Here come the brides

RED BANK — The downtown community is hoping that the bridal walk down the aisle will begin in Red Bank.

To brand the borough as a one-stop shopping destination for weddings, Red Bank RiverCenter is organizing the first annual Wedding Walk, a one-day event for prospective brides, grooms, wedding attendants and their families, on March 20.

“I hope this will brand Red Bank as a niche market for weddings in New Jersey,” Nancy Adams, executive director of Red Bank RiverCenter, the downtown business alliance, said during an interview of March 8.

The day is scheduled to commence at 9 a.m. at the Molly Pitcher Inn, where brides, grooms, friends and family can check in and register. Registrants will receive a Wedding Walk map and tote bag and be directed to use the provided shuttle service or to walk, weather permitting, to the various locations throughout the downtown.

Adams said that over 30 businesses and sponsors will be participating in the upcoming event in categories such as floral design, formalwear, hotel/banquet halls, invitations/printing, jewelers, photographers/ framers, restaurants/wine purveyors, salons/spas, shoes/accessories/ lingerie, and transportation.

Adams explained that RiverCenter had been discussing the concept of a Wedding Walk for more than a year.

“We’ve been playing with the idea for a while,” Adams said. “Joel McFadden [jewelry designer] came up with the idea, and we’ve been speaking with the business community about the format and have been running ideas back and forth for some time.”

Adams expects a few hundred visitors to the borough on Saturday. She feels that a combination of advertising and an e-blast through www.theknot.com that went out to approximately 20,000 brides-to-be will help the event’s success.

“We’re not exactly sure about the turnout. It’s like having a wedding without knowing how many guests are coming,” Adams explained.

Currently more than 200 participants have registered through www.onlyoneredbankwedding. com.

“We’re all very exited and we’re hoping for some good weather,” Adams added.

By visiting at least 15 of the registered businesses and getting “passports” (part of the maps provided) stamped at each location, participants become eligible to be entered to win a grand-prize raffle that will be held at 3 p.m. at the Oyster Point Hotel where, Adams said, “There will be music, fun, food and lots of surprises!”

Grand prizes include three bridal packages with bridal necessities including wedding party dresses, custom wedding rings, engagement portrait sessions, tuxedos, bridal shoes, a wedding veil and a salon session for the bride.

Additional prizes include dinner for two, tickets to the Count Basie Theatre, gift certificates, a bachelorette party or bridal shower.

“We’re hoping it’s a great success,” said Adams. “After the event, our committee will review and analyze the day and look for ways to improve moving forward. We will also discuss the logistics of keeping the event’s website live.”

Adams explained that RiverCenter had to limit businesses’ participation, in an effort to have a versatile and organized approach for the event’s launch.

“We plan on growing in the future. We might host another Wedding Walk in October. Right now, it’s a work in progress. We’re excited and so are the businesses,” Adams said.

“I hope a lot of people foray into all of our businesses. Whether it’s for dinner or to catch a movie, I think the walk is beneficial for the whole business district,” Adams said.