Quincy Area Bridal Magazine Issue 30 by bopmedia

QUINCY AREA

Bridal

MAGAZINE ISSUE 30: 2023

LOCAL LOVE Allyson + Logan Caroline + Christian Karrigan + Ben Krista + Nate Mandy + Will

Ways to Relieve Wedding Stress

Wedding Budget Mistakes to Avoid

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editor

LETTER FROM THE Hello Readers,

Here we are, finishing out 2023 with our 30th issue. How incredibly amazing. I’m excited that you all are here and enjoying what we bring. With 2024 just around the corner, you will see some new things coming from Quincy Area Bridal Magazine. Be sure to stay tuned. Another five unique weddings are featured in this issue. The photos are stunning, and each wedding has its uniqueness. I’m sure you will be inspired by one of these five weddings for your wedding day. If you like something specific about one of our featured weddings, be sure to look at who their vendors were. Those are listed at the end of each wedding. Is wedding planning stressing you out? Are you getting jittery about the big day? We have an article to help you keep the wedding stress at bay in this issue. Try some of the items listed to keep you stress-free and focused. We have another follow-up article to one published in our last issue. In issue 29, you read about a wedding budget and the different elements to consider when planning your wedding. On page 64 of this issue, you will find Wedding Budget Mistakes to Avoid. It lists some common things couples need to remember to consider and add to their wedding budget. Here is another friendly reminder that our 2024 QAB Wedding Expo is happening on January 13th at the Oakley Lindsay Center from noon until 4:00 pm. This year is going to be great. We will have a runway show, some fantastic giveaways, a gentlemen’s lounge (so make sure to bring your groom), and many local wedding vendors to shop and chat with. It’s a great place to get inspired. As always, thanks for reading. Check out our website at qabmagazine.com for details about the wedding expo and to shop local vendors in our online vendor catalog. Until next time, readers!

Brandy Owens

Editor in Chief sales@qabmagazine.com

2529 Broadway St Quincy, IL 62301

(217) 224-2641

8thavenuevillager.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUINCY AREA BridalMAGAZINE IN THIS ISSUE

3 A Letter from the Editor

LOCAL LOVE 8 Allyson + Logan 17 Caroline + Christian 24 Karrigan + Ben 35 Krista + Nate 44 Mandy + Will ENGAGEMENTS 60 Hilary + Hunter 61 Emily + Travis 62 Rileigh + Benjamin ARTICLES & MORE 54 Ways to Relieve Wedding Stress 60 Wedding Theme: Do you need one? 62 2024 Wedding Expo Details 64 Wedding Budget Mistakes to Avoid 66 How to be Featured in QAB

QUINCY AREA Bridal MAGAZINE: issue 30 CREDIT ROLL EDITOR IN CHIEF, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTENT MANAGER Brandy Owens

COVER PHOTO BY: J. ASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

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allyson + logan A September Wedding J. ASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHY 8

LOCA L from Allyson After 10 years of knowing and loving each other my Husband and I finally got married! We met at Quincy Senior High school, began dating when I was 15, he was 16. We now have a 1 year old daughter who was our flower girl in the ceremony. We got engaged in Colorado at Nymph Lake. Our wedding day was everything we dreamed of and more. We wrote our own wedding vows even stating in both of our vows “a lifetime with you will never be enough” such a timeless phrase that sums up how continuous and pure our love is. We can’t wait to see where these years take us, by continuing to grow our family, and make new memories. we will be able to look back at our day as one of the best days of our lives. We are so thankful for all of the friends and family that we were surrounded by that day!

