When it comes to planning a wedding, anniversary party or other special event, there’s no such thing as too much help.
    You want your wedding day to be remembered for all the right reasons.
For those planning a wedding, quinceanera, anniversary party or other special event, don’t miss "The Wedding Party and More" Sunday, Jan. 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Merced County Fairgrounds Pavilion, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
    Presented by Hot 105 and KUBB Country, 96.3 FM Radio stations, the sixth annual event will feature two fashion shows at 1 and 3 p.m. Lots of local exhibitors will display everything from flowers and photography to catered food and cakes.
    There also will be lots of gift drawings, including a Hope Chest filled with presents, sponsored by Slater’s Home Furnishings; the Groom’s Chest, sponsored by Cellular One and a chance to win a Las Vegas Honeymoon trip with a Candlelight Wedding Chapel package, sponsored by Scenic Airlines.
    Sponsors of Merced County’s only bridal and special event show include Merced Mall, Slater’s Home Furnishings, Cellular One, Scenic Airlines and Northern California Modern Bride Magazine.
    Putting together a wedding or other special event can be an overwhelming experience, but it doesn’t have to be. Save time, get a jump on your planning and have fun spending an afternoon with a room full of wedding and special event experts.
    Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Since last year’s bridal fair was almost a sellout, it’s best to buy tickets ahead of time, according to Sharon Cresswell, Special Event Marketing Manager for Hot 105 and KUBB.
    Tickets are available at the Hot 105 and KUBB Country business office, 510 W. 19th St.; Rent A Bridal Gown at Orangeburg and College avenues in Modesto; Momentos Bridal and Floral at Save Mart Shopping Center, 475 Bellevue Road, Atwater and Ramada Inn Mission de Oro in Santa Nella.
    The two runway fashion shows will feature the newest gowns, tuxedoes and formal wear for weddings, renewal of vows ceremonies, anniversaries, and quinceaneras. Bridal Consultant Tami Torres-Davidson, owner of An American Fashion Tale, 637 W. Main St., is coordinating the "Wedding Party" fashion shows again this year.
    The attire will be furnished courtesy of An American Fashion Tale and Momentos Bridal and Floral. Models will wear both formal and informal styles in petite to plus sizes.
    "We’ve got a lot of halter backs, strapless and off-the-shoulder dresses," Torres-Davidson said. Although traditional white and ivory are still in demand for wedding gowns, she said the popularity of colors such as pink, lavender, yellow and even red are growing, adding, "It changes every year."
    This season’s dress styles tend to be the classic A-line or the fuller "fairy princess" look, in fabrics including tulle and matte satin. Embellishments or trimmings on dresses are kept to a minimum this year and they’re simpler, too. Gowns with trains continue to be a favorite and vary in length from the shorter chapel length to the longer cathedral and royal cathedral designs. "A lot of weddings are less formal when it’s the second time around, but for first time around the gowns are still very grand and traditional," said Torres-Davidson.
    When it comes to the bride’s crowning glory, tiaras are trendy, adorned with rhinestones or pearls, sometimes to match the wedding gown or bouquet, she said. Bun wraps with little daisies, as well as detachable veils that are corded or embellished with rhinestones are also big. Veils continue to be the headpieces of choice for many, particularly the ultra long chapel or cathedral length veils.
    Bridesmaid dresses are moving away from the standard dress with matching shoes to mix and match, two-piece styles, such as a white top and champagne skirt or ivory bodice and A-line skirt in light pink, said Torres-Davidson.
    The latest trend in shoes for bridesmaids, are "bridal flip flops," a dressed-up version of the sandal, instead of the more traditional footwear. "They’re really popular for outdoor weddings at the beach or in a garden."
    When it comes to accessorizing with bouquets, a mix of white and ivory, sprinkled with a little gold or silver accent is a big look this year. While roses are still the top choice, lilies and daisies are big, too. Often brides-to-be will build the wedding décor around a certain flower or two, Torres-Davidson said. "I’m seeing a lot more yellow and periwinkle together, also tangerine and lime. We’ll see a lot of orange, yellow and turquoise at this summer’s events."
    Tuxedoes previewed at the show will be mostly the traditional, full dress styles for the groom and attendants, the father of the groom and bride, and others planning to dress up for a special event.
    Mother-of-the bride dresses have a more tailored look this year in pastels including lilac, mint, baby blue and champagne, Torres-Davidson said.
    The fashion show also will include dresses for little girls, in the empire waist and A-line styles, in soft colors such as pink and baby blue. Flower girl dresses can be worn again for Easter and or a First Communion or just for dress up fun. There will be several quinceanera dresses featured at the show in the traditional white, but also in this seasons’ popular colors including pink, mint, tangerine and baby blue.
    Torres-Davidson suggests brides-to-be and others planning a special event such as an anniversary party or renewal of vows should bring a camera to take pictures. "It’s a good opportunity to gather as many leads as you can. You’ll walk away with thousands of dollars in money saving tips. You’re getting appointments with all those wedding professionals for the price of admission."
    The best advice Torres-Davidson can offer anyone planning a special event is to have a budget for everything before they start shopping. Trying on a $700 dress when you can’t afford it will just be a let down, she said. "Figure out what you can afford and what means the most to you."
    Other vendors offering everything from videography and limousine services to fitness and beauty and travel to decor will be on hand at the event. "These vendors cater to special events, so they will have unique ideas and samples of things people can see and taste and touch," said Cresswell. "There will be a lot of services, products and very talented people ready to show them how they can make their next special event one to remember."
    Twenty-seven vendors will participate in the Wedding Party and More. They are: An American Fashion Tale, Merced Mall, Slater’s Home Furnishings, Cellular One, Scenic Airlines, Northern California Modern Bride Magazine, Gottschalks, Marquis Entertainment, Momentos Bridal and Floral, Rent A Bridal Gown, Trillo Photography, Mariposa Visitors Bureau, Cruise One, Grand Events, Starlight Video, Slender Lady of Merced, Curves, Limo for You, Merced’s Yosemite Floral, Starfish Catering, Bras Plus, Party Perfect, Ramada Inn Mission de Oro, Pea Soup Andersen’s, Jeff Gwartney Photography, Gingiss Formal Wear and Raley’s Bakery.
    For more information, call the radio stations at 383-7900.