CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Alongside other brides-to-be, Ashley and Mary Ehman shopped around Sunday afternoon at the annual Charleston Wedding Expo at the Charleston Civic Center. In a turbulent economy, wedding plans can become more of a challenge for brides, grooms and their families.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Ashley Ehman just got engaged Dec. 23, but her wedding preparations are already underway.
"I'm putting a lot of pressure on her to start planning now so I can kind of spread [the cost] out," said her mother, Mary Ehman.
Alongside other brides-to-be, Ashley and Mary Ehman shopped around Sunday afternoon at the annual Charleston Wedding Expo at the Charleston Civic Center.
Ashley plans a fall wedding either this year or next. Her mother doesn't like the idea of paying for the bulk of the wedding a month or two before the nuptials, but staggering the costs "so it won't be such a shock to the pocketbook."
Ashley already has cost savings in mind. She scheduled an appointment Sunday with one vendor that could save her $200 on a dress.
As they entered the expo, Mary heard someone talk about just throwing a big party at their house, in place of a reception.
"Because it is a lot of money," Mary Ehman said, and later joked, "Maybe I need to start taking cake-baking classes."
In a turbulent economy, wedding plans can become more of a challenge for brides, grooms and their families.
Newly engaged Carrie Kirk, a Marshall University student, is a little concerned about the cost of her wedding because she's not yet finished college. Kirk and David Humphreys have a wedding planned for Oct. 16, 2010.
The good news is they have friends who can help cut costs.
"I'm a photo major at Marshall," Kirk said.
She and Humphreys know musicians at Marshall who could perform at the reception, as well.
"The hardest thing to find right now is the location," Kirk said. They're planning the wedding in the area.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Ashley Ehman just got engaged Dec. 23, but her wedding preparations are already underway.
"I'm putting a lot of pressure on her to start planning now so I can kind of spread [the cost] out," said her mother, Mary Ehman.
Alongside other brides-to-be, Ashley and Mary Ehman shopped around Sunday afternoon at the annual Charleston Wedding Expo at the Charleston Civic Center.
Ashley plans a fall wedding either this year or next. Her mother doesn't like the idea of paying for the bulk of the wedding a month or two before the nuptials, but staggering the costs "so it won't be such a shock to the pocketbook."
Ashley already has cost savings in mind. She scheduled an appointment Sunday with one vendor that could save her $200 on a dress.
As they entered the expo, Mary heard someone talk about just throwing a big party at their house, in place of a reception.
"Because it is a lot of money," Mary Ehman said, and later joked, "Maybe I need to start taking cake-baking classes."
In a turbulent economy, wedding plans can become more of a challenge for brides, grooms and their families.
Newly engaged Carrie Kirk, a Marshall University student, is a little concerned about the cost of her wedding because she's not yet finished college. Kirk and David Humphreys have a wedding planned for Oct. 16, 2010.
The good news is they have friends who can help cut costs.
"I'm a photo major at Marshall," Kirk said.
She and Humphreys know musicians at Marshall who could perform at the reception, as well.
"The hardest thing to find right now is the location," Kirk said. They're planning the wedding in the area.
Jayne White, who looked at limousines Sunday afternoon, will be married at her church at Institute March 14.
Regardless of the economic conditions, White said she and her husband-to-be would still be frugal with their spending.
"That's the kind of people we are and that's the stage of our life we're in," she said.
Gary Chandler, the owner of Chandler's Limousine Service, said business remains strong. Wedding customers are still booking dates in 2009 and 2010, he said.
Chandler often works with wedding coordinators as opposed to the bride or groom.
Blake Westfall, a wedding and event planner, recognizes that people around the world are concerned about the global economy, and wonder what's going to happen next.
"I think the economy may be a little less harsh on [the wedding industry]," she said.
A new car might be an expense many people are not willing to pay for these days, Westfall said. Still, brides and their families look at weddings as a lifetime event, she said.
Customers of Big Day By Blake, her company, have always wanted to know what service they will receive and how much it's going to cost.
"That's just West Virginia people," she said. "They want something for their money. They're not stupid."
Chris Taylor is a dealer relations manager for Jim's Formal Wear, which specializes in tuxedos. Taylor said parents are often willing to sacrifice family vacations and other expenses so their daughter can have the wedding she wants.
Like Westfall, he believes the wedding industry will stay strong.
"We're certainly looking forward to some major celebrations Jan. 20," Taylor said of the presidential inauguration. "And I think the economy's going to turn around."
Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1254.
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Some of these services are “LESS than above board” as my Brother and his wife found out when they got married last summer.
DON’T take anyone's word or let them gloss over or brush aside any questions or fine points you may raise.
Be careful....