Bridal fairs make planning easy

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COURTESY OF HAWK’S VIEW Spirit of Geneva Lakes

Local bridal fairs offer ideas and solutions

by Sandra Landen Machaj

CORRESPONDENT

For those planning a wedding – whether it is for this year, next year or even two years from now – it is not too soon to begin the process of choosing a venue, dress, tuxedo, and all the other details needed to make the wedding of your dreams become a reality.

In these times when everything from paper towels to clothing seems to be on back order, making decisions and placing orders for everything needed for this most important day in the life of a couple requires planning and action early in the process. For many couples, finding the businesses that provide the many small details for a successful wedding requires research, time, and travel to a variety of venues.

However, the traditional bridal fair, which provides an easy one-stop shop for a variety of venues and vendors, remains an attractive option for couples getting started in the

from top: Visitors to the Hawk’s View Bridal Showcase enjoy tastings of desserts and wine as they meander through the many displays offering wedding services: For Groom’s Day on Nov. 13 at Evergreen County Club, the grooms will be honored by the employees who work the event dressed in tuxedos.

COURTESY OF EVERGREEN COUNTRY CLUB Spirit of Geneva Lakes

planning process. Bridal fairs put attendees in touch with the latest trends and styles.

Two of the popular bridal fairs in the Geneva Lakes Area will again be held this year – at Hawk’s View Golf Club, Lake Geneva, on Feb. 6, and at Evergreen Country Club, Elkhorn, on Feb. 20.

Here’s a closer look at both events: Hawk’s View Golf Club

For 19 years, Hawks View has been the home of the longest running bridal showcase in southeast Wisconsin. This year the fair will be held on Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the golf club, 7377 Krueger Rd., Lake Geneva.

“The bridal showcase is a complimentary event held at Hawk’s View and sponsored by Hawk’s View Golf Club and Premier Bride to provide everything the couple needs to have the perfect wedding,” said Becky Farber, bridal consultant for Hawk’s View.

This year, according to Farber, the event will be conducted in a more open house style with vendors available to share their knowledge, prices and services on a oneto-one basis. Each vendor will have a space along the perimeter of the wedding venue.

Couples will have the opportunity to meet with the vendors that are of interest and ask questions. Each vendor will also offer short introductions to their products or service. Knowing exactly what is included makes budgeting much easier for the couple.

The event is open to the bride and groom, maid of honor and the bride’s parents and will provide information to make great choices for the wedding reception. Throughout the show there will be several raffle drawings offering prizes donated by the vendors. These may include a one-night stay at the Sybaris for the wedding couple, an Easter or Mother’s Day brunch, or a round of golf at Hawk’s View and many other prizes.

“This year we are also focusing on the Hawk’s View venue itself as many of the visitors have not booked a venue when they attend the bridal show. We will have the entire room set up as it would be for a wedding. We have recently undergone updating to the space, that has included replacing draperies and adding new sconce lighting,” Faber said. “The outdoor patio where the ceremony is held with its beautiful view of the open golf course is also perfect for dancing on pleasant evenings.”

The large bride’s room is available for the bridal party’s use the day of the event. It may be used to relax before the ceremony, or as a space to have their hair or makeup done so it is perfect for the ceremony. Or perhaps it will just be a space to relax while enjoying a light lunch or a refreshing drink to suit the needs of the party

The time at the bridal show will be filled with wine and food tastings, and the beauty of all things wedding to give the visiting couples the feeling of an actual event.

Performers from DJs to live music groups will share their style and costs with the prospective brides. Photographers will offer examples of their distinct styles.

Flowers are an important part of the beauty of any wedding. Floral designers will be on hand to exhibit their unique styles and help brides decide on arrangements, types of flowers, and colors for the individual bouquets and for the floral designs that will grace the wedding venue.

Today’s brides generally have a better idea of what they want in a wedding facility and how they want their wedding to look. According to Farber, most brides have checked out Pinterest to find what are the current trends in weddings and their choice of styles.

“Today’s weddings are smaller, more micro weddings with more updated food,” she said. “The couples enjoy a variety of décor from elegant sheik to the casual country look of Mason jars filled with baby’s breath or other wild flowers as opposed to giant centerpieces.”

The traditional wedding cake has morphed into a small cake for photos, a dessert station such as an ice cream bar, or a doughnut station. Mini Bundt cakes and cheesecakes with fillings such as raspberry can be chosen from the bakeries that will be on site to offer information and samples.

Visit Hawk’s View Golf Club online at www.hawksviewgolfclub.com/event/2022bridal-showcase for more information or email wedding coordinator Becky Farber at Becky@hawksviewgolfclub.com or call 262348-9900. No reservations are required for the Bridal Showcase.

