LONGMONT —There goes the bride — not to mention the bridesmaids, the DJ, the cake designer. ...
Wedding season hit the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in full force Sunday afternoon with the annual “Whispers of Spring Wedding Expo.” Seventy-two vendors and a lot of brides-to-be filled the ballroom, with family members and the occasional groom-to-be filling in the cracks.
And this was a relatively light year.
“I think the cold weather kept some people at home,” said Tish Marti, the Radisson’s wedding coordinator, as she studied the crowd. “We usually have twice as many people as this.”
Not that anybody’s complaining. For both the Radisson and for organizer Westwind Productions, wedding shows are big business.
“I think it’s because women consider it the most special day of their life, and so it’s important to have everything just so,” Westwind owner Denise Stramel said. “You can do one-stop shopping and find some new ideas.”
And a wide range of ideas at that. Some of the items and services would be on anyone’s checklist: dresses and lingerie, flowers and cakes, photographers and DJs. Others were a little less traditional, such as the laser hair removal service, or the pullcart that lets your dog act as a flower girl for the wedding.
“We invented this for our wedding,” said Sheryl Bass, who with her husband, Neil Cline, created the Pet Petal Pullcart in 2006. “We wanted both our dogs to be in the wedding, and there were a lot of products allowing dogs to be ringbearers, but nothing to allow them to be a flower child.”
The cart is harnessed to the dog and paddles screwed to the wheel axle scatter the flowers as the dog moves forward. The standard cart accommodates up to about a 35-pound dog, though that doesn’t have to be an absolute limit.
“If someone really wants it done, I can make one for larger-size dogs,” said Cline. “I wouldn’t rule it out.”
Across the ballroom, the elaborate designs of the Colorado Rose Cake Company drew their share of attention. The company and the wedding expo were both born 11 years ago, and designer Marci Perrotto has shown off her wedding cakes at every single show.
“I took two classes about 30 years ago, one in forestry and one in cake design,” said Perrotto, who lives north of Longmont. “The cake design was just something I kept doing, and it kept evolving.”
One wedding cake can take her eight to 12 hours to make, spread out over five days. It’s worth it, she said.
“It’s the centerpiece of the reception, something your guests are going to remember,” Perrotto said.
Meanwhile, there were small events and prize opportunities throughout the afternoon. One balloon-popping event, for example, left bride-to-be Melissa Kuhn of Greeley with a pair of toasting glasses.
“I’m here to get ideas, I guess,” said Kuhn, whose marriage is set for Aug. 30. “You only do this once — hopefully — and I want to make the most of it.”
http://www.timescall.com/News_Story.asp?id=6637
Friday, March 14, 2008
Bridal show focuses on elegance
Jodi Gillard, owner and manager of Go2Wed.com, is looking to bring something new to the world of wedding shows.
The Web site, now in its fourth year, provides the names of wedding resources, planning sheets, tools, articles and other materials for newly engaged couples.
"Our vendors have been asking to produce a show for the last three years," Gillard said.
The challenge for Go2Wed in hosting its own show was to make it different. "Ours is set up so it doesn't have the pipe and drape, it's a little more elegant, very open, not like a convention staff show," Gillard said. The 2008 Wedding Show will be in the ballrooms at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, rather than a hall or convention center.
"It's going to be a little bit more upscale, the rooms decorated more," said Erin Dunn of Fine Exposures, one of the vendors that was influential in getting the Wedding Show together.
The show also provides a way for vendors to connect in person with brides who are visiting the site online. "Online trends are growing. Brides spend a good portion of their time online," Gillard said.
More than 70 vendors will be featured; there will be live entertainment, live models, product and service displays, interactive games and other activities.
Attendees will be eligible for several prize drawings, including the "Grand Prize Package," which features: ballroom rental for a reception at the Ramada Hotel, a jacuzzi suite for the bride and groom the night of the wedding at the Ramada Hotel, a free tuxedo for the groom and $500 off a bridal gown from Jenni's Bridal, a Treasure Island Overnight Stay Package, and more.
http://news.postbulletin.com/
The Web site, now in its fourth year, provides the names of wedding resources, planning sheets, tools, articles and other materials for newly engaged couples.
"Our vendors have been asking to produce a show for the last three years," Gillard said.
The challenge for Go2Wed in hosting its own show was to make it different. "Ours is set up so it doesn't have the pipe and drape, it's a little more elegant, very open, not like a convention staff show," Gillard said. The 2008 Wedding Show will be in the ballrooms at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, rather than a hall or convention center.
"It's going to be a little bit more upscale, the rooms decorated more," said Erin Dunn of Fine Exposures, one of the vendors that was influential in getting the Wedding Show together.
The show also provides a way for vendors to connect in person with brides who are visiting the site online. "Online trends are growing. Brides spend a good portion of their time online," Gillard said.
