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Bridal Extravaganza
More than 45 vendors showcase latest in wedding trends at
By Jordan Cohen
NILES
The reaction of Stephanie Corbin of Cortland as she surveyed all the vendors at the Eastwood Mall 2015 Bridal Extravaganza on Sunday perhaps summed up the reaction of everyone whose weddings are in the not-too-distant future.
“It’s a little intimidating,” said the 21-year-old Youngstown State University student who is studying early-childhood education.
“This is out of my comfort zone,” said her fiance, Dalton Caldwell, 23, a construction worker from Cortland. “It’s kind of overwhelming.” The couple plans to marry next year.
From the caterers, photographers and event planners to a stretch limousine positioned prominently in front of the indoor extravaganza, more than 45 vendors representing
every conceivable wedding-related item or event sought to attract the business of brides, grooms and, perhaps most important, the brides’ families.
Ed Ridenbaugh, executive vice president of PMG Chocolatier, Niles, said there are so many choices that his company decided to simplify them by going well beyond its primary product — chocolate.
“People told us it was very frustrating trying to manage too many vendors, so we decided to design everything from top to bottom,” Ridenbaugh said. Besides providing the sweet stuff, his company has expanded into napkins, linens, centerpieces, overlays and even some event management.
Jessica Ingraham, 34, of Newton Falls became engaged at Christmastime and expects to be married later this year. She acknowledged she has many decisions to make.
“This is what I need to find out,” she said. “I’m researching everything, and it’s great to have all of this in one place.”
The most-common question to vendors: “What is this going to cost?”
“It’s a whole lot more expensive than when I got married 25 years ago,” said Amy Harmon of West Middlesex, Pa., accompanied by her daughter, Kayla, who is to be married in 2016. The two were able to make one decision rather quickly.
“We’ve decided on the cake,” said Kayla, a teacher at Warren’s Summit Academy, after talking with one of the vendors.
Anchors Lauren Lindvig Landy and Derek Steyer of 21 WFMJ-TV hosted the highlight of the two-day extravaganza — a fashion show featuring models displaying the newest of gowns for the bride and bridal party and the latest in tuxedos offered by the show sponsors — David’s Bridal and American Commodore Tuxedos.
Some of the gowns, particularly those encrusted with jewels that shined brightly in the lighting, drew applause and shouts of approval from the 150-member audience. Cellphones flashed as many shot photos while the models paraded down the runway.
“I saw some I really liked,” said Amanda Clark, 22, of Austintown, “but I’ve got some time because my wedding is a few years down the road.”
Organizers say she will have even more choices in 2016.
“This has been a successful event, and we will be back next year with it,” said John Schmidt, regional marketing director of the Cafaro Co., the mall’s owner.