Marietta Bridal Show goes off without a hitch
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For those planning to tie the knot, Sunday’s Marietta Bridal Show was the place to be. Held in Marietta College’s Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, the show offered an opportunity to see what area vendors have to offer as far as weddings go.
Organizers of the annual event expected 800 people to enjoy visiting the displays, talk with professionals about their specialties and gather information to take home to help plan their special day.
The Marietta Bridal Show is billed as the longest running and most innovative bridal event in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
“I feel like we have a lot of the top professionals in the wedding industry in the show,” expressed Lori Hanson of Hansons Enhancements Photography and organizer of the event for the second year.
“This year we had a tremendous response of 208 brides pre-register. I can’t imagine what the final tally will be. We usually have about 800 people attend.”
Hanson said some of the first things those planning a wedding should think about are getting a photographer, DJ and a venue. Those seem to book up the fastest.
The bridal show served as a one-stop opportunity for those planning weddings to talk with vendors of all sorts. Those vendors included wedding accessories, caterers, cosmetics, beauticians, jewelry, musicians, wedding registry, bridal and tuxedo rentals, day spas, cakes, personal wedding websites, photographers, videographers, photo booths, disc jockeys, music, ceremonial sound rental, reception and wedding venues, rental and event companies, gifts and favors, florists, wedding planners, health and wellness, transportation, travel agencies and wedding coordinators.
A Parade of Fashion was held hourly during the bridal show as well as hourly door prize drawings and a grand prize drawing that was worth more than $1,500 and included overnight stays, massages and food.
Melanie’s Design Specialists has been doing the makeup and hair for the bridal show’s models for years. Melanie’s specializes in doing a bride’s hair and makeup on her wedding day. They can do everything from head to toe.
Bill Peoples owns Peoples Packards that can have wedding parties traveling in style.
“I offer three different Packards for weddings,” said Peoples. “I’ve gone as far as New Philadelphia for weddings. These cars are nice for weddings and give a lot of room in the back for gowns.”
Food also ranks high on the list for weddings. It’s very important.
“Food can make or break an event,” stressed Wendy Voytko, banquet manager at Theo’s Restaurant in Cambridge. “People can talk about it for years to come.”
Voytko has been a banquet manager for more than 20 years and said that it is a blessing that they get to help many wonderful people enjoy their special day.
Black Tie Affair had a beautiful display of place settings for weddings. They are a company that specializes in event design and rental services.
Then again let’s not forget the wedding cake.
“The cake is the centerpiece of the reception,” commented Cindy Mallahan, owner of The Village Cakery in Vincent. “People want to come in and see the cake first thing. They really look forward to it.”
White birds being released at a wedding can add a real touch of class. Wings of Love is a company that offers such a service. Gary Wargowsky of Cutler said when they release the white birds, they circle overhead and then leave. The birds know their way home.
Artist J.D. Williamson offers something a little different for wedding receptions.
“I draw caricatures which are keepsakes for the bride, groom, family, friends and those attending,” said Williamson. “It serves as great ice breaker entertainment and also entertains kids. The drawings showcase their interests and people of all ages enjoy it.”
Another popular reception entertainment and keepsake option is photo booths. Wanda McGee of Marietta offers the Magical Photo Booth and Event Designs has the PhotoBooth Mobile Photo Lounge. They allow people to get their photos taken at the reception. It’s something fun to do and they get to take the photos home.
“It’s nice to visualize and get some different ideas,” shared Addie Lewis of St. Marys, who is getting married in October.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” said Addie’s mother Dianna Lewis. “Addie has a lot of things wrapped up but with some final things, it nice to see a variety. This has been a nice experience!”
Michael Simonton of St. Marys and Blake Walls of Parkersburg plan to get married in December.
They came last year and got some ideas and are now fine tuning those.
“We’re having it at the Lafayette and looking at cakes, photographers and DJs,” said Walls. “Planning our wedding is fun.”
If you missed this year’s Marietta Bridal Show, visit MariettaBridalShow.com.