Article from Division of Consumer Affairs-Wedding Scams

Anyone planning a wedding should know that there are scammers out there. This article will hopefully make you a little wiser about some of the choices you make while in your planning stages. The article below is from nj.com

State Division of Consumer Affairs Reminds Couples to Beware of wedding Scams NEWARK – Planning a wedding can be fun and exciting, but it can also be a monumental task. Hiring a photographer, booking a reception hall, arranging for entertainment, making hotel arrangements for overnight guests – these may all be elements in making the day a success.
With wedding season fast approaching, the State Division of Consumer Affairs recently announced it has launched a two-page Consumer Brief brochure, “Planning Your Wedding: Tips to Avoid Scams,” available at http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/brief/wedding.pdf . The announcement is made as part of National Consumer Protection Week.

“At the Division of Consumer Affairs, our top priority is to empower New Jersey consumers. Couples put enormous amounts of time and effort into planning the perfect wedding. Consumer Affairs is reminding them to take precautions to help ensure they create a day they’ll remember as one of the best in their lives – a memory that will not be marred by shoddy services or outright fraud,” said Thomas R. Calcagni, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Important tips found in the new Consumer Brief include:
Contact the Division of Consumer Affairs to find out whether any potential vendor – such as a photographer, videographer, DH, band or caterer – has a history of consumer complaints, or has been cited for violating any consumer protection laws.
Take the time to carefully review every contract before signing. Note the terms of cancellation.

Remember that paying by credit card, as opposed to cash or other means, can generally help you resolve any future disputes.
Beware of wedding scams, such as phony exhibitions. Before paying to attend a bridal show, try to verify that the event is real by checking the organizer’s credentials or checking with the owners of the venue.
Before buying engagement or wedding rings, conduct your own research to learn about precious gem quality and ring settings. This will help you find the best deal to match your budget and your style.
Before buying a wedding gown, learn whether the seller is following Federal Trade Commission requirements on providing information about the garment’s fiber content and country of origin.

For more information, view the full Consumer Brief at state.nj.us/lps/ca/brief/wedding.pdf.
NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK (NCPW) is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions. NCPW 2011 takes place March 6 through 12, 2011.

Designer Bridal Gowns at Costco

We all love Costco...but for bridal gowns? Check out this article "Costco gets hitched to Kirstie Kelly Couture for in-store bridal trunk shows" from LA Times by Susan Carpenter




L.A. designer Kirstie Kelly calls her new line of couture bridal gowns Costcouture. A partnership between Kelly and the Costco membership warehouse club, the Kirstie Kelly Signature line will be sold through in-store trunk shows, allowing women to try on gowns with bridal experts in jewelbox salons set up inside Costco stores.

The trunk shows began in Northern California last month and will make their way to Southern California beginning March 3, with four-day salons at Costco locations in Torrance (March 3-6), San Bernardino (March 10-13), L.A. (March 17-20) and Van Nuys (March 24-27). Appointments are recommended.

Kelly designed six gowns for the collection. They cost $699 to $1,399 and are available in sizes 2 through 24.

"The Costcouture line is for the bride who wants to wear Kirstie Kelly Couture but get a phenomenal price point. We're starting at 40% off regular retail," said Kelly, whose gowns normally cost $2,000-$7,000.

Each of the Costcouture gowns features a fully constructed bodice, or corset, inside the gown. The fabrics range from lush satins to silk organzas to Alencon lace, incorporating crystal and pearl beading as well as handmade details such as flowers. Fingertip and cathedral-length veils are also available.

The pop-up salons are staffed with Kirstie Kelly employees. The salons are walled and carpeted, or, as Kelly says, "You can't see the person with the roasted chicken and the toilet paper."

-- Susan Carpenter

Photo: Kirstie Kelly Signature bridal collection for Costco. Credit: Kirstie Kelly

The Running of the Brides NYC 2011

Its that time of the year again...The Running of the Brides! Many brides look forward to this event so they can literally snag the dress of their dreams. Some may call it madness, but its a fun way to find the dress of your dreams at an unbelievable low price.

Event Date & Time: Feb 18, 2011 8am-10pm at Filene's Basement 80th and Broadway




Are you ready? Grab your team and get ready to fight (nicely) for the dress of your dreams.

For more details go to Filene's Basement

Images Courtesy of TMZ

Brides & Basketball

So how do you get your soon to be husband to attend a bridal showcase? Take him to a bridal showcase and basketball game combo. Yep, it exists! This Saturday 1/22/11, Brides & Basketball presents Nets v. Mavericks plus a spectacular bridal showcase.

The showcase will feature some of the leading vendors in the wedding industry as well as the hottest bridal fashions. Then after the showcase, you get to see the Nets game. Sounds like a good deal to me! Visit Brides & basketball website for more details.

We got published...Again!

We are beyond excited about one of our past weddings being published in Focus Aruba. On Aug 7, 2010 Jharonne & Jose had their ceremony at NYC's landmark, St Patrick's Cathedral and reception at The Ritz Carlton. This fabulous 1920's themed wedding was so exciting. Guests danced the evening away while the DJ played music from 1920's and every decade to the present. The bride and her family are from Aruba, hence the reason for being in the Aruban magazine. I might need someone to translate because the magazine is printed in spanish :)








We wish Jharonne & Jose a lifetime of happiness!

Images courtesy of Jennifer Boyle

Great News!- Elite Affairs Wedding Featured in Contemporary Bride Magazine!

We are so excited that one of our weddings is featured in the Spring Issue of Contemporary Bride Magazine. Go get your copy of the New York Edition and see page 96~ Zena and Jose. If you missed the review we wrote of Zena & Jose, you can read it HERE