The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
PLANNING THE BEST WEDDING MEMORIES
Happily Ever After Bridal show comes to LCCC
Over 300 brides, families, friends and community members gathered at Lorain County Community College hosted March 8 a third annual Happily Ever After Bridal Show.
The show boasted about 50 vendors, including florists, caterers, photographers, boutiques and hair services.
Amber Cabassa, the coordinator for sales and social events for conference and dinning services at LCCC, said the event is by the community and for the community.
Cabassa said the vendors were local and included businesses such as Fligner’s Market, Botamer Florist and More, Old Carolina Barbecue Company and Ariel on Broadway.
“We’re the community’s college and we wanted to connect the community to vendors,” Cabassa said.
The event had giveaways, a fashion show, taste testing and the chance to book services including hair, photography, makeup and venue spaces.
Jennifer Kopf, the events manager of the Shipyards Event Center in Lorain, said it’s important to weigh options for wedding venue spaces.
“You have to make sure you enjoy the space and your guests can fit comfortably,” Kopf said.
The Shipyard Event Center is located at 500 Shipyard Way in Lorain. The event space has exposed brick, panoramic windows and a view of Bascule Bridge.
“It’s a beautiful location right in downtown Lorain,” Kopf said.
Photographer Nat Kendrick of Kendrick at Dawn Photography describes her style as moody,
“The emotions, the special moments, the whole experience is wonderful. To be able to see people so happy, vulnerable and emotional, it’s just a beautiful thing.” — Photographer Nat Kendrick of Kendrick at Dawn Photography
muted and rich. Kendrick, who’s photographed for over 10 years recommends couples to book their photographer at least a year in advance.
“I would suggest booking out a year to 18 months,” Kendrick said. “It gives us a chance to know what you want and build a relationship.”
Kendrick said photography is important because it can make the difference between forgetting the detail on the special day and having those memories down the road.
“At the end of the day all you have left are your memories and the photographs,” Kendrick said.
For Kendrick, getting to photograph people during one of their happiest moments of their lives is a rewarding experience.
“The emotions, the special moments, the whole experience is wonderful,” Kendrick said. “To be able to see people so happy, vulnerable and emotional, it’s just a beautiful thing.”
Bride to be Katilin Kelleher, 28, of Elyria said she enjoyed the bridal show and appreciates all that LCCC does for the community.
“I wanted to support the college and local businesses,” Kelleher said. “It’s a free show. It’s a great show and I wanted to support it.”
Kelleher, whose wedding is set for July 3, 2021 said the energy of the event was great.
“The energy was very inviting and welcoming,” Kelleher said. “It was fun to eat cookies and see all of the local businesses.”
“The energy was very inviting and welcoming. It was fun to eat cookies and see all of the local businesses.”
— Bride to be Katilin Kelleher, 28, of Elyria