The Moveable Feast
Holiday Entertaining
Virtual Bridal Expo January 9-10 | 1-3pm both days
By Renee Lapham Collins
S
ince the start of the coronavirus pandemic, scores of bridesand grooms-to-be have been forced to downsize, postpone, and even cancel their dream wedding plans. In an effort to help, Faythe Emens, proprietor of Your Big Day Weddings and Events, developed a “MiniMonies” program last summer that was well-received by brides. However, with the pandemic surging, she knew there would be little opportunity to move forward with her annual bridal expo, traditionally held in January. In response, she decided to go virtual. Your Big Day Virtual Wedding Expo will be held online Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 from 1-3p.m. “Nearly everything is online now since the pandemic hit,” Emens said. “With the way the virus continued to spread, I decided that an in-person expo probably wasn’t going to be able to happen in 2021.” Emens said she had been exploring bridal shows in larger areas to learn what others in the wedding industry had done during the pandemic. “I discovered the virtual expo concept,” she said. “I casually mentioned an online expo to my web designer, Kathleen Kelly, and we began to brainstorm ideas about how my vendors and brides could benefit from full access to one another without physical contact.” Kelly, owner of K. Kelly Graphics in DeWitt, and Emens have been working on their expo for months. So far, things have been going smoothly. “I haven’t faced any real challenges with the virtual expo yet, but I’m sure there will be some, as there always are with any event,” she said. A virtual expo means the vendors are going to spend less than if they were face-toface in a venue. “I just want this experience to be easy for those who have been hard hit in the wedding industry,” Emens said. “This will be affordable for them and easy to participate.”
Brides will be able to log onto Emens’ expo website and virtually visit all of the vendors from the privacy of their own homes. “I picture them with their moms, bridesmaids, and friends sipping mimosas and chatting with vendors and asking questions about their big day.” Emens said some brides can be easily overwhelmed by the large crowds at a typical expo, as well as the many vendors vying for their attention. “With a virtual expo, brides and grooms will be able to set up appointments with their favorite vendors for sampling cake and food, trying on dresses, touring venues and booking their wedding services,” Emens said. “All of this without having to get dressed and go out into the cold, January weather.” She said it will be easy for vendors to set up a virtual “booth” in their home offices or shops to showcase their services. “The sky is the limit,” she said. The format also will provide better opportunities for one-on-one interactions with brides, and, with the virtual format, vendors can record a video with an overview to introduce brides to their services, allowing brides to jot down questions and comments and then have a chance to learn more. “Each vendor will be encouraged to send me information for a brochure that may be downloaded by the bride for review later, as well,” Emens said. “Vendors also will receive a list of registered brides for follow up contact.” Emens is excited to work with brides and vendors in this virtual format. “A wedding can be the most important day of a couple’s lives; it should not be stressful or overly complicated,” she said. “I have the gift of helping and love to use it to facilitate a smooth, stress-free wedding day.” n For more information on the upcoming bridal expo, visit yourbigdayweddingexpo.com or yourbigdayweddings.net or call 517.902.9945
Check out our Special Holiday website
moveablefeastspecialevents.com
for seasonal offerings and options for safe entertaining. No need to stand in line to buy groceries or spend hours preparing food. We offer everything from appetizer displays, prepared dinners, pick-ups or delivery. We also have our own Bakery with Holiday dessert offerings and we can sell beer and wine to go.
Appetizers | Dinners | Desserts | Wine | Beer
Friday Night Curbside This winter, take Friday nights off from cooking! Great food at reasonable prices. Order at moveablefeastcurbside.com Sat-Thur. Pick-up on Fridays 5pm-6:30pm
The Moveable Feast | 223 E. Main St., Manchester | (734) 428-9526 ext 11
Christmas OPEN HOUSE DEC. 4, 5, 6 Experience the spirit of Christmas! Wreath making workshops, floral design classes and more coming this holiday season. Fresh Flocked Trees Artificial Trees Fresh Trees Garland Christmas Decor Ribbons/Ornaments
517-263-2660 barrettsadrian.com 1033 W. Beecher St., Adrian 33
