User Posts : Bakotopia

A Christmas Wedding Christmas as it Should Be... Happily-Ever-After!

Congratulation to this years winners
Crystal Rustman and Roger Towns

Christmas as it Should Be... Happily-Ever-After!

The Annual Downtown Christmas Parade will take on a special meaning for one lucky couple, who were selected as the winners of this year's Christmas Parade Wedding. Crystal Rustman and Roger Towns will tie the knot in front of thousands of witnesses aboard the Kern County Bridal Association's Christmas Parade Float live on Thursday night. The Association, comprised of local wedding businesses, sponsors the entire wedding at no cost to the bride and groom (with the exception of their marriage license). After the live wedding atop the parade float, the couple and fifty of their closest friends and family will enjoy a private cake and punch reception. "This is the third year we've done the Christmas Parade Wedding",
said Kern County Bridal Association founder Kyle Brown, "and we're more excited than ever for this year's winners! All of our members, even those who aren't directly involved as sponsors, love this event. It's a way for us to give back the community by helping one couple have a wedding they might not otherwise be able to afford in today's economy. The wedding and reception has a long list of participating businesses, including:
Be Our Guest! 25-Free Wedding Invitations Bella Noche Events Bridal Indulgence Cookies Couture Good Time Entertainment Hair by Carleen at Le Vuitton Full Body Boutique OccasionOgraphy Kern County Bridal Association Ladies & Gents Bridal Mr. Tuxedo Randy Urner's Outside Reverend Albert M. Haywood The Links at Riverlakes Ranch Uniquely Chic Florist Boutique Vintage Limousine With Love Photography
The wedding includes gown, tuxedo, flowers, disc jockey, officiant, coordinator, hair, makeup, transportation, photography, announcements, favors and of, course, the float in the parade. "They are way too cute", says Tara Fernandez, owner of Bella Noche Events and the sponsoring wedding coordinator, "I'm so happy to be a part of their special day!". "We're thrilled to add our facility to the list of sponsors this year", adds Cathy Frampton, Special Events Coordinator for The Links at Riverlakes Ranch, who are sponsoring the cake reception. "Well, it's always a challenge for us to get a couple from a contest entry to marriage in less than two weeks", concluded Kyle Brown, "but it's worth it!" Kern County Bridal Association will be decorating the float for this year's parade entry in the parking lot of Mr. Tuxedo at 2409 Brundage Lane beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 4th. "The Association is an active part of this community.", said Carl Leech, owner of Mr. Tuxedo and sponsor of the tuxedos, "and this gives us a chance to show off what do what we do best ... make some one's wedding a great experience!". Members of the community are invited to stop by the float decorating area to help out or just share their good wishes before the parade. We hope to see everyone there clapping their congratulations during the Christmas Parade beginning at 6pm on Thursday. For more information on the Parade Wedding, contact The Wedding Center at 633-9200. Kern County Bridal Association 531 H Street. Bakersfield, Ca 93304 661-633-9200

Win a Free Christmas Wedding from The Kern County Bridal Association

Click here for more information and to Enter

Kern County Bridal Association is pleased to announce the Annual Christmas Parade Float Wedding Give-Away.

Members of Kern County Bridal Association sponsor the annual free wedding, which will take place atop the Bridal Association's Float on December 4, 2008. The Bride and Groom will be selected from applications provided to the Association to receive a complete Wedding and Cake Reception sponsored by Kern County Bridal Association to include:

Bridal Gown sponsored by Ladies & Gents Bridal Gallery
Groom's Tuxedo sponsored by Mr. Tuxedo
Cake & Punch Reception for 50 guests sponsored by The Links at RiverLakes Ranch
Photographs sponsored by With Love Photography
Wedding Coordinator sponsored by Bella Noche Events
Limousine Service sponsored by Vintage Limousine
Disc Jockey services sponsored by Good Time Entertainment
Invitations sponsored by Be Our Guest Wedding Invitations
Officiant sponsored by Reverend Albert M. Haywood
Bride's Hairstyle sponsored by Hair by Carleen
3-Day 2-Night Getaway Accommodation Vacation provided by Kern County Bridal Association

*More may be offered closer to the event.

