Lodi bridal show highlights the unusual

A model poses at the end of a runway during a fashion show at the ninth annual Bridal Event held Sunday at the Lodi Grape Festival grounds. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Lodi bridal show highlights the unusual

By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Monday, February 25, 2008 6:36 AM PST

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Engaged couples, their family and friends braved the blustery weather Sunday to shop for just about anything they could want for their weddings, on Sunday at the Grape Festival grounds.

There were photographers, bakeries and other typical wedding fare being peddled, but one of the more unusual vendors was one selling Tupperware.

Tupperware? Since when would someone buy Tupperware as a wedding present? If comedian Jeff Foxworthy knew about it, he might just call you a redneck.

Hey not so fast, Tupperware saleswoman Rebekah Handel said.

Some people buy presents for practicality, said Handel, who lives in Lodi. And you can have a Tupperware registry, she said. Some people actually do that.

Not only that, some brides are looking for part-time jobs once they get married, said Handel, who has the perfect answer. Why, sell Tupperware, of course.

The highlight of the day was the fashion show, which consisted of models showing off several strapless gowns of countless colors. But some of the more unusual fashions were worn by the men. One man had the courage to wear bright pink vest, while another had the nerve to wear an extremely loud lime-green vest.

Some bridesand grooms-to-be don't dress as formally as those in previous generations for their weddings. But Hall and Roberts say their daughters are looking for a more traditional look in their attire.

"Mine is looking for simple elegance, not sexy," Hall said. "Very classic."

Roberts said she was raised to wear a traditional wedding gown, and her daughter seems to feel the same way.

What's at a bridal show?

Angela Reyes of Stockton flips through a bridal magazine to show guests what Maxeen's Bridal store has to offer, during the ninth annual Bridal Event on Sunday in Lodi. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

On Sunday, there was something for everyone at the Lodi Grape Festival grounds. Vendors offered products and services including:
• Photography
• Videos of your wedding and reception
• Make-up
• Disc jockey music
• Wedding cakes
• Diet products
• Life insurance
• Limousine service
• Horse-drawn carriages
• Tupperware
Source: News-Sentinel staff.

Engaged couples say they go to several bridal shows to give them more choices for their big day. Jillian Brizendine and Heather Clayton of Lodi have been to three bridal fairs, Sunday's event at the Grape Festival being their most recent. Others have done the same.

Meanwhile, vendors said they were happy with the turnout Sunday.

"It was a good response," said Lori Marcin of the Flower Basket on Turner Road. "I really love to deal with weddings in our shop."

Stan Smith of Sonora had an interesting display — a red and white horse-drawn carriage — although the horses weren't at the bridal show.

"Every wedding we do is different," Smith said. "Sometimes, (the carriage) is central to the wedding."

San Joaquin County is a great location to attract wedding parties to a carriage. Sometimes the carriage will take the bride and groom right down Pacific Avenue, Smith said. It can often be seen at Morris Chapel at University of the Pacific.

"Sometimes we'll have humble weddings on the south side of Stockton," he added.

All cultures enjoy horses, which will draw just about anyone to a horse and carriage for a wedding, Smith said.

One of Smith's carriages provided free rides in Downtown Lodi between Thanksgiving and Christmas, thanks to the Downtown Lodi Business Partnership.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.