Geneva aims to catch bouquet with wedding fair

If you can wear it, eat it or bring it to a wedding, you can get it in Geneva.

That's the message of the first-ever "All Things Wedding" Geneva Wedding Walk, a promotional event set for noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Bridalwear shops, a jeweler, gift stores, florists, a photographer, banquet facilities, a spa and more have teamed up with the city's downtown partnership committee to show off their wares.

"You can really do this (having a wedding) all in Geneva," said Carolyn Dellutri, the city's downtown development coordinator.

It will feature a 3 p.m. fashion show in a most appropriate setting -- a church.

Admission is $8 in advance, or $10 at the door. Tickets are available by calling (630) 661-9547 or by e-mailing msweddings@yahoo.com. The day of the event, purchase them at The Crystal Bride, 514 W. State St. (second floor), or Veiled in Elegance, 15 W. State.

Participants will receive a program book with a map directing them to participating businesses. The books will be stamped at each place, and brides can turn them in at a prize drawing to be held after the fashion show. One of the prizes is a bridal bouquet; another is an overnight stay at the Herrington Inn.

Besides items for brides, shops featuring clothing for mothers of the bride and groom, tuxedoes, bridesmaid dresses and gift registries are on the list.

St. Mark Episcopal Church, at 320 W. Franklin St., will host the fashion show, followed by a vendor reception with 39 Geneva businesses.

The walk is part of the niche marketing the chamber and the city are encouraging merchants to do, grouping together around a common client or theme.

While doing customer surveys in October 2006, weddings "just seemed to keep coming up," Dellutri said. Weekend shoppers, in particular, said "they were here for a wedding or shopping for a wedding."

Another effort is the Friday Night Arts Walk that began last summer, where galleries and other art-loving businesses stay open on Friday nights to host special exhibits and activities.

The downtown partnership committee is part of the city's planning committee. Representatives from businesses, the Geneva History Center and the city meet once a month to discuss issues that affect the downtown, such as parking, and ways to improve commerce.

If you go

What: Geneva Wedding Walk

Where: Downtown Geneva

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

Info: Call (630) 661-9547 or send e-mail to msweddings@yahoo.com