PORT ANGELES — The fashions created in the Build Your Own Wedding Dress contest might not be the ones brides would walk down the aisle in — but they drew some laughs, were entertaining and earned prizes.
A bridal team from Port Angeles, Jenna Huston and Kelly Serrianne, took home the grand prize after they were chosen by the loudest shouts from the crowd.
Their creation, with Huston as the model, included a tinfoil bodice, flowing skirt and train, and a matching tinfoil veil.
And although Huston said she wouldn’t wear their creation, the pair — who are both to be married this year — were happy for the haul of prizes they won.
“We really got our ideas from the audience, who were all yelling at us what to do,” said Serrianne.
“Like, one person told me it would be good to add a train, so I did that.”
Splitting the prize
The teammates — who will be each other’s maid of honor — will split the prizes, which ranged from a photo album to freebies from vendors at the show.
Huston, who will be married Aug. 14, is engaged to Jim Slowey, and Serrianne, who will wed Jake Botnen on Dec. 11.
All four are from Port Angeles.
The contest allotted a sheet of plastic with a printed pattern, some tinfoil, tape and some fake and real flowers for the brides-to-be to use.
Each of the teams had 15 minutes to complete its creation.
The annual Peninsula Daily News Bridal Show had about 25 vendors and several hundred people attending — though an exact count was not available because the event is free and no registration or sign-in was required — said Sue Stoneman, PDN advertising operations manger and an organizer of the show.
“You could really tell even from the response to the contest how much more involved people are this year,” Stoneman said.
The annual event has typically been held at the Vern Burton Center but changed venues this year to the Elks Naval Club in downtown Port Angeles.
“The venue is really nice and intimate,” Stoneman said.
“Having it in two smaller rooms really allowed people to circulate and vendors to engage those attending.”
Busier this year
Lee Dabbs, who works in marketing for Costco, said the event felt busier than in past years.
“We’ve participated for years,” she said.
“We have makeup samples we’re giving out, and it really seems like it is more crowded than in past years.”
Models in two fashion shows strutted the latest in high-end fashion from Black Diamond Bridal and comfortable casual wear and pajamas from Necessities & Temptations.
“Although these are the latest in the high-end fashions, we have dressed for any price range — I think ours start at $135,” said Black Diamond Bridal owner Belva Bodey said.
Melia Winters and Richard Self — who are planning for their June 23, 2012, wedding — said the event had helped with information.
“It is really helpful to see everything that is available,” Winters said.
“But it can be a little overwhelming.”
Self said the pair would take the information and peruse it for details later.
“Once we get everything home, I think we can process it a little better,” he said.
In addition to vendors specializing in parts of the wedding, the show also included those who are helpful for marriage.
Erran Sharpe, a Port Angeles counselor, emphasized the importance of premarital counseling.
“I help couples look at the things that typically become issues in a marriage: money, sex, kids, values,” he said.
“If couples aren’t equipped to deal with it when the honeymoon period ends — which it does, and should — then they might think it is the end of the relationship, but it is really just moving on to the next stage.”
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.