Roman Jewelers Partners with TLC stars Robert (L) and Jerry (R) Frungillo (www.frungillo.com) to host this year's Roman Jewelers Wedding presented by New Jersey Bride Magazine.

Mountain Lakes – Jerry and Robert Frungillo, stars of TLC TV show Masters of Reception have teamed up with a luxury jeweler and New Jersey Bride magazine to give away a free wedding. The contest, created by Roman Jewelers of Flemington and Bridgewater invites engaged couples to compete for the wedding by raising money or making a difference for one of ten New Jersey charities.

Known for throwing lavish weddings at their four locations – The Villa, Skylands Manor, The Mezzanine and Oakeside Mansion – Frungillo Caterers (www.frungillo.com) was chosen for TLC’s TV show over 100 other caterers. “They like how we go out of our way for our events and our brides and grooms. They witnessed it first hand and liked our family atmosphere and how Robert and I are so involved in what happens every day — selecting menus, purchasing fresh items, and training our staff ourselves. They like how we never say no, we just keep going and going until people are happy.”

The Frungillos were happy to get involved in a giveaway that gives back to the community. “It’s nice to help people out during these tough times,” explains Jerry, the older of the two brothers.

Along with developing a passion for doing whatever it takes to make their clients happy, the Frungillo brothers learned the importance of helping others early on. “If something ever happened to someone we knew, my father would be the first one to house offering to help out, we learned that lesson and are always helping out organizations and individuals,” admits Robert.

Although Frungillo Caterers has given away a wedding reception in the past, this contest is far different.  Now in it’s second year, The Roman Jewelers Wedding combines romance with philanthropy. To win the luxury wedding prize, brides and grooms-to-be will have the make a difference for ten New Jersey non-profit organizations.

Last year’s contest, created to celebrate Roman Jewelers’ 20^th Anniversary and help area charities raise funds and awareness in tough economic times raised nearly $100,000 for charity in 6 short weeks. “Our couples did such a good job. They worked so hard and the community is so thankful.  We don’t expect any less from this year’s contest,” said Roman Jewelers’ co- owner Sophie Shor.  “We’re expecting more,” she adds with a smile.

At auditions on July 17, 2010 at The Villa at Mountain Lakes, couples will tell their compelling love story to a panel of judges from 9am to 2:30pm. At 2:30, judges will announce twenty semifinalist couples that will have two weeks to develop a creative and original “Good Deed Plans” to help their chosen charity.

The ten best plans will be chosen to move on as finalists and compete to win the grand prize; a free luxury wedding including a reception with food and drinks for 200 guests at The Villa, diamond wedding bands from Roman Jewelers, a couture wedding gown from Donna Morello Wedding Gowns, entertainment by Craig Scott, floral arrangements by Conroy’s Creations, professional photography by Transposure Fine Art Photography and invitations by Occasions. Videography, luxury transportation, skin care and exercise packages, hair and makeup, tuxedos, and a honeymoon at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii’s big island are also all included.

Finalist couples will have approximately eight weeks to implement their “Good Deed Plans on behalf their Charitable Partners which include Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, Special Olympics New Jersey, Anderson House, Woodlands Wildlife Refuge, America’s Grow-a-Row, The Arc of Hunterdon, Hunterdon Art Museum, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, SAFE in Hunterdon and the Hunterdon County YMCA.

 The winning couple will be announced at Flemington’s Renaissance Plaza in October. They will be chosen based on the couple’s love story, their dedication to helping others, the impact they’ve had on charity and the results of their Good Deed.

 To register and find out more information about the luxury wedding visit www.romanjewelers.com

Last year's winners Angela and Joe at their wedding

We are constantly asked, “Where did the idea of the Roman Jewelers Wedding Contest come from?” It was quite simple, actually. Last year, Roman Jewelers was celebrating their 20^th year in business. Co-store owner, Sophie Shor, wanted to celebrate! The jewelry business is all about love, and the Shor’s are all about philanthropy.

With those two simple thoughts, the idea was born.  “What could be more romantic than a wedding?” said Mrs. Shor.  In a world where “Bridezillas” get all the attention, Mrs. Shor thought how uplifting it would be to show the positive sides in young couple and create a new generation of philanthropists. Besides, what better way to start a life together, than with the memories of doing so much good for others?

The situation with the economy furthered the contests relevance. “Everyone was being hit hard, but charities were being hit the hardest,” Mrs. Shor added.  Last year’s contest raised nearly $100,000 in six short weeks and the charity partners were surprised and thrilled. “The outpouring from the charities and local residents was overwhelming. It brought everyone together,” said Mrs. Shor.

Even the couples that did not win the wedding last year, felt like winners. They were all very appreciative of the lessons they learned and the charities that they befriended. The couples felt great about themselves and many still work with their charities today and plan to continue on in the future.

So, when it was all over, Mrs. Shor said, “Let’s do it again and make it even bigger and better.”

The Roman Jewelers Wedding 2010 Charitable Partners are:

America’s Grow a Row

Anderson House

The Arc of Hunterdon

Hunterdon Art Museum

The Hunterdon County YMCA

Make-A-Wish

Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity

Safe in Hunterdon

Special Olympics NJ

Woodlands Wildlife Refuge

 Register to be a contestant in the Roman Jewelers Wedding Contest at http://weddings.romanjewelers.com/

JEWELER CONTINUES WEDDING CONTEST TO RAISE CHARITABLE AWARENESS

 For the second year, Roman Jewelers of Flemington and Bridgewater will giveaway a luxury wedding to a couple who makes the biggest impact on one of ten New Jersey charities

 Flemington – A lucky couple who makes the biggest difference by conducting an original and creative philanthropic initiative can win a free luxury wedding in this year’s Roman Jewelers Wedding Contest presented by Roman Jewelers of Flemington & Bridgewater and New Jersey Bride magazine. www.njbride.com

 Last year’s contest, originally created to celebrate Roman Jewelers’ 20^th Anniversary and help area charities raise funds and awareness in tough economic times, was so successful they decided to hold it again.  Thanks to the efforts of ten dedicated finalist couples, the inaugural contest raised nearly $100,000 for ten area non-profits in 6 short weeks.

 “There was an outpouring of interest from area residents and charities. Last year’s couples did such a good job. They worked so hard and the community is so thankful.  We don’t expect any less from this year’s contest,” said Roman Jeweler’s store co- owner Sophie Shor.  “We’re expecting more,” she adds with a smile.

 Roman Jewelers is pleased to partner with generous area businesses such as Frungillo Caterers, owned by Jerry and Robert Frungillo, known for stunning catering venues and their TV show, Masters of Reception on TLC http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/masters-of-reception/masters-of-reception.html

 “We are also pleased to partner with New Jersey Bride magazine, whose coverage of the contest will further help the charities’ causes,” says Shor.Couples interested in winning their dream luxury wedding by helping others should register online then attend auditions on Saturday, July 17^th at the Villa at Mountain Lakes, in Mountain Lakes, NJ. Those who attend will tell their love story to a panel of judges, after which 20 couples will be chosen to compete as semifinalists.

 Once chosen, semifinalists will develop “Good Deed Plans,” or philanthropic initiatives for one of the ten Charitable Partners involved in the event.” The 10 most impressive plans will move on as finalists and implement their “Good Deeds” from August 2^nd to September 30^th, 2010.

 The winning couple will be announced at Flemington’s Renaissance Plaza in October. They will be chosen based on the couple’s love story, their dedication to helping others, the impact they’ve had on charity and the results of their Good Deed.

 To register and find out more information about the luxury wedding visit www.romanjewelers.com