Bridal Show Returns to Cambridge

The Cambridge Bridal Showcase, which is hosted by Welcome Wagon, is promoting its annual fall wedding show on Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Armenian Community Centre located at 15 International Village Drive. Doors open at 6:00PM, fashion show begins at 7:30PM and the event concludes at 9:00PM.

“We have La Crème Bridal Boutique and Tuxedo Royale presenting our fashion show,” said event coordinator Susan Casey. “We look forward to showcasing the hottest and latest wedding fashion trends to our bridal audience!”

The Grand Door Prize is "A Night On The Town in Pristine Luxury", courtesy of Brentwood Livery. This $500 upgradeable 5-hour package with professional, courteous, stress-free limousine service for up to 8 passengers also includes champagne.

“It’s been so incredible having notable local businesses work with us to create a terrific intimate show,” said Susan.

The show will feature many exhibitor displays, with everything from photography, bridal salon, insurance, jewellery, and planners to favours, investments, DJs, venues, accommodations, tuxedos and cake decorator. Engaged couples, along with their friends and families, will have a lot to see, touch and experience at Cambridge Bridal Showcase.

Show attendees will also enjoy complimentary delicious cake-tasting courtesy of Tiny Cakes.

“We will have a Hollywood entrance, with an official paparazzi, and the photos will printed and available at the event as well as online later on Facebook, courtesy of Focused Photography,” said Susan.

Susan also noted, “Spin Doctor Productions are such amazing exhibitors, we just had to bring them back again as the official DJ for our 2011 show.”

Brides can also listen to CHYM 96.7, 570 News or KIX 106 for our event announcements from September 19 to October 3, 2011.

Admission is free for bride-to-be and one guest plus the first 100 brides-to-be at our doors will receive a complimentary bridal gift bag. Brides can pre-register and get more information through our show’s website at www.bridalshowcase.ca or by calling 1-877-675-8463. Walk-ins are always welcome too!

Bridal Show 101

It’s bridal show season! Some of these events can be hectic and overwhelming while others can be intimate and relaxing. I’ve created a list of 11 helpful tips to make your bridal visit a wedding show success.

1. Wear comfy shoes! Leave the heels at home and put on your comfy runners. You’ll be walking and standing with other brides-to-be for hours.

2. Create a plan of attack. Find the list of attending vendors in advance (this should be available on the bridal show’s website). Know who’ll be there and if you need their services.

3. Carry a big tote. Most shows will give you a bag to carry but in some cases it can be a while before you get one! All the vendors will have cards, pamphlets and samples so they’ll be eager to supply them to you.

4. Create an email specifically for your wedding. Instead of having your regular email filled with wedding information, create one especially for your wedding using the free emails available online. Ie. mandyswedding@hotmail.com or suegettinghitched@gmail.com

5. Bring address labels for draws. Instead of wasting time filling out forms, just slap a pre-made label on them. It should include your name, address, postal code, phone number, email and wedding date.

6. Bring a pen and paper. You’ll want to jot down notes and exchange information with some of the wedding vendors. It’s best to record the information immediately so you aren’t left scratching your head later on.

7. Leave your entourage at home. It’s a better bet to bring one or two people whose opinions you value versus a chaotic, albeit, well-meaning posse of ladies.

8. Find out the times of the fashion shows. At most wedding expos the fashion show seating will be given on a first-come first-serve basis. You may want to claim a good seat beforehand.

9. Go during down times. Bridal shows that run from Friday to Sunday are generally not so busy on Friday and the most hectic on Saturday. Fewer future brides equals more time for vendors to talk with you. NOTE: There is very little down time in one-day events: show up early or on time, otherwise you may lose out on great event opportunities.

10. Know what to ask. Bridal shows are an ideal way to find the vendor that’s right for you. There is less pressure to commit and you will have time to think about other options if you wish.

11. Enjoy yourself. Planning a wedding can be stressful but it should be lots of fun! Enjoy your time at the bridal event; it should be exciting and inspiring.

The Wedding Nightmare Continues

Jakobstettel Inn can operate despite power-of-sale process.

The Jakobstettel Inn property in St. Jacobs is in the midst of a power-of-sale process because of defaults on mortgage payments, according to court documents.

The inn, located in an old mansion on Isabella Street in St. Jacobs, had been booked by couples who put down deposits for upcoming weddings. Those couples have been scrambling to make other arrangements since the inn suddenly closed down.

In a statement of claim served to Jakobstettel Properties Inc. on Jan. 22, the mortgage holder, Brunen Holdings Inc. of Kitchener, claimed it is owed almost $350,000 in principal and interest on a mortgage of $655,461 that was registered last June in the Waterloo Region land registry office.

Last month, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted Brunen Holdings the authority to issue a writ for possession of the property when it is sold, so that it can be turned over to a new owner.

Bruce Lackenbauer, a Brunen Holdings representative, said the court order basically allows the power-of-sale process to proceed. That process is now underway, but the writ of possession has not been taken out yet, he said.

"We don't want to get into possession until we have to, and the power-of-sale process requires appraisals and that sort of thing, so we are just in the process of that now," he said.