Click here for more information and to Enter

"The Association is proud to sponsor this annual community event", says founder Kyle Brown, "This will be our third year, and we can't wait! With the tough economic times, we're finding more and more people who just can't afford a big wedding with family and friends. This gives at least one lucky couple the opportunity to share their wedding with the entire city of Bakersfield. It's a 'Happy Holidays' wish from all of us in the Kern County Bridal Association".

Applications will be accepted beginning November 12th at 9am and ending Wednesday, November 20th at 5pm, and there is no cost to participate. Application forms are available at participating sponsors, online at www.TheBestWeddings.com and at The Wedding Center, 531 H Street in Bakersfield. Winners will be announced November 21st. For more information, contact Kern County Bridal Association offices in The Wedding Center, 661.633.9200.

Click here for more information and to Enter

2007 Winners Tracy and Richard

2006 Winners Alice and Andy

Click here for more information and to Enter

How to Win A Halloween Costume Contest

With Halloween right around the corner, costumes are on every ones mind right now. Everyone wants to have a unique costume that blows people away, however, most people fall short. Well grab a drink, take notes and relax because whether you're competing at a friend's party, or at a night club costume contest we've got the inside secrets for you on what the judges are looking for.

Rule number one:
Forget the idea of going to your local party store for the latest Halloween costume like Cat Woman, Iron Man or any such nonsense. Now this is not to say the party store or local costume shop is completely worthless, use it for ideas to the start of your costume. Not only do the costumes sold there look cheap and you look cheesy wearing them, but they are completely unoriginal and boring. Focus more on finding an idea from the combination of their costumes that's new and exciting.

Rule number two:
Pick a costume that fits your personality AND your body. You may want to dress up as a stripper nun, but there's nothing more displeasing than seeing a person who spent more time getting into their costume than they did making it. There are plenty of wonderful ideas for the people who don't fit the Barbie mold, don't stress over it, accept reality, and spend your time finding the right costume for you. (like thinking of costumes that can mock the Barbie mold).

Rule number three:
Avoid dressing up like unknown characters/people or making your costume hard to "get".

Rule number four:
Run your costume by at least 5 people before the big event. No, not your mother she doesn't count. Get the opinions of at least 3 to 5 people who will not lie to you. If they don't get it, think its stupid, or just too cliché, take their advice and try mixing it up.

Rule number five:
Cute only works for kids. Grown up costume contests don't have to be all serious, but stay away from "cute" ideas. A five year old in pig tails dressed up like a baby is adorable, a grown up doing the same is just lame. Know when you're too mature to pull it off.

Rule number six:
This one is for all the couples out there picking out Halloween Costumes. Couples costumes are probably the hardest of all to make unique. Please avoid the popular yet utterly unoriginal ideas of going as things such as Romeo and Juliet or a pimp and a hooker. Try for something that is not usually a "couples" theme. You don't have to be a man and a woman or even something that people would normally associate of going together.

Rule number seven:
Making fun of popular culture is a gold mine. The more hilarious your costume is and the more it mocks a famous person that has been in the spot light recently the better. Just make sure it's someone and something lots of people know about. Do not however make fun of people's horrible misfortune like a disease or handicap for some good ideas watch this video from knots scary farm Halloween haunt the hanging (Knots Berry Farm)

http://www.youtube.com/v/6H... name="movie" />

Rule number eight:
Popular costumes that seem unoriginal can be a success. You just have to know how to put a new twist on them. The favorites can be a good thing when used correctly; you just have to come up with your own unique concept of them.

Rule number nine:
Be the character you're portraying. If you don't like your costume no one else will either. This rule especially applies to horror costumes; they are the hardest to pull off. In order to fully win people over with your costume they have to believe it. Anyone can dress up like Freddy Kruger but don't try unless you can seriously scare someone by doing it.

