Bridal show returns to ‘Grove’ in Medina on Sunday
Photos by Tom Rivers: Some of the organizers of Sunday’s Bridal Show in Medina include, from left: Larry Eastlack, pastor of the Medina United Methodist Church; Jaye Sullivan, owner of Blissett’s Specialty Shop; Mary Lewis, owner of Creekside Floral; and Sarah Martin, a wedding planner and Blissett’s employee.
MEDINA – An event that was popular at Medina a generation ago is coming back on Sunday. The former Apple Grove Inn used to host a bridal show.
The Apple Grove is now owned by the Medina United Methodist Church, which did a big renovation of the building about five years ago. The church will host the bridal and prom show on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 11004 West Center Street Ext.
The renovation project included creating a stage in the sanctuary and adding theater lighting. Those amenities make the building better suited for the bridal and prom show, including a fashion show at 2 p.m.
Jaye Sullivan, owner of Blissett’s Specialty Shop, was a vendor and helped organize the previous shows. She is excited for Sunday’s event which will showcase many of the services available locally for a wedding and other formal events.
“There is a new sense of community,” she said. “Let’s show this new generation what is available in our town.”
Jaye Sullivan, Blissett’s owner, and Sarah Martin, a Blisset’s employee and wedding planner, are pictured with some of the wedding gowns available at Blissett’s.
Blissett’s has wedding gowns, bridesmaid gowns, tuxedos and other formal wear. Other vendors at the show on Sunday include caterers, photographers, videographers, hairdressers, prop rentals, floral businesses, and venue locations, including the United Methodist Church, which wants to promote its kitchen and fellowship hall for events.
Larry Eastlack, pastor of the church, wanted to bring the bridal show back. He used to work for the Medina Chamber of Commerce in the 1980s. The business district is stronger now, with many businesses that can help with a wedding or other big day.
“Main Street is much healthier now,” he said.
The show is chance for people to get ideas and connect with businesses.
“We need to drive wedding business locally and promote business locally,” said Mary Lewis, owner of Creekside Floral. “There has been a mentality you have to leave town to get some of these services, and that’s not true.”
The show on Sunday will be from 1 to 4 p.m. The first hour there will be drawings for gifts every six minutes. The fashion show will be from 2 to 3 p.m. The final hour will focus on the businesses in the vendors’ hall.
Blissett’s is one of the vendors at Sunday’s bridal show.
