The first “Brides & Bubbly” event is scheduled for April 23 at the Northern Center at Northern Michigan University. A variety of vendors will be at the event to help people plan weddings as well as other special occasions. Anyone interested in being a vendor should contact Buda at Tara@elegant-events-planning.com. (Photo courtesy of Elegant Events-Event Design & Coordination)

By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — For someone planning a wedding that’s a little more extravagant than a trip to the courthouse, a new bridal event is coming to the area this spring.

Elegant Events-Event Design & Coordination, Madisons Bridal, and Kate & Katie Co. Photography will host the inaugural “Brides & Bubbly” event set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 23 the Northern Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University.

Tara Buda, who was born and raised in Negaunee but now is based in the Milwaukee area, owns Elegant Events, which now covers the Upper Peninsula as well as the Chicago and Milwaukee areas, and Wisconsin.

Buda said Northern Michigan University has historically held a nice bridal event, but several variables, including the COVID-19 pandemic, has led NMU to not having such an event in recent years.

She expressed gratitude that NMU is willing to work with the event planners after a hiatus.

“The flexibility of that space and the size of that space allows for a lot of different types of events,” Buda said of the Northern Center. “We just thought it would be really nice to bring it back to that space that’s been redone and has such a flexibility with size and everything else.”

According to the NMU website, the Northern Center has new ballrooms and dance floors, integrated audiovisual capabilities and other amenities.

Brides & Bubbly, she noted, is geared toward brides. However, there is another targeted demographic.

Already married or not planning a wedding? People can plan their next family photo session, baby shower, work event or other notable event.

“We really want to make it very much open to the public as well,” said Buda, who wants anyone who is having a special event to attend. “All of the vendors that are going to be there truly are there to do any type event, whether it’s a fundraiser, a gala, a graduation party, anniversary — all of those vendors can play into those as well.

“Even though it’s being billed as a bridal show, we are really welcoming any members of the community to come.”

Vendors will include Richardson Jewelers, Lakeshore Skin and Body, and Terrace Bay Hotel.

“I”m not sure that everybody knows what’s available or who’s available in the area, or what they even have to offer,” Buda said. “So we’re really hoping to put on a very unique event where everyone feels welcome and has a really nice experience and gets to see what the area has to offer.”

In fact, the word “experience” is a big part of Brides & Bubbly.

“We’re really trying to differentiate this event by bringing in more of an experience and less of a ‘stop-at-the-table, grab-a-brochure’ kind of event,” Buda said.

That means there will be more hands-on and interactive activities, she said, for the guests and the vendors.

Buda acknowledged there are bridal shows in the area, but she wants to bring something new to the area — “more time to chat, just more of an elevated experience.”

Tickets are on sale for $5 at elegant-events-planning.com under “tickets and events.”

Anyone interested in being a vendor should contact Buda at Tara@elegant-events-planning.com.

“I’m really hopeful that it turns into an event people look forward to year after year,” Buda said.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.