Bridal show coming to downtown

By Katie Farrell
Staff writer

May 09, 2008 03:30 am

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AMESBURY — The downtown's evolution has made it fit for a new kind of event — a bridal show.

Local photographers, wedding consultants, florists and other vendors will all be participating at a "Spring Bridal Party" at Essencia Spa in downtown Amesbury on Sunday, May 18.

"We're very excited," Essencia owner Marie Santos said yesterday. Eight different vendors will have tables set up around the salon with information for brides. Mothers of the brides and bridesmaids are also welcome to attend.

Essencia opened its doors in February and joins several other Amesbury stores that offer services that appeal to bride- and grooms-to-be — several of whom will be at the event.

Joining in the show are Ovedia Artisan Chocolates, Envelop the Moment, Jenny's Wedding Cakes, Ambassador Limo Services, Tangorra Wedding Planning and William Tangorra Photography all of Amesbury; Christina's Bridal Shop of Andover; Dana Markos Floral Design of Ipswich; Jane Berger Photography of Maine; Action Wedding Video of West Newbury and Everlastings Pressed Flowers of Merrimac, which uses Japanese pressed flower art to preserve wedding bouquets. Essencia's staff will show hairstyles and makeup and nail polish tips to the brides-to-be, Santos said.

Barbra Vogel, of Ovedia, said favors for weddings and celebrations are a popular part of her business.

Chocolates and truffles continue to be a popular wedding favor, Vogel said, but brides are pursuing more creative and unique approaches to the traditional wrapped chocolates in a box.

"What people are looking for today is different," Vogel said. Vogel said the store will work with couples on favor ideas they have and will tailor favors to meet their wishes or a particular designs.

Trisha Gallagher Boisvert will bring samples of stationery and wedding invitations to the bridal showcase. Her store, Envelop the Moment, moved into downtown Amesbury in December.

She will have a table set up with displays of invitations, as well as copies of wedding planners and books that the shop offers.

"We hope the bridal show will be a chance for us to introduce ourselves to the community," Santos said.

The bridal show will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Marie Santos at 978-388-4772. The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are appreciated.