2010 Annapolis Wedding Expo | Highlights
By Nadja Maril
Photo By Tony Lewis Jr.
Hundreds of brides with their families, friends, and even fiancées poured into the Ballroom of the DoubleTree Annapolis Hotel to attend the What’s Up? 2010 Wedding Expo sponsored by What’s Up? Publishing Group and DoubleTree Annapolis. “This is our best event yet!”said What’s Up? Events Coordinator Ashley Raymond. “Everyone is so excited to be here.”
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Attendees sampled delicious hors d’oeurvres and sipped champagne as they visited with 30 vendors that sold a variety of items and services, ranging from jewelry and tableware items to flowers, catering, beauty treatments and make-up, videography, and photography. Brides, mothers and future mothers-in-law got plenty of ideas on how to entertain out-of-town guests and create fun pre-wedding events for members of the bridal party. Opportunities to sample wedding cake, choose a long-stem souvenir from an array of fresh roses, and listen to harp music were just part of the afternoon experience.
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Attendees received advice from experts when What’s Up? Weddings
magazine editor Sarah Hagerty moderated a panel discussion on “The Ins
and Outs of Wedding Planning.” “Find the money,” suggested Sarah Campbell from Intrique—Design and Décor, advising brides tally up their budgets and take note of who is paying for what, prior to starting their planning.
Many questions from the audience focused on how best to develop a working guest list and the etiquette of who to invite to the ceremony and reception. All wedding planners agreed that whoever is invited to the ceremony, not including children, must be invited to the reception. “Be aware of hidden expenses,” advised Holly Blackett of Zuriana’s Elegant Occasions who told prospective brides they may want to consider a destination wedding as one way to combine the cost of the honeymoon and ceremony.
Seats to watch the afternoon Fashion Show courtesy of Annapolis Formal were quickly taken and it was standing room only to ooh and ah over the variety of stunning wedding gowns and bridal party dresses that were modeled to a captivated audience. Hair styles and make-up were provided by David Alexander Salon& Spa and bouquets were provided by Contessa Flowers, Michael Designs, and Homestead Flowers while C & J Entertainment emceed and played the music to set the mood.
Terry Duley, Director of Catering at the Doubletree Hotel Annapolis
with grand prize winner
Patrice Hughes of Crofton, Nan Hiltabidle a salesperson for Smyth
Jewelers in Annapolis, and What’s Up? Events Coordinator Ashley Raymond. |
Over a dozen door prizes were given out to happy recipients who won items that included dinners for two at the Port of Call Restaurant located inside Doubletree to a pair of lovely crystal and freshwater pearl earrings handcrafted by Leda Reis and donated by Lilac Bijoux. The grand prize of the event was a pair of his and her wedding bands, valued at $2,000. The wedding bands were won by Patrice Hughes of Crofton who is planning a July wedding. She is visualizing an outside ceremony at an historic mansion, but is just getting started on her planning.. which is why she found this year’s What’s Up? Wedding Expo so helpful!
Out on the newsstands in February will be the Spring/Summer issue of What’s Up? Weddings. Use our website and wedding blog to help you plan your wedding utilizing all the local information we’ve assembled pertaining to the Chesapeake Bay Region. Send your wedding photos to our Weddings Editor Sarah Hagerty at
shargerty@whatsupmag.com. Every issue of our magazine features several local weddings and we’d love to hear about yours.
Interested in becoming a vendor for the 2011 Annapolis Wedding Expo? For more information call Ashley Raymond at 410-267-9390 or email
araymond@whatsupmag.com.
Check out clips from the 2010 What's Up? Annapolis Wedding Expo!
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