Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden)

(TRENTON – January 9, 2012  – Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Louis D. Greenwald, Ralph R. Caputo, Annette Quijano and John Burzichelli to invigorate the state’s wedding market was approved Monday by the Senate and now heads to the Governor’s desk.

The bill (A-4366) gives New Jersey’s tourism and hospitality industry a competitive advantage over states across the region and the country by eliminating the current 72-hour waiting period and streamlining residency requirements.

“This bill provides New Jersey’s small weddings market with a shot in the arm,” said Greenwald (D-Camden). “By gaining a competitive edge over our neighboring states, we will create jobs and jump-start the small businesses that make up New Jersey’s wedding and tourism industry.”

“Making the licensing application process more convenient for couples will push the wedding market in New Jersey ahead of the competition,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “With the economy still recovering, this will give the wedding and hospitality industries in our state a great boost.”

“This bill makes planning a wedding at one of the many wonderful destination wedding facilities in our state more practical,” said Quijano (D-Union). “New Jersey will be able to offer a new benefit that the competition does not, which will help stimulate local economies and create jobs.”

“Simplifying the licensing rules gives us a competitive advantage over neighboring states, which should help attract more couples to the wedding locales here in New Jersey, and create employment opportunities as demand in the wedding market grows,” said Burzichelli (D-Salem/Cumberland/Gloucester).

The bill would eliminate the current mandatory 72-hour waiting period for issuance of a marriage or civil union license after an application is made, giving New Jersey a competitive edge over neighboring states. The current waiting period, established in 1934, makes it cumbersome for out of state residents to plan weddings at New Jersey’s many tourism destinations, depriving local economies of needed tourism dollars.

In addition, A-4366 streamlines residency requirements for New Jerseyans applying for marriage and civil union licenses. Under current law, residents must apply for a marriage or civil union license in the municipality where either applicant resides, making it less convenient for residents to wed at one of the state’s over 50 destination wedding facilities and other premier accommodations. A-4366 allows residents to apply for licenses in the municipality where the wedding ceremony is to be performed as well.

By eliminating the waiting period, A-4366 also makes New Jersey more competitive with neighboring states, including Pennsylvania (72 hour waiting period), New York (24 hours), Delaware (24 hours), and Maryland (48 hours). Under A-4366, New Jersey would join Connecticut and Rhode Island as the only states in the Northeast with no waiting period. 27 other states do not require a minimum waiting period for issuing a marriage or civil union license.

The bill was approved 21-13 by the Senate and 47-21-7 by the Assembly.

Source: New Jersey Assembly Democrats

Long Beach Island is a growing destination for weddings in New Jersey, and couples are invited to this Jersey shore location for the 3rd annual Wedding Road Show on April 22, 2012

Wedding planning with a creative spin that introduces new visitors to the LBI Region, the Wedding Road Show proved it had what it takes to win recognition from across the state during the 2010 NJ Governor Tourism Awards. Changing the way weddings are marketed throughout  New Jersey, the Wedding Road Show has put Long Beach Island on the maps as more than just a beach wedding, it is an experience that can only be provided by the local wedding venues and services that capture that LBI feel.

This year’s Wedding Road Show is April 22, 2012 beginning at one of three registration sites including Tuckerton Seaport, Holiday Inn Manahawkin or Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce office in Ship Bottom. These locations will all be ready to welcome brides and their entourages at 9:30 am. The brides will receive detailed maps and programs that will allow them to create their own touring schedule until 4 pm. Brides have an opportunity to take a self guided tour through the area’s finest venues, meeting, greeting and eating their way through wedding locations and services. Every registered stop the bride visits she will acquire a signature from the vendors located there, the more signatures she receives the entries she will have for the grand prize.

This year’s prize is all about the fashion with the bride having the opportunity to win her choice of wedding gown from Demetrios Bridal “Destination Romance” Collection, choice of five tuxedos from the Premiere Line at Dante Zeller Tuxedo at Uniformity in Manahawkin,  Wedding Bands by Novella Jewelry Design and Engagement Photo Shoot by Creatively Yours Dayna.  Media Sponsors include New Jersey Bride Magazine, NJWedding.com, WedAlert.com, and Demetrios Bridal.  Presenting sponsors are the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism and The LBI Region DMO/ Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce. Also new this year, is development for the LBI Wedding Road Show “Mobile APP” which will help brides during the event and throughout their wedding planning process.

