Enter to Win $10,000 Toward Your Dream Wedding

Photo Credit: Please Dance With Me

11 Feb 2009 13:37 Africa/Lagos


Enter to Win $10,000 Toward Your Dream Wedding

Plus a trip to NYC for 'Dream Wedding Planning' with a Brides.com Editor

HEALDSBURG, Calif., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Valentine's Day is a day of romance, and it is also one of the four most popular days of the year for wedding proposals. Today's weddings can be incredibly expensive, with brides- and grooms-to-be spending an average of 20 percent of their wedding reception budgets on alcohol and bartender fees. Fortunately, one bride's budget concerns have been put to rest after winning $10,000 in the "I Do with Mirassou" contest from Mirassou Winery, plus a trip to New York City for a one-on-one dream wedding planning session with a Brides.com editor.



(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090211/CG69162)


The 2008 contest winner, Rebecca Firszt of New York City, is busy with final preparations for her wedding to fiance Brad, which will take place in Florida in March.


Excerpts from Rebecca's winning contest entry:


When Brad and I told our friends and family that we'd gotten engaged, the most popular response was "Finally!" We met at a high school youth symphony rehearsal and started dating shortly thereafter. In college, Brad left school early to perform in the Buffalo Philharmonic. The long-distance relationship was so hard on us that Brad left his position to move back to NYC. It's been a challenge to afford NYC rent while paying tuition for Brad to finish his degree. Our favorite date-night activity is catching a summer Philharmonic concert in Central Park and drinking Mirassou Merlot with an all-cheese dinner.


Nine years after we first met, Brad proposed to me underwater while scuba diving. We would love to have a beach ceremony and reception in Florida, where we're both from. And if we're fortunate enough to win this generous prize, we'll serve enough cheese and Mirassou wine to keep our guests stuffed for days!


Couples Can Say "I Do with Mirassou" in 2009. Mirassou is pleased to announce its 5th annual "I Do with Mirassou" contest. Once again, Mirassou Winery will award $10,000 to one lucky Grand Prize winner, plus the opportunity of a lifetime to meet with a Brides.com editor for a personalized wedding planning session. The Grand Prize Winner will also receive elegant Reed & Barton dinnerware, flatware, and crystal for eight place settings.


This year's contest kicks-off on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2009, and couples may enter through June 19, 2009. Up to five lucky finalists will be chosen and featured at www.mirassou.com/sayido for an online vote from July 20-August 9, 2009, and all finalists will receive a Mirassou gift package. The winning couple will be announced in August and will meet with a Brides.com editor this fall to sample wine and dessert pairings, learn about the hottest wedding trends and more. Go to www.mirassou.com/sayido to view the official rules and enter to win.


NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest starts 2/14/09 and ends on 6/19/09. Contest open to legal residents of one of the 50 United States or D.C. and at least 21 years of age at time of entry. Void in CA, TN, UT, PR, outside the 50 United States, and where otherwise prohibited by law. See Official Rules at mirassou.com. California Table Wine, (C)2009 Mirassou Vineyards, Healdsburg, CA and Modesto, CA. All rights reserved.


About Mirassou Winery: The Mirassou family has been growing grapes and crafting superior wines since 1854, earning them the distinction of being America's oldest winemaking family. Today, the Mirassou wine style is light, refreshing and fruit-forward. Mirassou's premium wines - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon - retail for approximately $10 per bottle and are widely available in all 50 states. They can be located through Mirassou.com's "Where to Buy" section or by calling (888) MIRASSOU.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090211/CG69162
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Mirassou Winery

CONTACT: Maria Chacon of Fleishman-Hillard, +1-916-337-5734,
maria.chacon@fleishman.com, for Mirassou Winery


Web Site: http://www.mirassou.com/


Valentine's Day
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
11 Feb 2009
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HOTorNOT.com Partners With Foxreality.com for the Premiere of Fox Reality Channel's Original Series, 'Battle of the Bods'
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Survey Finds Smile is 'Most Attractive' Physical Feature
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Former Decorated U.S. Marine Files a $10 Million Claim Against ATF for Being Wrongfully Prosecuted and Called a 'Terrorist and Taliban'
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Enter to Win $10,000 Toward Your Dream Wedding
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New Poll Reveals Almost Half of Those Surveyed Were Without Valentine's Gifts in 2008
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Olubunmi Weds Dairo

The Publisher/CEO of Supple magazine and I graced the beautiful wedding of Dairo Isaac Ajibola of the Nigeria LNG and his beautiful bride Dr. Florence Olubunmi in Lagos. Over 1, 000 people were at the reception in the spacious Regency Hall behind the Moshood Abiola Gardens in Ikeja, the capital of Lagos state. I used my Motorola camera phone to capture some of the most colourful scenes. I will show them on Wedding Bells later.

