Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Fair
Eastern Hills Mall to help perfect the 'big day'
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

It finally happened.

Your one true love asked you to spend the rest of your life with him. After tears of joy, champagne toasts to the future newlyweds and late-night calls to family and friends - reality sets in. It's time to plan the perfect wedding. No doubt, any bride-to-be has been mapping out her dream wedding since she first watched Cinderella as a child, but when it comes down to all the planning that is involved, suddenly the bride-to-be may become what is now infamously known as a "Bridezilla."

But with the help of Eastern Hills Mall, planning your upcoming nuptials couldn't be simpler. The mall, at 4545 Transit Road, Clarence, will host the Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 29. All aspects of a wedding will be represented, including music, flowers, caterers, invitations, photography, video, favors and travel.

"We will have everything," said Ellen Kaminsky, Eastern Hills marketing manager. "Many of our mall merchants have so much to offer when it comes to wedding needs, and the mall is the perfect venue for such a fair."

Kaminsky said that more than 50 vendors will be represented at the bridal fair, including Speier Displays and Parties Rentals, CJ Sound, Tuxedo Junction, Things Remembered, O'Brien's Sleepy Hollow, Dave & Buster's and The Westwood Country Club.

"We will have something for every bride and groom at this event," Kaminsky said.

Preregistered brides-to-be will be eligible to win a $1,000 grand prize package from Eastern Hills Mall. The package includes gifts from mall merchants.

"Brides can preregister at the security desk at the mall or online at www.bridesworld.com by April 26," Kaminsky said. "But any bride-to-be is welcome to Beautiful Beginnings; preregistration is not necessary. You can register when you come in on Sunday, or you can do so beforehand and become eligible for some great prizes from Eastern Hills Mall."

The prizes don't end there.

"Each vendor exhibiting during the day will also have a prize drawing at the end of the show," Kaminsky said. "That means there are over 50 chances for all our brides-to-be to walk away with something for their special day."

Besides the groom, what's the most important part of the big day? The dress, of course, and bridal fair attendees can catch the latest bridal fashions during an hour-long fashion show on the stage in front of Macy's.

"The fashion show will be held from 2 to 3 p.m.," Kaminsky said. "From 2 to around 2:15, fashions from TT New York, Bella and the Deb Shop and then for the remaining 45 minutes, there will be fashions from Victoria's Bridal Shoppe and Tuxedo Junction."

Cynthia Bank, owner of Victoria's Bridal, said her bridal shop has something for every bride.

"We have everything from formal bridal gowns to outdoor gowns to destination wedding gowns," Bank explained. "Our variety is endless, and we can help brides pick out their perfect gown, whether it's their first or second marriage or if they'll be getting married in a traditional church or an outdoor ceremony."

Bank said with her knowledgeable staff, a bride's life is made easier when she chooses Victoria's Bridal.

"With our expert staff on hand, we make everything a lot easier because our staff is full-time and very knowledgeable on the designers," Bank said.

She added that Victoria's is also a one-stop shop for brides-to-be. She said the shop houses everything from dresses and undergarments to jewelry, veils and tiaras. Victoria's Bridal is located at 5225 Sheridan Drive in the Georgetown Plaza.

"They" say, after the dress, it's all downhill. Well, have "they" ever met a bride-to-be?

Many brides often hear that their wedding day will "go by in a flash." After so much preparation, brides look forward to remembering their day as perfection in print, and that's where the camera comes in.

Chuck Eckert and Mary Money of Channel One Media will be offering their services, which include both wedding photography and videography.

"We are a full-service wedding video and photography company," Eckert said. "Mary and I have 20 years of experience doing weddings."

"We are very affordable," Eckert continued. "We are able to meet the expectations of our clients through a series of consultations leading up to the wedding. We like to sit down three to four times prior to the day, so that we can get the flow of what's going to happen and what the couple wants on their special day."

Channel One Media offers both photography and videography, which Eckert said is becoming more popular with each wedding season.

"We are seeing the majority of couples doing a wedding video along with the wedding photos," Eckert said. "And what's nice about having one company do both is that we are in sync with what is going on before and during and after the big day. There is less confusion."

Channel One Media is located at 8274 Main St., just past Transit Road in Clarence.

Traveling in style is a source of comfort and convenience for the bride, groom and their wedding party. Representatives from Zoladz Limousine will be on hand at the bridal fair to discuss transportation on the big day.

Donny Snell, operations manager with Zoladz, said a brochure will be available for brides-to-be and their guests on all that the company has to offer. Snell added that a vehicle will also be on the premises.

"On your wedding day, transportation is an added convenience," Snell said. "Everybody's together, and it helps because there is a time factor on days like these, and by having a professional, chauffeured limo, it takes some of the stress off the couple."

Snell said the Zoladz fleet ranges in capacity from 1 to 40 passengers, and the staff does its best to accommodate the couple on their big day.

"We make sure drinks stay cold, the food stays out and the vehicle stays neat and clean," he said. "We know this is their special day, and we do whatever we can to make their Zoladz experience memorable."

Learn more at www.zoladzlimo. com. With vendors such as those mentioned above, plus around 47 more, brides at fair will be sure to find the best deals as well as details to make their big day picture perfect.