| To
heck with the weather, there's a wedding to plan at
the bridal faire
THAT WEDDING
LOOK: The Moments by Kellee booth shows off some
of the options for couples-to-be. / Photos courtesy
of Moments by Kellee
Related Story:
Ten tips for planning
your wedding (from someone who just did it!)
|
By Michelle
Butler
February 6, 2009 | A cold,
dismal Saturday filled with freezing rain laid
to waste the plans of many in Cache Valley. But
not sophomore Jennifer Bills.
Nothing could dampen her spirits
as she trudged through the rain and sleet and
arrived at the Taggart Student Center on USU's
campus. For today, she carried with her hope and
excitement, the kind that comes with a ring. She
was coming to the Bridal Faire. Entering the building
and shaking off the rain, Jennifer was instantly
transformed from the lackluster grey world to
a shimmering place filled with lights and white
chiffon. The International Lounge had lost its
college scene and was replaced with vendors and
roses.
The booths created a labyrinth
of wedding splendor and Jennifer was instantly
. . . gone. Following her was a next to impossible
task. Even a homing beacon would have been of
little use. |
|
Jennifer was caught up in a world
all of her own. Every little thing that caught her eye
had to be investigated, from white and ivory wedding
dresses to elaborate cakes several layers high.
Each booth had a mountain of pamphlets
and endless possibilities. It was the responsibility
of Jennifer's friends, Jessica and Amanda, to collect
all the important information.
The two girls did their best to follow
Jennifer, but soon gave up in the chase and began a
systematical wandering from booth to booth, their bags
beginning to bulge from all the free giveaways and endless
pamphlets.
The soon bride to be was the focus
of all the vendors. Everyone wanted to know when and
how she got engaged, and then they began their pitch
producing samples and information. The best booths to
visit were the ones with food, of course.
The Bridal Faire has anything and
everything for getting married. From wedding dresses
to preserving those dresses, every detail, large or
small, is at your fingertips. It is every bride's fantasy.
For those with their wedding planned, or those with
very little planned, like Jennifer was, the faire offers
something for everyone.
Although Jennifer had already picked
a photographer, that didn't stop her from visiting every
booth and talking to every photographer. And they loved
her. Even after they found out she already someone booked,
the conversations never ended there. They all gave her
advice on pictures and wished her luck.
As the more serious member of Jennifer's
entourage, it was her mother's responsibility to get
the more serious information, such as price, and it
was often during these conversations that Jennifer would
again . . . disappear. She could be found, several booths
later, eating chocolate covered strawberries from a
catering booth or collecting free samples of perfume.
It was during the Bridal Faire that
Jennifer's mother began to form a more complete image
of the wedding. They found their reception center, the
people they wanted to do the cake, and the invitations
were already booked. For Laurel (Jennifer's mother)
it had been a one stop-shopping extravaganza, giving
them many ideas and fewer headaches than the traditional
wedding planning process.
And the crowning moment of the Bridal
Faire was the fashion show. The TSC Ballroom quickly
filled up with eager brides and their mothers, with
the occasional sprinkling of a groom. Bridal shops,
small or large, from all over the valley showcased their
finest dresses, from the traditional white princess
gown to a more trendy from fitting gown.
The room really grew loud when the
tux event began. For a room filled with mostly soon
to be brides, there was a great deal of hooting and
whistling.
The day ended well for Jennifer.
She left excited and if possible, even more excited.
Her mother left with a great deal of information and
great ideas. For Jennifer and her entourage of helpers,
it had been a most productive morning.
RM
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