LOV E

LOCAL LOVE: Allyson + Logan

“A livetime with you will never be enough” local Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHY: J. Ashley Photography VENUE: The Ambiance HAIR: Janelle Wegs (my mom) MAKEUP: Makeup by Marylyn DJ: Mike Howerton Entertainment 14

caroline + christian A September Wedding E.THREE PHOTOGRAPHY

LOCA L

LOV E from Caroline

Christian and I starting dating almost 4 years ago after his brother and sister-in-law encouraged him to slide into my DMs (after Danielle got my approval, of course). We would take turns driving an hour from Quincy to Keokuk every chance we got, and when that still wasn’t enough time together, I decided to quit my job and move in after just 3 months! I knew Christian was my person early on and everything just fell in place after that. I found my dream job, we adopted a kitten, bought our first house, and had the best surprise - getting pregnant with our daughter! Christian proposed to me shortly after we found out, but swore he had purchased the ring before we knew and had the receipt to prove it! We had a busy year of planning for both a baby and a wedding! Our daughter was born in April and has brought so much joy to our lives. We were so excited to be able to include her in our day as the flower girl. She had just gotten sitting down the week before our wedding and was able to be rolled dawn the aisle in a wagon by by nephews. She definitely stole the show! We were planning for a beautiful fall day at the end of September, but instead ended up with a scorching hot 90+ degree day. Luckily a little cloud offered some shade and saved our ceremony. Everything turned out even better than we expected, and we wouldn’t change a thing. It was a beautiful and fun day surrounded by all of our favorite people!

LOCAL LOVE: Caroline + Christian

local Vendors

VENUE: Smoking Gun Hunting Lodge & Event Venue PHOTOGRAPHY: E.three Photography FLOWERS: Bella + Row Flower Farm CATERER: Hagel 1891 HAIR: Kaylyn Pauly - Tangles Hair Salon DJ: DJ Jeremy B - Mobile Entertainment CAKE: Blue Umbrella Bakery

karrigan + ben A May Wedding MARIA ANGELICA PHOTOGRAPHY

LOCA L from Karrigan When I saw Ben playing so lovingly with the kids in Jamaica, I just had a feeling I was going to marry him one day. In 2018, we went to Jamaica for a mission trip. Ben and I knew each other through church but mainly through my younger brother because they were best friends. It wasn’t until that trip in high school that we realized there might be something there. After we had been dating for around two years the Lord changed my heart when it came to where I was going for college, and I transferred to Liberty University in Virginia. We went through long distance for two years before we proposed two days before I went back for my last semester. We had been together for four and a half years before we were married in May!

LOV E

LOCAL LOVE: Karrigan + Ben

local Vendors

VIDEOGRAPHER: Stark’s Studios PHOTOGRAPHY: Maria Angelica Photography VENUE: Sprague’s Kinderhook Lodge CATERING: Sprague’s Kinderhook Lodge DJ: Tappe Brothers OFFICIANT: Thomas Donovan (groom’s father) FLOWERS: Fashion Flowers DRESS: Ashley Grace Bridal (located in Lynchburg, VA) DESSERT: Shupe Shack (ice cream instead of cake)

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415 Hampshire, Quincy, IL 62301 (217) 617-5333 thecorinthianevents@yahoo.com thecorinthianevents.com/our-story

krista + nate An October Wedding QUINCY’S FINEST ENTERTAINMENT

LOCA L

LOV E from Krista

Nate and I first met years ago when I was the front desk attendant at the Quincy YMCA, and he would come in with work friends to play basketball. We exchanged a few words here and there, but it was always short and cordial. Our love story didn’t start until about six years later when his sister-in law, whom I played volleyball with, posted a picture of Nate and his nephew playing on her living room floor. I remembered him from my time working at the YMCA, so I sent him a friend request. Within 30 seconds he added me back and sent me a message. We went on our first date the day after Christmas in 2021 and have since welcomed our daughter Maecey to the world and become husband and wife just recently on October 21st, 2023. Nate proposed on September 18th, 2022, at my parent’s house on the dock to their pond. He had been waiting for the best time and decided that morning that was going to be the day! With the help of my sister, a last-minute pizza party at my parent’s was put together so some of our family could be there for the big moment! I was completely shocked and never expected that random Sunday evening would be the turning point of our future together. We found out we were expecting Halloween 2022 and that only added to our excitement of planning our big day! We stretched the planning out to eliminate stress and to focus on our newborn daughter. It was super helpful having access to our venue the entire week leading up to our wedding. It made setting up such a breeze and allowed us to really enjoy time with our family and friends who traveled here to celebrate with us. continued on page 40 37