Brides and their guests can register for this free event at visitLBIregion.com, or enter the VIP Experience through NJWedding.com and win an overnight stay on Saturday, April 21st at Daddy O Boutique Hotel to kick off the weekend in style. For more information on the LBI Region Wedding Road Show call (609) 494-7211, find LBI Region on facebook or twitter or go to visitLBIregion.com.

View video of last year’s Wedding Road Show below, provided by E Video Productions:

New York, NY (November, 2011) – Brides’ fantasy weddings came to life at The Wedding Salon in New York unveiling the ultimate in weddings for 2012. The Wedding Salon showcased the trends that will take over weddings in the upcoming year including all-white weddings, crystal accents, vintage-inspired gowns and more.

Mauro from Carlo's Bakery, home of TLC's "Cake Boss" with a custom wedding cake on display

“We were thrilled to showcase some of the most over-the-top glamorous trends in weddings for 2012! The Wedding Salon came to life with fantasy reception tables, a couture fashion show and the top names in the industry including Colin Cowie, Carlo’s Bakery of Cake Boss, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and St. Regis” says Wedding Salon Founder and renowned Celebrity Event Planner, Tatiana Byron.

Table display for Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, designed by David Tutera

The Wedding Salon showed that “Glamour is back for 2012” with numerous event designers showcasing the all-white wedding with silver and crystal accents. David Tutera showcased this trend with an elaborate table designed for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. This sky-high centerpiece featured white orchids and white ostrich feathers dripping with crystals accented with touches of silver. Gabriela Wakeham stayed on point with her all-white wedding table with silver accents creating a chandelier-inspired table with orchid and crystal garlands floating from a chandelier structure over a base of white orchids and hydrangea accented by silver linens.

White wedding look by One Atlantic Events in Atlantic City, part of Caesar's Entertainment

Honora Winery also sought inspiration from the all-white wedding creating a tree-like structure with crystals & branches stretching toward the ceiling, filled with all-white roses. One Atlantic Events in Atlantic City, NJ, looked to white roses for their white wedding look with tiers or white roses over silver goblets over a white-sand filled reception table. New Jersey based Palermo’s Bakery stayed with the all-white wedding theme with a wedding gown-inspired cake complete with a feathered ‘head-piece’ accent.

White wedding gown inspired cake display by Palermo's Bakery in Ridgefield Park, NJ

Victorian Elegance and Old-Hollywood Glamour were other trends seen at The Wedding Salon. Celebrity Event Planner, Shawn Rabideau looked to the Victorian Age as inspiration for his reception table. Rabideau used English Lace, Lily of the Valley and white roses with lavender accents for his English-Royalty-Inspired reception table. Thru the Looking Glass looked to Old Hollywood Glamour for their black-and-white table with white roses, silver and crystal accents.

Jenny Yoo wowed brides with a couture bridal fashion show showcasing their vintage-inspired form-fitting looks for the timeless bride. Jenny Yoo also unveiled a series of tea-length wedding gowns with lace detailing for the 2012 bride. The colors of the rainbow will be all the rage for bridesmaids in 2012 with Jenny Yoo highlighting ruby red, deep blues, silver and orange shades of bridesmaid gowns.

Showing that a beach honeymoon will never go out of style, The Wedding Salon featured the biggest names in Destination Weddings and Honeymoons including St. Regis Bora Bora, The St. Lucia Tourism Board, Guatemala and The Mexico Tourism Board highlighting Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende & Cancun as the ultimate go-to destinations in 2012.

Couture bridal fashion show by Jenny Yoo

Shawn Rabideau Victorian-Inspired Wedding Table Display

Photos: Spelman Studios. Contact Grazia Mautner at (212) 631-7777 for information about future Wedding Salon luxury events.

