By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
Every bride dreams of the day she will hear the opening strains of the Wedding March. She dreams of a perfect sunny day.
Long before that day of bliss arrives, however, there are dresses to try on, bouquets to order, cakes to taste and gift lists to distribute. This week the brides of the future take to the street of Niles for the annual Niles Downtown Wedding Walk.
With many of this Saturday's shoppers in a wedding frame of mind, downtown merchants will assist the brides-to-be with a number items of interest. There will be door prizes and demonstrations all geared to show those planning their wedding all that Niles has to offer.
One of Niles' newest shops, Frame of Mind, has a number of ideas for the bride and groom and those on the lookout for just the right unique gift for that special couple. Owner Helen Morrman has planned a wonderful morning for her visitors.
Artist Bill Jensen of Granger will be on hand, working on a honeymoon-theme pastel during the event. A few of his other works will also be on display.
Janine Frizzo-Horrigan of Niles will be in attendance, showing two 18th century wedding gowns to discuss with brides how they can wear their grandmother's wedding dress with no alterations needed. How you ask?
Frizzo-Horrigan duplicates the gown of old to fit the bride of today perfectly while preserving the original as it was. "The mystery and history of the dress grandma wore on the day she was wed is important. Each stain holds a story," she said.
On display throughout the store is more of her handiwork in the form of beaded pillbox hats and handbags in vintage design. Frizzo-Horrigan will be showing off her expertise as she works on an old-fashioned stay that once molded young brides into a perfected hourglass shape for that walk down the aisle.
Morrman will be showcasing her own expertise as well.
"All the work I do has that little added something. My museum quality framing uses rag mats and conservation glass. The work often (as with wedding photos) preserves precious memories so you want to guarantee it will last for years to come," she said.
She often incorporates special momentos into her framing masterpieces; pieces of veil used to cover picture mats or petals and decorations from the table decor within a collage featuring photos from engagement to honeymoon.
Even gift-wrap and bows become part of the composition. For the bride who wishes to preserve her wedding bouquet, Morrman suggests enclosing it in a shadow box for permanent display.
There is no limit to the design and shade of the framing itself. If you cannot find the frame you want at Frame of Mind, chances are you won't find it anywhere, Morrman suggests, as she shows off the hundreds of samples that cover the back walls of her shop.
Other wedding day suggestions and gifts on display at Frame of Mind during the Wedding Walk will include work by artists Janet Gilbert of Elkhart, Fashawn Burgess of South Bend and Susan Coultas of Mishawaka. Young Niles artist Jeremy Kelly is displaying sculptures, clay and watercolors. President of the Niles Art Association, Jorge Bosque, will be joining the party with some of his own artwork.
Morrman has added some handcrafted jewelry to her in-shop inventory. She liked the eclectic mix of natural stones and gems with the wonderful rich wood in her frames. Jewelry has been fashioned by ToKiY, Jill K. Rudolph and Vicki Krziza.
The 4th Annual Downtown Niles Wedding Walk takes place this Saturday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. You can pick up your map featuring all participating merchants at 216 E. Main St. Merchants welcoming the walkers include Tippy Toes, The Bell Building, Color Me Christian, Roncari Thayer Jewelers, Frame of Mind, Red Shoe Jewelry &Apparel, County Down, Sentiments, Signal Travel, Majerek's, Riverfront Cafe, and Four Flags Antique Mall.