LOCAL LOVE: Krista + Nate

Our wedding truly represented us as individuals and as a couple. Nate and I are not fancy people, and we value spending quality time with the people in our lives all while having a good time! We celebrated with around 200 people at our ceremony and over 400 at our reception and wouldn’t have changed a thing! Our wedding party consisted of nine people on each side and a kid entourage, aka ring security, that consisted of all our nieces and nephews. Our wedding was casual dress with a go with the flow feel and the ability to bring your own liquor. We opted for a holy matrimony donut wall over traditional wedding cake and show cased our personalities through the music and décor. The most important thing to us was joining our families as one in the presence of our friends and family. Nate has a 9-year-old daughter named Aubree and it was very important to me that she was included in every detail. Nate and Aubree shared a private first look as Aubree was my maid of honor and I also wrote vows directly to her and shared them during the ceremony. Nate and I also chose to do a sand ceremony with our daughters to symbolize the blending of our families. Our wedding day was everything and more than we could have hoped for. We were surrounded by family and friends and enjoyed every second of our big day. We had amazing vendors, an amazing bridal party, and an amazing celebration of our new life together. It was the perfect day to FALL in love. #HappyToBeAHousewright #KristaFoundHerMista

local Vendors

VENUE: Adams County Fairgrounds DJ/PHOTOBOOTH: Quincy’s Finest Entertainment PHOTOGRAPHER: Quincy’s Finest Entertainment HAIR: Katie Wagner & Kylee Churchill MAKEUP: Olivia Lynn + Duncan & Co FLOWERS: Hy-Vee Harrison CATERER: JJ’s Catering DONUTS: Wal-Mart CAKE PETIT FOURS: Venvertloth’s VIDEOGRAPHER: 217 Films WEDDING DRESS: Girls In White Satin PARTY BUS: Party In Progress

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Mandy + Will A June Wedding KAYLA LEAKE PHOTOGRAPHY

LOCA L From the couple

Mandy: “I saw him on Zoom and he made my heart go boom!” Will first caught my eye on a Zoom meeting for one of our Master of Arts in Teaching courses. We had mutual friends and got invited to the same graduation party in June 2020. Will: I saw her grilling mushrooms at the party. I was standing by the food table (of course) when she came over. I pointed out the multiple types of olive oil that the host had lined up. I remarked that you know its of the highest quality when it’s in the smallest bottle, and she laughed out loud. That laugh got me good. Mandy: Will managed to hunt me down using our University email the morning after we met. I suggested going out for brunch that day and a hike. We’ve been inseparable ever since.

LOV E

LOCAL LOVE: Maria + Derek

local Vendors

PHOTO: Kayla Leake Photography VENUE: The Orchard FLOWERS: White Pony Flowers CATERER: Karen’s Catering OTHER VENUE: Belvedere Inn Hannibal

Stress

ways to relieve wedding

lanning a wedding can be full of stress and anxiety. The overwhelming feeling of everything that needs to get done and then making sure it all goes over smoothly can take a toll on you days and weeks before your big day. We want things to be perfect but need help to avoid becoming overwhelmed and stressed. Here are some things to do to relieve the stress and wedding day jitters. •Go on a date with your partner, but refrain from discussing the wedding planning. Stay connected to them and remember why you’re getting married. This one is super important because you don’t want to lose the connection. •Squeeze in some time for a spa day with friends. This will allow you to relax and keep the wedding stress minimal. •Get up and move. Exercising regularly helps relieve all types of stress. A long walk can clear your mind, help you refocus, and feel refreshed. •Do not lose sleep. You don’t want to feel exhausted after wedding planning or on the day of your wedding, so ensure you get good quality sleep every night. Limit or cut screen time before bed, and maybe take a relaxing warm bath.

•Write in a journal. Sitting down and putting your feelings on paper can lift a weight. It can reduce stress and anxiety and help remove any negative thoughts you may be having. •Talk with the people you love but not about the wedding. Stay connected with them to help keep your mind off wedding stress. •Reading a book can help you escape wedding planning. They let you get lost in their story or help you take your mind off other things and unwind. •Try relaxation by meditating, deep breathing to help bring you back to calm, and yoga. •Call up your friends and go out. Grab dinner or drinks, or take a walk in the park. This can refresh your mind and uplift your mood. Stressing out while planning a wedding may happen easily if you are not already doing some of the things listed here. If you are engaged and have yet to start your wedding planning, note these ways to keep the stress of wedding planning at bay.