And last but certainly not least...
Rule number ten: HAVE FUN! All in all, costumes are supposed to be fun and exciting. It is a chance for you break out of yourself and put on someone else persona for a while. No one likes a spoil sport and even if you don't win, you'll still be happy if you had a blast doing it!

karaoke

Free Cat to Good Home

Free Cat to Good Home
Owner moved and this Beautiful Siamese Cat is now FREE to a good home. Female, spayed, approximately 3 years old. Clover is loving and playful, but needs a single-cat household. Shots up to date (Oct) - records in Seattle, WA. For info call LeeAnn 979-1198. or
Kyle at 661-633-1949

Update - Platinum Weddings at Seven Oaks Country Club May 18th 2008 ~ The Elite Bridal Experience

UPDATE Platinum Weddings at Seven Oaks will include Valet Parking for all guest who attend.

Platinum Weddings at Seven Oaks ~ The Elite Bridal Experience
Sunday, May 18th
11:00 am VIP /12 Noon General Admission to 3:00 pm
Produced by the Kern County Bridal Association 661-633-9200
Click here for more information and purchase tickets!

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors

Click here for more information and purchase tickets!

Show Information

A truly different bridal event for the bride who wants to be pampered!
Champagne service will set this show apart from a standard "bridal fair".

$50,000 PLATINUM PRIZE
Roll our Platinum dice to spell W-E-D-D-I-N-G and you could win $50,000 cash! Use it for your wedding, have a fabulous honeymoon; or budget well and do both! Every ticket holder can roll the dice once, so bring your entire Wedding Party to improve your chances of walking away with $50,000 CASH!

11:00 a.m. Champagne Brunch These tickets are limited and will be available to the brides registered with the association before the general public.
Registration has it's perks and it's fast & free. Click here to register

12:00 noon Doors open
This is the show for the discerning Bride and Groom who demand the utmost attention to detail. It will be a smaller, upscale event showcasing the top wedding professionals in their fields. Unlike other bridal shows, this show has a limited number of tickets available to the public. Our goal is to provide couples with an opportunity to see the very best, talk with the exhibitors one-on-one and ask real questions in an intimate environment. We will not have a traditional Fashion Show; instead this event will include a New York style walk-around where the models will be mingling with the crowd throughout the event.

Click here for more information and purchase tickets!
This event is produced by
Kern County Bridal Association 661-633-9200 531 H Street Bakersfield, Ca 93304

Getting Married In The Information Age

Wedding Planning Goes Green With Bridal Shows, Saving Gas, Money & Valuable Time

In this “Information Age” computers bring the world to our fingertips. Planning a wedding? One click of the mouse can have you surfing through gowns, tuxedos, invitations, locations, limos, photographers, entertainment and more in no time. It’s great information from a store that never closes, but to touch, smell, feel and taste requires contact.

Bridal shows provide easy access to a variety of products and services. They offer new ideas, cost information for budget planning, and a way to meet vendors in person - all under one roof. Plus, you can pick up free copies of wedding publications (often saving more than the cost of admission!), obtain discounts for booking at the show, and register to win prizes. Most importantly, a show gives busy couples an opportunity to experience in less than four hours: taste the cake, touch the dress, feel the invitations and meet the service providers knowing that the ones you hire will be as close as family by the time you’re through.

“Go Green” by conserving your most valuable resources: time, energy and money.
Since we watched the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, “Go Green” has become The Anthem for 2008, but the concept goes beyond energy conservation. There is a delicate balance between well-intentioned change and tradition. The arrival of 2008 was heralded by a new energy-efficient ball that glowed brilliantly for the same amount of electricity used by 10 toasters; and more than 2,000 pounds of traditional, paper confetti. “Go Green” is a philosophy that encourages making the most of all the available resources. In wedding planning, “Go Green” is getting the most information with the least expense of time and energy; offered by a good Bridal Show.

Plan To Avoid The Stress
Here are some tips from Kern County Bridal Association (KCBA) on making the most of your bridal show attendance:

Pre-evaluate the show - does it appeal to your wedding interests?
Take a look at the exhibitor list to find out what products and services will be shown, and ask who is organizing the event. The people behind the show are critical to its success or failure, and broad perspective is a must.

Have your details ready and bring your appointment book.
Come to the show realizing that talking at length is best done after the event. Be prepared to quickly list the pertinent details (date, time, names and location) and schedule appointments for later. Save valuable time by printing out labels with your information including mailing address and telephone numbers for drawings.

