By Sharon Zwierzyna, Lebanon Express writer | Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 12:00 am
June is a quarter of a year away, but Lebanon couples planning a summer wedding are already ordering cakes and dresses. The Fifth Annual Bridal Show at Santiam Place in Lebanon is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 22, from noon to 5 p.m. The event is free to the public.
Sally Skaggs, owner of Santiam Place, hosted the first such event five years ago.
"I saw a need for bridal shows in this part of Linn County, as the only other show was in Albany," she said. "Brides will go all over the state to attend several different bridal shows, and I like to show that small towns can offer a variety of services and they don't have to go out of town to find what they are looking for."
Skaggs has lined up more than 20 vendors for the event, including photographers, jewelry makers, wedding planners, food services, DJ's, bridal magazines, custom bridal veil makers, cosmetics, The Pampered Chef and more.
Annette Schuld from the Simply Elegant Bridal Boutique on Main street. will be bringing sample bride and bridesmaid gowns to the fair. She said that modern young brides often head for the strapless gowns, but she will also have available more traditional dresses that are less revealing. Schuld said that bridal fairs are becoming more important in planning a wedding, second only to bridal magazines.
"As soon as a girl gets engaged, she's buying bridal magazines," Schuld said.
Last year nearly 50 brides-to-be attended the Bridal Show at Santiam Place, along with nearly as many grooms, parents and friends.
"Bridal shows are a good place to meet many different vendors at one place, see what's available, and price services, as well as to talk to the vendors one-on-one," Skaggs said.
In addition to hosting the fair, Skaggs also rents space at Santiam Place for weddings and receptions. It is also available for parties, meetings, reunions and other gatherings, both indoors and out. Santiam Place is located at 139 Main St., across from Academy Square.
Upcoming events at Santiam Place include a Crafters Market and Home-Based Business Expo on April 18, and a Mother, Daughter, Sister Tea on April 25, a benefit for Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
For more information on the bridal fair or Santiam Place, contact Skaggs at 259-4255, or visit www.santiamplace.com.