June may be months away, but wedding bells are in the air here in Maine with a number of wedding shows on the horizon.
French’s Point Four Season Wedding Show and the Seacoast Denim and Diamonds Wedding Expo both take place this weekend at popular seaside locations. The Maine Wedding Association continues with more tulle and roses in March and April with its two final shows of the season.
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This weekend’s shows aim to create an intimate wedding planning experience in contrast to larger convention center-style shows. The Seacoast show features 25 vendors; the French’s Point show has 30.
“We’re a small show,” said Cathy Goodwin, president of the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the Seacoast show. “But we’ve been so successful over the years because the venues are beautiful, the vendors are elegant and the brides get personalized attention.”
The Seacoast show takes place at the York Harbor Inn and the Stage Neck Inn, with a free limousine shuttling guests between the two venues.
Brides who wear both their diamond engagement rings and jeans can enter a raffle for a pair of diamond stud earrings from G. Irwin Co.
“We’re a destination wedding location, so the party often starts on Thursday and goes until Monday,” said Goodwin, explaining the denim and diamonds theme. “So the casual is definitely part of it.”
At the Seacoast show, attendees can also enter a raffle for $1,000 in wedding-related merchandise, including a gown. More gowns — for brides, attendants, flower girls and mothers — will hit the runway in a 2 p.m. fashion show put on by Bill and Bob’s Bridal Salon.
During the French’s Point show in Stockton Springs, brides who RSVP can sign up for free mini-spa services. The show also includes free ballroom dance instruction, live music, s’mores on the terrace and sleigh rides. The show will conclude with a fireworks display.
The French’s Point show will highlight the allure of Maine’s four seasons. At the start of the show, the music, appetizers and drinks will all reflect what you’d find at a spring wedding. Then every 45 minutes, the theme will change to summer, then fall and finally winter.
Yes, winter.
“We’re doing more and more winter events,” said Jessika Brooks, who owns French’s Point. “Winter is a really strong option if the couple is looking for novelty. It’s also really affordable, because there isn’t much competition.”
“The dynamic of planning a wedding has changed in the last 15 years,” she added. “These days, the age of the bride is more mature, the groom is very involved in the planning, and often they’re paying for it themselves.”
Goodwin said the recession has created a new cost-consciousness in the wedding world. “We definitely know that brides are shopping price,” she said. “That’s been a trend for two years.”
Goodwin also said more couples are aiming for originality over tradition when crafting their big day.
“Unusual kinds of weddings are growing in popularity,” she said. “And then we still see the traditional full seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen and the trolley and the picture taking.”
In contrast, Goodwin said many couples who tie the knot in the York area opt for a casual affair with a barefoot ceremony on the beach.
“I think today’s brides are very independent,” Goodwin said. “The best thing that demonstrates this is the cake. In my day, the cake was white with white frosting. Now we see cakes that can look like anything, including lobster pots.”
Staff Writer Avery Yale Kamila can be contacted at 791-6297 or at: akamila@pressherald.com
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