For many brides-to-be, the thought of climbing Mount Everest isn’t as daunting as planning what should be one of the happiest days of their lives – their wedding.
With so much to plan for, including the perfect dress to wear, a wedding cake, caterers, flowers, hair styling, makeup, tuxedos, china patterns, limousines, and DJs, it’s no wonder that many brides’ worlds are spinning not only from the dizzying effect of love.
“It’s not easy planning a wedding,” said Leo Ulqinaku, the organizer of the First Annual Hoboken Bridal Convention. The convention is scheduled to be held next Saturday, June 29, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ganache Cafe, a French bakery located at 356 13th St. “There are so many things to think of, so many things to plan. We want to provide one place were future brides – or couples – can come to find great deals and information on things like dresses, flowers, photographers, and cake makers.”
According to Ulqinaku, there will be live music, catered food, a bridal fashion show, all-day free spa treatments, hair styling and cuts, massages, and give-away prizes, as well as other activities. He also said that couples will be able to put their names on several exclusive mailing lists for deep discounts on wedding supplies and services.
He added that Hoboken is the perfect place for this type of event because there are so many 20- and 30-somethings in the city. “That’s exactly why Hoboken is the right city to host a bridal convention,” he said. “There are all of these young, single people living in the same city. You’re bound to have people meet, fall in love, and start to consider marriage. Given the makeup of the town, it’s inevitable,” he said.
Keith Carpentier, the owner of Ganache Cafe and the co-organizer of the event, said Thursday that he found it troublesome to always travel to bridal expos outside of Hoboken when there are so many young people in the mile-square city. “Hoboken is such a young, hip market, and because of this I found it annoying that we always had to go elsewhere for bridal expos,” he said.
He added that this convention will be more personal than larger ones that occur in huge convention centers. “So many times, bridal expos are in some huge drab impersonal space,” he said. “Our goal is to create an intimate, interactive, and cozy atmosphere.”
Food at the event will be supplied by Anthony David Gourmet, located at 953 Bloomfield St.
On hand with a booth or participating in the bridal fashion show are Grand Entrance Bridal of Jersey City, Rebas and Heathers of North Bergen, Tina Louise Couture of Orange, and La Bella Boutique of Jersey City. Tuxedo shops participating are Fort Lee Billmore Tuxedo of Fort Lee and Coleman’s Tuxedo of Short Hills.
Access Limousine of Freehold will be giving free limousine rides.
Capizi Hair Systems of Union City and Sole, a Hoboken salon located at 12th and Washington streets, will be giving complementary hair stylings and demonstrations.
Makeup giveaways and product demonstrations will be provided by Makeovers, at 302 Washington St., and manicures will be available from Metropolitan Nails of 352 13th St.
Examples of different invitations will provided by The Paper Lady of Hoboken and Make a Note of It of Bayonne.
Ro’s Garden, at 230 Madison St., and Kabloom Flowers, at 413 Washington St., will have tables set up with displays of floral arrangements.
Photographers from Jeffery Vock of Jersey City and from Thomas Studios, at 720 Monroe St., will be on hand, as well as videographer Joel Peterson.
Tickets are $10 for individuals and $15 for couples.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call (201) 522-0814, or e-mail Ulqinaku at Leo@metrofoodndrink.com.