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Community Corner

Here Come the Brides-to-Be

Brides-to-be stroll down East Coast Highway to get their hands on the latest bridal products and services from Corona del Mar businesses.

If you are getting married anytime soon Corona del Mar has tons of options to help make every detail of your wedding day perfect.

In order to help local brides with wedding day preparations, the first-ever Corona Del Mar Bridal Walk was held on Sunday to give brides-to-be ideas, tips and deals from 23 businesses along Pacific Coast Highway.

The event began at Sherman Library & Gardens where couples toured the garden and restaurant, and ended at Five Crowns with a cocktail reception for the brides with giveaways from various CDM businesses.

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"Everyone has been super welcoming and not afraid to ask questions. We took a tour of the gardens and it was beautiful. Tony Florez the photographer is super nice," Bride-to-be Michelle Plummer, who is getting married to Greg Nellor in June, told Patch.

Josette Patterson, designer for Mark Patterson Designer Jewelry  and founder of the CDM Bridewalk, said the village is the perfect setting for brides-to-be to get started on the wedding planning process.

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"If you look down the street you will see that most stores are oriented towards the bride," Josette Patterson said. "I got in touch with the stores and it just took off."

Barbara Wallace was at the event autographing a complimentary copy of her book, Beautiful Bride From Every Angle, which gives tips to brides-to-be including how to pose in pictures and what you need in your emergency wedding day kit.

"A planner is not about design, it is about organization. It is hugely important," Wallace said.

Here are some other tidbits the brides-to-be were offered at Sunday's event:

Spa Gregories: Kathy Leek from Spa Gregories was outside Sherman Library & Gardens offering coupons for 10 percent off entire bridal group's services and mystery gift cards ranging from $10 to $50. Brides also walked away with a full size B. Kamins lip balm. Leek recommends brides buy their mother a gift certificate as a way to say thank you, as well as invite their bridesmaids for a spa day then lunch in their bistro. 

Jabulani Yoga: Offers community yoga classes for the bride and their bridal party. On Sept. 29 they are having a Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Management class for $25. "Any little bit helps, even if they learn some stress relief techniques, learn to take care of their minds so they can be more prepared," said owner Lindsey Richard. The studio is a charity-based studio that does a lot of work for the community. www.jabulaniyoga.com. 

The White Dress: Buzzing with brides, they were offering 15 percent off the purchase of gowns, accessories and bridesmaid dresses. The White Dress served champagne and Cassie Piaseki from Cobblestay.com was giving all brides a free night stay in a Paris apartment when booking a 7-night stay. 

CDM Counseling: Elisa Dombrowski was offering 10 percent off premarital counseling package which includes a premarital assessment and six counseling sessions customized to the couple's unique relationship needs. "We like to offer counseling services as a preventative measure before they run into trouble in their marriage," Dombrowski said.

Beach Candy Swimwear: Custom made bikinis for the bride feature her new married name in Swarovski crystals are a hot commodity at Beach Candy. In addition Rasta Taco and the Mobile Margarita Bar were on hand giving away delicious tacos and refreshing drinks to bridal participants.

Francis-Orr: Offered a 20 percent discount on wedding invitations ordered before November. "I think people should follow their style, but I would say not to do anything too trendy and not anything they are going to look back and think what did I do?" Harriett Malmon, of Francis-Orr, said. 

Five Crowns: The beautiful arbor in their outdoor garden was set for a wedding to show brides how suitable the Five Crowns is for their special day. Five Crowns offered 10 percent off food and beverage when you book your 2012-2013 event. The Five Crowns hosted the closing reception of CDM Bridewalk where brides won raffle prizes from the various vendors. Brides picked up raffle tickets at each location as they made they way from retailer to retailer. 

"We have venue space for 20 to up to 250," said Alison Robbins, the restaurant's general manager of marketing. "We do rehearsal dinners, wedding showers, bridesmaid luncheons, the garden, we can do ceremonies on site and we do full service, we can help with planning. We have menus start in the 20s and go up to 60 so very reasonable."

Sherman Library & Gardens: Private tours were given to each couple including a tour of The Tea Garden which accommodates 250 seated guests and the Central Patio Room which holds up to 125 seated guests indoors. Catering for the wedding is available through Pascal Prestige Catering.

GILD Spa Bar: Brides and their bridesmaids were busy getting mini makeovers during CDM Bridewalk. The GILD Spa is a full service spa that offers waxing, lashes, cosmetics, facials, neck massages and teeth whitening.

Paula McKenna owner of GILD spa recommends the bride gets her makeup done before the wedding. "Definitely a trial run through because they want to see what looks best on them, you do not want to surprise your groom," McKenna said.

"I wouldn't say to follow a trend, go with what makes you feel beautiful," added Michele Stewart, a Newport Beach-based make-up artist.

For more information on the CDM Bridewalk visit CDMbride.com

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