North Carolina-Outer Banks

Soooo....How Was The Wedding Expo?

Hope everyone had a great time and that you were able to secure some of your vendors....or at least get an idea of them.  Let us know if you have any questions :)

 

Re: Soooo....How Was The Wedding Expo?

  • We only made it for the last two hours today, and STILL had a blast! We had mostly already booked our vendors, but I was hoping to book a stylist (and we went with Divas - they were SO fun). We got a chance to meet our caterer and potential florist face-to-face, so that was nice.

    SO MUCH FOOD!!! My fiance sampled every barbeque place we walked by. It was hilarious.

    The girl who won the dream wedding looked SO shocked, it was fantastic. I hope she is someone who really needed help paying for her "dream" wedding, and not someone who already had a huge budget! Congrats to her though!

    Great day, so fun.
    image
  • **Sorry originally posted this under my Mom's account by accident!!
    Anyway, 

    It was great! My Mom, sister and I came down on Friday and saw 2 of our rental homes and picked up our wedding expo packages. Saturday we went to Hot Heads salon, Distinct Delights and Argyle's then headed over to the Expo. Tried tons of cake and food samples, collected tons of information and got to meet a few of my vendors face-to-face finally! We had a blast and it was great meeting people that I have been emailing back and forth with for months! I met Sue Artz of Artz Music & Photography. She will be our violinist and DJ. She and her husband were so sweet and I am excited already to be having her involved in my wedding! Sue even brought sheet music of songs I had been thinking about using for my ceremony and played a piece for me! So nice! It was beautiful. I'm so excited!

     Also met Rich Coleman who is my photographer and he was such a great guy and I felt at ease with him right away, which I think is something important! We booked with Nags Head Photobooth which is basically Rich Coleman's photobooth. The quality of their photobooth was amazing compared to other ones we tried. 

    Went to Bells & Whistles as well and saw their shop and met with Dorothy. She was really nice and took the time to ask me questions about my wedding and what my vision was. I really liked that. Also tried High Cotton who I am already booked with. The food was great and talked to Lori personally (who assured me they can do hors d'ouevres in case anyone else was wondering). Lori was really nice and helpful as well as the chef from High Cotton. 

    I met Shirley from Sugar Snaps who I had actually been emailing back and forth with a few weeks ago. She was very nice as well! Met Renee Landry and the lady from The Embellishers (I forget her name). 

    We booked with Icing on the Cake with Debra from Argyles. She was so sweet and nice and the prices are great compared to other places. She doesn't charge extra for certain cake or icing flavors and said she would do any design and would not charge extra. Amazing! 

    For Hot Heads, I met Shannon and Kelly in the Hot Heads shop on the self-guided tour. They were so nice and answered all of our questions. I met Sophia at the expo and she was very nice as well. Kelly did my make-up at the Expo and did an awesome job! 

    So we booked with:
    Hot Heads for hair and makeup 
    Icing on the Cake for cake 
    Nags Head Photobooths

    A florist is the last thing I need to decide on. Just need to do some more pricing on flowers. 
    Hope everyone else had a great time, I know I did! 

    I couldn't even see the girl that won the dream wedding. We were standing by the door and couldn't see a thing. Overall, loved the expo and it was definitely worth my while and I totally recommend it to other brides for next year!
  • we had an excellent time at the expo! i went with my mom and friend. Since I'm in the beginning stages of planning- it was really helpful. I visited three venues: Kitty Hawk Pier, Jeanette's Pier, and 108 Budleigh. I had narrowed it down to Kitty Hawk and 108, but I ultimately ended up going with the pier. It was such a tough decision - both places were are so different, yet they're both so me! I hope it was a good choice.

    I ended up meeting so many amazing vendors - really, is it possible to go wrong? everyone was so wonderful!

    So far, I've booked:
    DJ Bruce
    All Eyes on the Bride
    The Shooting Gallery Photobooth
    Baldwin Video
    Matt Lusk Photography
    and in the process of booking Reverend Jay Bowman

    there are a lot of other vendors i loved too. i met some amazing brides, and i had a chance to talk to last year's winners- so sweet!

