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Business & Tech

Will the Royal Wedding Inspire Brides-To-Be?

Local specialty businesses say economy may stem spinoff trends.

As the world anticipates the April 29 nuptials of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton, local specialty shops shared their insights on wedding trends in our area.

Brides-to-be have simplified their tastes in recent years, toning down the pricier wedding cakes with fountains or intricate designs and instead selecting traditional, white cakes trimmed with colorful polka dots, ribbons and scrollwork, said Rae McClellan, a seven-year employee of Vincent’s Bakery, 2038 Bailey Rd. in Cuyahoga Falls.

“You hear a lot about bridezillas, but we don’t see a lot of that. Most of the time, they come in and don’t know what they want, but they know we’ve been in business 50-plus years and take our advice,” McClellan said.

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In planning for weddings, bakery customers at times bring in photos from the internet, but change their minds when the designs come with hefty price tags.

McClellan doesn’t expect the royal wedding will change that.

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“I don’t think so. People know it’s a big gala, but not in this economy,” she said.

Seamstress Millie Hilliard, owner of I DO Bridal and Formal, 5011 Fishcreek Rd. in Stow, agrees that brides-to-be have become more frugal as they plan their weddings.

“People are being much more practical and realistic” than in past years, she said.

“Brides are often older, and not necessarily a first-time bride. I think the culture of the big wedding isn’t on the forefront anymore. More people are putting money into a home and their student loans,” said Hilliard.

With more brides-to-be paying for their own weddings, customers at her consignment shop choose to have Hilliard alter previously worn wedding gowns rather than spend more on a new one.

“We sell consignment gowns and do alterations, and you’ll be just as married,” Hilliard said.

Another business owner, however, expects the styles of the royal couple to impact those chosen by her customers, as they did in the 1980s after the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer.

“Everyone wanted the cascade she was carrying. They couldn’t afford it, but they wanted it,” said Linda Boardman, owner of Dietz Falls Florist, located at 1024 Portage Trail in Cuyahoga Falls.

In Boardman’s experience, the floral trends in Britain typically are three years ahead of local floral designs. The heightened media coverage of the royal event, however, may speed up the process in this case.

“Yes, I would think we will be seeing people asking for what they see in the royal wedding, especially with all the televised presence it is having,” said Boardman.

Whether simple or ornate, trends in wedding styles may remain as much affected by the dollar as by the design.

“I think most of the girls are looking for their prince. And, in this economy, I think he’s in England,” said Hilliard.

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