The soft white lights dimmed the ballroom of the Ponoka Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Pink, brown and white party balloons, red and orange roses and other flowers helped to decorate the room on the evening of Jan. 31. A white stretched limo was parked outside for brides-to-be to check the inside of the cool ride. The 12th annual Ponoka Welcome Wagon Bridal Show had the perfect setting to welcome brides to be and help them decided everything from the perfect dress to the most delicious cakes to where they wanted to go on their honeymoon and much more.
The Legion was over-flowing with dotting brides and a few grooms who tagged along as well, Welcome Wagon had 60 brides registered and 56 attended with 15 more walk-ins. In total there were close to 200 people who were at the show to lend support for the brides.
Bride to be Savanna Sessler thought that the show helped her get in the right mood for her fast approaching wedding to Brad McCloud from Lacombe on July 18.
“I’m really excited now because before it seemed so surreal, you plan it and you get the facility and it’s like dull and you come here with all the colours and the lights and it’s all about you,” said Sessler.
Her favourite part was the fashion show because all the new summer colours were on display. She was very pleased with the show as a whole and was happy that it was close to home.
“I love it it’s great! There are lots of good ideas for the dresses and great door prize gifts. Everyone is so great to help you and if you are interested they will do anything for you,” said Sessler. “I thought it would be interesting and it’s in town. It’s nice that it is in town and you don’t always have to go to Red Deer all the time.”
Violet Smith the head hostess from the Ponoka Welcome Wagon thought the show went very well.
“It’s great, everyone worked together and everyone seemed to be having a great time,” said Smith. “It’s very good to have our local businesses that we can include and keep our business at home. As well it gives [the brides] a bit of an idea of what the coming colours are and the new trends that are out. They seem to really appreciate it.”
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The evening was filled with door prizes from the different businesses and a chance for the crowd to look at the different merchants in attendance. New Beginnings Wedding and Formal Wear hosted a fashion show with a multitude of colours including reds, greens, pinks and blues for bridesmaid dresses. Also showcased were different styles of wedding dresses including some long and sleek styles and others with big fancy ruffles.
The night was a perfect place for a bride to make her finishing touches to her wedding or someone just starting out looking for ideas.