Many Provo brides-to-be are turning to bridal fairs as quick and convenient information sources about the wedding process.

"Its nice to have everything here so you can compare prices," said Crystal Burton, who is planning a June wedding.

Vendors said they get most of their business through bridal fairs and word of mouth.

"This is really a place to get your name out to a lot of people, and let people see your work," said Bevan Whitear, a wedding photographer.

He said his company does two to four shows a year.

Those planning a wedding will find vendors advertising just about anything marriage related: Marriage license, wedding cakes, dress, tuxedos, ring cleaning, rental location, dry cleaning, catering, honeymoon and even weight-loss. The companies rent booths for around $800 per fair.

Each booth provides a glimpse of a wedding service.

Men dressed in three-piece suits give information about tuxedo rentals; women donning brides-maid dresses hand out dry-cleaning coupons.

TV monitors play sample wedding videos and waiters offer chocolate-dipped strawberries.

While bridal fairs display the latest wedding trends, vendors are happy to answer any questions.

"Simplicity is really coming into play in the wedding gowns, but a lot of people like the wrap look," an Allyse's Bridal representative said. "A lot of brides like that because it accentuates the bust line and it looks really great on waists."

Some feel there are almost too many options.

"I had a dress in mind but now I get to see all these and now I don't know what I want," said Melissa Figueroa, who plans to get married in September.

Bride-to-bes have the opportunity to enter several drawings for wedding related prizes at bridal fairs.

Esther Turner, who is getting married this June, won a three day mini-honeymoon to the Bahamas.

"I just put my name in one of the drawings there and they drew about 50 couples," Turner said. We didn't have to buy anything, they just gave us the trip for free."

Often, brides do not have to pay an admission fee to the fairs. However, other visitors sometimes have to pay around $5.

A two day bridal fair is scheduled for March 28-29 at the South Town Expo Center in Sandy. Another fair is scheduled for April 12 at Provo High School.



Copyright Brigham Young University 13 Feb 2003