For Media Inquires: Tara Antonucci Marketing Director Bella Sera Bridal 781.241.2205 marketing@bellaserabride.com Print version

North Shore Small Business Owners Have a “Reason To Give”

February 18, 2010 – Danvers, MA – Last Sunday, a group of North Shore small business owners awarded a deserving couple with a free wedding. The founders of Reason To Give, including the owners of Bella Sera Bridal, Natasha Bansfield Events and Bee Custom Designs, along with the owners of Flou(e)r and Creative Sparks Imagery  ambushed the lucky couple, Jay LaValley, 26 and Ashley Grimes, 24 on Valentine’s Day at the Grimes-family-home in Amesbury, Massachusetts. The couple was chosen from dozens of submissions in the Reason To Give Wedding Giveaway.

The winning couple’s application “stood out from the rest. This couple is ridiculously in love and really deserves this wedding,” says Lisa Almeida, co-owner of Bella Sera Bridal in Danvers.  Unfortunate events interrupted the lives of Jay and Ashley over the past year. The brain tumor diagnosis Jay received in September 2009, and the overwhelming amount of medical debt that followed, are just two of the issues they faced together. “The couple has endured so much. Until now, they put their wedding plans on hold to deal with everything life threw at them.  The Reason to Give founders united to create a life changing event for a deserving couple; Jay and Ashley could not be more worthy of this gift,” says Almeida.

The Wedding Giveaway was “created to help one lucky couple celebrate their love and commitment to one another, without the burden of financial limitations,” says Bella Sera Bridal co-owner Heidi Nicholson. The couple will receive all the bells and whistles of a custom wedding, including event planning services, invitations, bridal gown, fittings, undergarments, bridal accessories, dresses for the maid of honor, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, tuxedos for the groom, best man, father of groom, father of bride, massage services, personal training services, teeth-whitening services, wedding venue, food/alcohol, catering services, photographer, florist, DJ/band, make-up and hair services, favors, limousine services and the wedding cake.

When the call-for-vendors was put out to North Shore small businesses in 2009, there was an overwhelming response. “It was truly inspiring to see how many people wanted to be a part of this very special event, for a very special couple” says Nicholson.

The happy pair will wed on November 6, 2010 at the Groveland Fairways in Groveland, MA.

About Reason To Give

In the summer of 2009, four small business owners on the North Shore came together to create an event that would display their talents, while also helping people who deserve a special wedding day that is free from financial constraints and stress. Each member of the group was affected, either directly or indirectly, by the difficult economic times, the ongoing War, health issues- each member had a "Reason To Give" to another deserving person. Shortly thereafter, Reason To Give was born!

About Bella Sera Bridal

Bella Sera Bridal offers a fresh perspective on the gown buying experience. The salon has been designed to meet the needs of brides and bridesmaids of all sizes. The owners and staff firmly believe that all brides, no matter what size or shape, should receive the same level of care and options when shopping for the perfect gown.

About Natasha Bansfield Events

Natasha Bansfield Events specializes in creating memorable and successful events. We offer a complete range of dynamic & customizable solutions delivering seamless coordination for every occasion. Our sense for creative and organizational balance enables us to create events which leave a positive and lasting impression on our clients and their guests. A personal passion for quality and creativity helps us produce a stress-free planning process for you.

About Bee Custom Designs – Invitations, Stationary, Graphic Design

“I have always felt I am the best at what I do when there is a purpose and a feeling for what it is that I am designing. My sense of passion for what I create is genuine and I have always considered it an honor to be a part of my clients’ special life moments and events. There are a lot of designers, but what makes me different is my level of customer service, the uniqueness of my approach to design and the absolute love for what I do."  Nicole Mitsakis, Owner of Bee Custom Designs.

About Flou(e)r

Flou(-e)r, is one of New England’s première floral couture boutiques specializing in one of a kind floral events. Head designer and proprietor, Gregory Costa-Saint John, personally applies his creativity and innovation to each and every event. His attention to each detail and his dedication to excellence are reinforced by his policy of only serving one client at a time. This individual attention allows him to personalize a dream-come-true event for the most discerning clients.

About Creative Sparks Imagery

Jim Engelbrecht and Lisa Engelbrecht, owners of Creative Sparks Imagery, work in an eclectic style of traditionally posed portraits combined with spontaneous photo-journalistic photography to capture the magic of your wedding that tells your story. Creative Sparks Imagery is located in Reading, Massachusetts, north of Boston. Lisa and Jim are available to travel for destination weddings, including the Caribbean and the Dominican Republic. They want to help you make your special day a success.

 

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