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SPRINGFIELD — Lisa Lopez has found her one and only.

On Sunday, the Urbana bride-to-be found there are dozens of local businesses who can help her celebrate the day she and fiance Eric Evelsizor will wed.

The couple, who will marry Aug. 9, joined dozens of other brides and engaged couples Sunday at Springfield's bridal expo "A Wedding Affair," held at the Clark County Heritage Center.

"We came because it was close and we were looking for ideas, along with a caterer," Lopez said.

Wish granted: Springfield Caterer Simply Delicious was among the 20 local vendors who offered their services from photography to cakes to carriage rides.

The idea behind the show was to allow brides to shop locally instead of going to Columbus or Dayton, said Ashley Horn, event planner for The Main Event.

"We have so many talented vendors here in Springfield who end up going to Columbus to do these events," she said. "We wanted to bring that business back to Springfield."

Recently engaged Angel Howard of Springfield was all smiles as she took her seat before the runway show began.

"I wanted to see the gowns and I wanted to see what the vendors in Springfield had to offer," she said. "I'm just waiting for the show to start."

Minutes later the first of 11 Michael Nolte designs came down the runway as models glided down the aisle in flashes of crystal-sparkled bodices, Venice lace and embroidered cathedral trains.

"I'm very proud to be here," the Kansas City designer said. "This is a consortium of, I think, the best of the best and I like to be associated with companies like that."

Nolte has chosen one city per state to offer his inaugural collection. Springfield's Grissom Bridal and Tux Shop was his Ohio choice.

"Luckily, you know the only store in the whole state of Ohio where these gowns will be," he said.

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