Chloe & Keith's Wedding will be shown at a screening at the Anthology Film Archives Theater in NYC on Monday, November 7, 2011 at 8pm

Chloe & Keith’s Wedding is a heartfelt and hilarious, indie romantic-comedy that captures all of the fun, frolicking and hijinks of one of the craziest weddings ever. Completely scripted, the film cleverly captures the story of Jordan, the clumsy best man, and Sarah, a bridesmaid who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend as told through the “found footage” shot by the wedding videographers and the guests themselves using video flip cameras. This hilarious and touching indie film is truly groundbreaking as it was the first to use a viral video to solely market the film.

Viewed by more than 100 million people online on YouTube, Yahoo!, Funny or Die, Break.com and featured in TV and film including Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, The Today Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and many, many more, the amazing “Clumsy Best Man” clip is and always was a scene in a small, comedic independent film called Chloe & Keith’s Wedding.

View the ORIGINAL YouTube video clip “My Clumsy Best Man Ruins Our Wedding” here:

View the MOVIE TRAILER below:

You are invited to join Director Archie Gips and Producers Nancy Moonves & Dennis Anderson at a special screening of Chloe & Keith’s Wedding in New York City on Monday, November 7th at 8pm, followed by a Q&A session and afterparty!  Click here to view details and to purchase tickets for this event (view facebook event page here).  You can also download the movie now here! NJWedding.com will have a select number of tickets for the screening and a copy of the DVD for one lucky winner – click here to enter TODAY!

Valerie and Larry plan to marry in New Jersey this November with the help of local wedding professionals. Blissful Wishes Ball / Gala Celebration fundraiser set for Wed., October 5th in Livingston to help raise money and awareness for WUW-NJ Nonprofit

Have you heard of Wish Upon A Wedding? Founded in 2010 by California wedding planner Liz Guthrie, WUW’s mission is to provide weddings or vow renewal ceremonies to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. The New Jersey/New York Metro chapter was launched in the beginning of 2011 (view photos of launch event). The organization now has over 20 chapters across the country and has granted 30 wishes since its inception. WUW does not give a couple money. Instead, the chapter mobilizes participating vendors who donate services to make the wedding possible and to allow the couple an opportunity to enjoy the special day without the stress of planning. (Source: New Jersey Newsroom article by Rhonda Bassat-Rivera, March 2011).

Learn about the first couple, Larry and Valerie, that the WUW-NJ/NY Metro chapter will help below, followed by ways you can get involved or donate to this organization:

WUW-NJ/NY Metro's First Wedding Wish Recipients

How They Met:

Larry and Valerie met in March 1999 while she was working at Headquarters Plaza Hotel (now the Morristown Hyatt). His best friend, who also worked there, introduced them.  Their first date was at his favorite mall and they ate dinner at the Sizzler, Valerie’s first time to either locations.

Their love story:

Valerie states, “I’ve always believed that people are brought into our lives for a purpose. Whether for a moment or an eternity, I believe that we learn from everyone that crosses paths with us. Every situation has an opportunity to grow us and show us who we are. Every person has a purpose in our lives. Meeting and falling in love with Larry, has taught me the true meaning of reconciliation, patience, forgiveness, hope and love.  It’s given me strength in my weakness and peace through my dreams with him. His strength is proven daily while going through his battle and I feel honored to love him despite the circumstance.”

Their love story truly could make a great novel!

Boy meets girl. They have a child together. Boy and girl break up. Boy and girl get back together after being apart for almost 5 years.

Obstacles:

Since April of 2009, Larry has been admitted to the hospital on 6 occasions resulting in 5 surgeries and with 19 days being the longest time spent in the hospital. At 38 years old, he is legally blind in one eye due to complications from Type 1 Diabetes. He has had open heart surgery to replace and infected aortic valve and he is undergoing weekly treatments of dialysis 4 hours/3 days a week.

