Brides gather ideas at fair

By KATIE SEMINARA

Fellows Riverside Gardens in Mill Creek Park turned into wedding central during its fourth bridal fair.

YOUNGSTOWN — A bouquet of vendors was tossed into the arms of blushing brides-to-be and other wedding enthusiasts at the fourth Fellows Riverside Gardens bridal fair.

More than 300 people took a look on the bride side of things as they walked around the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitor Center in the gardens Sunday.

Thirty vendors and two music groups set up colorful and informative displays at the fair.

“We do this event to show off one of the premier wedding facilities in Northeast Ohio and because we want people to experience the gardens,” said Arlene Lanz, who works for the gardens and organized the event.

It is also good for the future brides and their fianc s or mothers to talk to all of the vendors, she said.

And that is just what people did.

Women and men alike made their way from table to table stuffing their bags full of freebies and brochures to help plan their big day.

“It’s neat to actually see samples instead of shopping online, especially for invites,” said Erin Rohdes of Columbus, who also wasn’t afraid to admit she liked the free stuff.

She and her fianc , Jonathon Runcan of Youngstown, got engaged in April and plan to wed in April 2009.

Rohdes didn’t even have to drag Runcan along for the bridal fair — he was just as involved as the future brides in attendance.

“I’m actually very excited about the wedding,” Runcan said. “You only get to do it once, and I found the right girl,” he said.

Rohdes and Runcan also had their minds changed on some wedding planning details after making rounds at the fair.

They weren’t going to have a videographer but decided they wanted one, and they were going to make their own invitations but opted against that process.

“I learned about wedding dress preservation,” said Runcan, in reference to all the wedding education surrounding him.

Although most women at the fair were wearing engagement rings, some were already married and looking for reception ideas.

Melissa Hughes got married last May on a beach in Fort Myers, Fla., and she and her husband are planning a reception to take place in Youngstown around their second anniversary.

“Everyone is so helpful, and this cake is phenomenal,” said Hughes as she finished a cupcake courtesy of Clarencedale Cake.

“It’s nice to get all the info at the same time, rather than making hundreds of phone calls,” she said.

Hughes wasn’t the only one enjoying the cake samples. Krystina McGiffin of Poland, who was at the show with her mom, said, “We got good pricing on cakes, and taste-testing helped.”

McGiffin, who is getting married next July, said the fashion show with the floral arrangements made her more open to new ideas when thinking of flowers.

The fashion and floral show was provided by Treasured Moments Bridal & Formal and Renee’s Flowers.

“We tried to pick our most popular lines and create a variety of looks,” said Mark Fulks, owner of Treasured Moments.

Store manager Karissa Hoover said the show was a success and the public was able get a feel for the current wedding trends.

“People loved the show, and the flowers and dresses were exceptional,” said Lanz, who also said she received great feedback from all the vendors.

Although she said she thought the event went rather well, Lanz was already taking mental notes on what to do and what not to do for next year’s bridal fair.