...every bride needs to experience a show

You're planning one of the biggest, most exciting days of your life. You'll be saying "I Do" to the one you love. It's also the time for planning. And a must for every bride and groom on the road to planning a wedding should be attending a bridal show. Comparison shopping, tasting cake, looking at linens, interviewing photographers, looking for the wedding gown of your dreams...it can all be found at a bridal show. A few hours spent wandering the isles will fill you with wedding information and options that can set you on the right path to planning the day of your dreams...or if you're close to being done with your planning you can find just the right items to complete your mission.

The Western New England Fall Bridal Show is November 13, 2011 at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, MA. It's the area's largest single day bridal event that brings the area's finest wedding professionals together for one day, in one location for a convenent day of discovery!

Advance registration and tickets available through the website at www.cjcevents.com.

this is the "beyond"...

Having been involved in the wedding industry for over 20 years in Western New England, you get to know the area wedding professionals...not only their business life and experience, but I've been lucky enough to have many become close friends...consider them "family"! And when it comes to friends and family, you really want to do anything you can to support them. Well, here's a look into what's happening with a member of my "family" who is a well respected wedding professional in the area. I thought I would share her story...please read!

I've known Tara Delskey-Eagen for almost 20 years, both personally and professionally. I've watched her life, her love and devotion to family, friends and business grow so much over the years. And now, to see how much love she and her husband, Ken, have for their beautiful little boy, Declan. Declan has touched so many lives...here's my chance, our chance to touch his. Please support this walk by giving what you can.

In Tara's words about Declan: <--click here and read!

a honeymoon to cherish

As many of you may already know, a wonderful couple, Stephanie and Brian, were the winners of the first Western New England Great Wedding Giveaway. The wedding giveaway included everything you could ever need or want for a wedding...including a honeymoon. Michelle Mangio from Magical Escapes, put together a wonderful package to Barbados and here's some photos and comments from Stephanie!

From Stephanie: Brian and I had such an amazing time at the Almond Resort in Barbados! The water was the bluest we've ever seen and it was so refreshing. One of the highlights of our trip was a sea safari that included sailing along three different coasts of Barbados, snorkeling at an old shipwreck, discovering the many varieties of marine life that live in the shipwreck, and swimming with the sea turtles. While sailing on the catamaran, we saw a school of flying fish (the national fish of Barbados) and at first, we thought they were birds. They flew over the surface of the water and it was an incredible sight to see. Truly, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we would highly recommend to those traveling to Barbados. We had a wonderful stay at The Almond Resort.
From start to finish, everybody was very friendly and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and enjoying our vacation. They were very informative and suggested many activities for us to try during our one week stay. The food was excellent -- try the flying fish! It was also such a romantic atmosphere with the beach nearby, colorful flowers blooming all around us, exquisite sunsets...what more could we ask for?! It was the first time Brian and I have traveled out of the country together and it certainly won't be the last. Thank you SO much for making this trip possible for us -- we would do it again in a heartbeat!

it's a garden party!

Spring is here and it's Garden Party time!! Bancroft Bridals will be celebrating Spring with a garden party of fashions that will include the latest trends in bridesmaid dresses and social occasion dresses. This exclusive event will also feature a selection of elite area wedding professionals who will be available for you to ask questions and set up appointments with.

So plan to be at this fun event on Saturday, May 7, 2011. Event begins at 2 p.m. Fashion Show begins at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free, but space is limited.

You must R.S.V.P. with Caitlin at Bancroft Bridals to attend!
Call to R.S.V.P. at (413) 789-3073 or bbridalscnp@comcast.net by April 29, 2011.

Bancroft Bridals is located at DePalma Crossing, 967 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 (413) 789-3073 www.bancroftbridals.com

unique gowns showcased at local trunk show...

Stunning...exquisite, dramatic, romantic, delicate...captivating!! These are all words to describe the 2011 Avant Mariee Collection of bridal gowns. In an area exclusive, you'll have an opportunity to experience those words in person at the Avant Mariee by Winnie Couture Trunk Show taking place April 21-28 at Pearl Bridal Boutique. Sweetheart necklines, strapless, ruched bodice, flowy, pickup skirt, beading at the natural waist are all features of the many, many bridal gowns you will be able to try on at this event...who knows...your dream wedding gown may be waiting for you...!!