What Makes Their Relationship Special?:

Valerie and Larry’s relationship is truly special because of its untraditional nature and is made up of many stories and circumstances. However, they finally feel they are all were where God has planned for them to be from the beginning, TOGETHER. Valerie and Larry live with their 10 year old son, 15 year old daughter, Larry’s younger sister who is 17 and also see Larry’s twins often who are 3 years old.  That is truly a full house!

What Does The Future Hold?:

Despite all of the hardships, Valerie and Larry still manage to laugh and love every day. They have learned not to take anything for granted. They hope to raise their children and encourage them to live life to the fullest extent. They are hopeful that a kidney and pancreas donor will become available for Larry in the near future.

Wish Upon A Wedding New Jersey is pleased to be able to grant this couple’s Wedding Wish in November this year. Some of the very generous Wish Granters who are helping with Valerie and Larry’s wedding are listed below:

Minister/Celebrant- April Beer
Florist – Massiels Wonders
On-Site Hair and Makeup – The Powder Bar
Custom Wedding Stationery and Favors – Creatively Engaged LLC
Videography – Majestic Cinema Productions
Photography – Rita Rojas-Sullivan Photography
Event Planning – A Divine Affair
Catering – Park Avenue Club
DJ – Instinctive DJ’s
Personalized Handkerchief - Lil-Inspirations
Photobooth – Jersey Photobooth
Formalwear – Top Hat & Tails Tuxedo
Bridal Gown – Maplewood Bridal Image / The Bridal Nook

Register for the Blissful Wishes Ball, a Gala Fundraiser for WUW-NJ/NY Metro Chapter at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ on October 5th

About the Blissful Wishes Ball on Wednesday, October 5th

This Blissful Wishes Ball is a gala celebration benefiting Wish Upon a Wedding, New Jersey/New York Metro, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide weddings & vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation.  By giving the gifts of dream weddings & vow renewals, Wish Upon a Wedding is able to grant some of the most intimate and heartfelt wishes of these people’s lives, and help them share this important day with close family members.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales from the Blissful Wishes Ball will benefit Wish Upon a Wedding, New Jersey/New York Metro, and its mission.

The “Shining Star Award” will be presented this year to our honoree Alan Janoff.  Wish Upon a Wedding’s Shining Star Award recognizes and honors the most inspirational, motivational and giving professionals in the New Jersey/Metro New York Area. This is our way to thank and pay tribute to those professionals who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. A Shining Star Award recipient  will have demonstrated an ongoing and substantial commitment to the community and have consistently demonstrated honesty, integrity and the highest ethical standards in his or her profession.

Please join the celebration by purchasing $150.00 tickets or a $1000.00 table for ten guests.  Each option includes a Cocktail Hour, full sit-down dinner, open bar, and an amazing dessert display in the tradition of Marie Antoinette!  Valet parking will also be provided. Entertainment provided by Silver Pro Entertainment- The Rhythm Shop Band! Guests will also have a chance to experience a photo booth, have their photos taken by CLB Photography, as well as view the extravagant decor provided by A Touch Of Elegance. Donations will also be accepted at the door. For more information and a listing of Participating Vendors and Partners, including donations for a Silent Auction, visit the official invitation page for the Blissful Wishes Ball.

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this organization or you would like to help as a wish granter or make a donation, please go to www.wishuponawedding.org. Also visit the WUW-NJ/NY Metro Chapter on facebook and twitter.

Source for Valerie and Larry’s story: Wish Upon A Wedding – NJ/NY Metro Blog

This NJ couple changed their wedding plans so they could marry on the Jersey shore before Hurricane Irene (photo from Ocean City Patch)

According to an ABC News report on Friday, there were around 600 weddings projected this weekend in Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey, along with 400 in North Carolina, where the Hurricane was set to make landfall.  Banquet manager Don Calello of Clarks Landing Yacht Club in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, was quoted as saying that a non-wedding event was scheduled at the venue on Friday, but he was communicating with couples about their Saturday and Sunday weddings. EDITOR’S NOTE: I found out through the Clarks Landing facebook page subsequently that their wedding was postponed until further notice since all towns around Pt. Pleasant were being evacuated and roads closed.

