Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992 TAG: 9203130177
SECTION: AMERICAN WOMEN'S SHOW PAGE: AW-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By ANNE PIEDMONT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Coordinated by Dody Matze of Perfect Weddings and Jamie Pence of Mitchell's Formal Wear, the show is really a show within the American Women's Show, featuring complete wedding information, from fashions to music to food.
"Every year we try to make it very special," said Matze. "This year we're showing different prenuptual music and reception music." They also want to tell couples that they can "put their own ideas" into their weddings.
Inspired by her own son's military wedding last fall, Matze has arranged for U.S. Marines from the 4th Combat Engineering Center to demonstrate the sword ceremony. They will be on stage, dressed just as they would for a wedding.
The fashion show itself will feature clothing for the entire wedding party, from the bride and bridegroom to the attendants to the mothers. Clothing will be grouped to show what is appropriate for formal weddings, both day and evening; day and evening semi-formal weddings; and informal weddings. The Organdy Oak Tree in Lynchburg is supplying the fashions. The stage will be decorated with items from Aztec Rental.
For 30 minutes before the fashion show, Brass Five, with Gerald Pope, will play appropriate prenuptual music. A musician herself, Matze says it is important for people planning weddings to understand the role music plays in the event.
She said she has seen a trend in the past five years for brides to use disc jockeys at the receptions. She plans to emphasize the need to find the right DJ for the occasion. And to "try to introduce live musicians as well. We'll have a blend of living, breathing musicians and the DJ." T. Brown, a Blacksburg-area DJ, will provide the background music for the reception following the fashion show, as well as commentary during the show.
During the reception, those attending will be able to sample cake provided by Karen's and hear first-hand how the music can enhance the event.
Throughout the entire show, Matze and Pence will provide information on wedding planning. In fact, tips and suggestions will be part of Brown's show commentary. And there is a lot of information about planning a wedding. "There are more than 1,100 separate items to be considered," said Matze.
Items such as, when should the bride start planning? Matze said two years ahead is not too early in some cases, especially when very popular locations are involved. Couples must not only decide what to wear, where to have it, what to serve, who to invite and where to go on the honeymoon, but also plan for when the wedding is over. Throughout the preparations they must also be planning where they are going to live, and all the other aspects of combining two lives.
Matze said it is important for the couple to feel comfortable with the ceremony they choose. And that means putting their own personal stamp on it.
She gave an example of one wedding where a prenuptual song was dedicated to one of the groomsmen who had just returned safely from the Persian Gulf. In another wedding, the bride walked the bridegroom's parents out of the church after the ceremony, and the bridegroom did the same for her parents. Then, the two returned to walk out with their grandmothers. The effect, she said, was to make the entire family part of the wedding.
Wedding consultants, she said, are available to work with couples to make their own ideas work within the context of the wedding ceremony.
The Bridal Show will be held Sunday from 2 until 3 p.m.
by CNB