Published: February 23, 2007 08:42 pm      

Advice abounds today at Bridal, Prom, Special Occasions Expo

There will be lots to see and do at the 2007 Bridal, Prom and Special Occasions Fair today at Tamarack.

More than 50 vendors will be on hand to provide information, tips and practical advice from their display booths at the Tamarack Conference Center.

Melody White, an independent consultant for Arbonne International, is a first-time vendor and will offer information about a skin care line made entirely from botanical and herb products.

“I found out my son has cancer, and I was really interested in using products that are good for our bodies and can help us be more healthy,” she said. Her line includes products for men, women and children.

“I’ll have information and samples from our women’s skin care line for the 20- to 30-year-old, some of the anti-aging skin care line, men’s products and some things from our baby line. We also offer advanced nutritional products and aromatherapy items. I hope to introduce people to what this company has to offer.”

She is contributing one of the prizes for the Battle of the Brides and will offer her own drawing at her booth, White said.

Kevin Williams, owner and operator of Williams Entertainment, is also a newcomer to the show.

“I’m a rookie,” he said. “I have had this company for four years, and I haven’t promoted it all that much. All the special occasions and weddings I have done have been promoted by word of mouth, so I’m anxious to see what will happen at this bridal expo.”

Other vendors are Mountaineer Conference Center; Belk; Shifoto Studios; The Resort at Glade Springs; Passion Parties; Elegant Receptions; Premiere Lash/Hair Factory; Silpada Designs; Clark West Nationwide Insurance/Mortgages; Community Groups; Holzer Clinic Day Spa; Unique Concepts and Designs; Around the World Travel; Someday Productions; Greg Harvey DDS; Special Touches Cakes & Catering; Harvey’s Fashions & Bridals; Fairytale Weddings; Elden Photo & Video Extraordinaire; Coordinate-It; Jukebox Entertainment; Flowers by Nancy; Steve Coleman Photography; Bessie’s Floral Designs; Fruits of Labor; Steve Brightwell Photography; Rader’s Fabric & Decorating; Classic Occasions Catering; AAA Entertainment/Photography; Chick-fil-A; Elder-Beerman; Beauti Control; Life Strategies Counseling; MacArthur Wal-Mart; Black Knight Country Club; Century 21/First Choice; Pampered Chef; Greenbrier Valley Limo; West Farm’s Flowers/ Blackwell’s Restaurant; True Photography; Mary Kay; Beckley Board of Realtors; Shawna Lilly Photography; Hickory Limousine Service; John Yurick; Party King Rental & Sales; All Seasons Floral & Tuxedos; Lite Side Cakes & Catering; Simplicity Gourmet; Thompson Catering/RP Rose Photography; Beckley Renaissance; The Register-Herald; Tamarack Conference Center; and WVU Extension Service.

Prizes for the 3:30 p.m. Battle of the Brides are a basket filled with OBA61 Skin Care plus DVD from Holzer Clinic; 10-piece Kitchen Aide Cookware ($200 value) from Elder-Beerman; eyelash extensions ($250 value) from Premiere Lash/Hair Factory; $250 in bedding (in stock) from Belk; $250 in housewares (in stock) from Belk; $200 cash and free wedding announcement from The Register-Herald; two nights in the honeymoon suite from Country Inns and Suites; $250 limo ride in Greenbrier County or to use toward a larger package from Greenbrier Valley Limo; rattan ottoman with cushion from Rader’s Fabric & Decorating; spa day at Glade Springs, including a massage, manicure, pedicure and facial, valued at $245; gift basket from Fruits of Labor’s new online store (includes flower girl basket, ringbearer pillow, toasting glasses, cake serving set, bridal purse, matching garter, guestbook and pen set, $250 value; teeth whitening system ($350 value) from Dr. Greg Harvey and a bridal luncheon for the bride and 15 friends within a 35-mile radius ($200 value) from Classic Occasions Catering (food only).

Party King, All Seasons Floral and Tuxedo and Lite Side Cakes & Catering have provided the $1,000 and $500 wedding packages for grand prizes that will be awarded about 4 p.m. in the Tamarack theater, following the 3:30 p.m. Battle of the Brides.

Sponsors of the show are All Seasons Floral and Tuxedos, Belk, Beckley Renaissance, Harvey’s Fashions and Bridals, Lite Side Cakes & Catering, Party King Rentals and Sales and the Tamarack Conference Center and The Register-Herald.

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com