I received a phone call from a Canadian TV producer on Friday asking for interviews with local brides & grooms and wedding professionals to discuss how Hurricane Irene was impacting their weddings, and I posted the request to members of the wedding community to find those that wanted to share their stories.  The next two days would be filled with lots of instances where couples had to decide whether to go through with their wedding ceremony and reception, or heed the cautions of the NJ State of Emergency in place and go ahead and cancel or postpone their plans.

An article entitled “Irene forces New Jersey brides and grooms to marry early or reschedule weddings” caught my eye on Friday, and told the story of a couple that had to change their future plans and “push up” their Cape May wedding to Thursday night, asking their vendors to help them make it happen so they could get married before the storm. The article also mentioned the idea of “wedding insurance” which could help, says wedding planner Isis Petrie Williams, stating that wedding insurance would allow a couple to “put forth a claim, get deposits back, and any other monies that they would lose.”

On Saturday morning, I saw an article posted on the Star Ledger / NJ.com stating “Hurricane Irene cancels Bryam Township family wedding for a second time” which showed that the storm was reaching into Sussex county, much further then the Jersey shore region. The story features a couple whose original wedding in 1971 happened during Tropical Storm Doria and had to be canceled due to flooding. Their plans to renew their wedding vows will now have to be postponed until September or October. Similar stories were posted on facebook and twitter this weekend with the news of marriage ceremonies and wedding celebrations having the same fate.

Couples that didn’t want to postpone their plans made decisions to change them quickly, like the wedding on NBC New York during the day on Saturday.  Wendy Miller and Eric Green were planning on having a beach wedding ceremony in Long Branch, NJ, but changed to an indoor venue instead, and news reporter Brian Thompson was there to capture it and broadcast it to the NJ / NY Tri-State area.  With the storm approaching and evacuations of shore and other towns being evacuated, couples like this had a chance to marry and celebrate as best as possible.

Mitch the Minister posted this photo of a couple he married at the Courtyard by Marriott in Mt. Arlington, NJ on Saturday night. The couple had no electricity for their wedding.

Some couples exhibited some “Jersey attitude” like the one getting married on Saturday evening at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Hoboken, NJ in this Star-Ledger video, followed by a reception at the W Hotel nearby. Saturday is popular day for weddings, so couples that had their weddings scheduled kept their plans, whether or not all the guests were able to make it.  One wedding in an article featured above went on as planned but police had to shut it down at 7pm, due to the threat of heavy rains, strong winds and flooding.

Plans for one couple’s wedding on the beach in Ocean City had to be changed at the last minute, and wedding officiant Marilyn Lockwood drove to the beach resort while others were driving away on Thursday night in order to accommodate Brent Kosling and Krystal Vallette’s marriage ceremony. In this Ocean City Patch article, it states that the bride went from “devastated to elated” and turned a difficult situation into a positive one.

What were some of YOUR experiences this weekend with your wedding plans?  Whether you’re an engaged couple that had to cancel due to weather conditions or evacuation notices, or a wedding professional that will now have to reschedule the wedding date, we want to know how Hurricane Irene affected YOU?

Sandy and Jim Harding on the dock in Beach Haven, NJ after their wedding ceremony on the deck of the A.J. Meerwald (Photo by David Toth)

LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ – Sandy Lanier and Jim Harding from North Arlington, NJ were the third non-crew members to be married on the A.J. Meerwald in Barnegat Bay, LBI on Saturday, July 23, 2011. They were surrounded by friends and family, sponsoring organizations and wedding professionals, and onlookers. The ceremony service was performed by Deborah C. Whitcraft, wedding officiant and former Mayor of Beach Haven, NJ.

Instead of wedding invitations, Stephanie Somodi of Designing Your Most Inviting Day created a unique “Message In A Bottle” which contained a personalized scroll that the couple used to thank their guests. Flowers for the ceremony, including the bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets and corsages/boutonnieres were supplied by Camille’s Floral Designs. Video footage was shot by Jon Slackman from J & S Video Services and photos were taken by David Toth, Photographer. Wedding planning, coordination and consulting services were provided by The Finishing Touch Wedding & Event Planning.

