In this sixth annual bridal event, Landerhaven will create an atmospheric and educational experience for every bride- and groom-to-be. Known previously as Ever After, this year's Landerhaven Bride, presented by Catan Fashions and Cleveland Magazine, will focus on the legacy of what it means to be a bride at Landerhaven. "Landerhaven was designed with the bride in mind," says Landerhaven CEO Harlan Diamond. "We ensure outstanding cuisine and service in a spectacular setting, with a personal wedding planner and other special touches so that every bride can truly be a guest at her own memorable wedding."
The bridal show will be held Jan. 11 at Executive Caterers in Mayfield Heights from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Or, arrive early for the 10 a.m. pre-event showcase. Tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door. Admission includes access to all the vendors, the runway fashion show and a bounty of food and beverage samples. The building will be divided into four sections with displays representing each of the four seasons.
Local Touch
This year features the Something New Bridal Boutique — an Etsy-type pop-up shop with about a dozen vendors offering handmade, artisan merchandise especially for brides. The show also will feature a pre-event "Pass the French Toast" Wedding Pro session, which will help brides understand the process and planning that goes into a wedding. The 10 a.m. session, presented by Patrice Catan of Catan Fashions and other wedding professionals, will offer fresh insight into a bride's wedding planning in an intimate setting.
Front-Row Fashion Show
A premiere feature of the Landerhaven Bride will be the runway and trunk show by Catan Fashions.
Patrice Catan of Catan Fashions in Strongsville plans to present fashion-forward wedding gowns that represent the trends for 2015-16, with a runway show of about 50 gowns for not only the bride, but the wedding party and family members in attendance. "I'll also have a trunk show featuring even more styles from top designers," she says. Austin Scarlett, top couture designer from "Project Runway," will be in attendance. "The fact that Austin will be here illustrates just how special and cutting-edge this show will be," Catan explains. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local brides to really get educated and empowered."
Catan says this education includes how to dress, what to expect, where to begin, how to work with a budget and how the wedding timeline works. "We show brides how to create a total watercolor of their wedding day, from the bride down to the flower girl, so everything is expertly styled, cohesive, seamless."
Bridal Checklist
The Landerhaven Bride vendor fair will include about 50 booths and tables representing everything a bride could need to consider when planning her big day. We've spotlighted a few to give you a sneak peek.
Cleveland Music Group (formerly Jerry Bruno Productions)
Today's wedding receptions are thoughtfully produced affairs — from the music and the lighting to special effects and unusual guest entertainment, no element is left to chance. With all the atmospheric details to consider, brides need a partner in entertainment. Cleveland Music Group, formerly Jerry Bruno Productions, is such a partner to manage all the sights, sounds and special effects to make the day memorable. "You have to do more than just play music these days, you have to support the mood and themes," says Scott E. Jones, president and owner. "We get requests for special lighting called up-lighting, photo booths, green screens, slow-motion video booths — oh, and then there's music, of course."
Cleveland Music Group has access to 27 pop and rock bands, 23 DJs and countless jazz and strings ensembles. The booth at the Landerhaven Bride will be well-staffed, with marketing materials and videos on hand to demonstrate the variety of acts they offer.
5:5 Photography
At 5:5 Photography, a husband and wife team is in charge of memorializing your special day. Co-owner Holly Michelson says being married helps the duo understand what makes up the special moments of a wedding. "As a wife and mother, I appreciate how important those minute details and unique qualities are in telling the story of the event," she says, adding that she and her husband use a journalistic approach to photographing weddings and special events. That means they focus on finding those little nuances that help set every wedding story apart, but at the same time make it richly personal for those involved. "A shot of the expression on the mother-of-the bride's face when she first sees her daughter in her dress can really weave in an intimacy that the more expected photos miss," she shares. Which is not to say the standard shots aren't also part of the story. "Of course, there are can't-miss moments we capture, like the first kiss," Michelson says. But, because they work as a team, 5:5 is able to capture even the traditional moments more expertly. "We can take those shots from two different angles at the same time."
The booth will feature examples of high-quality albums that are available, and will offer free on-site portraits of every bride who stops by, to provide a better idea of their work.
Rain Wedding Planning
Wedding coordinator Meredith Masaveg, the executive director of planning and event coordination for Painesville-based Rain Wedding Planning, says many people are confused about what a wedding coordinator does versus venue coordinator. "I act as the voice of the bride and groom," she explains. "I represent them — and their desires — for every detail of their wedding day. Plus, I create an experience where they get to be the guests at their own party."
Because wedding coordinators are not tied to a particular venue or vendor, they have ultimate flexibility to be agents for the client. They also have great relationships with industry experts, so they offer access and agreement in order to create and navigate the experience their clients want. "It's really best to have a wedding coordinator and a venue coordinator," Masaveg notes. "We work together as a team to make the whole day seamless and spectacular." When it comes to planning, Masaveg says, she can be a voice of reason, offering feedback, criticism and advice without offending anyone involved. "The bride and groom and their families are often too emotionally close to the project, and they can get stressed out over the details. I'm here to take care of the stressful stuff so everyone can have a good time and come out with family relationships intact."
At the show, Masaveg will set up a "Planner's Lounge" where visitors can pick her brain with questions or get suggestions. She'll also have timelines, tips and educational materials to help brides understand wedding planning.
