By Jennifer Voight
 Kevin Kramer/Special to the Town Crier A model displays a laced-back wedding dress at Panache Bridal’s Feb. 21 fashion show. |
With the wedding season just around the corner, a fashion show Feb. 21 at Panache Bridal, 163 Main St., made it clear that Los Altos may not only be the “Best City (in the Bay Area) to Raise Children,” as a 2005 survey concluded, but perhaps also the best city in which to plan a wedding and get married. Certainly there is no shortage of premium wedding service providers in town.
When the idea to hold a bridal show blossomed two months ago, a small-scale event was contemplated. Initially the idea was to showcase a few up-and-coming local vendors to the event industry: Satura Cakes, Panache Bridal, Kevin Kramer Advantage Photography Inc. and Thomas John Events (all in business fewer than 6 months) and Birch Fine Paper (in business two years).
After the owners of Panache Bridal volunteered their space for the event, the ideas kept rolling.
“We knew we had to do a fashion show, but in the beginning we were only inviting event consultants, so we figured it could be done in the store. But the guest list kept expanding with additions of current brides, members of the media, local business owners and others who we knew could get the buzz going about what we had to offer,” said Debra Willenberg, co-owner of Panache Bridal.
The event outgrew its original venue and expanded into the empty space next door. The planners added Michael S. Hensley, a disc jockey from Party Rentals and SoundTrax, Palo Alto.
More than 150 guests viewed 32 designer gowns from Panache, showcased by eight models as they strolled the 40-foot catwalk.
Before and after the 30-minute fashion show, guests feasted on a dessert bar provided by Satura Cakes, an extravagant cheese presentation by Thomas John Events and wine provided by Amarco Wines of Sunnyvale.
“Los Altos is becoming a wedding planning town. You can plan a day of shopping here and have your invitations, gown and cake all arranged,” said Kendra Gjerseth, co-owner of Birch.
Chris Kamimura, president of Satura Cakes, added, “It was a huge success, and I’ve heard nothing but encouragement from members of the event industry about how great business will be after this.”