This unique opportunity for Sandy and Jim to be married on New Jersey’s official “Tall Ship” was part of a scheduled trip to Barnegat Bay of the schooner A.J. Meerwald, based in Bivalve, NJ. The event was sponsored by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, Reclam The Bay, Schooner A.J. Meerwald, Museum of NJ Maritime History and NJWedding.com.

View a video recap of their wedding ceremony below:

Wedding – Tie the Knot on the Tall Ship 2011 from J&S Video Services on Vimeo.

View a sampling of David Toth’s photos from the wedding:

Sandy & Jim's wedding ceremony aboard the A.J. Meerwald, officiated by Deborah C. Whitcraft, former Mayor of Beach Haven, NJ

A "Message In A Bottle" display and keepsake for Sandy & Jim's guests, created by Stephanie Somodi of Designing Your Most Invitting Day

A sunset photo in front of the Barnegat Lighthouse (a.k.a. "Old Barney") on Long Beach Island

For additional information about the “Tie The Knot on the Tall Ship” wedding contest and past winners, visit http://www.njwedding.com/lbi and more photos will be coming soon on the NJWedding.com facebook page!

Sandy Lanier and Jim Harding from Mt. Arlington, NJ are this year's LBI wedding contest winners!

Sandy Lanier and Jim Harding of Mount Arlington, NJ, former Jefferson Township High School classmates who reconnected over 20 years later, will be married on July 23, 2011 aboard New Jersey’s official Tall Ship, the A.J. Meerwald in Beach Haven. They were chosen as winners of the third annual “Tie The Knot on the Tall Ship” contest, sponsored by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, Reclam The Bay, Schooner A.J. Meerwald, Museum of NJ Maritime History and NJWedding.com. Various local wedding service providers also have offered their products and services for this special occasion.

“When Sandy and Jim were chosen as finalists in the contest and I began to correspond with Sandy, it was clear that they had a special love story to share” said Erik Kent, Co-Publisher of NJWedding.com. Sandy and Jim grew up and went to high school in Jefferson Township together. After high school, Jim joined the Navy and then moved to North Carolina, subsequently losing touch with Sandy and eventually spending part of his military career in Iraq. Sandy and Jim went on to marry other people and start their own families. About a year ago, after both having become divorced, they reconnected on Facebook, which led to email and phone calls and then meeting up again.

Matching puzzle rings are of special significance to Sandy & Jim's long-term relationship.

After spending more time with each other and with their families, as well as using Facebook to keep in touch regularly, it became clear to both Sandy and Jim that they wanted to move forward with their relationship. In January 2011, for Sandy’s birthday, Jim came for a visit and proposed marriage with matching puzzle rings, Celtic Knot ones, knowing of Sandy’s Irish heritage. He moved to New Jersey in February and his son moved here in May. Regarding making plans for their wedding, Jim chose his favorite number (7), and his grandfather’s favorite number (23), so a combination of the two lead to the wedding date of July 23. With Jim’s Navy history and both their love of the water, they had originally planned for a small ceremony along the Jersey shore. Sandy had spent her childhood at her grandparent’s shore house in Manahawkin, so LBI was a perfect fit!

Now that Sandy and Jim have been chosen as the winners, their wedding ceremony service will be performed by Deborah C. Whitcraft, a wedding officiant and former mayor of Beach Haven, NJ. Approximately 80 guests will be allowed on the ship’s deck, and another 100 guests may congregate on the wharf to witness the marriage ceremony. Photography for the wedding ceremony will be provided by David Toth Photographers, up to 40 invitations will be created by Stephanie Somodi – Designing Your Most Inviting Day, video coverage of the event will be provided by J & S Video Services, wedding ceremony flowers will be arranged by Camille’s Floral Designs and wedding planning and consulting services will be provided by The Finishing Touch. These wedding professionals and LBI chamber members will work together to help make the day memorable for this couple.

