Both brides and grooms-to-be are invited to the Belk department store in Laurinburg this Thursday to take advantage of the store's semi-annual engagement party event, set to begin at 5:30 p.m.

The occasion will offer couples "a free, fun-filled evening with food, beverages, entertainment, and fabulous prizes" over a three hour period, according to Belk Area Sales Manager Patricia Bryant.

"We will have in-store vendors who will give couples access to at least three resources they will need when planning their wedding: caterers, cakes, and music," Bryant said. "It will be a one-stop place for couples to come and take care of these and many of their other wedding needs."

Certified bridal consultants will be on hand to give advice and to help couples determine what items they will require for their new lives together, according to Bryant. Guests will also have the opportunity to create a personal registry for the gift selection of each future bride, which includes fine and casual china, silverware, crystal, cookware, kitchen essentials, bedding and bath merchandise, and more.

"Guests will receive a wedding registry planner," Bryant said, "and those who open a new registry or add to an existing one will be entered into a drawing for prizes."

Gifts include two travel vouchers for airline tickets or a cruise, a $1200 value; $1,000 in cash; one of five $1,000 Belk gift cards; three days and two nights at the Biltmore Inn in Asheville, a $2,500 value; and Carolee jewelry, with a $2,000 grand prize and a runner up prize of $500.

Once registered, the bride-to-be and her guests will have access to Belk wedding registries at more than 280 Belk stores.

"Our timeframe allows for couples to come in at anytime during the three hour period of the engagement party," Bryant said. "We invite anyone already registered with us or newly engaged couples to come experience the many resources that Belk has to offer."

Belk is located at 1339 Scotland Crossing in Laurinburg.