Starting in 1996, Alexa Internet has been donating their crawl data to the Internet Archive. Flowing in every day, these data are added to the Wayback Machine after an embargo period.
Nobody knows what you're going through right now more than your fellow brides -- and those who've been through this exciting time already.
That's why we're setting up a forum for Cape Fear Wedding users to ask each other questions, offer suggestions, or let our editors help find you some expert advice.
We can call on the experience of the many wedding professionals and merchants in Southeastern North Carolina, as well as the shared wisdom of other brides.
If you have questions for us, for one of our experts, or for each other, or just have an opinion to offer, follow this link to our secure "Bride talk" feedback form. Open feedback form:
Brides
share questions, opinions and advice Our "amateur" experts -- the brides
yourselves -- can share suggestions, questions and advice
in this space. We encourage frank discussion of important
issues, including the pros and cons of your wedding
planning experiences. Please, no anonymous "bashing."
Your question: Hi. I am planning a wedding for early October of 2004. Because we have recently moved to the area and all our guests will be flying in from out of town, we have been considering the Blockade Runner for our wedding/reception. It allows us to have a beautiful outdoor ceremony and a ballroom reception, as well as accomodations for our guests in all one place. Does anyone have feedback on a wedding they have had there or attended there? What were the positives and negatives of the Blockade Runner? I'd appreciate any imput you could share with me! Thanks!
Email: kriscav@hotmail.com - Kristin Cavanaugh, Wilmington Open feedback form:
Your question: Has anyone ever bought a dress online from House of Brides? They have incredible prices, but I'm nervous that it's not legit. Please post your experiences! Amanda Peachey , Wilmington Open feedback form:
Brides reply:
Ask the
editors of Cape Fear Wedding
Your question: I am getting married in October of 2004 in downtown Wilmington. Our church is downtown, so we wanted to have our reception downtown as well. I really need some suggestions on reception sites that aren't extremely expensive! Please provide any feedback that you have about good reception sites and if you have to have a caterer, etc. Thanks! Elizabeth McMillan , Wilmington
The editors reply: Your question: Greetings! I am getting married Friday Sept 26th, only 2 weeks away!
We are having our ceremony at the Arboretum. I am getting very concerned with all
the rain we have been having lately. The Arboretum said if it rains we can use the
office building hallway. That is not very romantic. Do you know of any country clubs
or churches near Carolina Beach to use just as a back-up? I know this is short notice
but any advice will be much appreciated. Melanie Kelly, Wilmington
The editors reply:
Your question: Hi! I am trying to do a casual wedding on a budget. I would love
to have the wedding and reception at the same location. We are not religous, so churches
are out. I thought about having it at a restaurant. We are expecting to have around 100
guests, and would like to have a dance floor. I would love a place that required minimal
decorating. A lunch reception would be great to save money. The quality of food is
important to me -- I love good food. I would like to do a buffet so that the guests would
feel encouraged to walk around. What restaurants can you guys recommend that have good
food that will not blow my budget, a nice atmosphere (remembering my wedding is casual)
and has a nice space for the actual wedding? Melanie Mazarick, Wilmington
The editors reply:
Your question: Help! I am looking for a wedding reception site for early next May
-- preferably on Topsail Island. We will have between 150 and 200 people. I currently live
in New York, so I'm a bit limited to searching online right now, and I'm finding it difficult
to find places. The only two places I've seen that look big enough are the Assembly Building
and the St. Regis Resort. However, I'm wondering if there are any more options. We definitely
don't require a traditional reception site. Basically, we're looking for something close to
the ocean (preferably with beach access or at least a view), maybe that will allow our guests
to be both indoors and outdoors (although this isn't a requirement). We prefer a venue that
will allow us to use outside caterers as well as a band. If the site is on Topsail Island we
will use the church there for the ceremony, so we don't need a reception site big enough to
accommodate both. However, if you only know of places elsewhere along the coast, we would
need a little more space. Do you know of any places that fit this description? Again, it does
not have to be a place that specifically does wedding receptions or meetings. We are pretty
flexible - just a big, pretty open space (like a barn or something). Please let me know if
you know of any places that fit this description. Thank you. Katy Gustafson, New York City
The editors reply:
Your question: Does the bride have any responsibilities for the bridal shower?
I feel like I should be doing something. Name withheld
The editors reply:
Your question: My fiancee and I are looking to do our
wedding in a beautiful plantation-style setting, preferably in
the Wilmington area. We want a facility that allows both in-house
and outside accomodations. Our date has not been set but we are
considering October of this year or early spring of 2004. Thanks
to the internet, I have seen a few places that look appealing but
have not had the opportunity to visit. Of the following, which ones
would be worth visiting and do any of you have other suggestions:
1. The Wilmingtonian 2. The Bellamy House 3. Thalian Hall
Thank you and any assistance and/or suggestions
would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Vickie L. Stroud, Albertson
The editors reply:
Your question: I am
looking for a wedding/reception site. I am choosing between
Thalian Hall's Ballroom and the Bellamy Mansion. If anyone
would like to share any experiences they had or know someone
who has had experience with either sites, I would love
to hear input. Also, does anyone know of any other nice
sites in Wilmington to have a wedding/reception? Possibly
a beautiful rental home with a great garden area, or something
of the like? Thank you! Rebecca, VA
The editors reply:
Your question: I am currently looking for outdoor
sites to have my wedding. Any ideas or suggestions?
Angela Skipper, Wilmington NC
The editors reply:
Ask the wedding professionals
Your question: My honey and I were thinking about getting married on the beach this summer. We will be staying at Carolina Beach the week of August 16th. We are wondering how to coordinate this, whom we can contact, and the marriage requirements/documentation needed for the service. Any information you could provide would be wonderful. Thanks, Bonnie Bailey, Pittsburgh
Wedding professional's reply:
Your question: Hello. I am
currently registered with Cape Fear Wedding. I looked
at cermony sites, however most of it looks like reception
places. I am wondering if you could give me any suggestions.
We have a mix of religions between our families so we
would love to have a non-denominational church. I was
only able to find one so far it was not large enough.
We will be having between 150-200 guests. Our date is
October 26 of this coming year. We are not restricting
ourselves to a non-denominational church but I am a little
afraid of having an outdoor ceremony because of the weather.
We already have our hall booked so we just need a location
for a 5:00 ceremony. If you have any ideas/suggestions
I would greatly appreciate! Thank you! Cherice
