Vicki Hartlen - Delhi News-Record
Wednesday February 08, 2006

Nicole Johnson already has her gown picked out, but there were a few other last minute details the bride-to-be was checking out at the 7th annual Bridal Show.
The show, sponsored by the Belgian Hall Ladies Auxiliary, saw more than 60 brides-to-be register, in addition to the more than 200 people who attended on Sunday.
For Johnson, who weds fiancé Ryan Dallaway on Oct. 21 of this year, this was the fourth show she has attended.
“You have to go to bridal shows if you want to find all the areas in one building,” said Johnson. “I’ve already found my dress, but I’ve still got to find bridesmaid dresses, veils and a bunch of other things.”
As Johnson surveyed the nearly 30 vendors she made sure to pick up brochures, pamphlets and other helpful information.
“I’ve got a lot to take home and look over,” she said, as she held a bag of “goodies.”

One booth Johnson visited was that of Making Good Spirits, owned by Bill and Wendy Young of Tillsonburg.
The winemaking business has been a part of Delhi’s bridal show since its inception.
“The ladies asked me to come out here and I’ve never looked back since,” said Bill Young, as he manned their display.
He said winemaking has become a financially sound investment for couples to have for their wedding days.
“We can make wine on our premises in Tillsonburg, so it’s not that far away,” explained Young. “Not to mention the amount of money you save by making your own wine.”
With customized labels Young said the idea “just keeps getting better.”
“We can always do better price wise and we offer you your own, personalized wine for your wedding,” he said. “It’s a nice little keepsake to have afterwards too.”
Dee White, owner of Dee-Lights Bakery of Woodstock, was one of the busier vendors with seven different wedding cakes on display.
“The calibre of brides-to-be at this show was above any I’ve seen before,” said White, who has been a vendor in the Tillsonburg bridal show for more than 10 years.
“It’s all about the contacts,” said Dorothy Vanderhaeghe, show convener. “We want the brides-to-be to come here and get all their items lined up, if possible.”
Vanderhaeghe and fellow ladies auxiliary members Alice Beyaert, Simone VanWalleghem, Georgette DeCleir, Mary DeBruyne and Astrid Dekoninck helped ensure things ran smoothly, including the 45-minute fashion show.