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."



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