The local Welcome Wagon hosted a bridal show Sunday afternoon at the Red Dog Inn that gave brides-to-be and local businesses the opportunity to exchange ideas.
Host and organizer Bridget Dobransky was very pleased with the turnout and the feedback she got from the brides.
“I was very happy with the way everything went,” she said. “We had 54 brides register and 50 show up. Aside from the lack of space, the entire thing went very well and I would love to hold another one.”
Janene Johnson was one such bride who came to get some ideas on how to plan her upcoming wedding.
“There are so many different things to look at,” she admitted. “I am getting married on Sept. 15 and I never realized what kind of work is involved when planning a wedding.
“There are so many details that I never thought about before but once I sat down and started to think about it, I realized that there was a lot of stuff that I had to do.”
Displayed on tables around the room were items that ranged from wedding travel packages from Border Travel to specialized cakes from Jill Flamand’s business “Creative Cakes.”
Tess Coish, who runs her own catering business, “Tess’s Kitchen,” said she jumped at the chance to showcase her wares at Sunday’s bridal show.
“It is a good opportunity to let brides know that I am available to cater their wedding,” she remarked. “This type of event is great because it gets your name out there.
“Hopefully when it comes time for them to plan their wedding, they will remember me and call.”
Cheryl Behan, representing PartyLight Gifts, also was very pleased with the opportunity to get her name and company out to prospective customers.
“This was the first show I have been to,” she admitted. “I was very overwhelmed by the number of brides that were there. This type of event is nice to be a part of because it allows you to make some solid contacts and gives you exposure.”
“I am really getting some great ideas,” said Janet Leader, who will be getting married in July. “I am not planning on having a large wedding but I still do want to make it elegant.
“I still have to pick out my cake and a dress so coming to this event was more of a necessity than anything else.
“When you come to this type of thing, you are hoping to get ideas,” Leader continued as she looked at chocolates from “Sweet Impressions,” a Thunder Bay-based business.
“I have talked to a lot of brides like me who just don’t know where to even begin,” she remarked. “I think after today, I will have a much clearer idea of what I want and where I can go to get it.”
The 46 brides-to-be and their guests also were treated to a fashion show that showcased everything from flower girl dresses to the wedding attire for the bride and groom.
“There are some very beautiful dresses,” Leader noted. “I have one flower girl for my wedding and I have gotten some really good ideas about what I would like her to wear.
“This whole thing has been very helpful.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