CALLING ALL WEDDING VENDORS! We still have a few booth spots open for our 2024 Wedding Expo on January 13th. Contact us today for more details. Can’t make the expo but would like to get in front of recently engaged couples. We have other options available. Contact us if you would like more information.

QUINCY AREABridal

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ENGAGE Hilary + Hunter

We have been friends since we were 17 but never pursued a relationship. We parted ways after highschool when I moved away for college. Several years later while still living in different towns I would come back home to visit and we would see each other and hang out. Eventually I decided to move back to Quincy and we started dating. Every Sunday night we get Dairy Queen ice cream (our favorite) and that’s when he proposed! Photos by: E.three Photography

EMENTS Emily + Travis

We have been together for 5 years and have 2 kids. Photos by: Jaydan Shay Photography

ENGAGE Rileigh + Benjamin Ben and Rileigh met at the beginning of their freshman year at Quincy Notre Dame High School. The two were friends for the first semester of classes but began dating in January of 2015 and stayed together ever since. High school sweethearts! After doing long distance and becoming rivals for most of their college experiences, Ben went to KU and Rileigh at Mizzou, they can’t wait to get married and live in the same town for forever! Ben planned the most perfect proposal last June in Quincy with the help of many friends and family to make it a surprise for Rileigh. She was under the impression they were attending a double date with friends. Ben took her down by the river front for a “picnic” where he popped the question at the cutest spot with flowers, photos, etc. Immediately following there was a small party for close friends and family... It was so special! Their big day is June 14, 2025. Photos by: Friends! Hiding in the bushes ;)

EMENTS

weddingDotheme: you need one?

hese days, almost anything can be used as a theme for a wedding day—books, movies, TV shows, a design style, etc. But is it necessary to have a specific theme set for your big day? Here we will discuss some pros and cons of having a themed wedding, and maybe it can help you decide if it will suit you and your partner for your big day.

One study of popular wedding themes 2023 showed that vintage, rustic, Boho, beachy, and Disney were the top five searched and pined wedding themes. Others, like Disney, were more specific, like Harry Potter, Friends, or even Halloween-themed weddings. By having a particular theme, you can set the atmosphere and mood of your wedding day and express your creativity and personality. So, the real question is, do you need a theme for your wedding? No rule says you have to have a themed wedding. You can match up décor with your color palette, which will still look great. But having a theme lets your guests know what kind of atmosphere you’re going for. If you’re going for elegance and class, you must ensure 60

your guests know that so they don’t appear underdressed. Having a specific theme for your wedding can convey that to your guests. Another great thing about themed weddings and your guests is that they can make memorable experiences if done right. You may have a theme that directly involves your guests where they can dress up to match the theme, or it can give them ideas for a wedding gift. People will remember your wedding day; having a memorable theme makes for an excellent experience. Simplify the wedding planning with a theme. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming and stressful, but having a theme can help narrow things down. How many times have you fallen down the rabbit hole of Pinterest and become so overwhelmed that the idea of planning a wedding causes you anxiety? You can avoid this by having a specific theme. In your research for ideas, it’s easier to search for your particular theme than looking at all the different ideas in the world of weddings.

Unfortunately, themed weddings have their downsides as well. They can be restrictive and costly. If your theme is very specific, you may have difficulty finding the right kind of décor to go along with it. Having a vintage wedding but only having access to modern décor may throw off the aesthetic. There is also a good chance that specific themes can be more costly. Hiring a DJ may be more cost-efficient than having a themed entertainer, and other vendors may charge more if they are requested to create something more elaborate than the standard. Of course, you can counter this by having a broader theme. Themed weddings can also be tricky to get right. If done wrong, it can look tacky, and instead of a fantastic experience for your guests to brag about, they are talking about how unprofessional or lacking your theme was. Holiday themes like Christmas or Halloween, seasons, and even book or TV-themed weddings pose a higher risk. But with an experienced wedding planner or if you have a great creative and artistic eye, your wedding can be unique and offer a very memorable experience. Don’t let the cons sway you from your dream of an amazingly creative-themed wedding. Again, they can be a fun and memorable experience for your guests. Remember that less can be more, and not every little detail has to be themed.