More than 70 vendors will be featured; there will be live entertainment, live models, product and service displays, interactive games and other activities.
Attendees will be eligible for several prize drawings, including the "Grand Prize Package," which features: ballroom rental for a reception at the Ramada Hotel, a jacuzzi suite for the bride and groom the night of the wedding at the Ramada Hotel, a free tuxedo for the groom and $500 off a bridal gown from Jenni's Bridal, a Treasure Island Overnight Stay Package, and more.
http://news.postbulletin.com/
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
King's Pointe will host Bridal Showcase
STORM LAKE, Iowa -- The 2008 Storm Lake Bridal Showcase will be Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16 and 17, at King's Pointe Waterpark Resort.
"This is the first year we have a two-day event for our annual bridal show," said Marilyn Monson, managing director of the Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce.
There will be a Girl's Night Out event on Saturday and the next day there will be a Bridal Show featuring services, products and information for each bride to make her day special.
"We are expecting around 250 including 100 brides and a good indication of a lot of interest is that our vendor booths filled up rapidly," added Monson. She said there are not that many large bridal shows like this one in the Storm Lake area and the annual event usually draws from a 50- or 60-mile radius of Storm Lake.
The Saturday Girls Night Out from 7 to 9 p.m. will be an opportunity for brides to get together with their special girlfriends, sisters and relatives. There will be special room rates at King's Pointe Waterpark Resort for that night which will include many gifts, coupons and passes.
Highlights of the evening will be a trunk show of wedding gowns, make-over demonstrations, champagne and , hor d'oeuvres. A lucky bride and her friend will win a limo ride around town later in the evening. Admission without a room reservation is $15 per person.
On Sunday, the bridal show will be held in the ballroom and ballroom lobby from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per person; children will be admitted free. The showcase will feature a continuous style show of bridal gowns and tuxedos from several area bridal stores.
The hall will be filled with displays of products, services and ideas for the wedding day. Catering samples, DJ music, lodging, transportation, cake decorations and floral bouquets will be on hand as well as make-up tips, invitations, gift ideas, fabrics, jewelry and kitchen ware.
More than 20 door prizes will be furnished by businesses sponsoring the event. Any gentlemen escorting their bride-to-be will be offered a Regatta Grille coupon and can watch the game on big screen TV. For more information, call (712) 732-3780.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com
"This is the first year we have a two-day event for our annual bridal show," said Marilyn Monson, managing director of the Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce.
There will be a Girl's Night Out event on Saturday and the next day there will be a Bridal Show featuring services, products and information for each bride to make her day special.
"We are expecting around 250 including 100 brides and a good indication of a lot of interest is that our vendor booths filled up rapidly," added Monson. She said there are not that many large bridal shows like this one in the Storm Lake area and the annual event usually draws from a 50- or 60-mile radius of Storm Lake.
The Saturday Girls Night Out from 7 to 9 p.m. will be an opportunity for brides to get together with their special girlfriends, sisters and relatives. There will be special room rates at King's Pointe Waterpark Resort for that night which will include many gifts, coupons and passes.
Highlights of the evening will be a trunk show of wedding gowns, make-over demonstrations, champagne and , hor d'oeuvres. A lucky bride and her friend will win a limo ride around town later in the evening. Admission without a room reservation is $15 per person.
On Sunday, the bridal show will be held in the ballroom and ballroom lobby from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per person; children will be admitted free. The showcase will feature a continuous style show of bridal gowns and tuxedos from several area bridal stores.
The hall will be filled with displays of products, services and ideas for the wedding day. Catering samples, DJ music, lodging, transportation, cake decorations and floral bouquets will be on hand as well as make-up tips, invitations, gift ideas, fabrics, jewelry and kitchen ware.
More than 20 door prizes will be furnished by businesses sponsoring the event. Any gentlemen escorting their bride-to-be will be offered a Regatta Grille coupon and can watch the game on big screen TV. For more information, call (712) 732-3780.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com
Bridal show bliss for nearly-weds
WEST LAFAYETTE - Bride-to-be Ashley Owens watched closely as women walked up and down a runway, displaying gowns of all shapes and colors yesterday.
Owens, a third-grade teacher at Ridgewood Elementary School in West Lafayette, has most of the major parts of her big day already planned out, but Sunday's Bridal Show at Raven's Glenn Winery and Italian Restaurant helped her fill in some of the gaps.
"We've been to shows in Akron and Columbus, but it's so nice just to have one here," Owens said. "It's really neat to see what people offer locally."
Universe Bridal and Prom, located just across U.S. 36, showcased dresses and 21 other Coshocton-area vendors were available to lend a hand.
From travel agents, who offered to help book a romantic honeymoon, to caterers, who offered to accommodate a delicious reception, the Bridal Show, sponsored by Universe, Raven's Glenn and WTNS Radio, was a one-stop shop for anyone actively planning a wedding.
