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SIERRA VISTA — Once again Fran and Jim Moffett have tried to show just what Sierra Vista has to offer brides and grooms for their big days.
This year’s big bridal event, organized by the Moffetts, took place at The Palms with many vendors from the area and a few from Tucson showcasing their talents and offerings aimed at making the wedding day extra special.
Liza Lugo from the Pampered Chef talked about the new wave of bridal showers that offer everything from baking dishes to spatulas.
“We have everything a woman needs for the kitchen,” Lugo said. “A person can have a bridal shower and buy the gift right there with no running around.”
 Mandie Fletcher, owner of Sterling Occasions, sits at her table displaying a variety floral arrangements at the annual Sierra Vista Bridal and Quinceaneras Fair held Sunday at The Palms. (Suzanne Cronn•Herald/Review) |
Also talking about holding parties with a purpose were Linda Young and Nicole Terry, BeautiControl consultants.
Terry was swiping a wonderful skin softener she called an instant manicure on the outstretched hands of mothers and daughters. They were instantly impressed with the product.
“We can arrange bridal showers and give everyone a relaxing, fun evening or afternoon. We set up stations, and the women can go from station to station to try everything out,” Young added.
Walking around taking everything in was Sarah Greenberg and her husband-to-be, Paul Herbert. They are planning an August wedding and came to the bridal fair to check things out.
So far, they know they want to go to an island in the Pacific for their honeymoon, and she has picked out her dress and the color scheme of the wedding.
Herbert said he didn’t mind coming to the fair.
“I don’t want to be left out of it all,” he said.
His future father-in-law, David Greenberg, suggested having the wedding at a golf course so they could play a few rounds before the vows.
“That didn’t go very far,” said Herbert with a smile. “I thought it would be fun.”
They were just one of several couples visiting the fair Sunday afternoon.
A unique display was set up by Mandie Fletcher of Sterling Occasions Florists. She decided to go “green and natural.”
“That’s the current rage,” she said.
Her simple floral arrangements show her talents for design, such as the green mum ball with a beautiful flat rock as the base. She got the idea from the Zen Garden section of her store at the mall and went from there.
“But, the classic favorite flower is still the rose. They come in so many colors,” she added.
Photographer Fran Moffett, owner of Fran’s Wedding Photography, had several books on display showcasing her talents for catching that special look on the special day. She’s been at it for 20 years in Sierra Vista and said she finds weddings relaxing.
“I’m a people person,” Moffett said. “And I enjoy helping capture the special moments of the day.”
Samples of wedding and special-occasion cakes were disappearing off the Food City tables. The store has seen an increase in wedding cake orders recently since participating in the bridal fair held at Dillard’s last year.
Anna Valenzuela, Food City cake decorator, has recently learned the art of decorating wedding cakes and likes what she does.
“My mom was a baker, and she decorated cakes, too,” she said. “I’m just following her, though I never thought I’d be doing this for a living. At first it was hard not to taste the frosting, but then I gained 10 pounds ... ”
Barbara McCraney, owner of the catering service The Social Register, was busy dipping chocolate and strawberry marshmallows in chocolate and talking about her offerings.
“I was in a family of nine, and I did the cooking. I got tired of making other people money, so I went into business for myself doing what I’m good at and what I like,” she said.
Her husband even built her a special kitchen to handle the catering business, and he helps her transport the food.
She has cooked for “hundreds of weddings” in the 20 years she’s been in business, in addition to catering for special Fort Huachuca military events, anniversaries, parties and banquets.
“I stay pretty busy all year,” she added. “I have catered for whole families, the parents, sons, daughters, cousins. They remember us and come back.”
At the “leading edge of disc jockey stuff,” Mike Bernardo, owner of Visionary Entertainment, also was there touting his unique style. He has been a deejay for five years and offers music for any taste and age. He even has suggestion songs for the first dance between the bride and groom and the father/daughter and mother/son dances.
“I love doing weddings,” said the former musician. “They’re a lot of fun. It’s a happy occassion.”
During the fashion show, dresses from Best Moments suitable for proms, quinceañeras, bridesmaids and brides were modeled by the girls and several colorful suits from Zeenah Mens Wear were modeled by the men.
The bridal fair is set to return to The Palms next year.
Herald/Review reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.
K Ryan wrote on Jan 29, 2008 8:30 AM: