VIRGINIA BEACH — The summer months are “quintessential vacay time” and according to regional online wedding magazine, “Tidewater and Tulle,” it’s also primetime for lovebirds to exchange their nuptials said Chelsea LaVere, the magazine’s editor-in-chief.
LaVere noted those looking to tie the knot during the summer season should book their favorite vendors and venues early and be prepared to pay top-dollar.
“Because of its popularity, there aren’t any seasonal discounts (as these generally are offered in late winter) — it’s quite the opposite,” she said.
All the more reason why business development and community relations manager at the Town Center, Katie Caraviello, organized the fourth annual “Love it Up” wedding show event where more than 20 participating businesses are set to “feature products, venues, and services.”
Caraviello said this isn’t your typical wedding show where there’d be vendor booths in one room, but it’s more “a day of exploration — a day for people to explore our wedding retail businesses first hand.”
“We think it’s important for couples to see the heart of a business, not just their brochure like at a traditional wedding show,” she said.
Caraviello said the Town Center’s “one stop shop” for all wedding needs helps alleviate wedding costs with their referral networks.
“Our businesses appreciate referrals from their neighboring businesses and in an effort to keep the referrals flowing, they often pass on a special discount to engaged couples for simply mentioning you’re working with another Town Center business,” she said.
There are also “hidden savings,” including forgoing delivery or transportation fees when couples book in “one locale,” Caraviello said.
“I love that bridal parties have the ability to walk directly to a store to have their wedding make-up done, saving them from having to hire a make-up artist to come to them,” she said.
And, with modern weddings becoming more personalized, couples are “more intentional” when it comes to where their wedding funds go, LaVere said.
“Instead of status quo, they are putting their budgets towards what really matters to them,” she said. “Some couples are foregoing wedding favors, some splurge on chic mobile bars.”
Catering stations like prosecco bars or dessert bars, or unique lighting setups “to create a memorable space” are just some ways LaVere said couples are customizing their weddings this season.
For next season, she said “fault line cakes” are up-and-coming following a European trend.
Caraviello said event guests will experience it all at the wedding show with “product demonstrations, tastings, mini-makeovers, styling sessions, wedding gift registration tips, venue tours, suit fittings, and so much more.”
“Love it Up” is free but limited to those who register.
The event will start with check-in and goody bags at the Westin and a “Chat with Chelsea” presentation for couples to get all the tips and trends from “Virginia’s number-one online wedding media brand.”
For more information or to register, click here.
