The dates for the 2011 Crystal Coast Wedding Salon  are January 7-8, 2011.

The Salon isn’t your average bridal show. It’s a weekend party by the sea full of destination wedding planning events and fun for one low ticket price.

Events include chauffeured limousine tours of Crystal Coast event venues from Emerald Isle to Beaufort; the Wedding Salon Showcase, which gives brides a chance to meet select Crystal Coast wedding vendors in a relaxed oceanfront wedding reception setting at the Sheraton Oceanfront Resort in Atlantic Beach; and a rousing After Party at the North Carolina Aquarium complete with dining, dancing, and door prizes.

Couples will also receive a luxury swag bag worth hundreds of dollars in gifts, services, and area dining and shopping offers. Details and tickets online at CrystalCoastWeddingSalon.com. Check out pictures from last year’s Salon on our Facebook page.

Say hello to the Crystal Coast’s newest catering business, Seaside Sensations. Proprietor Sara Willis is a Carteret County native and knows Down East cooking like the back of her hand.

She specializes in dishes using fresh North Carolina seafood. But, as she says, “We can create a custom menu that reflects our cleint’s wishes, from one of your grandmother’s family recipes to ethnic dishes that reflect your heritage.”

Check out Seaside Sensations’ web site for sample menus and photo gallery.

Photography by Distinctive Photo Images

“We wanted a beautiful, intimate beach for our wedding. Emerald Isle had beautiful homes large enough for our family while still honoring the natural beauty of the Carolina shores. From the beginning, our family was the priority. Our wedding was about joining two families together: kids, parents, grandparents and all. 

“We wanted to create a destination wedding where we could all enjoy the entire week together.  We wanted our parents, kids and others to get to know one another - creating one loving family. So, we decided to have the wedding in the middle of our week. We celebrated the days before with coffee on the porch, dinners, board games and shell hunting.

“We enjoyed local BBQ for the rehearsal dinner. Wednesday’s wedding was relaxed, intimate and informal. It was perfect! That night we enjoyed dinner in Swansboro and stopped by Dairy Queen on the way home - in our wedding attire!! Then, we had the rest of the week to celebrate, play put-put and toast the new family.

 ”In the beginning, we were not certain if we could justify a photographer for such a small wedding. Then a miracle! Kevin learned that his oldest son serving in the Army in Iraq would be on leave during the week of our wedding. There are no words for how it felt to have him home to join us. We knew then we had to capture these precious moments. We are so glad we did! Our photographs are beautiful - reminding us not just of a beautiful wedding but of the week we were blessed to all be together as one family.”

View Kelly & Kevin’s wedding photo gallery.

Meredith Cornett Photography is extending a special photography package to the military. If you’re active or retired military, Meredith offers a special photo session in honor of Memorial Day that includes half price session fees and 10% off your initial order. You can reach Meredith at 252-725-7047.

The Crystal Coast Wedding Salon After Party is the rousing finale to a weekend full of wedding planning fun! Sponsored by the NC Aquarium and Floyd’s 1921, the party kicks off with hors d’ouevres and a delicious buffet dinner–so don’t eat before you come!

Afterwards, dance to the sounds of CM Music. We’ll be giving away door prizes all night. And we’re even providing transportation to and from the Sheraton.

Your All-Access pass is your ticket to the hottest party in town.

Check out photos from last year’s After Party.

One of the coolest events at the Crystal Coast Wedding Salon are the Wedding Venue Tours on Saturday morning. You and your groom can choose a tour of wedding venues on the beach or in Beaufort and Morehead City.

Climb aboard one of our luxurious limos, pour a glass of bubbly, and enjoy a tour of the Crystal Coast’s finest wedding venues from Beaufort to Emerald Isle. The tour of your choice is part of your All Access ticket price! And, really, what other bridal show does this?

Check out photos from last year’s venue tours.

Check out our new TV commercial! You’ll see it on TV from Raleigh to the Coast in the the next few weeks, but I thought I’d give everyone a sneak peek!

The Crystal Coast Wedding Salon is going to be a big time at the beach in January: limo tours of wedding event venues, a rocking After Party at the NC Aquarium, our wedding showcase with the Crystal Coast’s finest wedding vendors, and so much more for one ticket price.

Also, the Sheraton Atlantic Beach (our host for the Wedding Salon) is giving away a fantabulous week-long oceanfront honeymoon, complete with sunset cruise, spa treatment, dining, and more! You don’t want to miss the chance to win that.

Come join the fun and plan your Crystal Coast Wedding, January 8-9. Advance discount tickets on sale now
www.CrystalCoastWeddingSalon.com.

Crystal Coast beach brides now don’t have to worry about their hair and makeup falling victim to the oceanfront environment.

The new Seaside Salon and Spa is now open for business on the Atlantic Beach oceanfront. Just steps from the ocean, the Salon is part of Visions Events and Beyond’s  complete wedding facility on the Atlantic Beach boardwalk.

The Seaside Salon and Spa provides full professional spa and salon services, from hair care and styling, make up, body treatments, and skin care. Treat yourself–and your wedding party–to a day of pampering at the beach!

By Bob Decker, RD Decker Photography

Don’t wait too long before booking your favorite vendors. In the past, January and February were the big booking months for Crystal Coast wedding vendors. But lately couples are booking their vendors far in advance of their wedding date…sometimes as much as 12 to 18 months early! If you put off meeting and booking venues, photographers, entertainment and other “one wedding per day” vendors you may have to settle for you second, third or even fourth choice.

Getting the vendor of your dreams isn’t the only advantage to booking early. Like all businesses, wedding vendors need to adjust prices to match increased costs and as demand for their unique services grow. Most vendors will raise prices at least once a year, some adjusting prices semi-annually or even quarterly. By booking sooner you could enjoy a significant cost savings.