First comes love, then comes marriage — planning that is.

If you’re engaged to be married you know there’s a lot to consider. Not just what to wear when you walk down the aisle. There are hundreds of decisions to make on everything from hors d’oeuvres to headpieces to honeymoon destinations.

It can be overwhelming. Fortunately, just about everything you need will be represented at the Daily Gazette’s eighth annual bridal show, to be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Hall of Springs and the Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs.

And you can attend seminars led by nationally acclaimed wedding expert Lisa Light and by the bridal experts from Macy’s, who will talk about the company’s registry program, why a registry is useful and what items should be included. The Macy’s experts will speak at noon and 2 p.m.

Light is a respected destination wedding planner and the president and founder of her own wedding consultant company based in Chatham, Columbia County. Light will talk to brides at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., touching upon subjects such as how to set a budget, choose a venue, prepare for a destination wedding and more.

You can take what you learn to the show floor where wedding cake vendors, florists and representatives of a dozen or so different wedding reception sites will be on hand.

You will be able to meet face-to-face with more than 70 area companies looking to help you plan your special day.

FUNDRAISING EVENT

The bridal show is a fundraising event for the Gazette’s Newspaper in Education program. The program provides free Daily Gazette newspapers to any school in the Gazette’s circulation area that requests them. Teachers then incorporate the paper into lesson plans.

In 2007, the bridal show raised more than $24,000 for the NIE programs. With a $5 admission fee per person, guests will be offered champagne and hors d’oeuvres and will receive a wristband that will entitle them to ride the free shuttle between the Hall of Springs and the automobile museum. Shuttle service starts at 11 a.m.

Register for Raffle

Couples must register and have their ticket stamped at both locations to be eligible for raffle drawings.

This year prizes include a 42-inch, flat-screen plasma television from Marcella’s Appliances, a set of wedding bands from Northeastern Fine Jewelry and a three-night romantic getaway at a Sandals Resort (excluding transportation) from Travel Central.

In addition, the New York Players are raffling the services of two live musicians to perform a duet during the wedding ceremony.

To welcome brides and grooms, the music of Signature Brass will be playing at the entrances. And T.S. Ensemble Ceremonial Music will be performing live at the Hall of Springs.

Another one of the highlights of the show is the food samples from local caterers and banquet and lodging facilities. Many will be serving appetizers, desserts and cakes from their kitchens. There will be a cash bar.

Auto museum

At the automobile museum, the bridal show will be set between the exhibits of a veritable treasure trove of great cars that are part of the “Barn Finds” exhibit.

Inspired by Tom Cotter’s best-selling book, “The Cobra in the Barn, Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology” and just in time for the launch of Tom’s second book, “The Hemi in the Barn,” the Saratoga Automobile Museum will have 14 extraordinary barn finds on exhibit.

Automotive journalist Ken Gross served as the exhibit’s curator, and he searched the country with Cotter to round up these amazing cars.

“Finding a long-lost car is every collector’s dream,” says Gross. “The success of Tom Cotter’s book underscores how this idea touches a responsive chord in countless enthusiasts.

“The cars we’ve selected all have intriguing histories. They’re a visual feast for everyone from collectors and photographers to just plain car lovers.”

Among the cars on exhibit are a 1939 Ford Woodie, a 1967 Shelby GT500 Mustang and a 1934 Lincoln KB seven passenger Touring Car that was once owned by Rockefeller Prentice (John D. Rockefeller’s grandson).

Exhibitors featured

The event will feature information on tuxedo and bridal shops, transportation services, caterers, video services, jewelry shops, photographers, florists, favor vendors and more.

C.J. Dufort, the Gazette’s special events coordinator, who has been involved in the wedding business for more than 25 years, said this show has a strong representation of what a bride needs.