2009 CMWA Bride Panel

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association held its second annual bridal panel on November 17th. We had five brides who were married within the last 12 months share their wedding planning stories - as they searched and booked different wedding vendors.

A couple of the common themes I heard:

• Email is the preferred way to communicate with brides (no more phone!)
• It's not all about money. People are willing to spend a bit more to get quality service.
• Money is being spent on the things the couple is passionate about.

We had approximately 50 vendors in the audience, who were able to ask questions and learn first-hand what engaged couples are looking for when choosing vendors for their wedding. I always enjoy going to events like this one. It gives me some great insight on how the wedding industry is changing and what people are expecting.

Many people ask me what the future of the industry looks like for 2010...and it's looking good! Most reception hall managers tell me their Saturday nights are almost fully booked this summer- and many of their Friday nights are also booked. This should trickle down to other vendors in the coming weeks and months. The reception hall is typically the first or second thing that is booked. (You do need a DATE to get married!)

If you are a vendor and are interested in what happened at the Bride Panel, send me an email and I will send you a link to the .MP3 version of the panel.

I did take a picture on my phone at the event...it's pretty horrible. It does not do justice to the time Gina and her staff put into making The Crown Room look spectacular for the panel.

Engaged? Book Your Vendors Soon!

Here's a little tip if you are engaged and still looking for vendors for your wedding. Most engagements occur between Thanksgiving Day and Valentine's Day...so that means there will be a lot more engaged couples booking vendors for their 2010, 2011 (and beyond) weddings.

So that means reception halls, photographers, florists, and others, are going to start filling up their calendars from a new "rush" of brides who are just getting engaged.

If you are engaged...get on our website and start making some phone calls and emails to vendors that you haven't booked yet.

If you think you might be getting engaged...make sure you start making phone calls to get your vendors booked shortly after you say "I do."

A Great Wedding Fair

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association handed out nearly 200 Bride Guides at the MyMinnesota wedding fair that happened this past weekend in Monticello.

This is a great fair. I have been to my share of wedding fairs...as a vendor and as someone looking to get married. And honestly, some of the wedding fairs aren't all that great. But I was really impressed with the organization and professionalism of this fair. So kudos to the people at Majirs that helped put this event on!

If you're looking for an upcoming fair, you'll have to wait a couple of months! There are no local wedding fairs until January. Checkout our website for upcoming fairs- and check out a few of our great vendors while you're there!

My Minnesota Wedding Fair - November 14

One of the best local wedding fairs is taking place this weekend in Monticello. The 9th annual "My Minnesota Wedding Bridal Expo" will be held Saturday, November 14th at the Monticello Community Center.

This is a great chance to meet a lot of vendors in a small amount of time. Nearly 60 vendors will be at this fair.

Tickets are $5 at the door, but brides are FREE if you send an email to advertise@majirs.com with your name, address, e-mail address, your groom's name and your wedding date.

Please visit www.myminnesotawedding.com for a complete list of vendors and for more information about the bridal expo.

The details:

9th Annual " My Minnesota Wedding Bridal Expo"
Saturday, November 14th
1 to 4:30 p.m.
Style Show at 4:30 in the Mississippi Room

Monticello Community Center
505 Walnut Street
Monticello, MN 55362

Customized Jewelry Event

J. F.Kruse Jewelers invites you to a custom design party, "It's Your Story...Wear It!"

You will hear stories from customers and employees who have made custom designed jewelry created at J. F. Kruse Jewelers.

The stories are remarkable. Some customers have used heirlooms, keeping the sentimental value of stones and metals while creating something meaningful of their own.

There will be door prizes, wine and appetizers!

Don't worry about a long sales pitch... There will be 15 minutes of "education", and 90 minutes of entertainment!


Event Details

Location:
Westside Liquor Learning & Event Center
1001 2nd St. S., Suite 1005
Sartell, MN 56377

Time:
November 12, 2009
7 - 8:30 p.m.

RSVP: pam@buzz-company.com or Pam at 320-266-8198 (please RSVP by November 9)

You will learn about how to:

• Create something uniquely yours
• Update your style pieces
• Give new style to inherited pieces

Door prizes will include:

• $200 toward a custom designed piece at J. F. Kruse Jewelers
• Gift Certificates to local restaurants

Each person attending will receive a goodie bag with fun gifts!

India Night Will Explain Traditional Wedding Ceremonies

St. Cloud State's India Heritage Club is hosting “Vivaah: Experience the Wedding of a Lifetime,” which will explain the traditional Indian wedding ceremony and rituals that are a part of the ceremony.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. on November 7th in Atwood Memorial Center at St. Cloud State University.

Tickets are available at the door or at the Atwood Memorial Center Information Desk starting November 2.

• $8 for students
• $12 for faculty and members of the community
• Free for children 5 and younger

The India Heritage Club is a student organization that works to promote and share Indian culture.

For more information about the event, contact Neha Patankar at pane0903@stcloudstate.edu or Priyam Chibber at chpr0601@stcloudstate.edu.

2009 Bride Panel

The Central Minnesota Wedding Association is hosting its second annual Bridal Panel on Tuesday, November 17th. This is a chance for wedding vendors to hear first-hand from brides about their wedding planning experiences.

Would you be willing to share your wedding planning experiences with a room full of local vendors?

• What was the most frustrating part of planning your wedding? The best part?
  
• What is some information you wish you would have known at the start of the planning process?
• Where did you do most of your research and find vendors?

If you are a newlywed (married within the last year) and would like to serve on this panel and get a great meal and other free stuff, shoot me an email!

If you are a local wedding vendor and would like a complimentary ticket to attend this event, shoot me an email!

This was a huge hit last year for vendors and newlyweds...it would be great to see you this year!