Rose 8/26/2008 Beachcomber article w-highlights.doc Last ...

Rose 8/26/2008 Beachcomber article w-highlights.doc Last saved by Kathi

BC 7/18/08nr Bonnet Island Estate project. He decided to bring in a yacht club. It
Feature;
said that it was a five-year process may have even surpassed Bonnet
Index: There is no better place
to create the perfect private island Island Estate, but we’ll see what
than the Jersey Shore for a magical
wedding location. the public decides.”
wedding day
“There was a lot of angst over This Southern-style yacht club

Bride and Groom Perfect little details,” he said. “We wanted has taken the details of Bonnet

Together at the Jersey Shore it to be over-the-top and create the Island and improved upon them.

once-in-a-lifetime memory for With a larger elevator, elegant

By CRYSTAL FREEMAN people. The venue had a lot of showers, more flat-screen TVs, and

From the $3,000 dress to the Disneyland inspiration and we room designs that will blow you

$25,000 estate rental and wanted our weddings to be second away, Mallard Island Yacht Club is

everything in between, the perfect to none.” sure to exceed all expectations and

wedding can cost a pretty penny After he created the unique will instantly become the wedding

on your budget. As a bride-to-be Bonnet Island Estate and the location of a bride’s dreams – and

myself, I can honestly say my estate’s popularity took off, her dad’s suddenly bare bank

average wedding is already Vernon ventured to another part of account.

costing my father more than we the Island to create something Vernon enjoys every part of

expected. With less than one year different, with a different feel, for what he has accomplished in the

to go, I already have my site, both the bride and groom. Manahawkin Bay area.

which costs $17,000, a At first Vernon reinvented the “It’s a magical place to be a part

photographer that costs $3,300, my popular Quarter Deck into a buffet of and watch it all unfold,” he said.

DJ that costs $1,500 and my tiara restaurant last summer. It was a “You get to experience the Jersey

that cost $50. Already I am up to a short-lived idea, and the business Shore at its best. There is no better

whopping $21,850 and that’s not was reinvented with a new name, place to be than at the Jersey

including my dress, flowers, The Stateroom. Shore, and it’s great to be a part of

videographer, favors, invitations, “The buffet wasn’t as it. I enjoy the business and enjoy

and so on. After discovering this, I successful,” he said, “so we creating the space. It’s a passion of

decided to find out what it really changed it. I’ve always had a great mine and I will go to the end of the

costs for a Jersey Shore wedding interest to do weddings beyond all Earth to make it stand out.”

and what it takes to plan the expectations. The Stateroom has a ***

perfect wedding. unique Caribbean landscape with If you’re looking for a reception

When you’re heading over the tropical palm trees, more marble, a that may be a little less expensive

Causeway onto the Island, you are black and white theme, and views but will have the LBI beach feel,

sure to pass some of the best of the sunsets that are second to then look no farther than the Sea

wedding reception locations the none on LBI.” Shell Resort and Beach Club in

Jersey Shore has to offer. Chris Unlike Bonnet Island Estate, Beach Haven. With a location right

Vernon, owner of Bonnet Island The Stateroom is a more cost- on the beach, it’s the perfect

Estate, The Stateroom and the new efficient venue with reasonable wedding weekend for any beach

Mallard Island Yacht Club, knows rates and rooms for up to 300 bride on a budget. According to

exactly what it takes to have guests. Vernon explained that just owner Tom Hughes, because of

theperfect wedding location. this year he has over 50 weddings the tightening economy, he has not

“I was at a wedding in New planned for The Stateroom and raised prices for weddings and

Hope, PA about 10 years ago when already between 40 and 50 booked doesn’t intend to until after the

I came up with the idea for Bonnet for 2009. With all these weddings, economy stabilizes.

Island,” Vernon said. “The you would think Vernon would be The Sea Shell is different from

wedding location had a glass too busy for any other projects, but other wedding venues because it

atrium, an old barn and an eclectic you’re wrong. Vernon is just offers a wedding weekend get-a-

feel. I thought the wedding was so finishing up his third wedding way where guests can stay the

unique. And then I thought it facility, Mallard Island Yacht Club, whole weekend without ever

could work on the Jersey Shore, at the Manahawkin entrance to the having to leave the premises.

but on a grander scale.” Causeway bridge. It was the “The Sea Shell is completely

Vernon took a huge risk when former site of Margo’s Marina. unique,” Hughes said. “We offer a

he decided to go through with the “It was a no-brainer,” he said. “I destination-type wedding

saw potential in Margo’s and weekend idea. People can take

Rose 8/26/2008 Beachcomber article w-highlights.doc Last saved by Kathi

over the facility for the whole couples and families where she said. “Start with the large

weekend. They can have their everyone is working full time,” items, like ceremony location and

guests stay at the resort, welcome said Kathi Evans, wedding and reception venue, and then your

rehearsal parties the night before event planner for All the Best large ticket items, like

and hold the ceremony right here Weddings and Celebrations. photographers, video and

on the beach. They can even stay “Planning a wedding is very time entertainment. The earlier you

after the reception and have an- consuming, and if you’re working start, the more options you have.

after party until the wee hours, so full time you might not have the Once the big items are booked, the

that no one has to drive. We even time to get everything done the little things will fall into place.”

do brunch the next day. Our way you would like. That’s where ***

guests can arrive on Friday and I come in.” If a wedding planner doesn’t fit

not have to go near their car until Generally speaking, New Jersey into your budget, then you need

Sunday afternoon.” weddings commonly range from all the resources you can get. There