Prioritize the categories and vendors you want to see.
Are there some services you already have? Commit to skipping those booths so you have the time and energy to see the things you still need. Pick up printed materials (business cards, brochures, etc.) so you can access them after the show.

Hate crowds? Plan to avoid them.
Pre-register to avoid the line (VIP is well worth it whenever possible). If you already have your attire, spend the Fashion Show visiting exhibitor booths. Remember, vendors are ready and willing to catch you on your way out.

Dress comfortably.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Carry in as little as possible so you’re able to manage a bag full of prizes and information.

For information on upcoming bridal events including Weddings 2008 on January 20th, visit Kern County Bridal Association at www.TheBestWeddings.com; or call 1-866-My-Wedding.

Courtesy of
Kern County Bridal Association
531 H Street, Bakersfield, Ca 93304
661.633.9200 www.TheBestWeddings.com

KaraokeKing Show Brings New Life to Karaoke at Kosmos Downtown

Larger Map

larger view

Ever want to be the star in your very own Karaoke Show? Look no further than KaraokeKing - the hottest new TV show online. We broadcast our live Partyoke Karaoke Event every Thursday night at Kosmos in Downtown Bakersfield at www.KaraokeInBakersfield.com. Just click on the Live Karaoke Cam and you can watch, chat and interact with 30,000+ viewers who watch the live show every Thursday night from 9-1am. The singers are the stars of the show, but our online viewers play a big part in feedback and contest judging. Come by and make an appearance for all your fans, or just log on to post your comments and cheer on your favorites from the privacy of your own home.

It's FREE, it's FUN, and it's the newest thing since television simulcasts. Here are the details:

Show Name:      KaraokeKing
When:                  Live Every Thursday Night 9pm to 1am
Where:           Live Feed from Kosmos Bar & Restaurant, 19th & H St Downtown
                              1623 19th St Bakersfield, CA 93301 Phone (661) 324-4286
Online Viewers: www.KaraokeInBakersfield.com click on Live Karaoke Cam to View
                              Click on the image to enter the chat room
Cost:               Free
Starring:               YOU
Broadcast Station:    www.KaraokeinBakersfield.com/karaokekam
Reach:         The show is world-wide with well over 30,000 viewers per show. Regular viewers include Kern County locals, residents of the USA and International audience members from as far away as Australia & Norway

Karaoke Show:    We have over 53,000 Karaoke Songs to choose from. You can see some of our songs online at http://goodtime.ca/karaoke/ we do add new songs every month. We are the only show with a digital karaoke songbook, a 20" flat panel tv screen, a monitor so you can hear yourself, stage lighting, wireless mics, a stage and more. We are a pretty fast paced show. No time for songs between singers. You can watch videos from the show here http://www.stickam.com/prof... and click on the Videos tab.

Kosmos:        Kosmos Sports Bar is 21 and over, but the restaurant accommodates open ages before 9pm. Kosmos features drink specials & appetizers every Thursday night for the KaraokeKing show. In fact, Kosmos received the #1 Karaoke Location if the Year in 2007 from the Kern County Fair. There is no cost to come to the show and sing, but we encourage you to eat, drink and be merry.... they have to pay for us somehow!

New Bakersfield Wedding Radio Show to launch this Saturday

A new talk show about planning a wedding will launch this Saturday; broadcast live on KGEO am 1230 and stream live over the internet on The Bridal Association of America website. "Wedding Radio" will broadcast every Saturday from 10-11am with planning information from some of the top professionals in their fields. Hosted by Rev. Albert M Haywood and Dean Craun on KGEO am Radio 1230, the informative talk show plans to feature live interviews with Kern County Wedding Professionals to help brides and grooms with planning tips and information. The show will steam live on www.TheBestWeddings.com and BridalAssociationofAmerica.com. But if you're not alive by 10am on Saturday mornings, don't worry! It will also be available for download, Podcast or on ITunes.

For more information on the show call the Kern County Bridal Association at 661.633.9200, Rev. Haywood at 633-8829 or Dean Craun at 703-5005.