Lackenbauer said the power-of-sale process does not prevent the inn from operating. "We are not in any way preventing it from being open. That is up to the business, which is Jakobstettel Properties Inc.," he said.

The president of Jakobstettel Properties Inc., Daniel P. Reeve, has not returned calls since last week. His lawyer also has not returned calls.

Reeve said in an interview with the Record on April 8 that he was training staff and would reopen the inn on April 21, but couples who have weddings booked at the inn are still in a state of confusion about whether the property will be available to them. As of April 14, there was still no answering machine or voice mail system to pick up calls to the inn.

Welcome Wagon Gets Ready To Tie The Knot

Say “I do” to Waterloo Region’s exciting wedding event!

Welcome Wagon, the Canada's largest and most respected greeting service, will host a Bridal Showcase on Sunday, March 8, 2009 from 1pm - 4pm at Kitchener City Hall located at 200 King Street West in downtown Kitchener, ON. Brides and grooms will have the opportunity to meet and discuss their big day with many wedding professionals while discovering the latest wedding products and services.An elegant fashion show will be presented by A Moment In Time Bridal Boutique and Tuxedo Royale. Brides and their guests will be able to get an up close look at the gowns and formal wear in this intimate setting. Featuring unique displays and showcasing some of Kitchener's leading wedding professionals, Welcome Wagon’s Bridal Showcase also offers thousands of dollars in door prizes will be given to some very fortunate attendees. During the Welcome Wagon Bridal Showcase, one lucky bride-to-be will win the Grand Prize, a romantic one-night getaway, compliments of Best Western St Jacob Country Inn of Waterloo, ON. All attending brides-to-be will have a chance to win a romantic honeymoon getaway courtesy of Today’s Bride magazine. All brides-to-be will receive a free gift bag, filled with wedding products and services, plus a free current copy of Today’s Bride magazine and a free wedding planner (while quantities last).

"Brides have so many important arrangements and decisions to make before their wedding day…it can be overwhelming. This intimate bridal show gives them the brilliant opportunity to discuss their wedding dreams and interview the wedding experts personally," says Welcome Wagon Event Coordinator, Susan Casey. "Brides and grooms will have a chance to sample delicious cakes, view the photographer's work, meet the DJ, smell gorgeous fresh flowers, plan their honeymoon, pick a reception site, secure guest accommodations and a lot more—all in one day, at one location." Admission is free but by invitation only. Please call us to register at 1-877-675-8463 or visit us online at www.bridalshowcase.ca.

Exhibitor opportunities for Kitchener’s Welcome Wagon Bridal Showcase are still available—please contact Susan Casey at 519-658-0687 or info@welcomewagon.ca.

About Welcome Wagon Ltd.
Welcome Wagon is a community-based service which welcomes new neighbours and contacts new parents, brides-to-be and new businesspeople with information on local businesses and services. The Welcome Wagon organization has over 1200 Hostesses across Canada. Since 1930, it has served over 500 communities. For more information about Welcome Wagon Ltd, please visit their Web site: www.welcomewagon.ca.

A Memorable Bridal Show

Welcome Wagon hosted Cambridge’s Bridal Showcase on October 6, 2008 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The venue, the Armenian Community Centre provided an elegant atmosphere with more than 20 exhibitors available to assist guests with every aspect of wedding planning. The audience was delighted to have our event emceed by none other than Adele Newton, of 91.5 The Beat.

Admission was free, and included exhibit displays by participating exhibitors, wedding cake sampling, free gift bags for the brides-to-be, a thrilling fashion show, many exciting door prizes and the Grand door prize of a 5-hr “Girls’ Night Out” Limousine Service courtesy of Brentwood Livery.

We wish to express our gratitude to the following exhibitors/services that helped our wedding show become a wonderful success:

91.5 The Beat
A Moment In Time Bridal Boutique
Armenian Community Centre/Paradise Banquet & Catering
The Bay
Brentwood Livery
Cakes by Christie
Cambridge Hotel & Conference Centre
Cambridge Times
CH Candle Making
Complete Video
Dave FM
Designed by Mere
Feelings From The Heart Wedding Chapels
Global Wealth Trade Corp.
Golden Triangle Printing
Home Interiors
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
J/P Associates
Mary Kay Cosmetics
one2one photography
The Perfect Wedding Guide
Re/Max Twin City Realty Inc.
Spin Doctor Productions
Table Charm
Tuxedo Royale

The Cambridge Event Coordinator, Susan Casey said, “This event was a great way for future brides to meet a variety of exhibitors and learn a great deal about the local wedding resources available, all at one location.”

If you wish to register as a bride-to-be at one of our future shows, please visit online, www.bridalshowcase.ca, call 1-877-675-8463. If you would like more information about becoming an exhibitor for the 2009 Bridal Showcase in Cambridge, kindly call Susan directly at 519-658-0687 or email suezavon@sympatico.ca.

About Welcome Wagon Canada
Welcome Wagon is a community-based service which welcomes new arrivals and contacts new parents, brides-to-be and new businesspeople with information on local businesses and services. The Welcome Wagon organization has over 1200 Representatives across Canada. Since 1930, it has served over 500 communities. For more information about Welcome Wagon Ltd, please visit their web site: www.welcomewagon.ca.