Hughes explained that he has $25,000 to $30,000, she said. are plenty of wedding web sites to

noticed a trend that brides and “First, in my honest opinion, help you, such as TheKnot.com,

grooms are demanding more there is no typical wedding,” said Brides.com and

elegant weddings. Evans, who has been planning NewJerseyBride.com. New to the

“Weddings today are more weddings for the past three years. LBI region is the up-and-coming

elegant and completely top shelf,” “I feel that each event is unique. Southern Ocean County Chamber

he said. “Our customers demand Each bride and groom brings their of Commerce destination wedding

that. The Sea Shell by nature and own perspective to their web site. To be launched this

being on the beach has a casual wedding.” summer, it will feature a full

and laid-back feel. But our service, Although wedding planning is interactive section giving brides

food and bar is over-the-top and often seen as being very stressful, easy access to all the options that

we are definitely the premier it isn’t always. are available in the LBI region and

destination in the New Jersey area. “It all depends on the client. I connecting them with local

We appeal to the couple that wants did one wedding two years ago businesses that meet their needs

an amazing experience with a that was ‘soup to nuts’ for over 200 and budget.

casual feel to it.” people under a tent in the bride’s “The web site will include

And with any Jersey Shore parent’s backyard – in just 10 information about licensing,

beach wedding, you can only weeks,” she said. “That actually officiants, venues, planners,

expect to find that casual feel but went very smoothly because we photographers and all other

still with a touch of classic didn’t have time to procrastinate.” chamber members that are directly

elegance. One of Evans’ most stressful involved with the wedding

* * * weddings was when she had to process, including spas, dress and

Besides finding that perfect put together a New Year’s Eve tuxedo shops and florists,” said

location for your wedding, which wedding, from start to finish, in Lori Pepenella, destination

in the case of the Vernon locations just six weeks. Of course, the marketing director for the

could cost you anywhere from $90 tension usually builds the closer Chamber of Commerce.

per person to $25,000 to rent an you get to the big day. “The Southern Ocean County

entire facility, you may just need a “I would say it’s toward the Chamber of Commerce formed a

wedding planner to help take the end, probably the last four weeks,” Destination Wedding committee

load off your shoulders and keep Evans said. “All the vendors have this past fall to represent the

you on budget. to be coordinated, you’re still segment of business that directly

Wedding planners can be there trying to round up the people who supports the wedding industry,”

for the whole wedding process or didn’t RSVP, menus have to be Pepenella said. “The most

just for the day if you choose. finalized, flowers have to be important charge of this committee

Either way it can help ease the ordered, final payments are due, is to promote our region as a

transition from bridezilla to and you have meetings with all destination to brides. Access to

newlywed. your vendors. It’s crunch time.” information is the key and the web

“I became a wedding planner For those of you who still have is the most efficient and

because I knew there was a need plenty of time to plan, Evans offers comprehensive way to share all we

out there for someone to help with a few words of advice. have to offer to local and out-of-

all of the planning details for “Don’t stress the small stuff,” area brides.”

Rose 8/26/2008 Beachcomber article w-highlights.doc Last saved by Kathi

Pepenella said that because of exercising is the correct way to lose bridesmaid and family problems, I
wouldn’t give it up for anything
the ever-growing wedding the pre-wedding pounds, but because that is what planning a
wedding is all about. And on June
business, they feel it is only right sometimes brides opt for ordering 20, 2009 I will finally have my fairy
tale ending right along the Jersey
to make a web site devoted to the their wedding dress two sizes too Shore.

industry and all the businesses small, forcing themselves to lose

that support it. the weight before the final dress

“According to the Wedding fitting. This is a big no-no! Instead,

Report, the next two years will be find a dress that you love in your

a boom for the ever-growing current size and try toning up

wedding market, with more instead of dropping 20 pounds. If

couples getting married than ever you make your goals more

before,” she said. “We feel that our manageable, you’ll be more likely

area has grown in the choices we to stick to them. But if you are still

can offer for wedding year round.” worried about your figure,

According to the Wedding remember that you’re about to

Report, which offers wedding marry someone who can’t get

statistics, there will be 2.21 million enough of the way you look.

weddings in 2009 and 2.23 million Finally, when planning your big

weddings in 2010. It’s day, don’t go over budget!

understandable why more and Weddings can be financial

more people are going into the nightmares for some couples, so it

wedding business. The Wedding is always best to try to stick to

Report also estimated that for 2008 your budget and get rid of things

the total cost of weddings in the that you really don’t need. As my

United States would be close to friend Angie told me, “Anything

$54 billion. that can be thrown away

With all these numbers, your afterwards isn’t worth spending

head might be spinning, so here extra money on.” By this she

are a few tips from TheKnot.com means that if the banquet hall

to keep your mind on your budget where you are holding your

and your wedding. reception supplies you with place

Of course you’re excited about cards, but they are hideous, take

your engagement and your them anyway. It will save you

upcoming wedding, but before hundreds of dollars that can be

you plan anything, make sure you used toward the wedding gown

sit down and discuss a guest list. that you have dreamed about but

You don’t want to be stuck with a don’t have the budget for, or the

hefty, nonrefundable deposit for a exquisite dessert table you love.

cozy, country cabin that fits 100 Either way, by cutting costs on

people. Then your fiancé’s side of unnecessary items you can add

the family adds their addition and more of a budget for items you

your guest list now tops 300 really need – or more money saved

people. Plus by discussing your toward your honeymoon or house.

guest list ahead of time, you can Weddings today can be

figure out your budget – and nightmares and fairytales all

whether or not it is worth inviting throughout the planning process.

your second cousin Gary and his From budget problems to

spring fling Martha to the bridesmaid problems, there will be

wedding. situations along the way that will

Although many brides feel the aggravate you and upset you, but

obligation to lose a lot of weight in the end it will all come together

before their wedding, sometimes it for that fairy tale ending every

is better if you do it slowly and the little girl has dreamed about. I can

healthy way. Eating right and honestly say that through all my