Here comes the bride...
Eastern Hills Mall to host second Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Fair
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

Sue O'Neil modeled bridesmaid fashions during last year's bridal fair. This year's fashion show will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. and will feature formal attire for men, women and children. Photo by Jim Smerecak

The wedding dress, bridesmaid attire, tuxedoes, photographers, transportation, caterer, flowers, cake, shoes, garter, veil ... the list is endless when it comes to planning one of the most special days in one's life.

For all those lucky brides-to-be, Eastern Hills Mall is here to help.

The mall will host its second annual Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at the mall, 4545 Transit Road, near Main Street.

"Last year, the event drew over 500 brides with their friends and family and featured 50 wedding-related vendors," said Megan Wagner, mall marketing manager. "We are hoping to exceed both those numbers this year by bringing in the best-of-the-best vendors and wedding specialists to help brides plan their big day."

The Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Fair will feature a bridal fashion show from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Center Court stage near Macy's.

Tracey Longs models a bridal gown during the 2007 Beautiful Beginning Bridal Fair held at Eastern Hills Mall. This year's fair will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at the mall, 4545 Transit Road. Mall representatives said they are hoping for more than 50 wedding-related vendors to be on site as well as more than 500 brides-to-be to attend. Photo by Jim Smerecak

"Fashions featured during the show will be for both men and women, children, bridesmaids, mother of the bride, and the list goes on," Wagner said. "There will be something for everybody."

The fair will also include numerous booths featuring wedding-related vendors such as Bridal Chateau, Tuxedo Junction, S&K Menswear, Speier Displays and Party Rentals, CJ Sound, ChuckEckart.com and MaryMoney. com.

"Planning a wedding can be so stressful, and with the Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Fair, we are hoping to make that process more enjoyable and less stressful for every bride," Wagner said. "All the resources needed to plan a beautiful wedding will be at a bride's fingertips at this fair. We have made sure to cover all aspects of wedding planning, so there will be information available on everything from wedding attire to banquet halls to floral arrangements."

Every bride at the fair will receive a complimentary gift bag, and one lucky bride-to-be will walk away with a grand prize valued at more than $1,000.

"Brides may only qualify for the grand prize if they register online or at the security desk in the mall before (Wednesday) April 16," Wagner said. "The grand prize gift basket includes a variety of gift cards and items from all the mall merchants."

While every aspect to a perfect wedding is important, there's something that symbolizes the beautiful bride-to-be - the dress.

This year, Bridal Chateau will display the latest fashions in bridal gowns as well as bridesmaid dresses.

"We are really looking forward to being a part of this great event," said Beth Daruszka, manager of Bridal Chateau. "Our big showings will include designs from Maggie Sottero, Private Label, Mori Lee and Mary's Bridal Gowns."

Gowns and dresses will be on display during the live fashion show, and Daruszka said the Bridal Chateau booth will also feature a live model and mannequins adorned in bridal wear.

"We are going to showcase a variety of styles," she said. "We will have a section with contemporary colored bridal gowns as well as sections with the big princess-like dresses and even the skinny destination-type wedding gowns. There will be something there for every bride's taste."

Daruszka noted that the fashion show and Bridal Chateau booth will also showcase the latest in bridesmaid dress trends.

"Greens and pinks seem to be really big this year," she said. "It's going to be a great event, and we hope we can help brides and their families make this special time in their lives memorable."

Speier Displays and Party Rental knows the business of planning a successful event, offering tables and chairs, place settings, cookware and kitchenware, tents and lighting needs, as well as hundreds of other items.

"In addition to our outstanding commitment in satisfying your rental needs, we are also able to offer you the benefit of over 50 years of theme displays, party and event planning, and convention and exhibit services," according to the company's Web site.

Of course, preserving the big day will be important to the happy couple, and Chuck Eckert and Mary Money of ChuckEckert. com and MaryMoney.com will offer information on their array of photography and videography services.

"One thing that is becoming a big wedding trend is converting old home movies, photos and slides onto DVDs, which can be played during the reception hours," Eckert explained. "It gives both the bride and groom the rare opportunity to tell both sides of their families and friends who they are."

Eckert said with the old home movies and slides, they can create a memorable montage where everyone can get to know the bride and groom and how each of them grew up before finding one another.

"In a way, we are leading up to the love story that is happening before our eyes at this reception," Eckert said. "We get to see who these people were before they met each other and who they are now that they are together. It's a really special and elegant touch to any event."

Wagner said the Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Fair is an event for the entire family to enjoy.

"When it comes to planning a wedding, the whole family gets involved," she said. "Brides can bring their mothers, their It's a great day of bonding.

"Grooms are more than welcome, too," she continued. "If they get a little tired of all the lace and flowers, they can head over to the International Food Court, which has a number of big-screen TVs, or even head over to Dave & Buster's."

"This event was such a success last year, we just had to bring it back for all those new brides-to-be," Wagner said. "We are really looking forward to helping these women and their families find everything they need to make their big day perfect."

For more information on the Beautiful Beginnings Bridal Fair and other events at Eastern Hills Mall, visit www.shopeasternhills. com or contact Wagner or Linda Klipfel at 633-1600.

The fair is being sponsored by WGRZ Channel 2, The Bee Group Newspapers, Tuxedo Junction, Bridal Chateau, S&K Menswear, Speier Displays and Party Rentals, CJ Sound, ChuckEckart.com and MaryMoney. com.