Owens big day is Aug. 2, and she was able to find a DJ for her reception, as well as hairstylist.
"We've got a lot of ideas from here today," she said.
Planning hasn't been bad because of her experience with wedding planning, she said, but choosing the date was the hardest part.
Owens has worked with Universe Bridal and Prom Store in the summers since she was in high school. Helping brides plan their weddings has been her job for years, so getting to finally plan her own has been a treat, she said.
"I've looked at the dresses for six years and its wonderful to finally be a part of it," she said. "This is the first year that I've actually been able to look for myself."
Realtors, caterers, hair stylists, florists, DJs, photographers, gift stores, and tuxedo renters were several of the different types of vendors that appeared at the show.
And really, if a bride chose to, she could get all her necessities planned out in one stop, Owens said.
"You can really find every single thing that you need," Owens said.
Wendy Schumaker, with Schumaker Farms Catering, said she was impressed with the large turnout Sunday.
"It's a nice way for people who are getting married to see what's out there," Schumaker said.
Stacy Pettit, with Universe, helped prepare dresses to be showcased at the event Sunday.
"It's great because people can come here and get a lot done," she said. "You can talk to people who have experience with planning for weddings and have done it for years."
Roma Vance, owner of Roma's Gift Gallery in Coshocton, talked with several attendees and encouraged families to register their weddings.
"It's important for the convenience of your guests," she said. "Couples will want to have some things to treasure there whole life. Some people don't put a lot of thought into buying a gift but we could help them pick something out. It's not necessarily about the cost, but the thought that really counts."
Her husband, Tim Vance, has played the trumpet at several weddings, and was impressed with number of people from out of town that had come to the show.
Vance said from his experience, planning is different for everyone. Some people can plan and some people need some help. Some people spend a lot and some people spend minimally, yet it means the same to everyone.
"I've played at a lot of weddings and no matter how it's done, it's special for those people," Vance said. "The better it's planned, the earlier it's planned, the better it will be and all of these people are here to help a couple do that."
http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
Owens, a third-grade teacher at Ridgewood Elementary School in West Lafayette, has most of the major parts of her big day already planned out, but Sunday's Bridal Show at Raven's Glenn Winery and Italian Restaurant helped her fill in some of the gaps.
"We've been to shows in Akron and Columbus, but it's so nice just to have one here," Owens said. "It's really neat to see what people offer locally."
Universe Bridal and Prom, located just across U.S. 36, showcased dresses and 21 other Coshocton-area vendors were available to lend a hand.
From travel agents, who offered to help book a romantic honeymoon, to caterers, who offered to accommodate a delicious reception, the Bridal Show, sponsored by Universe, Raven's Glenn and WTNS Radio, was a one-stop shop for anyone actively planning a wedding.
Owens big day is Aug. 2, and she was able to find a DJ for her reception, as well as hairstylist.
"We've got a lot of ideas from here today," she said.
Planning hasn't been bad because of her experience with wedding planning, she said, but choosing the date was the hardest part.
Owens has worked with Universe Bridal and Prom Store in the summers since she was in high school. Helping brides plan their weddings has been her job for years, so getting to finally plan her own has been a treat, she said.
"I've looked at the dresses for six years and its wonderful to finally be a part of it," she said. "This is the first year that I've actually been able to look for myself."
Realtors, caterers, hair stylists, florists, DJs, photographers, gift stores, and tuxedo renters were several of the different types of vendors that appeared at the show.
And really, if a bride chose to, she could get all her necessities planned out in one stop, Owens said.
"You can really find every single thing that you need," Owens said.
Wendy Schumaker, with Schumaker Farms Catering, said she was impressed with the large turnout Sunday.
"It's a nice way for people who are getting married to see what's out there," Schumaker said.
Stacy Pettit, with Universe, helped prepare dresses to be showcased at the event Sunday.
"It's great because people can come here and get a lot done," she said. "You can talk to people who have experience with planning for weddings and have done it for years."
Roma Vance, owner of Roma's Gift Gallery in Coshocton, talked with several attendees and encouraged families to register their weddings.
"It's important for the convenience of your guests," she said. "Couples will want to have some things to treasure there whole life. Some people don't put a lot of thought into buying a gift but we could help them pick something out. It's not necessarily about the cost, but the thought that really counts."
Her husband, Tim Vance, has played the trumpet at several weddings, and was impressed with number of people from out of town that had come to the show.
Vance said from his experience, planning is different for everyone. Some people can plan and some people need some help. Some people spend a lot and some people spend minimally, yet it means the same to everyone.
"I've played at a lot of weddings and no matter how it's done, it's special for those people," Vance said. "The better it's planned, the earlier it's planned, the better it will be and all of these people are here to help a couple do that."
http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Bridal Show Will Go On At Colony
VERNON, Conn. -- A bridal show will go on as planned despite a two-week closure of the restaurant venue.
