Hundreds gather to see latest in wedding trends

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean
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One-third of all couples getting married, get engaged around Christmas or New Year’s, one-third on Valentine’s Day, and the other third get engaged on that special day whether it be when they met, got serious, or their birthday. It takes a bride approximately one year to plan for her wedding.

Approximately 350 brides plus their grooms, maids of honor, or mothers viewed the latest wedding fashions at the 2011 River Valley Bridal Extravaganza on Sunday (Jan. 23). Forty vendors from Fort Smith and the surrounding area introduced the brides to products and services they provide to the couple on their day of “I do.”

Though it depends on where you live, a recent survey in the 20th anniversary edition of Arkansas Bride, Arkansas couples spent on average $13,995 on their 2010 weddings with Fayetteville ranging from $12,576 to $20,960 with 3% of the total wedding budget spent on the wedding rings.

Danielle’s Bridal & Special Occasions of Clarksville said this year’s trend in dresses will be one-shouldered with ruffles with more emphasis being on the fabric and draping and less on the bling. Bouquets are trending toward live flowers for the brides bouquet and silk for bridesmaids bouquets and decoration to stay within a bride’s floral budget.

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.

The Fort Smith Bridal Buzz is a website for brides to find local wedding vendors, such as formal wear, photographers, florists, hair stylists, etc. in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas. It also offers a message board for couples to ask wedding advice from vendors in this area. It lists upcoming events to inform brides of local bridal shows and open houses.
www.fortsmithbridalbuzz.com

Jennifer Young attended the Bridal Extravaganza to get ideas for her wedding. She and her fiancee have been engaged since March 2010, but didn’t set the date (Oct. 1) until this past Christmas. Young wanted to know what types of dresses were in fashion and to sample the different types of cakes before making her final decision.