I wish Isaac and Florence a happy married life.

President George Bush Speaks On His Daughter's Wedding and Mother's Day

Yesterday, one of the First Daughters of America, Jenna Welch Bush had a simple wedding without much publicity. The hubby is Henry Chase Hager. He is a graduate student and son of a former Virginia lieutenant governor.

The White House confirmed that there were only 200 invited guests and close relatives. The Saturday evening wedding was at the family ranch in Crawford, Texas. There was a parade in honor of the couple and Saturday afternnon, the Hager family hosted a barbecue in the nearby town of Salado.

The wedding began at 7:30 p.m. There was a white limestone altar mounted near a man-made lake. Oscar de la Renta designed the wedding gown of beaded organza dress and Jenna's attendants wore cocktail dresses in the colours of wildflowers.

The following is the statement of President George W. Bush on his daughter's wedding and Mother's Day.

10 May 2008 11:00 Africa/Lagos


Radio Address by President Bush to the Nation

WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of the radio address by President Bush to the nation:

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Today is my daughter Jenna's wedding day. This is a joyous occasion for our family, as we celebrate the happy life ahead of her and her husband Henry. It's also a special time for Laura, who this Mother's Day weekend will watch a young woman we raised together walk down the aisle.

Mother's Day is a special time for mothers all across America. On this holiday, we pause to celebrate the love and compassion of the women who have raised us, and to thank them for the many years of patience and selflessness. Throughout our lives, mothers are there with an encouraging word, a sympathetic ear, and a tender heart. They set our direction in life, and from time to time they have been known to correct our course.

Like many of you, my life has been blessed by a mother who is a source of unconditional love. Those of us who have been so fortunate are forever in debt to these caring women. So on this holiday weekend, we celebrate all those mothers who help make our country a better place.
On this Mother's Day weekend, we think of the mothers who are celebrating this holiday for the very first time. Few blessings can compare to starting a new family. And few bonds are stronger than those between a mother and her newborn baby. This is also a special time for new adoptive mothers, who have welcomed their children into their homes with open arms and an open heart. We wish all these new parents many happy Mother's Days to come.

On this Mother's Day weekend, we think of the many mothers who raised the brave men and women serving our country in uniform. And to those mothers, I offer the thanks of a grateful Nation. Your sons and daughters are defending our freedom with dignity and honor. And America appreciates the sacrifices that your families make in the name of duty.

On this Mother's Day weekend, we remember the mothers grieving a son or daughter lost in the service to their country, as well as the children who have lost a mother in uniform. We share their pride in these wonderful Americans who have given everything to protect our people from harm. Nothing we say can ever make up for their loss. But on this special day, we hold them in our hearts and we lift them in our prayers.

I wish every mother listening this morning a blessed Mother's Day, including my own. And I have a message for every son and daughter listening this morning: Remember to tell mom the first thing tomorrow how much you love her.

Thank you for listening.

Source: White House Press Office

CONTACT: White House Press Office, +1-202-456-2580

Web Site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Couples Drawn to Auspicious 08/08/08 Wedding Date

I found the following report very interesting, because of the superstitions many people have about certain dates and they are very particular about them when they want to wed.

To me, everyday is a blessed day, becaause I believe and I live according to Psalm 118: 24.
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Read and know why the date of 08/08/08 means a lot to many people.
...........

Couples Drawn to Auspicious 08/08/08 Wedding Date -- Caribbean Resort Group Extends the Luck of the 8's Throughout 2008 with Complimentary Wedding Plan --
Elite Island Resorts Personal Destination Wedding Planners Help Couples Tie the Knot with Ease



Elite Island Resorts, the award-winning Caribbean resort company, has recently noticed a significant increase in inquiries for 08/08/08 destination weddings. Maybe it's because in many cultures, the number eight has been associated with paradise and new beginnings. Buddhists follow an eightfold path to the enlightenment; in Christian symbolism, the number eight represents rebirth; and in Islam, there are eight gates to paradise. Whatever the reason, couples planning a Caribbean destination wedding will find 2008 a lucky year for another reason as well- those who book an all-inclusive premium luxury category honeymoon stay of at least seven or ten nights (depending on the resort) at Elite Island Resorts' Caribbean properties also can enjoy a complimentary, destination wedding package regularly priced at $899.




