lace dresses 2011 for cheap on sale under $134 5074222

JOHN HAWKINS/The Southland Times

GIRLS' TALK: wedding dresses in plus sizes in ivory wedding dresses in plus sizes in ivory Bridesmaids Lily Wilson (left) and Sophie Hartman check out a floral arrangement with Sophie Blackley, who was modelling bridal dresses bridal dresses at the Invercargill Wedding Show.

Relevant offers

Fashion & Trends

Brave face Geek chic, celebrity-style Invercargill may become 'model' city Fashion awards tailormade for students Dunedin's fashion show world-class Steel players to swap bibs for best dresses Young designer heading for Italy Southlander launches Dunedin fashion week Overseas fashionistas boost for fashion week

Are wedding shows still the traditional domain of females? We sent Times reporter SCOT MACKAY to find out what's on offer in the world of wedding planning.

W hen you think "man", you think sports, barbecues, cars and hunting, but can you include attending wedding shows?

It turns out yes, because it appears men are putting aside more pleasurable activities to become increasingly involved in organising weddings.

At the 48 stalls set up at the Invercargill Elegant Wedding Show at the weekend, exhibitors were run off their feet serving the needs of women and – yes – men.

Show organiser Sandy Jefferies says about 370 people attended the show, in its second year at the Ascot Park Hotel – and many of those were men.

According to exhibitors, they are a part of a growing group of men who are stepping up and taking on more responsibility than the just the choice of suit and car.

Many exhibitors were unsure why male interest was increasing – whether it was to stare at the beautiful models or maybe just keep an eye on the back pocket – but it was certainly noticeable.

When Mrs Jefferies said to one man one shoulder evening gown , "Well done for coming," his response was, little black dresses little black dresses "`Nah, this is my day, too."

That reaction appears to be on the up discount mother of the bride gowns discount mother of the bride gowns bridesmaid dresses yellow , taffeta cocktail dress with one exhibitor even offering pre-wedding photos where the wife is substituted for the car.

Rachael Kelly Photography owner Rachael Kelly says about 70 per cent of her work was wedding photos and the men loved to get photos taken with their cars before it turned all girlie.

Dunedin-based House of Kavina Bridal Specialists owner Hilary Samuelson says about five years ago not a single man would enter her shop. But today she sees one once a week.

"Males don't mind now, wedding gowns cheap they just want to be a part of it – I think it's brilliant," she says.

Because couples tend to get married in their early 30s rather than early 20s, she says, they're usually living together with shared money, which means many men want a say in what's going on. "There is generally a budget so they want to be part of it and keep an eye on the girls."

This watchful eye may also be the reason for a trend in cutting down the cost of wedding dresses dresses .

Lovingly Loved Bridal Wear owner Sanna van Zoelen says all her dresses sold for $500 or under and the market for cheap dresses cheap dresses is increasing.

Young women with children were the biggest market for second-hand dresses and, as more people realise there are cheaper options out there affordable bridesmaids dresses affordable bridesmaids dresses, business continues to grow, she says.

Being a bloke and attending part of this show, I was left with an overwhelming impression of the colour white and, while more men maybe attending these events, I don't think it's going to top the list of ways to spend your weekend.

- The Southland Times