Empire State Building And Preston Bailey Kick Off 19th Annual Empire State Building Valentine's Day Weddings Contest, "Love is in the Air"

NEW YORK, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The iconic Empire State Building and celebrity event designer Preston Bailey announced the launch of a nationwide contest, "Love is in the Air," which will offer couples from around the country the chance to win a once-in-a lifetime wedding of their dreams. By submitting their love story via the Empire State Building's Facebook page, three lucky couples will celebrate their special day with a customized wedding or vow renewal ceremony held at the world's most romantic building on Valentine's Day 2013. Preston Bailey will create a customized motif for each couple's ceremony, creating an unforgettable experience for the couples and their guests. 

Interested couples are encouraged to submit their personal love stories via the Empire State Building Facebook page [www.facebook.com/empirestatebuilding] beginning today through January 11, 2013. The Empire State Building and Preston Bailey Designs will select three contest winners based on the couples' distinctive stories to be announced on or around January 18, 2013. The winners will also be profiled on Preston Bailey's website under "Bride Ideas." (http://brides.prestonbailey.com)

This year marks the 19^th occasion of the Empire State Building Valentine's Day Weddings Event, which is the only day of the year couples can marry at the iconic building. On February 14, 2013, Preston, known for his custom designs for celebrities and high society international events, will transform a space at the Empire State Building, tailoring each celebration to the couple's wishes. Premiere industry vendors, including Weddingstar, Sunpride Flora, Levy Lighting, Sylvia Weinstock Cakes, Nuage Designs, and Gio Draping Events will contribute to the elegant ceremonies and receptions.

"I am honored to be a part of this wonderful tradition and to transform the dreams of these contest winners into reality," said Preston Bailey. "The Empire State Building is the perfect place to spend their special day and begin their lives together, and I look forward to designing spectacular ceremonies that reflect both the couple's unique stories and the building's iconic stature."

After the Valentine's Day festivities, highlights of Preston's wedding designs, photos of the couples enjoying their customized experience, and their plans for love-filled lives together will be posted on the Contest Facebook Page for all to share in the excitement. For complete contest rules and details, visit https://www.facebook.com/empirestatebuilding/app_438220102899187.

About Preston Bailey and Preston Bailey Designs
Preston Bailey is recognized as the premier event and wedding designer with more than 30 years of experience under the auspices of his namesake company, Preston Bailey Designs. He is best known for his ability to completely transform generic (sometimes no more than a shell) spaces, into opulent, theatrical environments, translating his clients' fantasies into awe-inspiring reality. In August 2010, Preston partnered with Lovegevity's Wedding Planning Institute to create the first-of-its-kind online course. As an extension of the existing courses, Preston launched a Floral Design Course series in September 2012. Also recently announced is a new, signature collection of event and wedding reception tabletop accessories to be launched in 2013 with Weddingstar. As an author, Preston has written five bestselling books: Design for Entertaining, Fantasy Weddings, Inspirations, Celebrations and Flowers, which was published by Rizzoli in September 2011 and is already in its forth printing. His forthcoming book is Dear Preston: Doing Business With Our Hearts (Greenleaf, 2013). Preston Bailey Designs is a privately held company with headquarters in New York City. For more information on Preston Bailey, please visit www.prestonbailey.com or @prestonrbailey.  

About the Empire State Building
Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan (from base to antenna), the Empire State Building is the "World's Most Famous Office Building." With new investments in infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper's robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world's most beloved attractions and is the region's #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire State Building, please visit www.esbnyc.com, http://www.facebook.com/empirestatebuilding, or @EmpireStateBldg. 

Media Contacts:
Edelman Public Relations
Jessica Redling, 212-277-3773
[email protected]

Preston Bailey Designs, Inc.
Xoua Vang, 212-741-9300
[email protected]

SOURCE Empire State Building