January 20, 2010, 8:05AM
Rebecca Bakken | Special to the Kalamazoo GazetteLeft, Jackie Simonds, 29, of Three Rivers, finds the ideal wedding dress on Jan. 13 at Memories Bridal & Evening Wear, at 203 E. Michigan Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo. She is getting married in September. Right, Joshua Grimes, manager of Memories Bridal & Evening Wear adjusts this ruffle-neck halter gown by Justin Alexander that costs $700.KALAMAZOO — A selection of Kalamazoo's best bridal gowns, jewelry, flowers and much more will be on display at the Bridal Fashion Show at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Wine Loft, 161 E. Michigan Ave.
The event, hosted by The Wine Loft, will showcase gowns from Memories Bridal & Evening Wear, jewelry from Alfieri Jewelers and flowers from Sofia Floral, along with a photographer, DJ, makeup artist and cake from Richland bakery Confection.
"It's a best of breed show, with all the top retailers in the area," said Tiffany Cornelius, president and co-owner of The Wine Loft.
Cornelius said it will not be a typical trade show with booths, but rather more like a social gathering with models from Reality Models circulating the room while wearing bridesmaid dresses, carrying flowers, donning jewelry and letting their faces and hair be the canvas for makeup done by Shayne Crocker and hair by Folio Salon. Wedding photos from Holly Henderson Photography will be displayed on the walls and bridal gowns will be on mannequins to prevent them getting soiled. A DJ from Curt Wiser Productions will provide entertainment.
The retailers were selected through word-of-mouth recommendations from brides who have held rehearsals or receptions at The Wine Loft, said Cornelius, adding that the wine bar was created with weddings in mind and can accommodate a 100-person reception at the intimate and elegant venue.
"We have a special place here that a lot of brides are attracted to," Cornelius said.
Aside from an extensive wine list, the location also features a full bar and menu of both entrees and small plates. Cornelius said it could create customized packages according to the bride and groom's taste and budget.
Rebecca Bakken | Special to the Kalamazoo GazetteA ruffle neck halter gown by Justin Alexander, $700."We can go as extravagant or as casual as a bride wants," Cornelius said. "We can plan, coordinate and execute the entire event."
Promoting the bar by holding events like the Bridal Fashion Show also gives Cornelius and her business partner Terry Henderson a chance to help out their fellow Kalamazoo businesses.
The featured businesses "are all local. We're all in it to support each other and they've all been successful based on the reputations they have," Cornelius said. "We're unique to Kalamazoo."
The show will not be the first time The Wine Loft and Memories Bridal, which is located a few doors down at 203 E. Michigan Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo, have teamed up as the salon has also provided some fashions for spring and fall fashion previews at the bar.
Joshua Grimes, manager at Memories, said six bridal gowns will be displayed, ranging in price from $500 to $1,200. Also shown will be 18 bridesmaid dresses, ranging from $120 to $220, and as well as tuxedos.
Grimes said current trends in bridal wear are leaning toward simplicity and quality fabrics.
"It's reverting back to that simple dress again," Grimes said. "You get that shape and elegance."
Handcrafted flower embellishments, pockets and "crumb-catcher" tops, where the neckline of the dress sits slightly away from the body, are also popular trends. Ruffle-neck gowns are also fashionable, Grimes said as he arranged a halter-neck gown with dramatic tulle-laced ruffles along the whole neckline and some subtle flower details tucked away in the ruche.
For photos, Grimes recommended an ivory or off-white shade as opposed to stark white, which he said "can make you look washed out."
Veils are a timeless bridal piece, Grimes said. He said the "cage veil," which consists of a wide net that falls just above the lips with feathers, is making a comeback as brides lean toward a retro 1940s aesthetic.
Bridesmaid dresses can be tricky because they need to flatter a multitude of body types, so Grimes said fabric is important. Pleating along the bust line can give the illusion of a slimmer waist, and has therefore become a trend in bridesmaid dresses, Grimes said.
Satin, chiffon and taffeta have been popular fabrics but "colors are a free for all," Grimes said.