"Many couples are requesting the date 08/08/08 for their weddings. But with complimentary weddings available all year, any date in 2008 is a happy one. Planning a Caribbean destination wedding with Elite Island Resorts ensures a personalized wedding that is easy to arrange and a great value too. Plus, with our new complimentary personal wedding website, an engaged couple can invite wedding guests to book their travel plans at the click of a mouse," said Janine Hills, director of wedding planning, Elite Island Resorts.



The complimentary wedding package includes a choice of romantic tropical settings for the wedding and reception, wedding cake, bottle of champagne, bridal bouquet and groom's boutonniere, registrar and government fees, on-site wedding coordinator and ceremony fees. All taxes and gratuities are included.


The second-largest independently owned hospitality group in the Caribbean, Elite Island Resorts is known for its eco-friendly, casually elegant resorts, stunning locations, caring, personal service and distinctive, customized Caribbean destination weddings. Its upscale properties include Galley Bay Resort & Spa, St. James's Club and Villas and the Verandah Resort and Spa on Antigua; Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas on Tortola; Palm Island in the Grenadines; and Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort on St. Lucia.


For more information on destination weddings, contact Janine Hills at (800) 345-0356, extension 126 or visit eliteislandresorts.com.


Source: Elite Island Resorts

CONTACT: Sharon Pomerantz of The Pomerantz Group, +1-203-256-0460,
pomerantzgroup@aol.com


Web site: Elite Island Resorts

Hitched Brides Love a Big Ring

21 Jan 2008 08:00 Africa/Lagos


Hitched Brides Love a Big Ring

CAMBERLEY, England, January 21/PRNewswire/ --

Is a proposal as simple as just saying 'Will you marry me', or 'Will you do me the honour'? According to 32% of brides in the UK, it is, but what did the other 68% have to say?


Recent research carried out by the UK's most popular online wedding guide hitched.co.uk discovered that 'tradition' is not dead. Even though some men still prefer to propose in bed, at the end of a rowdy night out on the town, or by text message (?), the majority of nervous grooms build up the courage to go all out and make it romantic, or at least think they are being romantic.


When asked if there was anything they would have changed about one of the most romantic moments of their lives, several women came back with the clear statement of 'bigger diamond!' On the flip side, some women would have liked a ring to have been produced or even mentioned, rather than just the sentimental words.


- 54% of romantic men still get down on one knee


- 44% of men asked their partners father for permission to marry


- 57% of men shed a tear, or ten, when she said yes


- 65% of women said he could have put more effort & preparation into the proposal


- 25% of couples wait longer than 5 years before taking their relationship that step further


- 23% of women have been proposed to more than once


- 69% of women thought the timing of the proposal in their relationship was perfect


Besides having to fork out for bigger rocks, be more creative, and pick a better moment to propose, it seems as if our grooms still have a romantic mentality. With Valentines Day just around the corner, will anxious men be extra imaginative this year, or being a leap year, tradition permitting women to propose on the 29th of February, will it be the ladies creating an influx of proposals in 2008?


About hitched.co.uk


Receiving in excess of 15 million page impressions and visited by 330,000 unique users a month, hitched.co.uk is the UK's most popular online wedding website.


Established in 1997, hitched.co.uk is now a successful flourishing business driven by visitors and advertisers from across the UK.


Source: Hitched.co.uk

For further information and statistics please contact Francesca Moore on +44(0)8700-112545 or email francesca.moore@hitched.co.uk.

Eddie Murphy Tied the Knot With Tracey Edmonds

Eddie and Tracey.

Eddie Murphy, 46, celebrated New Year's Day by tying the knot with film producer Tracey Edmonds, 40. The pair exchanged vows Tuesday on a private island off Bora Bora in French Polynesia.


Read the details.

Bride Weds in a Toilet Paper Dress

Check out this bride and groom. They married in a Times Square restroom Wednesday, with the bride clad in a toilet paper dress.