COURTESY OF HAWK’S VIEW Spirit of Geneva Lakes

Lakes COURTESY OF EVERGREEN COUNTRY CLUB Spirit of Geneva

from top: Vendor tables allow visitors to the Hawk’s View Bridal Showcase to peruse the variety of items and services available to add a touch of beauty to the wedding of your dreams; Decorative signs adorn this head table while the colored lights add to the beauty of the scene. Options such as this are provided by vendors at the Lakes Area Bridal Fair hosted by Evergreen Country Club Feb. 20.

Evergreen Country Club

The 14th annual Lakes Area Bridal Fair will be held at Evergreen Country Club, N6246 Highway 12, Elkhorn, on Feb. 20. This event will welcome brides to be, their

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maid of honor, bridal party and even the groom to enjoy a day dedicated to everything needed to host the perfect wedding.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 1:30 p.m., allowing enough time to enjoy the beauty of the facility at Evergreen along with the opportunity to meet with a variety of representatives from local wedding service providers.

“Upon entering Evergreen, a taste of champagne will be offered. Other house wines will also be available for tasting to help the party choose what is best for their wedding, especially if they are holding it here at Evergreen,” shared Dori Beck, the wedding coordinator for Evergreen Country Club. “Each bride to be will be given a bridal bag filled with coupons and small gifts. The brides will be given a sash to wear to distinguish them for the day.”

While there will be a variety of vendors, Evergreen itself will be on display for those who have not yet settled on a wedding venue. Evergreen offers a choice of the indoor Evergreen Room or the outdoor pavilion. The pavilion is a three-season room that allows guests to enjoy the outdoors during mild weather.

Outside the Evergreen Room there is a beautiful patio with a gorgeous waterfall in the background where ceremonies are held.

“We are the only place that offers no minimum for food costs. Our venue offers a package but it is adjustable to meet the needs and budget of the couple,” Beck said. “When the couple signs for the venue as their place for their wedding, we give them a free round of golf. And if they sign the contract for the space on the day of the Bridal Fair, they will also receive half off the fee for the rental of the space.”

According to Beck, the facility has good rapport with its bridal fair vendors, many of whom have returned yearly. Among these preferred vendors that will be at the fair are DJ Felix Entertainment, who in addition to providing DJ music also provide lighting displays, and photo booths. Lotus Fly photography will be available to discuss photographic needs with the brides to be and will actually be taking photos at the bridal fair.

Still looking for that perfect bridal gown? Enjoy the beautiful dresses that will be on display at the bridal fair. A Savvy Bride will have a collection of gowns and formal wear for the brides to peruse.

Some brides have been planning every detail of their wedding since their teenage years. Other brides are at a complete loss about what they envision, what they want in a dress or what they see as the perfect decorative look for the venue.

“They need help to step out of the box and view the many resources available,” Beck said. “Our many preferred vendors offer so many new services from onsite hair and makeup to onsite teeth whitening that those who haven’t been involved in a wedding in some time may not be aware of.”

Even the traditional wedding cake has changed. More couples are leaning to the dainty finger sweets, cupcakes, chocolatecovered strawberries and even doughnuts.

“Doughnuts are especially popular,” added Beck. “So be sure to stop at our pastry vendors, including Pastries by Chad, who will offer unique sweet custom cakes or desserts.”

There will be a variety of vendors who can help the couple find the perfect flower style for the tables and their bouquets. Tommi’s Garden Blooms will be on hand to help inspire brides with floral designs.

Need to plan the honeymoon or a destination wedding? Both Carefree Travel and Easy Dreams Vacations and Tours will be available to assist in the planning.

Today a variety of wedding themes are often considered and the many wedding vendors will share their ideas with the couple.

It isn’t only the brides who will have a special day at Evergreen. Groom’s Day will be held on Nov. 13. It will be a special day of fun geared toward grooms. Vendors will display a variety of menswear for the wedding.

“Even the girls working the event will be dressed in tuxedos as they display cigars, paintball, beef jerky, blackjack tables, and enjoy beer tasting for this fun event,” shared Beck. “This is the second year that we will be offering a day for the grooms.”

Tickets for the Lakes Area Bridal Fair can be ordered in advance online for $5 or purchased at the door the day of the event for $8.

Visit Evergreen Country Club online at www.evergreengolf.com for more information or call Beck at 262-723-5722 Ext. 110 for more information.

from top: Looking to plan a themed wedding? This couple chose a Medieval wedding in the “Game of Thrones” style. Even the officiant (left) is dressed for the theme; The Evergreen Room will be showcased at the Lakes Area Bridal Fair hosted by Evergreen Country Club Feb. 20.

COURTESY OF EVERGREEN COUNTRY CLUB Spirit of Geneva Lakes