No one is more excited these days than Makeva Wallace. She decides what goes on stage and choreographs the fashion show segment of the annual Bahamas Bridal Show the event at which she says wedding dreams begin.
"This is where wedding dreams begin, so this is exciting and nerve-wrecking for me," said Wallace, senior bridal consultant and managing director at Buttons Bridal & Formal Wear, the show's organizers.
"I haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks. Apart from coordinating the 45-plus exhibitors and assisting other interested business participants, this is the first time in years we'll have more than two businesses featured in the fashion show, which is wonderful and mind-boggling, all at the same time."
The 28th annual bridal show scheduled for Sunday at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel ballroom will be staged under the theme "Happily Ever After." The production kicks off at 12 noon.
Abaco's Hope Town Harbour Lodge, Paradise Island Beach Club, Erandi Entertainment Productions, HuSHH Silent Events, Carmetta's Closet, Pinkk Suga Kreations, Bioland Developers, Venetian West's Brickell Management Group, Cutting Corners and Digital Kafe Photography are among the first-time exhibitors along with Classy Loft and Silhouette Line Ladies Boutique which will showcase their fine clothing in the fashion show segment along with Buttons and Wicked Temptations in the fashion show segment.
"The hundreds of engaged couples, their family and friends who plan to attend this weekend's spectacular show are certainly in for an awesome treat," said show executive producer and Buttons General Manager Tommy Stubbs, who started the event in 1990. "We haven't seen this kind of buzz in recent years."
Stubbs attributed the buzz to the nearly two-dozen new and first-time businesses participating at this year's show.
Wedding and home suppliers are expected to give away $30,000 in gifts and prizes to registered couples planning a wedding.
Gifts up for grab include five honeymoon getaways, round-trip airfare, gowns and tuxedos for an entire wedding party, shopping spree, decoration for reception venues, engagement and wedding photo shoots.
Some couples will have to work hard to earn gifts when they are randomly chosen to participate or compete in new show games, such as "Keep It or Switch It", "Gone Shopping" and "Sing to Me."
About 1,000 persons are expected to attend the show.
Jewels By The Sea, Burns House, Arawak Homes, Template, Bertha's Gourmet Catering, Black Opal Cosmetics, Creative Eyes Video Productions, Liquid Courage, Estee Lauder @ John Bull, Bahama Fantasies, Family Guardian Insurance, Eye Candy Makeup Store & Studio will also be present. Repeat show exhibitors include Master Mixx and Madistic Photography and Dreamkatcher Media.
Wallace, who has coordinated and choreographed the fashion show for more than a decade, will oversee a trimmed down show with only 27 models -- 14 females and 13 males -- half of what they used last year.
Scenes have been created to add drama, anticipation and excitement. Scenes will include "Happily Ever After", "It's Tea Time", "Sleeping Beauty", "My Cinderella" and "The Rain".
"This will be breathtaking fashion show for the audience. We have bridal party pre-wedding garments, adorable casual clothing and lingerie galore for the honeymoon and, of course, the latest gowns and tuxedos for the entire wedding party," she said.
The stage segment of the bridal show includes demonstrations of the traditional taking off the garter, bouquet toss, first kiss, cake cutting, and pretzel-pose champagne toast.
"These demonstrations often get hilarious as many of our guests come just to watch the demonstrations performed by engaged couples. We believe some of them actual practice in case they are luckily selected from the audience," said Wallace.
Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at Buttons Bridal & Formal Wear, Cable Beach.

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