Upcoming Bridal Shows
Jan. 23-24: Hara's Bridal and Prom Gala, Hara Arena in Trotwood; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jan. 31: Columbus Bridal Expo, Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Road, Columbus; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Feb. 28: Columbus Bridal Show, Columbus Convention Center, Battelle Hall, 400 N. High St.; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 7: Cincinnati Bridal Expo, Manor House Banquet Center, 7440 S. Mason Montgomery Road, Mason; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DAYTON — As the Elegant Entertainment String Quartet played “Unchained Melody,” an excited Jordan Jung and Tyler Mayhough entered the Dayton Bridal Expo at the Dayton Convention Center on Sunday, Jan. 10.
Jung said they came to get ideas for their June wedding.
“I took her to the fountain in Springfield where we shared our first kiss,” said Mayhough, 21, about his proposal.
More than 100 vendors — from photographers and DJ’s to florists and caterers — displayed products and services at the two-day event. Attendees sampled white chocolate raspberry wedding cake and pasta tossed in lobster bisque, checked out potential venues and stretch limos and viewed a runway show of bridal fashions.
Current wedding trends include Topsy Turvy cakes with angled layers; bright, sequined linens in hues of apple green, turquoise and orange; flashy LED lighting for receptions; and candy buffets that offer wedding guests the fun of assembling their own take-home favors.
Missy Donovan of Prime Time Party Rentals in Moraine said most brides begin planning their big day six to eight months in advance. But not all do.
“We had a mother-of-the-bride come into the shop the Monday of New Year’s week,” she said. “Her daughter was getting married four days later on New Year’s Eve!”
Sherri Lewis-Neuman of Marriage Works encouraged couples to consider classes in communication skills and conflict resolution.
“A wedding is a lot more than a cake and flowers,” she said.
Elizabeth Pacura of Dayton and Adam Nyberg of Beavercreek are hoping their wedding will involve all of their loved ones. The couple plans to be married in Dayton, then have a second reception in Nyberg’s native Sweden.
Pacura recently invited friends — including bridesmaid Heather Stokes of Austin, Texas — to an “Idea Day,” soliciting suggestions about the wedding.
“I always wanted my granddaddy to walk me down the aisle, but he’s no longer here,” Pacura said. “And Adam lost his mother. Someone suggested we might have an empty chair or a vase with flowers to represent each of those people, and we thought that was a lovely idea. We really want the day to be about the people we love and care about.”
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