The Colony Restaurant Hall announced earlier in the week that it will remain closed unexpectedly for two weeks.
The 16th Annual Bridal Show Extravaganza will go on as scheduled, however, on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at The Colony in the facility's Grand Ballroom/Conference Center.
Corrine Crocker-Luby of Corrine Weddings in Glastonbury, the show's producer, said the program will include fashion shows and features 50 local wedding professionals.
The program will also feature contests, door prizes, hors d'oeuvres and live music.
http://www.wfsb.com/entertainment/14983273/detail.html
The Colony Restaurant Hall announced earlier in the week that it will remain closed unexpectedly for two weeks.
The 16th Annual Bridal Show Extravaganza will go on as scheduled, however, on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at The Colony in the facility's Grand Ballroom/Conference Center.
Corrine Crocker-Luby of Corrine Weddings in Glastonbury, the show's producer, said the program will include fashion shows and features 50 local wedding professionals.
The program will also feature contests, door prizes, hors d'oeuvres and live music.
http://www.wfsb.com/entertainment/14983273/detail.html
Bridal show turning 10
Peoria - For a decade, WeaverRidge Golf Club's annual bridal show has helped brides prepare for their "big day."
Now the popular event is celebrating its own big day - its 10th anniversary.
Bridal show coordinator Terry Taylor said since 1997, the event has strived to stay up to date with the latest bridal trends.
"We try to give brides what they want," she said. "Our bridal show is new and different every year. Brides evolve, and we try to stay updated with that."
This year's event - conducted in open house style, as in past years - will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 13, with shows at noon and 2 p.m.
Brides, family and friends can watch the one-hour show on the second level and browse the vendors' tables on the main level before or after the show.
Taylor said a record number of vendors is lined up to attend, including photographers, florists, hair salons, makeup artists, caterers, limousine services, DJs and more. Almost all the vendors - more than 30 total - give out gift certificates or coupons, Taylor said.
With businesses representing every part of the planning process, Taylor said brides can get ideas and make contacts for almost everything they need for their weddings.
"It's a well-balanced spectrum of what community businesses have to offer, and it gives people a lot of wedding ideas," Taylor said.
"Also, it helps put everything you need for a wedding and reception in the same place, so you don't have to drive from store to store."
Word of mouth has made the show more popular each year, and Taylor said she expects a turnout of between 300 and 400 people, depending on the weather.
Brides of all ages have attended in the past, and Taylor said friends and family members are welcome.
Because the show is at WeaverRidge Golf Club, where many weddings and receptions take place, brides can also get a feel for the wedding atmosphere, Taylor said.
Admission is $5. All proceeds will go to Crittenton Centers in Peoria.
The bridal dresses featured in the show are from David's Bridal, and the tuxedos are from Ducky's formal wear. WHOI news anchor Jen Christensen will host the event, and WeaverRidge event coordinator Scott Roher will be on site to assist brides and answer questions.
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/010608/TRI_BFCR0UGT.006.php
Now the popular event is celebrating its own big day - its 10th anniversary.
Bridal show coordinator Terry Taylor said since 1997, the event has strived to stay up to date with the latest bridal trends.
"We try to give brides what they want," she said. "Our bridal show is new and different every year. Brides evolve, and we try to stay updated with that."
This year's event - conducted in open house style, as in past years - will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 13, with shows at noon and 2 p.m.
Brides, family and friends can watch the one-hour show on the second level and browse the vendors' tables on the main level before or after the show.
Taylor said a record number of vendors is lined up to attend, including photographers, florists, hair salons, makeup artists, caterers, limousine services, DJs and more. Almost all the vendors - more than 30 total - give out gift certificates or coupons, Taylor said.
With businesses representing every part of the planning process, Taylor said brides can get ideas and make contacts for almost everything they need for their weddings.
"It's a well-balanced spectrum of what community businesses have to offer, and it gives people a lot of wedding ideas," Taylor said.
"Also, it helps put everything you need for a wedding and reception in the same place, so you don't have to drive from store to store."
Word of mouth has made the show more popular each year, and Taylor said she expects a turnout of between 300 and 400 people, depending on the weather.
Brides of all ages have attended in the past, and Taylor said friends and family members are welcome.
Because the show is at WeaverRidge Golf Club, where many weddings and receptions take place, brides can also get a feel for the wedding atmosphere, Taylor said.
Admission is $5. All proceeds will go to Crittenton Centers in Peoria.
The bridal dresses featured in the show are from David's Bridal, and the tuxedos are from Ducky's formal wear. WHOI news anchor Jen Christensen will host the event, and WeaverRidge event coordinator Scott Roher will be on site to assist brides and answer questions.
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/010608/TRI_BFCR0UGT.006.php
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