01.13.2024 Register Now for our 9th AnnualWeddingExpo Noon to 4:00pm at the Oakley Lindsay Center 300 Civic Center Plaza Quincy, IL 62301 What to expect: Lots of Vendors Runway Show Gentlemen’s Lounge Amazing Giveaways

Honeymoon Giveaway* courtesy of Destination Travel Entertainment Package Giveaway* courtesy of Pizzazz Entertainment $500 Towards Your Wedding* courtesy of Quincy Area Bridal Magazine

Register early for an extra chance to win one of these amazing giveaways! *Restrictions apply. Please see website for more details. www.qabmagazine.com

Premier Sponsors

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Other Current Exhibitors 1884 On The Bluff 217 Films Above & Beyond by Amy American Family Insurance DJ Jeremy B Doug Ewing Photo Girls in White Satin Howerton Entertainment Liquid Pony Muddy River Engraving

Party N Progress Renewal by Andersen Riverside BBQ Savvi Formalwear Stay Golden Permanent Jewelry Summit Salon and Spa Tannie Kakes The Atrium on Third The Rebel Big Unveiled Boudoir by Misy Hills

*Check our FaceBook and Instagram for newly added exhibitors

Wedding Budget Mistakes To Avoid

n our last issue, issue 29, we showed you a breakdown of the average percentage a couple may spend on the different elements of their wedding day. It is a great guide when figuring out the budget for your wedding. The breakdown is not intended to be used literally but more as a guide to help you start planning your budget. With the information from our wedding budget breakdown article, you are on your way to creating your expense list for your wedding. To help you a little more, we have a list of the most common wedding budget mistakes couples have made, which means we can help you avoid making those same mistakes.

1.Not allocating funds correctly. Figure out what you want for your wedding and how much you need to spend to obtain what you want. Set your expectations accordingly and reference the guide from our last issue. Remember to budget for your honeymoon, especially if you are paying for it yourself. To help with that, you can set up a honeymoon fund for your guests to help contribute. They may be happy to gift you funds so you have a fantastic honeymoon. 2.Not keeping track of your spending. Make a list of everything you will spend money on for your wedding. As you make payments, record them because keeping everything organized is critical. Check in often with your fiancé and anyone else who may be contributing to your wedding. You need to stay on the same page and stay on track. 3.Forgetting to budget for hidden costs and extras. It’s nearly impossible to budget for every little expense that might arise. Build a buffer for those unforeseen hidden costs to have flexibility later. Do some research and talk with your vendors to find out ahead of time what some of the extras may be. A few common extras to consider are overtime, service fees, “free” trials, extra decorations or miscellaneous items, gratuities, and vendor tips. 4.Not discussing priorities from the start. Be honest and upfront about what is most important. Pick the

top three most essential elements and list the least important. Priorities must stay in check to avoid starting your marriage with too much debt. 5.Not investing in insurance. By now, we have learned a lot from the Covid pandemic and how quickly things can change. That said, purchasing special event insurance is a good investment. If you have to cancel or postpone the wedding, insurance can help with deposits and non-refundable payments. 6.Not being tough on the guest list or having too many people in your wedding party. Cutting back on the guest list will bring costs down, and the same goes for the number of people in your wedding party. Gifts or other items for the wedding party are cheaper for three people than for eight people. 7.Not being realistic. Don’t oversimplify the financial aspects of your wedding day. Make sure you know realistically what the cost of each element will be. It’s the best way to stay on top of your budget. There are a lot of parts to planning a wedding. Setting your budget and being prepared will reduce your and your partner’s stress levels. This is your big day; make sure you can make it what you want. 65

