wedding showcase

By Kevin Cosskevin.coss@austindailyherald.com

Wedding bellswill ring inminds ofAustinites

later this month asdreams of their big daybegin to take form infront of them.

The third annualAustin WeddingShowcase runs fromnoon to 3 p.m. Jan. 27 atthe Hormel HistoricHome. The event bringstogether weddingservice vendors andbrides- and grooms-to-be to make preparingfor their weddingsomething closer to aone-stop shop.

“The goal of theshowcase is just toallow brides planning awedding to see all thedifferent servicesavailable in Austin,”said Holly Johnson,executive director withthe HHH. “Everythingthey would need theycould probably findhere.”

For a $3 entry charge,guests will be able totour what is expected tobe nearly 30 vendors ofwedding-related goodsand services. TheHistoric Home brings inflorists, photographers,disc jockeys and more,typically all from theAustin area.

“We’re still gettingpeople to sign up as ourvendors,” Johnson said,adding the HHH hasfilled up on vendors

both of the previousyear of the event.

One of the mainattractions of the eventis a fashion show, whichbrings female models into present differentstyles of weddingdresses. Several AustinBruins players join in todontuxedosand walkwith them,playing therole ofgroom.

“Therewill be fourof themthis yearthat aremodelingthe tuxes,”Johnsonsaid.

Apartfrom the fashion show,there will also be foodsamples from localcatering services andother entertainment,like live music. Both thehome and the banquetarea will be open forguests to tour.

The Historic Homeitself is a full-servicewedding venue, Johnsonsaid, and hosts 20-25weddings a year.

“We do a customquote for every brideand groom that comesin,” she said.

Wedding CoordinatorAmanda Fett, who hasbeen with the HHH forthree years, knows howto walk people throughplanning their big dayso that no detail is

overlooked. She will bepresent at the at theevent, too, where shewill offer to set upplanning appointmentsfor couples and answertheir questions, as well.One of the snagscouples hit the mostwhile planning is

sorting outwho will beinvited.

“I think thehardest part ofa wedding isthe guest list,”she said.“Everylocation has alimit on whatnumber ofguests you canhave.”

As asolution,many times

Fett will recommend asmaller group of familyand close friends for thedinner and ceremony,with a larger danceafterward that everyoneelse is invited to.

“It also saves moneyon the dinner end,because then you’re notbuying as much food,”she said.

Fett said manypeople like the HHH forweddings because itoffers guests anopportunity to tour thehome during socialhour and still hasplenty of roomseparately for abanquet.

“Every year we seemto get more and moreweddings,” she said.

Between 150 and 200people show up for theWedding Showcase,many of them engagedat the time with awedding of their ownon the horizon, or aparent or grandparentof someone engaged.But there are otherswho come just to seewhat’s available, catchthe Austin Bruins thereand have a look aroundthe building.

“It’s a great way forpeople to see theHistoric Home, as well,”Johnson said.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013

•Easy toregister -Stop bythe Jewelrycounter.

•Easy toget the listand shop!

•Nationwide

HHH gears up for annual event

Here comesthe bridalshowcase

“The goal of theshowcase is justto allow brides

planning awedding to seeall the different

services availablein Austin.”

-Holly Johnson,executive director

at the HHH

For decades the month of June held firm asthe most popular month for weddings. Butstatistics now indicate that there may beshifting preferences in the time of year formarriages. According to the National Centerfor Health Statistics, July and August are nowthe most popular months for tying the knot inthe United States. September and Octoberhave also gained momentum as premiermonths. Explanations for this shift vary, but itmay have something to do with changingweather patterns and warmer weather nowarriving later in the season than in the past.Also, getting married later in the year maymake it easier for couples to secure their firstchoice of wedding venues.

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