 Jane Dayus-Hinch is a veteran wedding planner and former host of the TV series Wedding SOS. |
The veteran wedding planner and former host of the TV series Wedding SOS is usually skeptical about someone getting hitched a third time. But some of her most memorable matches happen when couples are in their 50s.
"They're older. They completely understand what they're doing and the commitment," she said Sunday at the Okanagan Bridal Expo in Kelowna.
"They had the day of their dreams the first time round, and saw it as a complete waste of money and that's why the marriage didn't work."
The next time it could be for the right reason: it's just about the two of them. They're more likely to organize a destination wedding with the two of them on a beach, she said.
"Sometimes the young girls at 20 (or so) want the princess day. They want to look fabulous. They've met a guy. It's all dreams. You do get the divorces down the line.
"But I've had couples who I married
25 years ago and I've been to their wedding anniversaries . . . It does my heart good to hear the marriage last 25 years."
Dayus-Hinch is asked to arrange numerous ceremonies for couples renewing their vows. The Slice Network show may have ended in 2011, but she can barely keep up with her commitments. She attended bridal trade shows in Vancouver and Kelowna on the weekend, flies to Toronto next weekend and then returns west to Red Deer.
She anchored Prince William's wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011. She was pleased to see the bride come out in a lace dress.
"I thought, 'Oh my goodness I can't wait for this to come out into mainstream bridal fashion.' Because for so many years now we've had this sort of strapless, white or ivory, it's bling or no bling, and that's been it."
Brides-to-be had plenty of choices to ponder at Prospera Place on Sunday. More than 100 exhibitors presented everything from cakes to bouquets, and from bridal gowns to jewelry.
Wedding planners Bethany Armstrong and Winona Philips arranged a regional expo in Kelowna for the second year in a row.
The one-stop shopping allows couples to design their big day under one roof.
"It's overwhelming planning a wedding. So to have everything at your fingertips makes planning the event smoother," said Tracy Hinkin of Ten Fashion Bridal Boutique.
Traditional weddings haven't changed much in 30 years, said Dayus-Hinch. The legalization of same-sex marriage in Canada has shaken up the industry, turning the stereotype of bride-in-white and groom-in-black on its ear.
Now some women are likely to put on the tuxedo while her partner wears the dress. One might be in the black while the other's in white.
In fact, female couples are more likely to mix it up than their male counterparts, said Dayus-Hinch. The women tend to be more relaxed about tying the knot, while the men are far more particular about what they want.
"The two guys will always match. They're very matchy-matchy. The two girls, it's totally down to their personalities," she said. "The guys, they love to dress up. They get fabulous suits, decorated vests and cravats."
Organizers consider the Okanagan a prime destination for weddings because of the favourable climate and sumptuous scenery.
Some predict more ceremonies here this year because the Canadian economy is improving.
