Ovations at the Solomon Ortiz Center
402 Harbor Drive
Corpus Christi, TX 78401-1115
The Engagement Party - Not Your Mother’s Wedding Fair
Wedding fairs are required destinations for the newly engaged. In the past, that meant spending an afternoon wandering up and down aisle after aisle of vendors displaying their wares in an exhibit hall. Not anymore. At least not in Corpus Christi. That’s because Ovations at the Solomon Ortiz Center, a premiere wedding venue, partnered up with LaDeDa Events, a premiere event decoration company, to create a new attitude wedding fair called The Engagement Party.
So what’s new about it? It takes place in the evening, not during the afternoon. It happens inside the Ortiz Center, a popular wedding venue, not an exhibit hall. It is geared to the upscale market, with elite vendors participating. And it’s fun!
“We had been to wedding fairs, and they weren’t really fun. People just walked up and down while vendors tried to get someone to talk to them,” said Aubrey Winston, Social Sales Manager for Ovations, the facility management company for the Ortiz Center. “We wanted to have a fair and make it more like a party, more intimate.”
“Think of it as a wedding fair done as a cocktail party,” described Jayme Jeffries-Terrell, Food and Beverage Manager for Ovations. It’s easy to think of it that way, since guests are greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne. And that’s just the beginning.
Inside, brides-to-be are treated to a choreographed fashion show that highlights the latest in wedding attire. Food vendors hand out samples of cakes and other wedding foods. Make-up artists demonstrate their craft. Ice sculptors create cool statues. Live music plays, photographers click and wedding dresses sway. The scene is dazzling and is sure to inspire the creative in each betrothed.
The inspiration for The Engagement Party came from the natural rapport between Jayme and Leana Lopez, owner of LaDeDa. “The creativity between us is fabulous,” said Leana. “We work together to make this a great event. And the staff at the Ortiz is amazing.”
Equally amazing is the wedding package given away as a grand prize. The package given away at the last Engagement Party was valued at $10,000. How do you win it? “That’s a secret. We keep it a mystery until after everyone is in the Party,” said Leana. Curious? That’s the goal!
There are a couple of other goals. One is to get the soon-to-be grooms to attend. Thinking cake, drinks and music might not be enough to draw the guys in, The Engagement Party also has a basketball shooting contest. The prize? A men’s wedding band. The best shooter gets to brag for a lifetime about how his mad basketball skilz won his wedding ring. Competition, prizes, ego. That’ll get the guys in! The cake helps.
So ladies, bring your guys, and guys, bring your best game. The Engagement Party will return in early 2011. Cocktails to follow.
Great venue for: Meetings, Weddings, Quinceaneras, Large Gatherings, Corporate Events, Banquets, Family Reunions, Fundraisers, Fashion Shows, Bridal Showers, Community Events, Rehearsal Space
For more information call 361-879-0125 or visit www.ortizcenter.com
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2010 Gulfscapes Magazine | Craig and Victoria Rogers | PO Box 863 | Port Aransas, TX 78373 | 361-548-6804 | www.gulfscapes.com
Photos by Kateri Reyes, Photographer | Bellezza Photography
361-834-8495 Corpus Christi, TX | www.bellezzaphotography.com
