Wedding Road Show Rolls Through LBI

Editor’s Note: When I was assigned this story I realized it needed a woman’s point of view. I asked my girlfriend and fellow writer, Angela Bartolone, to accompany me.

I was so busy photographing the event that she conducted most of the interviews. As a result, she wrote the piece below for the Patch.

The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce’s “Wedding Road Show” tour and venue showcase on Sunday and LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences “Fabulous Night Out” on Saturday showed off LBI’s strengths as a location for nuptials.

The vendors – spaces, caterers, photographers, make-up artists, florists, cake creators and others – were knowledgeable, professional, welcoming and ready to help create a uniquely individual occasion.On Saturday and Sunday many of the brides and grooms knew what they liked when they saw it.

Many of them will not be married for a year or more. But when crunch time comes, they should appreciate the choices they made on LBI.The majority of brides attending were committed to an LBI wedding, although a few attendees were scouting from nearby areas. License plates observed at the venues included Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware.

LBI attracts wedding parties from most of the Northeast, often because they have vacationed here with family. Others brides grew up in the area and/or are current residents, said Lori A. Pepenella, Destination Marketing and Communications Director of Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce.

She also noted that this is the sixth year for the road show. It was designed to offer a flexible, pleasant, human-scaled introduction to the wedding resources of LBI, unlike the typical wedding expo or pursuing the tedious route of individual interviews with several companies of several different business orientations, she added.

Participants checked in at one of three locations and were given an itinerary they followed at their own pace from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.Many in the wedding industry here stressed their ability to customize weddings in any way desired and expressed a willingness to accommodate a large range of needs. While the word “wedding” could offer an opportunity to gouge, several vendors emphasized that what they offer is “budget-friendly” on LBI.

The island offers everything from beach ceremonies at the Sea Shell Resort in Beach Haven to vintage gowns at Surf City’s School of Vintage. There are gluten-free and glorious garden receptions at The Gables and a “groom shack” and “bridal suite” at the Mallard Island Yacht Club.

There appeared to be a range of services in every category.Perhaps the best description of LBI’s style is Pepenella’s idea of “casual sophistication.”In addition, she noted that the Wedding Road Show introduces many more people than just the brides (moms, grandparents, grooms’ moms, bridesmaids, grooms) to the options on LBI for other private events and vacation possibilities.

Sixty wedding service providers were included in the Wedding Road Show and about 125 people were expected to attend.The LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in Loveladies kicked off the tour with a party Saturday evening that included make up demonstrations, live modeling of vintage gowns, appetizers by Harvey Cedars’ Black-Eyed Susan’s Café and specialty cocktails created for the occasion.

Some of the vendors featured spoke of their services and offered opinions on the wedding industry in general.David Dunham Lloyd of Beach Haven Catering Co. was showcasing their clambakes with clams served in small silver buckets.Arlene Schmid, Director of the JerseyShoreWedding Association and road show sponsor said the road show is growing every year.

Some new trends are vintage, with fabrics like burlap and lace, as well as morning after brunches.

“It’s becoming a three-day event,” she said.Eric Kent, co-publisher, NJWedding.com said, “Photobooths and big screen video that creates a ‘club/party’ atmosphere are the new technology trends, along with beach theme weddings.”

Rob Monte, of Monte Entertainment Agency, said his company now needs to customize to any size and any budget with full services. “DJs, MCs, bands, acoustic acts, photography, videography, whatever they need you have to provide.

”Susan Mayes, of Susan Mayes Events (The Gables), is a certified wedding planner, a certified gluten-free chef and volunteer ambassador for the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness: “There are only two other companies in the country offering gluten-free menus,” she said.

The Gables in Beach Have can also accommodate other special diets, as well as traditional menus, she addedAfter a several year hiatus, The Dutchman’s Brauhaus on the bay in Manahawkin is again offering banquet service for smaller weddings and rehearsal dinners in a laid back atmosphere, said head chef and co-owner David Schmid.

The Mallard Island Yacht Club, also in Manahawkin, showcased four floors of deluxe accommodations, including a waterfront space for the ceremony, a floor for reception, dinner and dancing, a floor of 10 suites that sleep 24, and the bridal suite in which the wedding party can dress pre-ceremony surrounded exquisite landscaped grounds.

There is a separate space for the groom’s party, called the “groom shack” or “man cave” off the reception area.

Packages are available for an afternoon to midnight or overnight stay, according to site manager Danielle Gallony. The location is affiliated with Taste Catering. The venue is suitable for a guest list of up to 266 people.The final trend, cupcake towers were everywhere like the one shown by Cake That in Manahawkin at Saturday night’s party.