For bold brides, vivid hues, accessories, flowers add dramatic flair at Showcase

By Deb Holland, Journal Staff Writer | Monday, January 09, 2006

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RAPID CITY — If you are planning a wedding in the near future, the annual Bridal Showcase is your one-stop shop for all things matrimonial.

The annual showcase, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center in Rapid City, will feature 65 booths and two bridal fashion shows.

Showcase coordinator Sally Samuelson says the audience for the show has changed over the years from young women ages 18 to 34, to women ages 26 to 36 and their future spouses.

“We’re getting a lot more grooms attending,” Samuelson said.

For that reason, the bridal package give-aways have been expanded to include a groom’s prize. This year’s prize is a 17-inch LCD flat panel TV from Sound Pro. Brides-to-be may register for four $1,000 bridal packages plus a bride’s prize of diamond stud earrings from Riddle’s Superstore and the grand prize of an eight-piece setting of china, crystal and flatware from Royal Prestige and a three-day cruise from Rushmore Travel.

Among the new vendors at this year’s show will be Boone Creek Floral and Gifts of Black Hawk.

Owner Jo Anderson said she is anxious to showcase the floral creations of Boone Creek.

“We’re doing the finale flowers for the fashion show,” she said.

Boone Creek florist Amy Keester said this year’s bridal floral trends are big and bold in both stature and color.

“We’re seeing lots of deep, rich colors — the oranges, pinks, purples, yellows and reds,” she said. “Pastels are out. Bold colors are in.”

And those colors come in a variety of flowers, including orchids and roses. Even the typically cool, white calla lilies are now available in more vivid shades. Or brides may want to consider tropical plants such as the stunningly shaped Hawaiian orchid, anthurium.

Her advice to couples when it comes to flowers is to “do your own thing.”

“Don’t hold back on color if that’s what you want,” she said. “Some people hold back and go more traditional because they think they have to, but I say, do what you want.”

Wedding caterer Debbie Michealree of Catered Two agrees.

“It’s your day. Do what you want,” she said. “Start early and make sure that everything is the way you want it.”

Michealree has been catering for the past 15 years, but recently moved into a shared space with Piece of Cake on Mount Rushmore Road in Rapid City.

Michealree’s business cards say that the first taste of truly remarkable food is taken with the eyes.

“Not only does it need to taste good, it needs to look great, too,” she said. “We try to do everything well, but our specialty is presentation.”

Catered Two can be reached at 391-7900 or e-mail at cateredtwo@rushmore.com.

Boone Creek Floral and Gifts can be reached at 718-1181.

If you go

- What: 29th annual Bridal Showcase.

- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, with a bridal fashion show at noon, repeated at 3 p.m..

- Where: Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, 2111 LaCrosse St., Rapid City.

- Admission: $3