CT Bridal Event - a recap

Bridal shows rock!

There's really no other way to put it.

Over the past year and a half or so I've participated in several as a vendor, and I've loved each and every one. But I have to say that being able to participate both as a vendor and as a blogger is simply awesome.

For the past four years, Kia Martinson-Wenzel of ESTOccasions has organized the CT Bridal Event. So far it's always been Fall affair - but, based on the popularity of the event, that is set to change. A Spring show is being added in 2011, and can I just say ... I think it's a splendid idea!




Yesterday's event was held at UConn's Alumni Center in Storrs, CT. In a reception hall filled with the most wonderful natural light streaming in from countless windows and a really great staircase. Talk about making a grand entrance coming down these stairs!

Alumni Center

Julie Sweeney (below) oversees events at the Alumni Center.

Julie Sweeney

Networking has taken me in exciting directions over the past several months - and I am happy to report that yesterday's vendors were among the most interesting I've ever met. 

Tiff's Wicked Cakes

Must say I was extremely glad that my children were gone by the time Tiffany Flanagan arrived with the Groom cake featured above. I suspect that despite the sign, they would have had a hard time staying away from those whiskers! I had a hard time myself, truth be told.

Creative Cookies by Jennifer

 

I spent a fair amount of my time familiarizing myself with the products on offer but, alas, my photo-taking skills need serious honing. I can't give all of the vendors present pictorial representation in this blogpost, but you should get an idea. I'll be showcasing many of them in more details as the weeks roll by, too.

 

Mary Kay

I was thrilled to discover that the people behind Chocolate Covered Affair not only have plans to open up retail space, but they are planning to offer gluten-free treats. We'll be catching up with them very soon!

HGK Designs

As I traveled between the various rooms and displays, something jumped out at me. There was a sense of camaraderie between strangers that is not easy to come by  at shows. Kudos to Kia here - because she clearly knows her vendors. It certainly made the whole experience that much more pleasurable!

London and Hartmann Photography

AIS Audio Media Solutions

UConn Department of Dining Services

Cam Fogg

Now while the rest of us were manning our tables downstairs, the ladies from Love Me Two Times were upstairs ...

... attending to brides-to-be at a wonderful trunk show. 

There were dresses, shoes .. and bling!

Love Me Two Times

Pre-loved designer dresses at absolutely fantastic prices! Imagine getting your bridal gown for $49 or $99!

Sandi from Love Me Two Times with brides

And because I know you are all dying to know just who the Soon-To-Be Mrs. Turner really is, I'll end with a photo of her .. in her prospective wedding veil.

Meet ... Ashley.

Soon-To-Be Mrs. Turner

CT Bridal Event 2010: UConn Alumni Center

UConn Alumni Center

Today I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at the UConn Alumni Center in Storrs, CT - where the 4th Annual CT Bridal Event is going to be held on November 7th, 2010.

CT Bridal Event

"This is our 3rd year at this location," Kia Martinson-Wenzel of ESTOccasions explains. "We keep coming back to it because of the amazing space. It also gives clients the chance to have their ceremony there if they want. They also have a great cocktail space. But most important, it's open to everyone - not just UConn alumni. It gives couples the freedoms to really create a wedding, not just a wedding package, because they have control over everything. You bring in your own caterer and linens, so you really won't be having a cookie cutter wedding."

Melissa Wilson Photography

The Alumni Center's Great Hall, with its distinctive staircase and charming layout, is a stylish and sophisticated site.

UConn Alumni Center

It's the perfect location for your wedding, shower, reception or other special event. Whether you’re new to the area or have fond memories of the campus you know and love, you are invited to discover what the Center has to offer. 

A complimentary consultation and facility tour is available upon request. 

To request a consultation contact Julie Sweeney, Alumni Center Manager at 860.486.1828 or 888.822.5861 or by email at Julie.Sweeney@uconn.edu.

CT Tuesdays: Kia Martinson-Wenzel

Today we're catching up with Kia Martinson-Wenzel - the woman behind ESTOccasions, and the organizer of the CT Bridal Event. 




Although I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Kia in person ... yet ... it became very clear to me during our phone, email, and Facebook interactions that she loves what she does.




So with that in mind, I think there's no better person to talk about Kia than Kia herself.



ESTO comes from the fact that my parents are both Estonian and that Estonian is my first language.  Besides that, ESTO is a large celebration held by Estonians every 4 years in different parts of the world.  So it's always been a way to inject a little bit of me into everything I do.  


I made ESTO an acronym - and it stands for Events, Special Themes  and Occasions. 

We are a full-service planning & design company for weddings. I’ve been in business for over 6 years and I love what I do.  I simply just love to create and pull together any type of event and work with the size and budget.  Creating a stylish wedding, while mixing in tradition and the couple's wishes, is always a wonderful challenge.  I make a point to listen to my clients, make sure they know they are being listened to, and that their wedding represents them and their story.  

 Vineyard

I’ve also made a point to show that wedding planners are affordable. 

The amount I can save couples might seem to be a little here and there; but when you pull it all together, it is extra money to spend on something they may want.  I enjoy finding a cost-effective way to give my clients what they are looking for.  Finding creative ways to design a wedding is one of my passions.  I am always looking at products and trying to create something personal for each client.

Wickham Park

While there are parts of my job that are a lot of fun, it also takes organization, thinking quickly and handling the pressure.  No matter what is going on, I work to be on top of everything and make it all work out. A lot of elements need to work together to make a wedding successful and that is my passion.

Boca Beach

From large scale wedding to small, intimate ones, I make it all work.

I’ve been a wife for the last fourteen years, and spent eight of them as an Army Wife. 

I feel this has made me a good planner. 

I handle change well, I’m quick on my feet, and the one thing the Army loves is paperwork!  I have two young boys, aged 11 and 4, and they are another reason I love what I do. I have the chance to spend time with them while running a business. 

I work throughout the state, RI, MA and NYC.

Four years ago I thought why can’t we have bridal shows that are affordable for vendors and give brides a relaxed setting to really connect with them?

As a result the CT Bridal Event was born.

Some of the larger scale expos are great, but I’ve gone through them with my own brides and they hate it by the end. After seeing 12 photographers and 7 cake decorators they are lost and overwhelmed.  This is why we only have 4 wedding professionals from each category, and allow CT vendors in first. 

CT Bridal Event 2009

To pull together a large scale show is a bit different than a wedding for sure - since you never know who is really coming.

I have about 35 or so vendors to keep happy, I need to make the space work to display everyone in the best possible light, and still represent and work on my own business.

Three years ago I added in a bridal gown trunk show - as a way for brides to shop for dresses at a friendly cost.  It's been a great success. 

Trunk Show

Due to the success of our last three shows, we've added our first Spring bridal show for 2011.

I'm very excited over this because the goal has always been to showcase the very best talent for our engaged couples.  Plus I love showing off the hottest trends, color combos and give couples a chance to explore their wedding needs in one setting.

The CT Bridal Event is open to all engaged couples!

See you on November 7th!