USU Bridal Faire to be one-stop mall for brides-to-be

By Marie MacKay

January 20, 2006 | Chelsa Seegrist and Kirk Dimond are getting married. As busy students at Utah State University, they're taking a simpler approach to planning their wedding: bridal fairs.

This one-stop wedding resource is becoming a popular way for future brides to find everything they need for their big day.

"I think what helps me the most is seeing what's out there, like different photographers and decorators and comparing prices," Seegrist said of bridal shows.

She attended the Bridal Expo at the South Towne Mall in Salt Lake City on Jan. 6 and plans to attend the 21st annual Bridal Faire at USU in the Taggart Student Center on Jan. 28 to get more ideas for her wedding.

This year there will be more than 60 vendors throughout northern Utah on the USU campus. They will showcase everything from photography to wedding cakes to dresses and to honeymoons, said Diane Falslev, event coordinator.

"It's a good way to see what is available in one place without having to go all around town," Falslev said.

USU's bridal fair is the oldest in Utah. Falslev said she expects more than 300 future brides to attend.

Fair sponsors will give several prizes, including a pearl necklace valued at $895, a men's wedding band and photography and honeymoon packages. John and Michelle Simpson, owners of Culinary Concepts in Logan will also be giving away an ice sculpture which is valued at $225.

Although most of their business comes from word-of-mouth, Michelle said they enjoy going to the Bridal Faire because it gets their name out and they can network with other businesses, which she said brides can do as well. In Utah alone, there are more than 10 bridals shows available throughout the state between Jan. 1 and May 1, many of which are free.

For Amber Grange, who is getting married March 8, bridal fairs help her to get more creative ideas when planning for her wedding. She has been engaged for more than a month and was surprised how much time it takes to prepare.

"Start early," she said. "Start planning early and get all the people you can to help." Seegrist has experienced the same problems, especially as a full-time student trying to plan a wedding.

"Right now going to school, working and planning a wedding all at the same time can be very stressful," Seegrist said.

For more information about the USU's Bridal Faire, contact Falslev at 435-753-6736.

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