This time of year is big business for the wedding industry.  The Washington Post reports that 33 percent of engagements happen over the holidays, from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.  Not surprisingly, wedding planning activity peaks in the first quarter of the year.  In the same article, The Washington Post reports the January issue of Bride Magazine, for example, is the publication's top-selling issue.

In Albany, the Albany Mall will host on Sunday, February 26 from 1 to 6 p.m. its 12th annual Bridal Expo, which will bring together all types of bridal vendors to help couples plan their upcoming wedding.  Wedding services represented at the Expo will include photographers, caterers, venues, wedding dress retailers and many others.

"In the past we have registered between 120 and 150 brides during the Expo.  Including all their family members and friends, we expect to have 500 to 700 attendees," said Debra Rowe, marketing manager for Albany Mall.

Wedding services at your fingertips

The Bridal Expo brings together in one location all the different types of wedding services that a bride might need.  The Expo includes a bridal fashion show, games, a chance to win prizes and of course the opportunity to meet with local vendors and learn about the many options available when planning a wedding in the Albany area.

The marketing staff at Albany Mall invites vendors who have attended in previous years and others they have discovered through research or word of mouth.  Vendor applications are available on the Bridal Expo website at www.albanymallbridalexpo.com.

"We've had some interesting new services in the past.  Last year, we had a vendor from Macon who could provide upscale versions of a port-a-potty for wedding venues lacking adequate indoor facilities," Rowe said.

In addition to Expo-specific vendors, the mall department stores also participate in the event.  Dillard's and Belk, for example, promote their registry services.  During the Expo, sales professionals are available in the stores to help brides register.

Picking up the 2012 trends

While tasting the catering samples and viewing the dresses at the Bridal Expo, attendees can pick up on this year's wedding trends.  Many are continuations of popular food and fashion in 2011.  For example, cake balls are still a popular item especially for the groom's cake. 

Lace sleeves worn by Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, at her Royal Wedding are still in fashion for 2012.  Other wedding dress features listed in BRIDES magazine as 2012 trends include illusion necklines, two-tiered skirts and frothy textures.  

Blush is now an accepted color for wedding dresses, although the traditional white is still the most popular color.  For a pop of color in the wedding color palette, consider the Pantone® hot hue for 2012 – tangerine tango.

And of course, book that venue now for an evening wedding on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012.  It will be the last magical anniversary date – 12/12/12 – available until the turn of the next century.

For more information on the Albany Mall Bridal Expo, visit www.albanymallbridalexpo.com.