Brides-to-be from up and down the Ohio Valley and beyond gathered wedding ideas, sampled wedding cake, viewed stunning bridal fashions and more Sunday at Wedding Bells Bridal Show 2006.

The show, which took place from noon to 4 p.m. at West Virginia Northern Community College’s new Education Center auditorium in Wheeling, featured two fashion shows, more than 20 vendors and a variety of prize drawings.

The show was the first sponsored by The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register, the Herald-Star in Steubenville, The Times Leader in Martins Ferry and WVNCC.

Sisters Kristie and Andrea Lengyel of Yorkville are both brides-to-be and attended the show to gather ideas and connect with wedding services.

“I like the wide variety of vendors, from florists to receptions. There’s quite a few vendors here that I’m actually interested in,” said Kristie Lengyel, who is getting married in July 2008.

Jamie Cladias of Weirton attended with her mother, Linda Cladias, and maid of honor Meghan Harpold. Set to be married in May, Cladias already has her wedding dress, but she got a lot of good ideas for other services from the vendors.

“Masterpieces of Old Town — for cakes and decorations, they’re fabulous,” Cladias said of the Wheeling business.

Vanessa McNeely of Fairfax, Va., also got some helpful tips from the vendors, even though she is getting married in Morgantown. Her mother, Veronica McNeely of New Martinsville, encouraged her to attend to see samples of Masterpieces’ work because she already plans to use the business. In addition, Vanessa McNeely got a good idea from the McLure House Hotel in Wheeling to personalize guests’ hotel keys with a photo of the bride and groom.

“We’re not staying there, but they were very helpful and gave us the name of the company that does the hotel keys,” McNeely said.

“I think it’s been very informative. There were very good displays,” said Kelly Stewart of Clarington, who is getting married a year from now. After seeing the Oglebay Park booth, she likes the idea of having a garden wedding at the Wheeling resort.

Vendors also felt the show was a success.

“It’s better than I expected,” said Heidi Koler of Wheeling who works at Ameriprise Financial in Canonsburg. “I think it’s been quite successful. I’ve had quite a few people who have been interested, so I’m happy.”

“It’s been great,” said Rick Courts, owner of The Paper Shack in Wheeling. “There’s been a lot of opportunity to really talk to the girls. It has been really good.”

Pam Bennett, advertising director for the Wheeling papers, said 209 brides and grooms preregistered for the event, and about the same number showed up to register at the door. The 300-plus seats were filled for both fashion shows — the first one by Checkers Boutique Inc. in McMurray, Pa., and the second one by Fabians of Hollywood Bridal Shop in Steubenville, she said.

Other vendors — who were set up in two rooms at the college’s new Education Center, included After Hours Formal Wear, Arbonne International, Cosmetic Skin Care, David’s Bridal, Dianna’s Cakes & Catering, Generations, Kelly’s at Suite II, Mountain State Monogram, Oliver Entertainment, Personal Service Travel, Stratford Springs, Una Fontana Dolce, Undo’s Catering, Warwood Florist and Wheeling Flower Shop.

Drawings took place for prizes from each of the vendors, with one grand prize winner receiving a package including free dinner for up to eight people at any Ohio Valley restaurant, donated by Ameriprise; one free night honeymoon stay at the McLure; two free airline tickets from Personal Service Travel and a free bridal bouquet of up to $125 from Wheeling Flower.