Brides Flock to the Northshore Mall

Brides-to-be flocked t0 the Northshore Mall on Saturday afternoon for the second annual New England Bridal Affair Expo. Whether newly engaged, or soon to be married, ladies and some gentlemen had the opportunity to get ideas for their wedding or fill in some last minute holes before the big day.

The show, which took place form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Macy’s court, featured vendors for every part of the wedding, from the location and invitations, to the best hair and make-up to match the perfect dress.

The ladies definitely dominated the event, although some invested grooms-to-be, like Sean Mahoney with his fiancé Megan Griffin, were eager to help plan the magical day. With their September wedding day creeping up, the future Mahoney’s needed some help with the planning. Griffin said being in school has made it hard to get everything done. Which is why she is lucky to have Mahoney, who has been accused of being too involved, there to help out. He said he enjoys the planning and wants to be involved, because it is their special day.

New businesses like Blushing Brides, who opened in March 2010, felt the event was a great way to promote the business. Owner Grace Mahoney said she heard about the success rate other businesses had after lasts year event and she was enticed to get involved. Mahoney started Blushing Brides, which specializes in hair, skin and nails, had been doing weddings for years before starting her own business. She said she enjoys working with bridal parties, taking the stress away and pampering them on their big day.

Although it was the first time Blossoms & Bouquets had been featured in the Northshore Mall'ss bridal expo, owner Denise Delany has years of experience designing floral arrangements for weddings. Delany said after 24 years as a florist she always enjoys designing arrangements for weddings, she gets involved in bridal expos to gain more exposure.

“I truly enjoy creating arrangements for weddings and working with brides to design bouquets,” she said.

Newly engaged Rachelle Valaskatgis was using the opportunity to get some ideas for her wedding. With only a few plans already in the works, she was filling out as many drawings as possible in hopes of winning something to alleviate some of the burden of the big day.

Friends Jenna Breitbarth and Eva Shepherd, getting married a month apart this summer, were enjoying their first bridal expo experience. Breitbarth, who is getting married this August at Brooksby Farm, had most of her plans already in place; she just needed someone for hair and makeup. Shepherd, who is getting married in September in Alabama, was just looking for general ideas for invitations and the little details. The expo provided the perfect way for them to shop wedding ideas.

The blushing brides took it all in, took away gifts and brochures, and took a moment to picture their wedding day. And some even took a chance on winning a free trip or wedding service. Either way, with more than 20 vendors experienced in weddings set up to provide everything from hotel and entertainment on the big day, to photographs and video to last a life-time, there was something for everyone.