Bring on the brides
Vendors help with nuptial needs during Wedding ExtravaganzaBy ANGELA BURCH, Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
The average wedding in Iowa costs $26,500.
And with that kind of investment, said Cynthia Betts, certified wedding planner for specialelegantevents.com, people are doing everything they can to ensure they get the "most bang for their buck."
Betts was one of 30 vendors at the 13th annual Regional Bridal Association's Wedding Extravaganza held Sunday afternoon at the Webster County Fairgrounds. With a steady stream of more than 200 people passing through the show, vendors stayed busy making sure their businesses could fit the wedding day needs of all who passed through.
"You need to know what vendor choices are out there to make smart choices and get the most for your money," said Betts. "Brides should go to as many bridal shows as they can."
Jolene Hays, floral wedding planner for Hy-Vee, Fort Dodge, and president of the Fort Dodge Bridal Association said this year's turn-out was great. The weather wasn't too bad to keep people home, but it wasn't good enough for people to drive to Des Moines for the bridal show there.
"We always compete with the Des Moines show," Hays said. "We want to show people that they can get everything they need locally."
Vendors, ready and willing to offer their services to meet those nuptial needs, included everyone from caterers and florists to reception venues and wedding day transportation. There were representatives offering advice on apparel and deejays with booths set up, complete with stage lights and disco balls. Wedding cakes filled tables and future brides and grooms alike meandered from booth to booth collecting business cards and discussing wedding day needs.
Elaine Echelberger, owner of Elaine's Bridal in Fort Dodge, was on hand to give tips on styles and trends.
"This year, bridesmaids dresses seem to be going short and some of the hot colors are turquoise and brown," she said. "And as for the brides - it's just what they feel prettiest in."
The jewelry selections tend to lean toward flashier-styles of tiaras and bracelets adorned with rhinestones and freshwater pearls, she said.
But just because it might be considered the bride's day, the men shouldn't be forgotten about, said Joshua Junkman, sales manager of Foley Clothing.
"Once the girl figures out her colors, then the tuxedos come into play," he said. "Browns are coming in and fall weddings seem to be increasingly popular as opposed to the traditional June wedding."
His father John Junkman, owner of Foley Clothing said when the guys come into the store, they are actively involved in the decision making process.
At the bridal fair, vendors noticed an increase number of grooms taking part in the decisions. For Jandi Gatewood, it seemed to be no problem getting fiance William Roberts out to the fairgrounds for the event.
"This is the first bridal fair we've ever been to," Gatewood said. "We really wanted to know the costs, especially of the flowers because you see all the shows on TV with elaborate weddings but unrealistic price tags."
Although the couple has yet to set a date, their curiosity brought them to the show to figure things out.
"I was surprised at all the information available in one place," Roberts said. "It would have been neat to see more outdoor venue options for receptions, but it really has been a helpful experience."
Information on flowers was one of the main questions the couple had, and florists such as Hy-Vee and Becker Florist were available with displays to present options and give advice.
RaeAnn Reis, a floral designer at Becker Florist said there is still such a variety of brides out there so all of the arrangements and flower choices are unique.
"A lot of the girls are going for the less is more concept, especially with corsages and bouquets and they're keeping everything slim-lined," she said. "There's been an interest in orchids and calla lilies as well as the traditional rose."
With all of the planning and preparation in place for the big day, it is just as important to have a photographer on the big day to capture all the memories.
Troy Schroeder, owner of Memories in Focus Photography, said brides and grooms tend to go toward the more candid shots as opposed to the perfectly posed photos.
"Each couple is different and you can kind of feed off their energy and tell what kind of memories they are going to want to have," Schroeder said. "The uniqueness all comes from the bride and groom on their day."
Contact Angela Burch at (515) 573-2141 or aburch@messengernews.net
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Anderson
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01-13-09 1:52 PM
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Price appears ridiculous. Gave my daughter a posh wedding in M/SP about 12 years ago with reception, dinner and all on Summit Ave for just $10,000, with a year's supply of champagne and wine left over. Inflation hasn't been that bad, has it, or has Iowa just become a high rent district with the increase in ag prices?
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nottotell
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01-13-09 12:00 AM
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I think that is crazy. Sorry, but if you think you have to spend that much on a wedding there is really something wrong. I realize everything is very expensive now days, but really, what is wrong with toning down the food, flowers, reception costs, that kind of thing. I know it doesnt have to be that expensive and that cant be an average. I think they want us to think that but, that is complete nonnesense. That is a number they want to have so people will spend more because they think they have to to keep up.
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NOJOKE1
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01-12-09 6:58 PM
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Hate to be such a pessimist, but save the $26.5K for the divorce courts. Your chances are better than 50/50.
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hybernation
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01-12-09 3:20 PM
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totally agrees with heConservative's comment, & i don't see hoew they came up with that dollar amount anyway?!?? i would think the most expensive thing for a huge church wedding would be the cost of the dress(if that dollar amount was the cost of ONLY the wedding, & not the reception)
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hybernation
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01-12-09 3:17 PM
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WOW!! for that much $ I'd say get married at the justice of piece skipping the big church wedding,expensive wedding dress you'll only wear once,have a nice reception party, & use the rest of the money for a house, & NICE honeymoon!
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TheConservative
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01-12-09 3:09 PM
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Who in their right mind spends that much money on a wedding! If you are today, then you are an idiot! Save your money and invest it in a home, or your retirement!
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