Ryan Mainville, owner of Pearl Bridal Boutique, reminds you that appointments are necessary for this Trunk Show and this collection will only be here April 21-28th. Additionally, anyone purchasing a bridal gown at this event will receive a 10% discount. Pearl Bridal Boutique is located at 1 Open Square, Holyoke, MA. www.pearlbridalboutique.com. Call today for your appointment at 413-315-6102.

winners of Las Vegas adventures...

Las Vegas, the hot spot for quickie weddings, bright lights, exciting stage shows, creative restaurants and of course, gambling, was the focus of Michelle Mangio of Magical Escapes and her giveaway promotions at the Western New England Spring Bridal Show. She once again put together a terrific accommodation package for the winner of the Groom's Room and the Grand Prize winner of the bridal show itself. Heading off to stay at the new Aria Resort, the two winners will experience all the sights, sounds, tastes and excitement Las Vegas has to offer! Congratulations to the winners!























Honeymoon Winners:
Maggie Kucharski & Mike Towne

Groom's Prize:
Ricky Paro

local trends shared by local experts...

Western New England has many wonderfully talented wedding professionals and we thought we would share a few with you!

Eutopia Events is very creative and thinks outside the box to achieve a bride and groom's desired wedding,whether it is a wedding cake, decor, or to add that extra touch to the day.

The team of Lauren Mace and Ruthie McDonald want to share these trends for local weddings:
• Welcoming reception at the ceremony – light Hor’Deourves and non-alcoholic beverages, especially at an outdoor wedding where it may be hot and guests might arrive early
• Doing a wedding cake and dessert buffet with something non-traditional such as pies or a favorite dessert.
• Buttercream wedding cakes. Many couples are going back to the traditional buttercream cakes rather than fondant, for both taste and looks.
• Choosing different colors for the bridesmaids dresses rather than sticking with one hue.
• Mixing table shapes and sizes – Couples aren’t sticking with the traditional round table these days, they are opting to mix it up to create variety and customize their reception to better fit their style.
• Outdoor weddings – couples are opting to do this because it provides a more personal touch to their day
• Vintage styles – from wedding dresses to the ornate details of the décor, weddings are taking on old style charm with a modern twist.
• Eco-weddings continue to be popular. From recycled paper for invitations to using food from local farmers and providers, couples are more aware of their wedding carbon footprint.

Located in Massachusetts, Eutopia Events has a passion for throwing amazing parties.
Email eutopiaevents@gmail.com
Phone 508.735.1701 or 413.475.2282

a taste of Chicago

We love creative people, groups, talented and artistic individuals who share their passion for what they do. Personally, I love to work with and promote those unique talents when the opportunity arises.

Giving a boost to the West Springfield High School Drama Club, they were invited to highlight a few numbers from their upcoming production of Chicago. This is a highly talented group of kids who stepped out and added their stamp to the recent Western New England Spring Bridal Show. Singing, dancing, costumes and more! Thanks goes out to director, Michael Pandolfi and the Drama Club for making this a unique and unexpected addition to the bridal show.

Support the drama club by attending their production of Chicago on Thursday, March 24th through Saturday, March 26th. 7pm. Tickets available at the door. The West Springfield High School is located on Piper Road, West Springfield, MA.

let them eat cake...

It can be sweet, delicate, colorful, flavorful, and definately unique...it's wedding cake! Brides and grooms have more choices than ever when it comes to designing a wedding cake. Expression of the couples' lives, likes, a theme...it's all open to whatever they decide.

Recently, wedding cake designs were showcased at the Western New England Spring Bridal Show. Some of the area's finest wedding cake designers showed off hot designs, unique styles and designs that any couple could make their own. Voted most popular design and winner of the Brides' Choice Award was Eutopia Events.

Whatever you do...make it your own!

a wedding professionals own wedding...

You're a wedding professional...serving brides and grooms, helping them make their day special and all it can possibly be. So what happens when it comes time to plan your own wedding? What do you pick? Which wedding professionals do you work with? Well, Tommy Plante from Hard at Play DJ Service and his wife, Laura, are featured on the cover and in the Real New England section of the March issue of The Wedding Day Sourcebook. You'll find some wonderful images taken by Seth Kaye Photography that celebrate Tommy and Laura's wedding day.

So...what are you doing for your wedding?