Potential and soon-to-be brides visit Bridal Faire
Before the “I dos,” there are a lot of don’ts.
Don’t forget the dress.
The cake.
The pictures.
Don’t. Don’t. Don’t forget…
Students at the Bridal Faire certainly won’t.
The Taggart Student Center at Utah State University turned into a wedding extravaganza for the 19th annual Bridal Faire on Saturday.
Businesses big and small were invited to help give ideas for that perfect day.
“I didn’t know much about the photographers in the area, since I’m from California, so this gave me some ideas,” said Bree Robertson, who is planning her wedding for Dec. 20.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. students roamed through approximately 30 businesses and talked to wedding suppliers, picked up pamphlets and gathered ideas.
There was a fashion show featuring new spring dresses for 2004 from Lynette’s Bridal and Formalwear. There were 44 dresses modeled ranging in different styles, seasons and colors.
“Color is really coming back in,” said Stephanie Fellows, manager of Lynette’s, who staged the fashion show. “We’re so used to the plain, white, classic look,” she said.
Scott and Diane Falslev are the fair’s wedding coordinators. They plan which businesses come and how it’s arranged. They said they feel it’s a good way for businesses to advertise at a very low cost.
“A lot of businesses, such as [photographers] can show what they do, which they can’t do in the phone book,” Scott said. “You can compare in an hour or two and have a good feel who you want to do [your] photography.
“[Also, maybe] they have no ideas and this gives them some,” he said.
The Falslevs started the Bridal Faire in 1985 as a one-time deal. The next year, they were asked if they were going to do it again. They hadn’t planned on it but said after two times it became a habit. Now, they have fairs every fall and spring, usually in September and January. They also do fairs at Weber State University.
In the beginning, some of the businesses were just starting out of their basement. Now, some have store-front property on Main Street. So, it’s been successful for the businesses and for the Falslevs.
They also have a Web site (www.bridalfaire.org) that shows all the businesses that participated and some who didn’t, along with links to each.
Scott said he feels even if students are not getting married now, they can still come and have fun.
“If you’re single, you’re dating, it can happen quickly,” he said.
Many businesses feel that it’s never too early to start planning your wedding.
Cory and Rita Yeates, who own Belle Bridal Gowns, said they also encourage early planning. Rita also said it’s “bad luck” to be a model in one of their catalogs.
“[The models] always end up getting married by the next season,” Rita said.
Belle Bridal Gowns in Hyrum was one of the many gown businesses at the fair.
They have a huge inventory of dresses which the Yeates operate out of their home.
Party on Production Video owners Laura and Scott Harris said they feel they can make the newlywed couple a memorable keepsake. They make videos of not only the wedding day but also the couple’s life history.
“After the wedding what do you have?” Laura said. “[The video] shows emotions and feelings.”
She added that it’s also something people can show to their kids.
Scott said the spring show will be busier, because people usually have spring or summer weddings and USU students have just started school during the fall show.
“You haven’t known each other long enough,” he said. “Maybe if you went to BYU.”
-acbailey@cc.usu.edu
Tracy Brandt models one of the many hand-selected strapless lace-up wedding dresses Lynette’s Bridal and Formalwear has to offer. (Photos by Jennifer Wheatley)