A vision in white: Lima Bride looks

LIMA — It's wedding season.

Lima Bride 2012 took place Sunday at Veterans Memorial Civic Center downtown. The event, presented by The Lima News and LimaBride.com, featured more than 60 exhibitors.

A highlight was fashion. There were two shows, onstage at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., and dresses from local shops were modeled by local women. The professionally choreographed fashion shows featured the best fashion offers today.

Among the brides-to-be in attendance was Beth Walters, engaged just 12 days ago to Devin Swygart and proudly wearing a new diamond ring.

“It's a lot more expensive than I thought,” said Walters, 20, of Shawnee Township, sitting with her mother and future mother-in-law. “We're planning a July 2013 wedding, so I have a long way to go.”

Having so many vendors in one place certainly helps with the planning, she said, although all the details — and the expense — can be a bit intimidating.

“But it's exciting. There's a lot of different things, like photography, that you can do to make your wedding special,” she said.

It's not too early to begin planning a 2013 wedding, said Beth's mother. “Especially when it comes to reserving a reception hall.” Maggie Walters should know: Beth will be No. 2 of her five daughters to marry.

There were plenty of photo studios on hand and at least a half-dozen cake makers handing out bite-size samples of their finest. Lima Bride 2012 also featured displays from DJs, florists, gift registry, venues, caterers, limousine companies and more to help plan that special day.

An estimated 1,500 people crowded into the hall to make wedding plans or gather ideas. Bill Clinger, marketing director of The Lima News and coordinator of Lima Bride 2012, said the attendance count included nearly 400 brides-to-be.

Beautiful, spring-like weather and brilliant sunshine probably helped boost attendance, as well as an 11 a.m. start — one hour earlier than in previous years.

Clinger said the show has worked so well from year to year, there's little need to change the format. What is remarkable, he said, is the ever-changing trends in wedding style and fashion.

“The different trends that are going on, the different colors, the change in styles,” Clinger said. “It is just amazing over one year to the next the dramatic changes you see at this show. That's why people come out for these events. We're very happy about it. It's our biggest event of the year.”

The show was also sponsored by Tracy's Appliances, Don Johnson Florist & Bridal, UltraSound & UltraParty, and Old Barn Out Back.

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