    the girl who won this year was adorable - she just raised her hand, was super quiet and walked to the front. so cute.
  • We have plenty of time so did not book anybody but we sure found some that we loved and will make for a hard decision. My favorite caterer was 1587. If they don't work for our budget we also like Kelly's. We are looking at either the Klub Koru in Avon or Jennettes Pier in Nags Head. Some of our choices will depend on which venue we pick. If we are in Avon then we would probably go with Every Blooming Thing for flowers. If we stay with Nags Head then I'm not sure. any suggestions? For pictures we liked A Day to Remember. They are a husband & wife team, very friendly and nicely priced. I absolutely have my heart set on cupcakes and was disappointed to see that Carolina Cupcakery has gone out of business, but then we found Cotton Candy Baking and are excited that not only are the cupcakes still a go, but they were yummy! ginger lemon and snickers were what they were sampling and that is probably what we stay with. They were one of the few vendors that said if we booked soon that they would offer their current prices even though our date is so far out. I didn't really get to focus on hair and makeup, he wasn't that patient! Also I hadn't thought of a photo booth but thinking it might have to be worked in to the budget!
  • @Jennyandscott14

    1587 was our fave caterer too! I did the math yesterday because if I was going with budleigh I would have used them. I will definitely be visiting them in Manteo for dinner when I head back down!

    Also, I found the photobooth prices were very reasonable. All vendors were offering a 100-150 discount for booking that weekend, but even without it- the price was 800. I loved that they included all of the props, unlimited photos, dvds of the photos, some had dvds of what's being said in the photobooth before the pics which is probably pretty funny.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_soooohow-was-the-wedding-expo?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:598Discussion:047b15d3-04e4-4683-a8de-df4cb00cf299Post:c0fd43c2-c845-464f-895b-a7d8cd4f2358">Re: Soooo....How Was The Wedding Expo?</a>:
    [QUOTE]we had an excellent time at the expo! i went with my mom and friend. Since I'm in the beginning stages of planning- it was really helpful. I visited three venues: Kitty Hawk Pier, Jeanette's Pier, and 108 Budleigh. I had narrowed it down to Kitty Hawk and 108, but I ultimately ended up going with the pier. It was such a tough decision - both places were are so different, yet they're both so me! I hope it was a good choice. I ended up meeting so many amazing vendors - really, is it possible to go wrong? everyone was so wonderful! So far, I've booked: DJ Bruce All Eyes on the Bride The Shooting Gallery Photobooth Baldwin Video Matt Lusk Photography and in the process of booking Reverend Jay Bowman there are a lot of other vendors i loved too. i met some amazing brides, and i had a chance to talk to last year's winners- so sweet! the girl who won this year was adorable - she just raised her hand, was super quiet and walked to the front. so cute.
    Posted by karistiz[/QUOTE]


    When I had made a trip to the OBX in April I had narrowed my venue search down to 108 Budleigh and the Hilton pier house. I went witht he Pier house as well because it just felt like us.  It was the perfect fit.  I am excited that you chose there as well. What is your wedding date???

    I also have Matt Lusk as our photographer, DJ Bruce for our DJ,  and we are contemplating using the Shooting Gallery for a photobooth.   I was concerned about space in the pier house but they reassured me that they have been there before and typicall are in the corner at the base of the stairs.

    Let me know if you have any questions.  What are your colors???

    Our wedding date is 9/21/13.  
  • Jenny- where did you see that Carolina Cupcakery had gone out of business? I just see that the OBX store is closed for the winter. You Matt Lusk brides will LOVE him!
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • Ok so I just called Carolina Cupcakery (I just booked them for my wedding in July so I was concerned but I had met them at the wedding library in November - the people from the Chesapeake location met me!).  They are still meeting brides at the Wedding Library in Kitty Hawk but the Manteo location will most likely be permanently closed.  They will still do weddings and deliver the cupcakes.  Hope that clears it up!  So if you still want them you can have them! =)
  • Ok here is the email from the wedding coordinator there!

    Hey Erika,

    No, it's not closed permanently.

    We have an office that we meet in for weddings. We also have a whole space to decorate and setup weddings in, that's where we met.

    As of now, we haven't found a spot that is beneficial for a retail counter. The OBX is so seasonal, almost all of the small businesses close in the winter. More than likely when we reopen, it will not be all the way in Manteo. We are still searching, but until then, we still have our space at The Wedding Library.

    I have over 45 weddings booked for the upcoming year (in OBX alone) and you have nothing to worry about.

    My full-time job is to take care of our wedding clients, and I will do that.

    We have three locations in VA and have many employees who drive from the area to our VA stores to work.

    I apologize that you felt worried, we don't ever want you to feel that.

    We just have to find the right location. Once we find it, we'll be there. Until then, I am still constantly booking weddings in the OBX and will continue to do so.

    Please don't worry and if you have any questions, give me a call.

