Bridal Fest draws hundreds involved in planning for “I Do.”

story and photos by Ruby Dean
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Bridal Fest 2010 introduced brides to the many services and products available to them as they plan for "their big day." Some brides attending the event have started planning their wedding a year in advance.

With nearly 30 vendor booths showcased at the festival held Sunday (Jan. 17) at the Fort Smith Convention Center, more than 300 brides-to-be, mothers of the couple, their friends and family could see all available from area merchants. The Knot, an online wedding planning support guide, estimates the bridal market at $74 billion a year, with more than 2 million brides and grooms walking the aisle. That comes out to an average of $37,000 per wedding.

Paul Rainwater of Rainwater’s Clothing emceed the fashion show. He detailed the traditional as well as the more contemporary in men’s formalwear provided by the vendors. In addition to the latest in bridal gowns, models previewed what bridesmaids and flower girls will be wearing this wedding season.

Brides were automatically entered for door prizes at registration. Brides were told to display their bride-to-be sticker because many vendors had special gifts for the brides. Lines were long and patience was a must. Handouts and information sheets from vendors were easily accessed.

Owners of Always and Forever, an event vendor, have seen a trend this year in strapless form fitting dressings and pick ups to provide a Southern Belle look. They also are seeing more people have outside weddings.

“Brides’ bouquets are more natural looking with different elements such as twigs, vines, mosses, rocks,” said Robert Robertson of Expressions Flowers. He said "Tussie mussies" and ribbon wrapping are being used more with wire embellishments and treatments.

Heather Dees, a shift manager at Walmart Stores said buttercream wedding cakes are more popular than fondant cakes.

Large or small, formal or not so formal, a wedding is a reflection of personality in the selection of fashions and accessories. A bride’s wedding day is the most important day of her life. It’s a day she has dreamed of since childhood. Rachel Irvin, for example, who came to Bridal Fest 2010 to get ideas for her wedding.

Rachel and her fiancee D.J. Madison are planning an October wedding. Both are 2007 graduates of Muldrow High School in Muldrow, Okla. They have dated for six years. Rachel lost her father Jan. 31, 2009. Her and her mother have had a hard time planning the wedding because her mom has been working out of town a lot. They have only been able plan the wedding on the Internet, the phone and on weekends. Rachel has her dress, but everything else is undecided.

Rachel is planning an outside wedding in her parents’ backyard by a pond her father built. Her wedding party consists of four bridesmaids and her maid of honor. Rachel’s colors are persimmon and chocolate brown. She is going to wear her hair half up swept to the side with curls in the back. Her cake of choice was the buttercream. Other than that, Rachel really hasn’t made up her mind as far as flowers, table settings, invitations, etc.

The booth she found most educational was Tables Matter. Rachel said Bridal Fest 2010 helped her in making a few decisions that were undecided prior to Sunday.