(Photo by Douglass Huxley) The annual Marietta Bridal Show took place Sunday at Marietta College’s Dyson Baudo Recreation Center with over 60 local vendors on hand to help those planning a wedding in the new year.

The annual Marietta Bridal Show was held Sunday at Marietta College’s Dyson Baudo Recreation Center once again gathering leading local vendors to help engaged couples plan their big day–all in a single stop.

“We have every single type of vendor that you would need for a wedding here,” Lori Friend, event coordinator said. “So all things under one roof.”

Friend said the event, which started in 1974, focuses on bringing together some of the best wedding professionals in the area so those looking to plan a wedding can plan for the best day possible. Vendors included caterers, bridal and tuxedo rentals, cake makers, photographers, videographers, entertainment and more.

“I feel like it’s the top wedding vendors in the area. I can’t fit everybody in the show, but I just know that whenever engaged couples come in here, they’re going to get taken care of,” Friend said.

Newly engaged couple Arianna Lannigan and her fiancé Todd Moore are wasting no time diving into their wedding planning after getting engaged on Christmas Eve. The couple explained that they are at the very beginning of the planning process and attended the event to get a better idea of the things they’re looking for.

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) Newly engaged couple Arianna Lannigan and Todd Moore stop by a booth Sunday during the annual Marietta Bridal Show at Marietta College’s Dyson Baudo Recreation Center.

“We’re looking for a venue, for food and catering, everything really,” Moore said. “She needs to find a wedding dress, so we’re kind of looking at that.”

Lannigan said an event like this will help them make those important decisions.

“I think this will be helpful,” she said. “We’re getting some ideas, getting information on everything and not having to look all on our own to get it.”

Friend said this was what the event was all about. She also said it is about more than just a single day of shopping; it’s a way to simplify wedding planning while boosting the local economy.

“I love being able to help people to get things checked off their boxes for their weddings,” Friend said. “I know that they’re taken care of by good vendors, and I love that it helps support the vendors in the community, because a lot of these vendors come in here and this is their livelihood. This books their year out.”

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) Wedding dresses were modeled Sunday for those in attendance of the annual Marietta Bridal Show at Marietta College’s Dyson Baudo Recreation Center.

(Photo by Douglass Huxley) Wilky’s Catering Service offered samples to participants of the annual Marietta Bridal Show at Marietta College’s Dyson Baudo Recreation Center Sunday. Over 60 local vendors were on hand to help those planning a wedding in the new year with food, entertainment and picking the perfect dress.