Granville Area Bridal Tour Coming Up; Register Now
The 4th annual “Brides on Wheels” is set to hit the road in Granville County next month, but prospective brides need to say “I Do” soon to register for the March 28 event, according to Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen.
“Go ahead and get your tickets now, because they might not be available closer to the event,” Allen said to WIZS TownTalk. “This is a great opportunity in a very relaxed atmosphere,” she said. Feedback from previous participants was always positive, she continued. “They never felt pressured, they never felt like they had to make a decision that day,” Allen said. “They really got time to just ride around or drive around, see some very beautiful places, talk to some wonderful professionals, and it really kickstarted their whole wedding planning process. And we are happy to do that here in Granville County.”
Another important component to this event is vendor participation, Allen said. She invites vendors to contact her if they’d like to take part in the event, which begins at noon and should end by 6 p.m. She’s looking for deejays, wedding photographers, caterers, event planners, florists, and transportation and bridal wear specialists from Granville County, but vendors from the surrounding area are welcome to participate as well. Email angela.allen@granvillecounty.org or contact he office 919.693.6125 to learn how to take part. The original Feb. 5 deadline has been extended to Feb. 22 for vendor registration, Allen noted.
Check out the full scoop by listening to Angela Allen on TownTalk. Click play…
This year’s tour begins in the southern part of the county at Cedar Grove Acres near Creedmoor. Brides and a guest will have a contact-less check-in there, tour the facilities and then either hop on a chartered bus or follow along in their own vehicles to the other three locations: The Barn at Vino, Carlee Farms and the Orpheum in Oxford.
Each venue provides unique indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings and receptions, Allen said. Restrictions on gathering can affect how a bride and groom can have a wedding, and outdoor venues could be a perfect solution to those solutions. At this time, the venues must follow the 30 percent occupancy restriction, Allen said.
Those restrictions limit attendance at the BOWS event, too, Allen said. Space is limited to between 20 and 25 participants, she said. If the statewide restrictions loosen between now and March 28, she could make room for additional people to attend.
The first three stops have indoor and outdoor spaces for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The last stop on the tour is in downtown Oxford. “The Orpheum is a refurbished old movie theater,” Allen said. “I love seeing the lights on the building light up,” she added, noting that there’s a mezzanine where brides can have a reception or simply allow for additional guests. This tour, Allen said, shows off the variety of options that Granville County has to offer bridal parties. “There are ways you can have your wedding, even during times like we’re going through now,” she said. “We’re happy to be able to offer this tour to brides, grooms, to engaged couples.” Each venue is currently booking for the 2021 season, Allen said.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, all tickets must be purchased through the website Eventbrite. Each ticket is $20, and covers the cost for the bride and one guest.
Visit www.brides-on-wheels.com to stay up-to-date on all things BOWS, Allen said.
Register to take part in the bridal tour at www.granvillebows2021.eventbrite.com.
The day includes a stop at three wedding/reception venues (The Oaks at Oxford, Carlee Farm and Shadowing Oaks), as well as early access to a brand new venue, The Orpheum at Oxford, located in downtown Oxford. Florists, photographers, caterers, disc jockeys, rental companies, etc. will welcome brides and their guests throughout the tour as a variety of wedding service options are displayed. 
A number of venues have indoor and outdoor accommodations that will allow tour participants to move around freely. To ensure safety, each venue guide and vendor will wear face coverings and will practice social distancing. Each bride and guest should also wear a cloth face mask during the tour. It is also suggested that participants bring along hand sanitizer/disinfectant wipes for vehicle use. Sanitized restrooms will be available at each stop, and hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry and departure at each venue. 
