Down the aisle in style

MOSES LAKE — Brides could find ideas for the dress, a cake, a hairstyle, a photographer, a decorating scheme – even a honeymoon wardrobe at the 2018 Bride Style Wedding Expo Saturday.

The expo was sponsored by the Columbia Basin Herald.

A style show of wedding gowns, tuxedos and formal wear was part of the day – and it included a dance featuring the ushers, or at least the volunteers that modeled the tuxes. Bridal boutiques, hair salons, deejays, photographers, bakers, even a limousine service and a mortgage company were among the vendors.

The style show featured ball gowns, mermaid-style dresses, strapless dresses and gowns with full sleeves, long trains, long veils, no veils, even a street-length gown. Any bride should be able to find a gown that fits her style and size, said Christina Martinez, who was part of the team from Perfect Fit Boutique, Yakima. The shop “loves to serve plus sizes and petites,” Martinez said.

The dress should be comfortable, not just while the bride is standing but while she’s sitting and dancing, Martinez said. She was wearing a mermaid-style gown. “I was just dancing, so you can dance in this dress.”

Rhonda Chase, owner of Vanity Hub salon, said brides shouldn’t feel the need to change everything up for the big day. “Spice up your real look,” she said, staying with the woman’s normal makeup, and maybe taking it up a notch. Brides wearing a gown with sleeves might think about wearing their hair up, to show off the dress.

The expo attended vendors from throughout eastern Washington, including Jodi Johnston, owner of Cake Chic Studio, Wenatchee, a past winner of “Cake Wars” on the Food Network. After looking at her competitors, her first reaction was that she just didn’t want to be the first contestant eliminated, she said. Legacy Limo was from Spokane; the car holds 12 people and was almost as long as a bus. “I’ve got take my turns wide and make sure I don’t run over the curb,” said driver Manny Rodriguez. The car is a Chrysler; “they cut it and add 12 feet,” he said.

Rodriguez has a day job, but the limo is a fun side job. “It is fun to drive.”

Tiffany Sukola wanted to get the word out about her photography business and photo booth. “I’ve had a lot of people stop by.” The inquiries were coming from local brides, but also from brides and families from Yakima and Grandview, Wenatchee, even Spokane. “It’s been pretty fun.”

“I love the bridal fair,” said Donna Miyamoto, owner of Miyamoto Photography. Previously she owned a cake shop, and has been a regular at the show. She started her photography business after the birth of her child. All photography is a lot of fun, she said. “I honestly can’t choose. I still love it all right now.”

The Glam Shack brought their own store, in a trailer. Owner Elisa Chavez, Othello, sells clothing and accessories. “I started out as just a hobby,” she said, but she liked the LulaRoe clothes she sells so much she decided to go into business full-time. The mobile shop required less investment than a permanent location, she said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.