It’s bride time
For the estimated 1,500 Cache County couples that will get married this year, the list of wedding expenses can pile up quickly.
But for Utah State University students like Chelsa Seegrist and Kirk Dimond, there’s an easy approach to planning their wedding.
They’re called bridal faires. These one-stop wedding resources are becoming a popular way for future brides to find everything they need for their big day.
“I think what helps me the most is seeing what’s out there, like different photographers and decorators and comparing prices,” Seegrist said.
On Jan. 6, she attended the Bridal Expo at the South Towne Mall in Salt Lake City and plans to attend the 21st-annual Bridal Faire at USU in the Taggart Student Center Saturday to get more ideas for her wedding.
This year, there will be more than 60 vendors throughout northern Utah packed into the TSC. They will be showcasing everything from photography to wedding cakes to dresses and honeymoons, event coordinator Diane Falslev said.
“It’s a good way to see what is available in one place without having to go all around town,” Falslev said.
USU’s Bridal Faire is the oldest in Utah. Falslev said she expects more than 300 future brides to attend. They will give out several prizes, including a pearl necklace valued at $895, a men’s wedding band and photography and honeymoon packages.
John and Michelle Simpson, owners of Culinary Concepts in Logan, will also give away an ice sculpture valued at $225.
Although most of their business comes from word of mouth, Michelle said they enjoy going to the bridal faire because it gets the name of their business out and they can network with other wedding businesses, which she said brides can do as well.
Often, vendors at bridal faires offer discounts on many of their products to cut down on expenses.
This year, the cost of a wedding is expected to increase 1 percent from 2005 to $21,600, according to the Wedding Report Web site.
Amber Grange, who is getting married March 8, said she was surprised how much it costs for bridesmaid dresses.
“I can only get two [bridesmaid dresses] for the price of my dress,” Grange said.
In Utah alone, there are more than 10 bridal shows available throughout the state between Jan. 1 and May 1, many of which are free.
Grange enjoys attending the fairs to help her to get more creative ideas such as decorating and invitations, when planning for her wedding. She has been engaged for more than a month and said it takes a lot of time to prepare.
“Start early,” she said. “Start planning early and get all the people you can to help.”
Seegrist has experienced the same problems, especially as a full-time student trying to plan a wedding.
“Right now going to school, working and planning a wedding all at the same time can be very stressful,” Seegrist said.
For more information about the USU’s Bridal Faire, contact Falslev at 435-753-6736
-mmackay@cc.usu.edu