Studio 66 Salon and its owner, Lori Gratzer, are planning a "bride-to-be" wedding event from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19, in the St. Clair High School gymnasium.
Studio 66 is the sole sponsor of the expo. There is no charge to attend.
"We're trying very hard to make this a great opportunity for brides," Gratzer said. "There will be different fashion shows that will show off current styles for brides and bridesmaids as well as dresses for mom, prom gowns and tuxedos."
Mimi's Bridal in Sullivan will be the main supplier of gowns, Gratzer said, adding that she is hoping to display as many as 100 dresses and tuxedos that day.
The first fashion show will feature the prom attire while the second will focus on wedding dresses and accessories. They are scheduled for 1 and 3:30 p.m. with games and other events in between.
"We're trying to use as many local models as we can," Gratzer said. "We want to emphasize local with this. We want to promote what's available here."
Area businesses have been invited as vendors to showcase what they offer. Gratzer said about 35 have signed up so far.
"We're setting up in three categories," Gratzer said. "The goal of the event is to make it easier for someone planning a wedding."
Vendors who deal specifically with weddings and all that goes into one will be set up in one area. These include florists, DJs, invitations, dresses and decorations. Another category is bridal registry and gifts. The third is what Gratzer refers to as "after the wedding" and includes household items, housing and even insurance needs.
"The wedding is the key to all this, but we want to market to other groups, too," Gratzer said. "We want to help as many businesses as possible."
One specific business that will be profiled during the event is Studio 66's "mobile beauty team," which Gratzer said are employees of hers who will go on site on the wedding day to help the bride and her party "prepare for the big day."
"One of the reasons we're doing this event is to launch our beauty team," Gratzer said. "We'll do the hair and makeup on the wedding day."
"We're pretty excited about it," she said.
Vendors are being charged $75 to set up shop for the day. Gratzer said they also have to provide an attendance prize. She said there will be about $3,000 in prizes given away during the show.