The Ministry of Tourism’s “16 Islands, 16 Weddings, One Priceless Day” promotion continues to make a lasting economic impact as over 100 local vendors will be involved in getting brides and grooms ready to tie the knot.

The promotion is scheduled for January 16, 2015 at 16 islands in The Bahamas at 16:00 (4:00 p.m.).

Out of over 3,000 contestants, 16 couples have been selected from different areas in the United States to experience the once-in-a-lifetime event.

And while these couples may be excited about their upcoming nuptials, Director of Weddings and Romance Freda Malcolm says the vendors are equally excited.

“The local involvement takes into consideration local entrepreneurs. We have cake stylists, videographers, photographers, hairstylists, make-up artists, musicians and local transport companies, who will be responsible for transporting all couples and witnesses to the hotels to the different venues,” she said.

“It is so important for the islands because as you know it’s 16 islands and so it is not Nassau-centric. One couple will be staying at the British Colonial Hilton and another will be staying at Atlantis Paradise Island. But you also have hotels such as Acklins Island Lodge, Resorts World Bimini – not so much a small hotel but they are having 100 people come over. You also have Pineapple Fields in Eleuthera and Valentines in Harbour Island has about 50 people.

“So we are excited that this kind of initiative could spread to the Family Islands where really not a lot of activity happens from time to time.”

Ms. Malcolm added that the ministry has gotten a great response from the vendors.

“They certainly understand that we have pumped a lot of money to create a greater awareness of the romance business. It’s not like other markets. To me it’s a no-brainer because everyone wants to be loved. So therefore, they will now do more to attract the romance market to their particular destination,” she said.

The premier event is only six weeks away.

The director said couples are getting more and more excited by the day and have been flooding social media with photos and alerts.

Luxurious accommodations are being provided by the Stella Maris Resort Club, Hope Town Harbour Lodge, Kamalame Cay Hotel, Acklins Island Lodge, Carriearl Boutique Hotel, Resort World Bimini, Pigeon Cay Club, Tranquility On The Bay, Pineapple Fields, Valentine’s Resort, Sandals Resorts, Inagua Ocean Villas, Riding Rock, Grand Lucayan Resort, British Colonial Hilton Hotel and Atlantis Resort.

Islands participating in the promotion include Acklins, Abaco, Andros, Crooked Island, The Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Harbour Island, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Long Island, Nassau, Paradise Island and San Salvador.