Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. today announced that Martha Stewart Weddings, the best-selling weddings magazine on newsstands, will launch the first ever national digital Luxury Wedding Expo, an online destination where women across the country can have access to the latest bridal information and learn more about wedding planning and trends. In addition, the company announced that on November 9, Martha Stewart Weddings will publish Martha Stewart’s Destination Weddings & Dream Honeymoons, the magazine’s first special issue on destination weddings and honeymoons.
On November 14, the Martha Stewart Luxury Wedding Expo kicks off online with a live two-day event where brides will be able to browse the digital booths of leading bridal vendors and interact directly with vendor representatives, Martha Stewart Weddings editors and bridal experts. Brides will be inspired as they learn planning tips, creative cost-cutting ideas, fashion advice and more. The expo, which is taking registrations at http://www.luxuryweddingexpo.com/, is open from November 14 until February 28, 2010, allowing brides anywhere to access inspiring ideas, resources and information when they need it as they plan for their big day.
Amy Wilkins, SVP Publisher, Martha Stewart Weddings stated: “Our digital expo, which features 29 advertisers in bridal fashion, fine jewelry, registry, travel and more, is the first of its kind. It also reflects the trail-blazing spirit that distinguishes our brand, which appeals to the bride who places a high premium on quality and who is always looking for fresh ideas that allow her to put her unique stamp on every aspect of her special day.”
Commenting on the special Weddings travel issue, Ms. Wilkins added: “Destination weddings are a growing trend. Those who envision a distant setting for their nuptials will find the perfect guide in our special issue, which is the bride’s passport to the destination wedding and honeymoon of her dreams.”
The first ever Martha Stewart’s Destination Weddings & Dream Honeymoons will share insider tips and beautiful, creative ideas on how to throw a destination wedding with panache and on a budget. From choosing the right location to inspiring ideas to personalize their nuptials, the special issue will provide brides access to everything they need to plan their destination wedding. On newsstands November 9, the issue comes at a time when destination weddings are on the upswing. According to recent research from Martha Stewart Weddings and The Futures Company (formerly Yankelovich), 31% of brides ages 21-30 are planning to have a destination wedding; previous studies indicated that destination weddings represented 10% to 20% of all weddings.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating Martha Stewart Weddings’ Crystal Anniversary and proud to be providing the most inspiring ideas, the best products and the most trustworthy resources to help brides realize the wedding of their dreams,” said Darcy Miller, Martha Stewart Weddings Editorial Director.
The online expo and special issue coincide with the 15th Anniversary of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. The magazine is the cornerstone of MSLO’s Weddings franchise. The franchise also encompasses extensive online content on www.marthastewartweddings.com, including wedding planning tools and local vendor search powered by WeddingWire, blogs featuring MSW expert editors, and robust, exclusive content such as a D.I.Y. weddings center and off-the-runway wedding gown collections, as well as video-on-demand, television specials and radio programming on Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS Channel 112 and XM Channel 157. This past year, MSLO announced plans to introduce destination wedding packages with Sandals and Beaches Resorts and partnered with Crane & Co. to develop stationery products including personalized wedding invitation suites. In addition, the Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at Macy’s, which ranges from linens and kitchenware to fine china with Wedgwood, is the No. 1 brand on Macy’s bridal registry. In 2008, MSLO took an equity stake in pingg.com, an online invitation and planning company. The company also offers weddings-related books such as Weddings by Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes.