Perhaps it’s been an over-eventful year for Black Belt Karate Expert Myriam Paul Stapleton, Kelly’ s Bride of the Year for 2004-5. In the year since she donned the title she has acquired a new house, a second degree Black Belt in Karate, an operation and is now expecting a baby! She regretfully hands over her crown on April 8 during the 8 p.m. fashion show segment of the 18th Annual Bahamas Bridal Show, April 8-9, 2006, at Radisson Cable Beach Hotel.
Her advice to new brides is wise and down to earth. She says, “It’s not about the wedding. It’s really about the marriage. Thank God I wasn’t stressed out at my wedding. Going over budget seems the biggest pitfall. Stick to a wedding you can afford so as not stress. Our wedding was really small and we paid for it out of our pocket. We had no bills later.”
Recalling the night she became Kelly’s Bride of the Year, Mrs Stapleton says, ” I was just so nervous it didn’t register at first … and I still can’t believe it.” She was the Kelly’s February Bride of the Year for 2004 and presided over Kelly’s Bridal Events in 2005. She took home a $1,000 Kelly’s gift certificate and thousands of dollars in prizes.
This is the 18th production of the big Bridal event at Radisson Cable Beach Resort, Nassau. An all-day trade show is set for Sunday, April 9, with $25,000 in prizes and 50-plus exhibitors, including Kelly’s, Bristol Wines & Spirits, SuperClubs Breezes, Master Technicians, Jewels By The Sea, The Parfum Bar, British Colonial Hilton, Crown Jewellers, Furniture Plus, John Bull, and Solomon’s Mines. Tickets are available at Kelly’s Home Centre, Mall at Marathon.
“The audience loves it all,” says Patrice Lloyd-Dames, Manager of Kelly’s Bridal Department at Kelly’s Home Centre, Mall at Marathon. Known as the Brides Best Friend, she adds, ” Of course everyone loves our winner. Our Bride of the Year is always a joy to know and of great service to our community.” Mrs Dames HERSELF became a newly-wed at Christmas.
Kelly’s Bride of the Year receives a Kelly’s Gift Certificate for $1,000, a complete set of Noritake China service for eight, a Wedgwood China Tea Service for six, a Villeroy and Boch “Emily” flatware set, a Hamilton Beach Indoor grill, a TAG Cake Dish, Mikasa ‘Tuscan’ stemware for eight, embroidered robes from Bahamas Embroidery and a gift from The Beauty Spot.
Nancy Kelly, Vice President of Kelly’s, says entering the Bride of the Year and Month competition is “as easy as registering your bridal choices at Kelly’s! Just register your wedding date and make your bridal choices including china and crystal at Kelly’s Home Centre. We even have furniture now!”
Kelly’s Brides are invited to special functions during the year of their wedding. Kelly’s Brides of the Month and Bride of the Year are guests of honour at these events.
Mrs Lloyd-Dames adds, “Remember to register your Bridal Gift Choices at Kelly’s Bridal Registry three months before your wedding if possible. Enter our famous Bride of the Month and Bride of the Year Promotions.
Information courtesy of P.S. News/Features
By: Vanessa C Rolle, The Nassau Guardian
