The Pavilion of the City of Marion was decked out in black satin and white lace Sunday at the Ever After Bridal Fair.
Brides and grooms, identified by stickers handed out at the front door, and sometimes entire bridal parties roamed the convention space gathering information from about 50 vendors.
Anything and everything anyone could possibly want as part of their wedding was displayed, from the traditional florists and bakers, photographers and videographers, jewelers, bridal shop owners, event venue representatives and planners, to the "extras" to make the bride feel even more beautiful, including services offered by makeup artists, hair stylists, an orthodontist and a weight loss center.
It was enough to make a bride- or groom-to-be's head spin.
Cassandra Roberts, soon to be Mrs. Travis Ince, came to the event with her maid of honor-to be, Brandy Yates; her bridesmaid and stepdaughter, Trinity Ince; and her aunt, Kathy Raney of Du Quoin, who was trying really, really hard not to cry.
"I'm her girl," Roberts said of her aunt. "My mother passed away when I was 10. Aunt Kathy's been there for me since the second I popped out and every minute in-between."
Raney nodded and wiped away tears, hugged Roberts, and wiped away some more.
"I'm with her the whole way," she said, beaming at the bride-to-be.
The doors opened at noon, and there were plenty of drawings and giveaways. There also was a fashion show at 3 p.m., followed by a cake-eating contest.
"We've done this for about 20 years now," said Lorena Marlow of River Radio, which sponsored the event. "We showcase all things bridal."
