Ashley Forck, a bride-to-be, came with friend Crystal Glaze to the annual Bridal Spectacular, hoping to get some ideas for honeymoon locations after her April 16 wedding.
But she got sidetracked, talking to a pair of live models at the booth for Kay's Bridal and Tuxedo, based in Sedalia. She and Glaze also stopped to get their photos taken at a photo booth.
With some 80 vendors, it was easy for the estimated 300 future brides - plus moms, friends and occasional fiancés - to get sidetracked. The 29th annual event was held Sunday at the Firley YMCA and featured a half dozen photographers, half dozen DJs, and many other wedding-related services. Attendees also entered giveaways - including a honeymoon package to the Dominican Republic - munched on food samples, and got to watch a dress modeling show at the end.
Each vendor had a prize they were giving away. Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, for instance, was giving away a bachelorette party.
"I've got everything here you need to plan your entire wedding," said Vicki Arcobasso, the event organizer. The vendors, she said, came from a 90-100 mile radius around Jefferson City.
Autumn Wood of Eldon stopped by Lutz's Famous BBQ to sample some of the barbecued beef and homemade chips. She came to help her mom find a dress for Wood's June 25 wedding. She was also looking for seat covers for the event.
"It's really neat," she said of the bridal event. "It's huge."
Amber Sturtz of Linn and her family and friends who attended with her stopped by the Fish Eye Views booth to pose for silly photos. She was still early in the planning process for her Oct. 22 wedding, and she was specifically looking for bridesmaid dresses and a photographer.
One thing was for sure: She wants hamburgers served at her wedding.
She was still learning the wedding terminology.
"I love the rip-off dresses," she said before quickly being corrected by Mandi Steinlage, one of several people with her at the event. "They're called detachable trains," Steinlage said with a laugh.