    Sincerely,
    Kyndall
  • In Response to <a href="http://outerbanks.weddings.com/main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_soooohow-was-the-wedding-expo?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:598Discussion:047b15d3-04e4-4683-a8de-df4cb00cf299Post:3d122550-9126-4023-b732-5f53a6faa304">Re: Soooo....How Was The Wedding Expo?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Ok here is the email from the wedding coordinator there! Hey Erika, No, it's not closed permanently. We have an office that we meet in for weddings. We also have a whole space to decorate and setup weddings in, that's where we met. As of now, we haven't found a spot that is beneficial for a retail counter. The OBX is so seasonal, almost all of the small businesses close in the winter. More than likely when we reopen, it will not be all the way in Manteo. We are still searching, but until then, we still have our space at The Wedding Library. I have over 45 weddings booked for the upcoming year (in OBX alone) and you have nothing to worry about. My full-time job is to take care of our wedding clients, and I will do that. We have three locations in VA and have many employees who drive from the area to our VA stores to work. I apologize that you felt worried, we don't ever want you to feel that. We just have to find the right location. Once we find it, we'll be there. Until then, I am still constantly booking weddings in the OBX and will continue to do so. Please don't worry and if you have any questions, give me a call. Sincerely, Kyndall
    Posted by doceri[/QUOTE]

    <div>
    </div><div>Thanks for posting this!  We met with Kyndall back in September and I finally sent her a deposit to reserve our date a few days ago - I worried for a second when I saw that they had gone out of business but this makes me feel better!  Kyndall has been great to work with and very accomodating to all of my changes & requests :)</div>
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_soooohow-was-the-wedding-expo?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:598Discussion:047b15d3-04e4-4683-a8de-df4cb00cf299Post:6fc5cb00-d5c0-4973-b77f-d4d996143486">Re: Soooo....How Was The Wedding Expo?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Jenny- where did you see that Carolina Cupcakery had gone out of business? I just see that the OBX store is closed for the winter. You Matt Lusk brides will LOVE him!
    Posted by ksj10032782[/QUOTE]



    We talked to a few people at the show who are from Manteo and they said it seemed fishy. They were telling people they were closed but there is a for rent sign on their building. They also closed the shop which was near the Target in Chesapeake were we originally tasted them. They are also no longer members of the Wedding Association. All of that adds up to an uneasy feeling for me. I want to use local vendors. If I was ordering cupcakes from a shop three hours away I would just bring them from a bakery near my home.
  • karistizkaristiz member
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Comment
    edited January 2013
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_soooohow-was-the-wedding-expo?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:598Discussion:047b15d3-04e4-4683-a8de-df4cb00cf299Post:55e823d6-0915-4cd5-a3b2-1899de2b5375">Re: Soooo....How Was The Wedding Expo?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Soooo....How Was The Wedding Expo? : When I had made a trip to the OBX in April I had narrowed my venue search down to 108 Budleigh and the Hilton pier house. I went witht he Pier house as well because it just felt like us.  It was the perfect fit.  I am excited that you chose there as well. What is your wedding date??? I also have Matt Lusk as our photographer, DJ Bruce for our DJ,  and we are contemplating using the Shooting Gallery for a photobooth.   I was concerned about space in the pier house but they reassured me that they have been there before and typicall are in the corner at the base of the stairs. Let me know if you have any questions.  What are your colors??? Our wedding date is 9/21/13.  
    Posted by abardo[/QUOTE]

    thank you for saying that! i think the pier house is more us as well! our date isn't until 7/18/14 so i have ways to go. i just wanted to make sure that i could have all of my top picks for vendors- i wasn't really planning on booking everything so soon but i don't see myself changing my mind so i'm glad i did!

    and i loved the shooting gallery- they were so nice and their pictures were clearer than two of the other photobooths we tried and comparable to another one. they have so many props and if you want something special, all you have to do is let them know. i also loved how big the booth was. they assured us that they've done plenty of wedidngs there and not to worry about space.

    so cool that you're using matt lusk and dj bruce as well! i can't wait to see pics of your wedding- it'll give me some inspiration! i looove turqiouse and coral... but not as bright as you're probably thinking. i want a more muted color. what about you?

    something along these lines- but again not as bright

    <a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/10/3/6adf97ec-340d-43f6-93dd-90a350b8c741.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" class="PhotoLink"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/10/3/6adf97ec-340d-43f6-93dd-90a350b8c741.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

