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Thanks!

So if you or someone you know would like to be featured as one of our Brides of the Month please email us at jaysbridalblog@gmail.com so we can get all of the amazing details. You can include your engagement story, wedding themes and ideas and a picture of you and your hubby to be. We look forward to hearing from you!

In 2009, $28,385 was the average wedding budget in the US (not including the honeymoon) reflecting less than a 5% decrease from 2008.

“As the economy continues to affect consumer spending, brides remain committed to planning a memorable event and are thoughtfully cutting back,” said Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot Inc. “Approximately one third of brides who had a wedding in 2009 said that the economy had impacted their overall wedding plans.”

Category and Average Spend 2009 *

Reception Venue – $12,838
Reception Band – $3,288
Reception DJ – $892
Photographer – $2,444
Videographer – $1,481
Wedding/Event Planner – $1,728
Wedding Gown – $1,134
Florist/Decor – $2,093
Invitations – $509
Wedding Cake – $559
Ceremony Musicians – $451
Catering (cost per head) – $63
Wedding Day Transportation – $692
Favors – $292
Rehearsal Dinner – $1,163
Engagement Ring – $5,847

*Respondents who hired professional vendor, purchased items, or had them professionally made

For more information and the complete press release visit: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-knot-unveils-2009-real-weddings-survey-results-2010-02-17

www.theknot.com

Regardless of how much money is in the bank, people still want to have a nice wedding, says Paul Rhodenizer of Jay’s Bridal in Gainesville. If this wedding season is anything like those past, the Gainesville Wedding Expo, scheduled for January 17th at the Phillips Center will still be packed with excited brides-to-be, no matter what the economy.

In fact, attending an Expo, is a great way for brides to get money saving ideas when tying the knot. Some examples:

• FOOD – It’s a big expense at any wedding. But most catering companies report brides are saving a lot of money by going with buffet-style settings instead of plates. Working with your caterer on outside rentals and considering less expensive hors d’oeuvres is only one of many options. Some of Gainesville’s most popular caterers will be showing at this year’s Wedding Expo. They will be anxious to have you sample some of their most popular menu items.

• WEDDING CAKE – Seven out of ten people attending our Expo are still looking for the perfect cake! And, bakers will be there to have you sample their unique flavors and see their creativity. Tell your groom he will be able to sample wedding cake at the Wedding Expo. He will want to come!

• PHOTOGRAPHY – Of course, another significant expense for any wedding is the photography. And, many couples hope this is one area they can save some money on. The Expo is a great place to discuss your thoughts with professional photographers and see examples of what they are talking about. The good news is that almost every professional photographer offers ala-carte pricing these days. Brides really do like today’s personalized offerings and the variety of artistic styles being shown. Anyone with a camera can take pictures…but for YOUR wedding? Professional photographers are really worth their weight in gold. The Expo is a great place to compare their work, their personalities, and get a sense of their price ranges. Almost anyone can afford a professional photographer today. Be sure to ask about the availability of high resolution digital files. Many professional photographers now offer this option.

• WEDDING GOWN – Brides are so pleased when they find it is not necessary to spend anything close to $6000 or $7000 on a wedding gown like they see brides spending on reality TV. The truth is most brides will spend and average of $600 to $900 for a real designer gown. Top selling designers Maggie Sottero, Allure, Casablanca, and Mori Lee will be modeled in the fashion show present by Jay’s in the main theater. Seeing gowns on the runway is a fun way to see what looks are right for your wedding, whether you are planning something extremely formal or something smaller, more intimate, or in even a wedding in an exotic faraway place.

• ENTERTAINMENT – It’s a big part of any wedding. Couples want to have a good time with their guests. Many people are saving money by using DJs and recorded music instead of a live band.
A professional DJ will act as a master of ceremonies, coordinating all activities with your other wedding professionals and read the crowd to ensure everyone has a great time!

The bottom line: You can still have the wedding of your dreams without going broke.

The doors open for the Gainesville Wedding Expo on Sunday at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on UF’s Campus from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Prizes, including a 7-Day Dream Cruise for two will be drawn at 4:00 pm.

Doors open 12:00 Noon.
Bridal Fashion Show at 2:00 pm.

FREE 7-Day Cruise & Vendor Prize drawings at 4:00 PM

Don’t miss a Gainesville TRADITION. Plan your wedding in a day! Twice a year, the best local wedding related vendors gather in ONE PLACE to help you create the wedding of your dreams! Visit them all, and then take a break to see the NEWEST 2010 Wedding Fashions in a fun-filled RUNWAY fashion show by Jay’s Bridal.

Fashion Show Photo by Footstone Photography

Buy tickets online or at the door.

Sample catered delights, visualize yourself in a limousine, talk with professional wedding photographers and videographers, taste yummy wedding cakes, check out area florists, DJ’s, party and tent rentals, reception sites, wedding consultants and more!

