PAGE TWENTY The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, September 18, 2009
Bridal Tour Town’s merchants will roll out red carpets for special day for all brides-to-be by David Meyer FERGUS - Before they take their walk down the aisle, brides-to-be from all over are being invited to town here to practice - by walking down red carpets. There will be plenty of red carpets rolled out on which to practice, too, as Fergus holds its first ever Red Carpet Bridal Tour on Sept. 26. BIA representative Julia Tinsdale-Biscoe said in an interview that once the idea came from an area business owner, it seemed to be a promotion that will easily fly. “Elora has certain things to offer people,” she said. “Fergus has other things.”
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Among those are businesses that can cater to every wish for the perfect wedding. She rolled off the businesses in the town that can make Fergus a onestop shopping day for all women’s bridal needs. There are two jewellers, two flower shops, several gift and confectionary shops, invitations, wedding cakes, a men’s shop to provide tuxedos, catering, and stores that sell wedding dresses and all the accessories. As well, there are photographers, entertainment services, venues for receptions, and even a limousine service - all in the Business Improvement Area in the downtown. “We realized we had pretty
well everything a bride needs,” Tinsdale Biscoe said. “We’ve got it all.” So, all the businesses involved in the bridal tour will be rolling out red carpets into their stores from 9am to 3pm that day on Sept. 26. The tour begins at the Breadalbane Inn, with parking available across the street, and will include two fashion shows, limousine rides, and a tour of all the shops inside the Business Improvement Area. The idea has been filtering out into the business community for some time now, and Tinsdale-Biscoe said she has even had enquiries from merchants in Elora, and from sev-
eral outside of the BIA boundaries. Everyone seems to be interested. She checked with Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj and learned that all BIA promotions and spending are to benefit only BIA members, since the BIA is a separate levy collected by the township. Tinsdale-Biscoe said others may not participate because of the laws governing BIA operations, but she said outside businesses will be able to leave business cards touting their services at participating venues. She added that interest in this event could also spur interest in expanding the current Continued on next page
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Bridal Tour
The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, September 18, 2009 PAGE TWENTY ONE
Planners projecting bridal tour success FROM PREVIOUS PAGE BIA. As for the tour itself, “It’s going to be very good,” she predicted. “There are at least 20 businesses that are going to benefit from the bridal tour.” Natalie Airdrie, of Elegant Affairs Bridal Boutique, noted Fergus has a huge variety of goods and services to offer brides, including places to get hair and make-up. She said visiting brides-tobe can “see how to customize their wedding. They get expert tips from the professionals.” Airdrie noted in some cases, stores like hers are cross-promoting with photographer Janette Gagic, so when a woman arranges services with one, she gets a $75 coupon for services with the other. Airdrie is also offering fashion shows at 11am and 2pm for the bridal tour. She said the idea of so many merchants coming together for a single event is key. “It’s so important to have that local community and everyone in it,” she said, adding she hopes brides will see that, “I can get it all done in one day.” A.J. Broderick, of Brodrick’s Clothiers For Men, said in an interview that, just like men getting married, his store’s part is easy. Brides can come in and choose what the groom and
his party can wear. “The guys’ end of it is pretty darned easy,” he said with a smile, adding of the tour, “I think it’s a great idea. They can
get all their wedding attire, gifts, and everything - all on our main street. “It can be done - done in a timely fashion, without leaving
Fergus.” MariAnne Laitur, of Abby Rose, a flower shop, has been part of the committee working on the tour. “It’s been a few months now,” she said of the planning. “From local business, it’s been a good response.” The committee is already looking ahead. It knows weddings can take up to a year or more to plan, so it plans to offer the tour three or four times per year. Laitur is under no illusions that it will take a great deal of effort to make it popular, but she believes it will be worth that effort. “It’s going to take some work - and it’ll take a while,” she said. “It’s like any new thing that starts. You’ve got to get the word out there.” Tinsdale-Biscoe is well aware of that. She said the event will be promoted at a Guelph event where up to 350 brides-to-be normally attend. She added the plan is to hold another tour in February, and another one in May, so all wedding seasons are covered by Fergus Merchants. She said the plan is for brides to meet at the Breadalbane Inn at 9am and they will be taken on the tour. To reserve a place on the tour, brides-to-be should telephone 519-787-1384.
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