A prom and a wedding. These are two of the most memorable days a woman will celebrate.

Finding the gown that will be as memorable begins with good planning, a local bridal wear sales associate said.

“Planning well in advance is the key,” said Gency Simpson of Harvey’s Fashions and Bridals in Beckley. “You want to give yourself plenty of time to shop and find the dress that’s perfect for you, and then you will need to allow time for ordering and for alterations and finding all the right accessories.”

Those who attend the 2007 Bridal, Prom and Special Occasions Fair from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Tamarack Conference Center will have the opportunity to see 24 prom gowns, 24 bridal gowns and an array of other special occasion fashions on the runway at shows at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend the second show.

“We have some lovely choices this year,” Simpson said. “The fashion shows always draw large crowds, and our models are excited about all the pretty styles they will be wearing.”

Finding the right gown for a wedding or prom involves much more than one’s preference for a particular style, length or color, Simpson said.

“How a gown looks on you will depend on your particular body style and matching the gown to flatter your individual figure,” Simpson said. “Knowing your body type and what styles look best on you will put you ahead of the game when it comes to shopping.”

Bridal wear consultants can offer help in finding the right styles. Because the process is time-consuming, brides are asked to schedule appointments to ensure plenty of time for making the right selection.

“We don’t rush people through because we enjoy helping ladies find the right prom and bridal wear and for helping family members select their wedding attire,” Simpson said.

Deciding on formal, informal, long or short is a good place to begin.

“You have to keep practicality in mind, especially when you are shopping for a wedding dress,” Simpson said. “If you are going to be married on a lawn or a beach, you might not want to choose a dress with a cathedral train. You might want to choose something that allows you to move more freely and that will be less cumbersome.”

Prom and bridal gowns continue to follow the trend of elegance and femininity, Simpson said.

“The classic styles of gowns are still popular, although we see a wide range of styles from ‘Diva-delicious’ to red carpet glamour,” Simpson said. “Gowns for spring will be magnificently mod with bountiful beads, luxurious fabrics and hot colors.”

When it comes to choosing white or ivory for a bridal gown, Simpson said the woman’s skin tones will be a deciding factor.

“White washes some women’s faces out. They may need an ivory color that will bring some of the warm tones in their skin.”

Prom gowns run the gamut from ball gowns with lavish details to vintage romantic silhouettes. Emerald, claret, gold dust and turquoise are among the most popular colors, Simpson said.

Color names for the short, sassy styles range from razzle-dazzle, starry nite, bubble gum and precious metals.

“Shimmer and shine, sparkle and details are all part of the prom season this year. Gowns are designed to be worn with a variety of accessories, all of which add a touch of enchantment to those special prom evenings,” Simpson said.

Marvelous mermaid styles are back with lots of ruffles and accents that hug the curves and show off the arms, necklines and backs.

“There are lots of glamorous styles in the plus-size range,” Simpson said. “These styles have been designed especially to flatter a larger figure, and there’s been no sparing of femininity and exciting details in these fashions.”



Saturday’s bridal expo, sponsored by The Register-Herald, All Seasons Floral and Tuxedo Rentals, Belk, Harvey’s Fashions and Bridals, Lite Side Cakes & Catering, Party King Sales and Rentals, Tamarack and Beckley Renaissance, will offer an opportunity for everyone to visit among 50 vendors’ booths and glean all kinds of advice about planning a wedding, prom or special occasion. There is no admission for the show. The bridal brunch has been sold out. The annual Battle of the Brides will be held in the theater at 3:30 p.m.

— E-mail:

bdavis@register-herald.com