With over 10,000 brides visiting Bridal by Lori in Atlanta each year, there’s no denying that the location of “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” is a prime destination for those looking for the perfect gown. Combining a backstory, a makeover, a little family therapy and an awe-inspiring reveal have made the television show a success for nearly a decade. The TLC reality show may feature dresses, but the person behind the process is none other than West Virginia native Monte Durham.

 

With his Southern charm, expertise and celebrity clientele, Durham has a unique way of helping brides identify the perfect dress for their special day. While he admits that the entourages that accompany the brides can be challenging at times, the inventory of thousands of different styles allows him to accentuate the bride’s best features that inspire the groom’s audible gasp upon first seeing her.  

 

In addition to the show, Durham has also had the unique opportunity to cover Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding for TLC and he has weighed in on celebrity bridal gowns from Kim Kardashian to Jessica Simpson. His most notable gown is a replica of the dress Jacqueline Bouvier wore in her 1953 wedding to Senator Jack Kennedy.  

 

Although Durham grew up in Oak Hill, Bridgeport’s Carmela Irwin is responsible for bringing him to West Virginia next month. Irwin, owner of Infinity Studios Event Planning and Coordinating, did not take a direct route into wedding planning.  After 18 years in the skincare and cosmetics industry, she found that she had a knack for networking. She also had the ability to find vendors and resources for her bridal clients. These skills were instrumental in the development of her family's event planning business. 

 

Ultimately, it was Irwin’s connections that led her to Durham. With a business background, experience with the BNI WV group, and a knack for customer service, she eventually became a certified event planner and became featured in The Knot, an online resource for all things bridal. The wedding business is a $53 billion industry and Irwin knew she needed to do something different to stand out among the competition at bridal shows.

 

Her instincts were right and her first bridal show featured Rachael of The Knot. The company flew her to West Virginia for a meet and greet. Rachael’s presentation and question and answer session showcased Irwin’s ingenuity and creativity, ultimately leading to her contacting Durham to see if he could be the featured speaker at this year’s show.  

 

After negotiating dates and working with Coni and Franc’s in Morgantown, Irwin was able to secure Durham’s appearance at the West Virginia Premiere Wedding Expo to be held on February 17 at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place Hotel from 12-4 p.m. One lucky bride will win a free wedding dress of her dreams from Coni and Franc and will have the opportunity to work with Durham during the decision-making process. Additionally, there is a meet and greet fundraiser in the works that will benefit WVU Children's Hospital.

 

Infinity Studios Event Planning and Coordinating is a full-service, one-stop shop for weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, and personal celebrations. With a network of vendors, rentals, and access to venues all across the state, Irwin has perfected the art of creating memorable events.  Her unique twist on adding an educational element to bridal expos has set her apart from other event planners and bringing Monte Durham back to his home state will make this year’s show unforgettable.