your story in QAB MAGAZINE

what to submit

YOUR WEDDING Tell us how you met, or what your wedding day was like. Submit your images and your story, your wedding might be featured in the section we call, Local Love Here’s a list of images we LOVE to see DETAILS Your photographer will be very familiar with the term, flatlay. It will include stylized images of the invitation or program and other details like the wedding rings, cuff links or jewelry. GETTING READY We’d love to see the couples getting ready, putting make-up or adding those finishing touches to their tie. It’s always a tear jerker when we see you getting your parents and grandparents involved PRE-CEREMONY We love to see that first look and any shots either of you take with your wedding party, before you say, I DO CEREMONY The venue and your entrance is always a favorite, and if your photographer also caught the groom’s reaction, we’d love to see it! The first kiss is always sweet and creative exits from your ceremony space make for lovely full page spreads!

RECEPTION Details of the room help our readers understand the tone and mood of your wedding. Was it wild and vibrant, or soft and elegant. Images of the wedding cake almost ALWAYS make the cut! Send us a few of the first dances and definitely an exiting exit from the reception ,if you did one - cue the sparklers! YOUR ENGAGEMENT What’s the first thing you should do after you get those engagement photos back? Submit to QAB Magazine, of course. We’d love to help you share your big news AND you’ll be first on the list to call TO SUBMIT YOUR WEDDING! It’s fun way to be featured in a local publication and in our social media channels! YOUR MARRIAGE Don’t think for one second that you have no place here if you’ve married for years. We love to feature people who have already been through the planning process in our Let’s Play 20 Questions section of the magazine. Plus, we love is you submit your wedding photo and a current photo!

how to submit

FAQ’s

ON OUR WEBSITE Go the SUBMISSION page of qabmagazine.com and find the way you’d like to be featured.

How long before I know? We try our best to get back to each couple as soon as possible. Some weddings fit a particular theme better than others, but we will definitely reach out!

ON SOCIAL Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram and let us know your interested

VIA EMAIL You can email us a photo or two and tell us a bit about yourself, and we’ll reach out for the rest, once we decide to more forward. Email: sales@qabmagazine.com THROUGH YOUR VENDOR You might get an email from us that says we’d like to feature you wedding. Most likely, one of your vendors was SO proud of the work they did that they submitted to the magazine.

GROUP PORTRAITS We don’t look for too many of these. One or two of the whole wedding party - post ceremony - is plenty. We don’t need every family shot with each aunt and uncle that jumped in for a pic!

How much does it cost? It’s FREE to be featured in any Local Loves, Engagements, and/or 20 Questions!

Can I submit on behalf of someone else? Sure! We’ve had moms and besties submit in the past, but we will need to reach out to the couple and get their approval first!

Wedding Vendors get featured in QAB MAGAZINE what to submit for free exposure

YOUR WORK You know you’re amazing. Let’s show the community what you’ve done. Submit images of your recent weddings to our Local Love feature. If your couple is chosen, your business if featured FOR FREE YOUR EXPERTISE Write an article on trends in your industry, or give engaged couples advice in your area. This is a great way to get more exposure! YOUR MARRIAGE Yep, wedding vendors should be featured to. Answer 20 Questions with your spouse and share some advice for new couples. Plus, you’ll get an added plug for your business. If you’re interested in partnering with us as an advertiser, there are many more ways to showcase your business, including booths in our annual expo, social media posts and marketing help! We help write content, we design ads and your keep the collateral. That means you can use a QAB designed ad anywhere you want! EMAIL SALES@QABMAGAZINE.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION

2529 Broadway St Quincy, IL 62301

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Wedding Invitations • Envelopes Save the Date Cards • Programs Napkins • Thank You Notes • Signage

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Quincy Location: 2615 Ellington Road Quincy, IL 62305 217-222-0617 Macomb Location: 319 N Lafayette St Macomb, IL 61455 309-833-2845

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For more information, contact 217-223-1000 300 Civic Center Plaza, Quincy, IL

We have it all under one roof and can accomodate events of any size and style.

Dressing Rooms * Ceremony Cocktail Hour * Reception Images by Jennifer Lee Photographee

Saying “I do” has never been easier!

Getting Married? We have an amazing list of local vendors available to you! Go to the website and click on Vendors or scan the QR code for a direct link. sales@qabmagazine.com | www.qabmagazine.com

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