Over the past few years, Long Beach Island has become well-known as a “wedding destination” in New Jersey, especially with the addition of several new wedding locations and service providers. The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, under the direction of Lori Pepenella, Destination Marketing Director, has successfully produced the Wedding Road Show on LBI over the past three years, attracting hundreds of brides and their families from NJ and throughout the tri-state area to for a one-day tour of the region’s venues and services.

The A.J. Meerwald in Barnegat Bay on LBI (photo by David Toth Photographers)

The public is invited to witness the wedding ceremony aboard the A.J. Meerwald on Saturday, July 23rd at 1:00pm.  New Jersey’s official “Tall Ship” is docked in Beach Haven, NJ (Center Street and the Bay) from July 20th through July 24th, and visitors may take a deck tour, go for a two-hour sail, or participate in a 4-hour eco/heritage event on and around the A.J. Meerwald on July 23rd. For additional information about the history of the A.J. Meerwald and opportunities to visit, check out the web site at http://www.bayshorediscovery.org.

For additional information about the “Tie The Knot on the Tall Ship” contest, along with photos and video of past contest winners, visit http://www.njwedding.com/lbi.

Long Beach Island is a growing destination for weddings along the Jersey shore. Photo: Ann Coen Photography

What’s NOT to love about the idea of having your wedding in the Garden State? With a variety of locations for the event and some of the most creative and talented wedding professionals in the world, NJ has everything on a bride and groom’s must-have list. Here’s just a sampling of great reasons to get married in New Jersey:

1. Being located in a geographic region with four unique seasons, New Jersey offers couples the opportunity for winter weddings (sometimes even at a discount), wedding celebrations during the spring renewal, beach or garden weddings in the summertime and colorful fall foliage for memorable photos at one of the many golf resorts, wineries or country clubs.

2. Having your wedding closer to home is more green and eco-friendly than planning a destination wedding: you can reduce your carbon footprint by using less gas and tolls, using locally sourced foods, flowers and wedding service providers.

3. With 127 miles of shoreline, New Jersey offers some of the most beautiful beaches and shore towns around, so couples can have their wedding ceremony on the sand with a reception following on or near the beach.

4. Cape May, New Jersey (“Exit 0″ on the Garden State Parkway) is known as the third most popular destination in the United States to get married, and you can have your wedding on the beach or in one of many Victorian locations from a bygone era.

5. The Long Beach Island region is one of the fastest growing wedding destinations in New Jersey, with over 40 venues and wedding services to serve couples that want to have their wedding weekend in this resort area.

6. You can have a New York style wedding at New Jersey prices (and without the traffic!) since sales tax in New York City is 8.375 percent compared with 7 percent in New Jersey. Still want that backdrop of New York City? Have your wedding at one of the many venues along the Hudson River or charter a boat and cruise past the Statue of Liberty and other landmarks.

7. Wedding TV reality shows love New Jersey, too! Some of the NJ’s top wedding locations and experts have been featured on the Style Network’s Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? and Jerseylicious, TLC’s Masters of Reception, Four Weddings and of course … we have the Cake Boss! New York wedding planner David Tutera often showcases his New Jersey brides on WEtv’s My Fair Wedding.

8. New Jersey’s history is rich with numerous historic locations and landmarks, places where George Washington has lived or slept. More recent history is also represented in the many locations that have served as a backdrop for movies and television, like The Sopranos. One of the most popular places in the state to pose for an engagement or wedding picture is Woodrow Wilson Hall at Monmouth University, better known as Daddy Warbuck’s mansion in the movie Annie.

9. New Jersey is one of the most culturally diverse states in the nation, with large populations of Italians, Pan-Asians, Asian Indians and much more. You can have ANY type of catering you wish at your reception … just name it and you can find it in New Jersey … and it’s delicious!

10. Looking to attend a bridal show or expo? In New Jersey, you’ll be able to find a bridal show almost every day of the week. You will meet local wedding professionals who will give you advice and direction on your wedding plans, see the latest bridal fashions, and even maybe take home some fabulous door prizes or a free honeymoon.

Erik Kent is the Co-Publisher of NJWedding.com. This article was previously featured on AOL’s Aisledash in August 2010.