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Show at Covelli Centre features one-stop shopping for brides
Photo
Joy Bosiljcic models “The Equador” from the Ian Stuart Killer Queen couture collection during the opening Sunday afternoon of Evaline’s Bridal Show at the Covelli Centre.
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
The Covelli Centre was one-stop shopping for brides-to-be on Sunday.
Toting shopping bags, they and their friends, parents and fianc s made the rounds of more than 35 vendor booths at the annual bridal show sponsored by Evaline’s Bridal. The women collected informational brochures, sampled food and entered drawings for prizes.
“We have a lot of people here helping the brides plan their day,” said Lori Dubasik, owner of Evaline’s.
“Everything you need to plan your wedding is here.”
Lisa Wilson’s boyfriend, Justin Menning, popped the question on Christmas Eve.
“It was kind of a surprise,” Wilson, of Akron, said.
The couple is planning a September 2013 wedding.
Wilson attended the bridal show to see what the vendors had to offer.
“I’ve been here before in the past with my cousins and friends, and I know that there’s a lot of good deals,” she said. “Plus, sometimes looking online, you don’t get the full perspective on everything.”
For example, she said, she saw a display of candy at the event.
“I would never think of Gorant’s candy,” she said. “But if it’s all on display, it’s really nice to get a visual for the wedding, which is very helpful.”
The day got even better when Wilson won $5 spinning a game wheel at one of the booths.
“I’m always up for free money!” she said with a laugh.
Wilson brought along her mom, Carolyn Wilson of East Palestine.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Carolyn Wilson said. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s neat to see all the vendors.”
The center was full of traditional options for weddings. Representatives from caterers, photographers, limousine companies, tuxedo stores and more showed their products. But nontraditional offerings found a place as well.
Shawn and Marianne Donley, owners of YourCustomItems.com, Youngstown, passed out 150 roses with phrases embossed on them.
“Brides nowadays are attracted to things that are unique and make their wedding more personalized,” Shawn Donley said. “Traditional-type weddings are starting to kind of fade. Brides are more into making it their own.”
Images, phrases, logos and handwriting samples such as signatures can be embossed on glass, candles, live or silk roses and petals and other flowers with enough space for embossing.
The event also included a fashion show and a bridal- gown giveaway.