VERO BEACH — Future brides and a few grooms savored an afternoon of all things bridal at the Pointe West Wedding Fair Sunday afternoon, held at The Club at Pointe West. A lavish 20-passenger Cadillac Escalade limousine parked at the clubhouse entrance elicited dreams of celebrity weddings.
Fully loaded with flat screen satellite TVs, leather seats, twinkling lights and champagne bar, it looked comfortable enough for a small reception.
“At night the fiber optic lights on the ceiling make it seem like you’re looking at the stars,” said Gerald Lafferty, owner of Luxury Limousines.
The dulcet sounds of harpist Eve Van Buren filled the entryway as guests were given complimentary champagne and began a tour of vendor booths offering everything imaginable, from wedding planners and photographers to steel drums and even a notary who performs ceremonies.
“It’s the first time we’ve done something like this – we wanted to do it in a slightly different format from other bridal shows,” explained Karen Mechling, Pointe West’s director of marketing. “We’re trying to showcase the club; make the show elegant and intimate. We wanted it to be like what an actual wedding would be at the club.”
Round tables in the dining rooms were gorgeously decorated with a variety of floral arrangements and tablescapes – some elegantly simple and others over the top spectacular. Always in Bloom Florists, Hutchinson Floral and Pink Pelican Florist each designed three tables, all beautifully set off by linens and chair covers from All in Fun Inc.
Popping with color, the vibrant raspberry, black and green display designed by Jill Frost of Pink Pelican Florist showcased some of her most requested colors this season. An elaborate arrangement by Hutchinson’s Floral cascaded with crystal bubbles filled with orange sherbet colored rose pedals.
Guests nibbled on a selection of hors d’oeuvres while they wandered the room, and as they sat for the fashion show were served plated crab-cake appetizers created by 2011 Top Chef Andrew Keller, followed by wedding cake tastings from Sandi’s Cake and Casereccio Cakes.
“People are going a lot bigger,” said Paul Casereccio of the current wedding cake trend. “Last year it was muted and downsized. Now, even if it’s only for 40 to 50 people, they want fake tiers to give it height.”
Wedding cake bling is another popular trend according to Sara Hallee of Sandi’s Cakes who said, “We’re using lots of rhinestones and edible jewels; very fashion forward.”
Scott Fisher’s Treasure Coast Photo Booth was attracting a lot of attention, as a steady stream of people went behind the curtain to pose for a few candid shots.
DJ Ed Meade of Class Act Productions and Entertainment emceed as graceful models presented one stunningly beautiful gown after another. Sleek and sexy, ruffled and ruched, lacy or bejeweled – each dress was equally gorgeous.
“Some want something very plain and some want a lot of frills,” said Janice Carvelli, owner of Bridal Suite of Vero who supplied all the bridal and bridesmaid dresses. “We’re seeing a little more lace which might have something to do with the royal wedding.”
The models, including one adorable little flower girl, had been professionally coiffed by stylists from Mark’s at the Pointe Salon and glammed by makeup artist Cindy Goetz.
“Some of the models are club members who donated their Sunday afternoon for this,” said Jessica Gardner, food and beverage manager of The Club at Pointe West.
In-between the three gown changes, stylists Jolene Grant and Justine Barnett showed off their talents with quick up-do demonstrations. Goetz, who indicated that 90 percent of the brides she assists wear them on their special day, demonstrated the proper application of false eyelashes.
At the conclusion of the fashion show, a few lucky winners went home with door prizes donated by the vendors, but all the brides left with visions of their absolutely perfect wedding.
