WJXT's "Reveal Your Romance" Wedding Giveaway

Local TV station WJXT (Channel 4) does a contest each Valentine's called "Reveal Your Romance."  This year, they will be giving away a complete wedding that will be live on the Morning Show! The contest was announced this morning on The Morning Show.  Engaged couples will be asked to write the story of their engagement, and send it in to the station or drop it off at Jacksonville's new Alfred Angelo store.  The producers will read through the submissions and narrow down the field to 10, then to 5. They will be looking for great, romantic stories. 

The winner gets a wedding in mid-May for up to 75 guests. It will be a weekday morning wedding and it will be shown live on Channel 4's Morning Show.  Everything will be provided, from catering to flowers to entertainment.  The "dream team" of vendors includes:

• Wedding attire from Alfred Angelo 
• Le Jardin on Park will be the venue 
• Wedding gown and bridesmaids' dresses by Alfred Angelo
• Catering by Katerlady
• Cake by Classic Cakes
• Photographer Michael Myatt
• Videography by Turner Classic Weddings
• Floral design by Katrina Cox of Le Jardin on Park
• Hair stylist Casey Powell
• Makeup artist Kimtasha Armstrong
• And of course wedding coordination by First Coast Weddings and Events!

Watch our blog for updates as we begin working with the winning couple to produce their spectacular wedding!  Be sure to visit News4Jax.com for complete contest information.

James & Jessica (09.22.07)

Emma,

I intended to send this weeks ago... I have tried endlessly to find the right words to thank you enough for making sure our wedding day was fabulous.  From beginning to end, it was everything I dreamed and more.  While it was all over in a blink, everytime I look at the pictures an enormous smile comes across my face... Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your hard work and dedication to our wedding day.

(My mother thanks you as well - you guys kept her sane)

~ Jessica West

Melanie & Eric (12.01.07)

Melanie and Eric had a beautiful wedding day in St. Augustine!  The day started with the bridesmaids relaxing in the bride's suite at The Cozy Inn while they were pampered by extraordinary hair stylist Casey Powell and fabulous make up artist Kimtasha Armstrong.  Photographers Kris and Kate from Kris Graham Photography arrived at the Inn to take final getting ready shots, and then beautiful photos of the bride with her bridesmaids and family. Meanwhile, the guests were boarding the Old Town Trolley for a fun ride to the Oldest House for the wedding ceremony.  The bride's bouquet by Anything With Plants and Flowers was absolutely stunning, and officiant Cheryl Raby performed a touching and lovely ceremony.

The guests re-boarded the trolley for a quick trip through downtown before arriving at The White Room.  The reception was beautiful with the bride's candle and rose petal centerpieces and sheer silver table cloths.  The gorgeous cake from Publix (San Jose Blvd.) tasted as great as it looked, and the groom's brownie cake was a big hit!  DJ Carlton McGee kept the party going while videographer Wes Taff of Scenecrafters captured everything on film, including a very funny toast from the best man.

Instead of the bouquet and garter toss, Melanie and Eric opted for the Anniversary Dance - the couple married the longest had been married for over 50 years!  The couple offered advise to the newlyweds as the bride presented them with a small version of her bouquet.

At the end of the night, everyone (including the bride and groom!) climbed aboard the trolley one more time to enjoy the Nights of Lights on their trip back to their hotels.

The bride sent this terffiic email to all of their vendors:

Eric and I had an amazing wedding day on Saturday! And you all played a huge part in making it such a special day for us. We wanted to thank each of you for your hard work, guidance, patience, and professionalism. Everyone seems to really love what they do and it really shows!

We will highly recommend each of you to anyone who asks; and even those who don’t.  :) Feel free to give our contact information to anyone asking for references.

Thank you again for making our wedding day unforgettable!

Heather & Nick (11.03.07)

This weekend, I traveled to Crawfordville (just outside Tallahassee) to share Heather and Nick's wedding day with them.  Heather and I were maid- and matron-of-honor respectively at my cousin's wedding last June, and she said I just had to be there to help her on her wedding day.

Heather has always been an earth goddess, and was environmently-friendly long before it was trendy.  What better place for her wedding than a green* hotel?  The Inn at Wildwood, an "eco-friendly, nature based lodge" according to their website, is a beautiful setting for a wedding.  Heather told me she picked this location long before Nick even popped the question! 

As the guests gathered for the ceremony, Nick's cousin provided background music with his saxophone.  The big surprise, though, was that the bride's arrival was announced by bagpiper Mike Bailey.  Heather planned this special suprise in honor of her grandmother.

After Heather and Nick's sweet wedding ceremony under the arbor, the guests moved next door to The Bistro for a wonderful Southern reception. The menu included individual fruit and cheese platters for each table, yummy gumbo, and a chicken and beef duet entree. The wedding cake by Myra Jean was to die for!  The bride designed the table centerpieces with fall gourds and candles, and each table had a unique look.  Personal flowers by The Flower Peddlers added the perfect fall touch to the decor.

Heather,

Thank you so much for the endless advice & endless answers!  Our wedding day would not have been as beautiful (and stressless) without you.  We are so grateful for everything you have done!

Thank you!

Nick and Heather

(That's the groom with his adoring bride and her bridesmaids!)

*If you want more information about green lodging, check out the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website.  The Florida Green Lodging Certification Program acknowledges and promotes lodging facilities that demonstrate water and energy conservation, waste minimization, recycling, indoor air quality, environmentally preferable purchasing, program sustainability, and pollution prevention.

Fletcher Class of 1957 Reunion

This weekend, I took a break from the normal wedding scene to help with the Duncan U. Fletcher High School Class of 1957 Reunion. My next-door neighbor happens to be the committee chairperson, so our meetings consisted of me walking a few steps to her front door or stopping at the mailbox to chat while I walked my dogs! The reunion weekend kicked off Friday evening with a reception at the brand new Courtyard By Marriott in Jacksonville Beach. Lisa, Emma and their staff did a great job making sure everything ran smoothly, even though the hotel only opened two weeks ago! The poolside hospitality suite was the place to be Friday, since the weather was the best we've had in weeks!

Saturday night was great fun, with a dinner-dance at Marsh Landing Country Club and balloon decor by The Balloon Construction Company. The band included two classmates, one of which played with Elvis Presley, so it goes without saying that the joint was rockin'! Photographer Jean Moree of Endless Memories captured some great shots, including a wonderful group shot of all the classmates.

The 50th reunion was even newsworthy enough to garner coverage by the local newspaper, The Florida Times-Union.  Congratulations, class of '57!

Happy Birthday, Danielle!

A very happy wish to event designer and coordinator Danielle... have a great day!

Mary Ann & Jack (08.11.07)

I had the priviledge of spending the day at the wedding of Mary Ann and Jack.  The ceremony at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Orange Park was lovely, thanks in part to Father Boddi and the wonderful music of Wehner Weddings.

The lunch reception at Club Continental was elegant, despite the near-100-degree temperatures outside!  It was a great day to be indoors overlooking the beautiful St. Johns River.  Mary Ann and Jack ventured outside with photographer Wesley Lester just long enough to snap some great shots like the one above.

Mary Ann shared this comment when she and Jack returned from the honeymoon in Italy:  "I just wanted to thank you again for making our wedding wonderful. Our friends & families complemented on everything and most importantly Jack and I loved the entire experience."