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Here comes the Bridal ShowcaseSep 28, 2011 (The Jamestown Sun - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- To coordinate a wedding, the bride, groom and their families must find the perfect dresses, tuxedos, jewelry, hairstyles, photography, music, cakes, flowers, venues and food. The task can be daunting, but at the Jamestown Bridal Showcase, all these elements of a wedding can be found in the same place. "It's an opportunity for our brides to see what Jamestown has to offer in the community, and what's available," said Cara Prescott, a member of the Jamestown Bridal Showcase Committee. More than 30 vendor displays will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 8, with a bridal style show beginning at 6:30 p.m., all at the Quality Inn & Suites. The drawing for the grand prize -- a wedding package worth approximately $10,000 -- will follow the style show. Other door prizes will be given throughout the event. "Anything that you would need for a wedding, they could come and check out," said Shirley Jackson, committee member. Admission to the showcase is free, and it is a nonprofit event used to advertise many businesses. Though the event is called a bridal showcase, it is not just for brides. Anyone planning an event could glean ideas and contacts from the showcase, from graduation parties to anniversary celebrations, and anyone needing formal attire for a prom or concert could see the latest trends at the style show. The showcase will be different from other bridal fairs in that it will take place in a real wedding venue, decorated as if a real wedding reception were to be hosted there. As visitors enter the hotel, they will be greeted by a man dressed in formal attire from White's Home Decor and Tux Shoppe, and escorted indoors to register for prize drawings. Brides and nonbrides can participate in the drawings, with prizes for both groups. Then another tuxedo-clad man will escort people into the Great Room, where caterers will offer food samples and show champagne fountains. Decor will be provided by Celebration Innovations. The Top of the Stairs Dance Studio will perform during the event, as will vocalist Melissa Stoudt. A DJ from R&C School of Rock will provide music. The showcase will also feature announcers Mark McKenzie and Randi Ryan of Ingstad Family Media. The 23 models for the style show will be ordinary people from the Jamestown area or with Jamestown ties -- not professional models with just one body type. Their bouquets will be provided by Country Gardens and Don's House of Flowers. Dresses and tuxedos for brides, grooms, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls and other attendants will be provided by LeeAnne's Bridal and Bliss Prom. Vendors from the showcase will style hair and do makeup. The showcase will be the first of its kind in Jamestown in 12 years. Committee members have met every week since April and they have been spent a lot of time organizing and perfecting the event. "We're hoping to bring (the showcase) back to Jamestown. We'd like to do this annually," said Julie Stahlecker, committee member. "I think they really are expanding what they do for weddings." Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453 or by email at klucin@ jamestownsun.com ___ (c)2011 The Jamestown Sun (Jamestown, N.D.) Visit The Jamestown Sun (Jamestown, N.D.) at www.jamestownsun.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |