Love is in the air

Young Chang

It’s a day that most brides want just right.

Not OK, not almost there, but perfect.

With so many different parts of a wedding to consider -- the ring, the

dress, the shoes, the bag, the cake, the place, the flowers, the party

favors, the tiara (or whether to even wear one), the invitations, the

guest books, the list goes on -- it’s no wonder South Coast Plaza can

fill a month with wedding-related events.

“It came about because so many of our retailers sell merchandise for

weddings,” said Debra Gunn Downing, spokeswoman for South Coast Plaza.

“Whether it’s bridal registry stores or jewelry, they approached us.”

Plaza officials decided to make February their bridal month because

with Valentine’s Day turning every display window red with hearts, the

together forever theme seemed logical.

“February is a natural month to focus on weddings because so many

people become engaged in February,” Gunn Downing added.

Planners at Bloomingdales at Fashion Island agree. On Feb. 17,

Bloomingdale’s Home Store will hold a Bridal Registry Event for brides to

take part in workshops and meet with wedding experts, including a speaker

from Elegant Bride magazine.

The workshops will cover “Cookware 101,” “The Art of Entertaining” and

“Looking Your Best on the Big Day.”

“Bridal registry is one of the most important gifts [the bride] can

give to a family and friends,” said Bloomingdale’s spokeswoman Julie

Reynolds. “It takes a lot of the pressure and homework off family and

friends.”

Also at South Coast Plaza will be author Daniela Turudich, author of

“Vintage Wedding.” She will discuss and sign her book, which focuses on

period weddings, at Borders Books, Music & Cafe at 1 p.m. Feb. 23.

But the most comprehensive series of events will be happening across

the street. Throughout this month, Mikimoto at South Coast Plaza will

present a diamond and pearl tiara trunk show from Tokyo. The collection

includes six tiaras, ranging in price from $25,000 to $50,000 each.

Crane & Co. will also present a month-long trunk show -- one of photo

albums, guest books and other smaller wedding details -- while Godiva

Chocolates will hold a month-long contest offering visitors a chance to

win a honeymoon basket.

Today at South Coast Plaza, Black Starr & Frost will hold an

engagement ring and wedding band trunk show, Smith & Hawken will focus on

holding garden weddings in your backyard, Crane & Co. will demonstrate

designing cards with calligraphy and wax seals and Chanel will feature

rings from their Fine Jewelry Collection.

“We have all different styles of rings,” said Amy Horowitz, public

relations manager for Chanel. “They’re for the bride who wants something

unique and special... a bride that’s not really following the pack and

really wants to show off her own style.”

The collection includes a diamond camellia ring with diamonds and

white gold, a diamond comet ring and a diamond star ring.

“Chanel is all about beauty and creativity and the fine jewelry really

represents that,” Horowitz said.

On Wednesday, Crane & Co. will repeat its Sunday presentation, which

also includes free personalization on Valentine’s Day cards.

Other events throughout the month include bridal registry

consultations at Christofle, a private bridal breakfast registry at Crate

& Barrel, a Cartier Diamond seminar, a La Perla trunk show and a Smith &

Hawken event on floral arrangements.

Also included in the Plaza’s wedding-themed month is a sweepstakes

opportunity for one bride-to-be to win a package exceeding $10,000 in

value. Included in the win is a $1,000 South Coast Plaza shopping spree,

a bridesmaid gift from Tiffany’s and a Mikimoto pearl bracelet.

“I think every bride and groom wants their wedding to be very

special,” Gunn Downing said. “So that creates a lot of opportunities and

challenges in putting that together.”

FYI

WHAT: Wedding showcase at South Coast Plaza

WHERE: 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa

CALL: (800) 782-2222

WHAT: Bloomingdale’s

WHERE: 701 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach

CALL: (949) 729-6600