    <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_soooohow-was-the-wedding-expo?plckForumPage=ForumImage&plckPhotoId=cd1af9a3-5452-4624-92e5-9c2f20597a4b&plckRedirectUrl=http%3a%2f%2fforums.theknot.com%2fSites%2ftheknot%2fPages%2fMain.aspx%2flocal-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_soooohow-was-the-wedding-expo" title="Click to view a larger photo"> </a>
    (not my photo, found on pinterest)

     
  • FYI it says on their website that the Chesapeake location relocated to behind Lowe's so they just didn't close down.  Just wanted to clarify that one!
  • <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_soooohow-was-the-wedding-expo?plckForumPage=ForumImage&plckPhotoId=c3c26445-1a24-4144-a4b4-e4523d43f878&plckRedirectUrl=http%3a%2f%2fforums.theknot.com%2fSites%2ftheknot%2fPages%2fMain.aspx%2flocal-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_soooohow-was-the-wedding-expo" title="Click to view a larger photo"></a>
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina-outer-banks_soooohow-was-the-wedding-expo?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:598Discussion:047b15d3-04e4-4683-a8de-df4cb00cf299Post:207f3f58-5862-4ba1-8052-ac3a1d40ffe5">Re: Soooo....How Was The Wedding Expo?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Soooo....How Was The Wedding Expo? : thank you for saying that! i think the pier house is more us as well! our date isn't until 7/18/14 so i have ways to go. i just wanted to make sure that i could have all of my top picks for vendors- i wasn't really planning on booking everything so soon but i don't see myself changing my mind so i'm glad i did! and i loved the shooting gallery- they were so nice and their pictures were clearer than two of the other photobooths we tried and comparable to another one. they have so many props and if you want something special, all you have to do is let them know. i also loved how big the booth was. they assured us that they've done plenty of wedidngs there and not to worry about space. so cool that you're using matt lusk and dj bruce as well! i can't wait to see pics of your wedding- it'll give me some inspiration! i looove turqiouse and coral... but not as bright as you're probably thinking. i want a more muted color. what about you? something along these lines- but again not as bright (not my photo, found on pinterest)  
    Posted by karistiz[/QUOTE]


    Our colors are purple in orange, similar to this picture....

    I will be sure to post a link to my pictures after the wedding,as well as share any info that I feel could help you with your planning.  We chose our main vendors about a year and a half out from the wedding as well.  We sound like very similar people and once I knew what I wanted I didn't want to wait and risk someone else booking them for our date. Who are you working with at the Hilton?  I am not sure if they told you when you contracted with them, but they have some centerpiece things you can use as well as different color chair sashes, table cloths, etc. from previous brides who have left their things and they have acquired.  I just found out this weekend while at the Expo that a bride left dark purple organza chair sashes a few months ago so now they have them and I don't have to purchase/rent them!  I was so excited. 

    Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions or just want to chat about ideas!  It has been awhile since I have seen another Pier House bride on here so that makes me excited that now there are atleast 2 of us!

    <a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/3/4/c3c26445-1a24-4144-a4b4-e4523d43f878.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" class="PhotoLink"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/3/4/c3c26445-1a24-4144-a4b4-e4523d43f878.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>
  • I just saw this thread...sorry for the late response. My friend and I went to the expo...I booked my photographer while there (Keeler and Denson). We also tried Ocean Boulevard and Black Pelican in anticipation for booking caterers in April. (My fiance and I are going to be back in April to nail down the main vendors.) I did talk to several caterers, the house rental folks (Twiddy), and two cake people...we have a bunch of dietary allergies and I need to make sure vendors can work with that. 

    Overall, I thought it was productive. We're not doing a lot of the usual stuff, so I didn't need to talk to everyone. I'm glad I chose ahead of time who I wanted to talk to...saved a lot of time. 

    BTW, I'm glad y'all clarified the Carolina Cupcakery thing--I was considering them for cupcakes for our wedding. :)
  • I just saw this thread...sorry for the late response. My friend and I went to the expo...I booked my photographer while there (Keeler and Denson). We also tried Ocean Boulevard and Black Pelican in anticipation for booking caterers in April. (My fiance and I are going to be back in April to nail down the main vendors.) I did talk to several caterers, the house rental folks (Twiddy), and two cake people...we have a bunch of dietary allergies and I need to make sure vendors can work with that. 

    Overall, I thought it was productive. We're not doing a lot of the usual stuff, so I didn't need to talk to everyone. I'm glad I chose ahead of time who I wanted to talk to...saved a lot of time. 

    BTW, I'm glad y'all clarified the Carolina Cupcakery thing--I was considering them for cupcakes for our wedding. :)
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