Tickets are $10.00;children under 12, $5.00;infants under 2, free.

]]> http://jaysbridal.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/the-gainesville-wedding-expo/feed/ 0 jaysbridal Order Advance Tickets Online Relax during the Fashion Show by Jay's Bridal in the 1,800 seat theater! Buy Tickets Online http://jaysbridal.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/a-backstage-look-into-the-gainesville-wedding-expo-by-jay%e2%80%99s-bridal/ http://jaysbridal.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/a-backstage-look-into-the-gainesville-wedding-expo-by-jay%e2%80%99s-bridal/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:03:19 +0000 jaysbridal http://jaysbridal.wordpress.com/?p=252 ]]> On September 27, 2009 Jay’s Bridal in Gainesville, Florida took over the Mainstage at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

As showtime approached, Paul Privette of Footstone Photography caught models backstage,

each waiting for their turn to step onto a 24 foot runway, custom designed to give every guest a great view of the newest preview 2010 bridal fashions and color possibilities.

Five hours earlier, the stage was naked. Dan Hathcock and his team from Unforgettable Events went to work interpreting our show theme of “Infinite Color.”

While Dan worked, our team went to work choreographing our 30 minute fashion show with 14 models while others steamed and pressed, organized accessories and checked everything for the smallest detail.

The schedule is tight. By 11:30 am, rehearsals are done, leaving time for a quick lunch, a date with Charisma for Hair and then off to make-up.

Thirty minutes before the shows, each model is ready.

She is assigned a “dresser” who will unzip, unlace the dress just shown and zip and lace her next outfit, and in two minutes will be ready to strut her stuff one more time.

If you missed it, we will have a video soon compliments of Videotronics.

Our special thanks to our gorgeous models for making our breathtaking dresses even more beautiful and inspiring so many brides with fresh new ideas for their special day.

Meet Samantha Hoffler, Southeast Sales Rep for Maggie Sottero. Just before the Gainesville Wedding Expo, Jay’s will be offering Trunk Show Savings on all Maggie Sottero designs. Trunk Shows are exciting events where authorized Maggie Sottero® retailers present their latest breathtaking styles, nationally advertised styles and best sellers. This fashion experience is an exciting and fun way to view our Maggie Sottero® gowns from this current season.

View all new Maggie Sottero styles on our website. Lock in your trunk show savings up to 14 days in advance with a $100 deposit and then place your order during the actual trunk show to take advantage of trunk show savings.

Hurry while appointments are still available. Samantha will be with us all weekend!

Call Jay’s today for an appointment. 352-377-9548

by KB’s Kake Kreations

during Jay’s

 Jasmine Designer Trunk Show 

Jay’s Bridal  is hosting a Jasmine Trunk Show this weekend from Friday the 11th through Sunday the 13th of September.

Stop by and visit Kathy Blanford of KB’s Kakes. Try her Famous Gourmet Kake Truffles.  You’ll want these for your wedding!

For more info follow this link to KB’s Blog.

“Jasmine Trunk Show”

Meet Anne Herzog, Southeast Sales Rep for Jasmine and Jade. During this weekend, Jay’s will be offering Trunk Show Savings on everything Jasmine designs: Jasmine Collection, Jasmine Couture Wedding Gowns, Jade and Jade Couture dresses for Mothers, as well as Belsoie and B2 Bridesmaid dresses.

View all new Jasmine styles on our website. Lock in your trunk show savings up to 30 days in advance with a $100 deposit and then place your order during the actual trunk show to take advantage of trunk show savings.

Hurry while appointments are still available. Anne will be with us all weekend!

Call Jay’s today for an appointment. 352-377-9548

Before the Expo:

• Go organized and have a game plan
• Figure out which vendors you need to book
• Know your budget
• Ask your mother, future mother-in-law, bridesmaids and/or fiancé to come along
• Prepare questions to ask each vendor
• Print up labels with your name, address, wedding date, the location of your wedding, your phone number and email address to save time filling out registration forms. 
• Pre-register for the show .  This will increase your odds of winning a Free Cruise at this next Expo.

At the Expo:

• Register at each booth you visit (many times they have prize give-aways)
• Meet the vendors and figure out if they will meet your wedding needs
• Take brochures/information from the vendors you like (you will want these for later – especially if you talk to a lot of vendors)
• Ask questions

After the show:

• Look over the information you received and discuss what you liked about each vendor with your fiancé or other appropriate people
• Contact your favorite vendors and get them booked

Remember to have fun!  Be ready to taste yummy hors de’oeuvres (and more)  from area caterers, sample decadent freshly-baked wedding cakes,  see fashions that will inspire you and scoop up discounts or other prizes. Get to know the vendors so you can have that perfect wedding you’ve always dreamed about!