The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THERE are no rules and no restrictions for your imagination when it comes to the brand new wedding related website entitled “Engage”.

The website was designed by Bahamian entrepreneur Shana Edgecombe to assist brides and grooms embrace their unique sense of style, and also to help those hoping to one day host their destination weddings in the Bahamas.

At the launch event at Jacaranda House last Thursday, Engage showcased carefully curated expert advice from local and international sources, put the spotlight on high quality local vendors, and offered guests a behind-the-scenes look at exclusive wedding industry events.

Shana told Tribune Woman that in her view too many times couples emulate what they have seen other people do without adding their own flare, and she’s here to say that if you want to wear your natural hair instead of a weave, wear Converse shoes instead of high heels, or wear a floral crown instead of a veil – it’s all up to you. For Shana, weddings should reflect your style as an individual and as a couple.

She encouraged brides-to-be to create an event, invite their loved ones and inspire them to think outside of the box.

Shana was first exposed to weddings and special events while attending university, where she worked as a caterer for almost three years.

She catered dinners, intimate wedding settings and student events with attendance of up to 800 persons.
“This is a fairly new passion that I stumbled upon three years ago,” she said.

“A good friend of mine was getting married but was so overwhelmed with the idea of planning the day that she couldn’t do anything. So six months out from the date, she had no venue, no dress, no plans. That’s when I stepped in because I felt sorry for her. And then I became obsessed with weddings, and Pinterest and I became the best of friends,” said Shana.

Her love for weddings and interest in wedding blogs and Pinterest grew with each day.

Then, earlier this year, the thought flashed through Shana’s mind that it would be nice to have online wedding tools available for Bahamian couples.

She thought that perhaps she could be the one to create it. Shana said God gave her this vision and emboldened her to make it a reality.

The finishing touches are still being put on the “Engage” website, but Shana said once it is up and running at 100 per cent, it will feature Bahamian couples and destination weddings, inspiration boards, planning advice and expert advice in areas such as picking the perfect gown from Loretta Thomas of Platinum Bride Couture to maintaining a healthy marriage long after saying ‘I do’ with Giavana Jones, therapist and relationship expert.

In the meantime, Shana encourages people to look up “Engage Wedding Inspiration” on Facebook.

“Grooms will also receive a lot of attention, which is important, because I think that men are often overlooked in the whole planning process.

“While many prefer to stay out of the details, there are some who want to be involved and I believe that women should remember that they are marrying someone else and it’s not all about them,” she said.

In regards to the launch party event, Shana said it was very successful and it was something that she will always be proud of. She said the fashion exhibition was the highlight of the evening and the John Watling’s Distillery took good care of everyone with their speciality drinks.

Secret

“I chose Jacaranda House because it is a best kept secret and many people don’t know that it exists. And that is what Engage is about – helping people see new things, and even things they have always seen, in a different way.

“Many of the attendees had never seen the venue before, and even more so, had not seen a fashion exhibition executed the way we did it – thanks to Platinum Bride Couture and Lux Men’s Warehouse,” said Shana.

Ultimately, she said her vision for Engage is for it to evolve into a powerhouse in special events planning of all types, while growing an online wedding website presence. Shana said the beauty of having an online presence is that no matter where she is in the world, she can continue to upload content to the website.

“Event planning may seem glamorous, but there is a lot of work that goes into making everything look effortless, and weddings are no different.

I would like for the website to grow so much that I can have editors dedicated to specific areas, such as that for destination weddings, grooms and beauty,” she said.

“I’d also love to provide exclusive access and behind-the-scenes information from highly regarded international events such as New York Bridal Fashion Week and the Engage Luxury Wedding Business Summit.”