WEEKEND: Trunk show offers samples of cake, flowers and chance to try on wedding dresses [ *** GALLERY *** ]

PORT ANGELES — Mermaids. Belles of the ball. Fit-n-flare. Strapless with sweetheart bodice, flowers, feathers and beads.

This is the language spoken at a special public event today and Saturday at Black Diamond Bridal, 109 E. First St.

The free event is officially called the Moonlight Bridal trunk show, but oh, so much more will fill the boutique for brides-to-be.

While Moonlight, the California-based dressmaker, is sending designers to Port Angeles for appointment-only consultations, an array of local business owners will also be on hand for the show, which is open today from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Brides needed to make their Moonlight appointments before today, but Black Diamond’s staffers are encouraging walk-in visitors to enjoy all of the festivities and all of the romance through Saturday.

Sweets and flowers

The shop will be filled with sensory pleasures: Linda Moffitt of Angel Crest Gardens just west of Port Angeles will adorn it with fresh gladiolus, daisies, snapdragons and roses in yellow, orange, purple and hot pink; beverages will flow; and Paulette Hill of Sequim Fresh catering and Amy Matney of Dream Cakes will offer samples.

Matney, a cake sculptor as well as a baker, will lay out four kinds for tasting: chocolate espresso cake with latte butter-cream icing, classic marble cake with classic butter cream, tropical lemon lime cake with berries and classic butter cake with vanilla butter cream and raspberries.

Matney adores a challenge; her commissions have ranged from the 1,000-serving cake for last September’s Celebrate Elwha! banquets to simple, country-wedding cakes ringed with fresh flowers.

Visitors will be invited to sip champagne, sparkling cider and coffee and have their pictures taken — with Angel Crest Gardens’ bouquets — by Jason Kauffman of Sterling Impressions Photographic.

If this sounds a little over the top, well, that is the feeling the women at Black Diamond Bridal are after.

‘Dream world’

“We want you to feel like you’re walking into a dream world,” said the shop’s proprietress, Belva Bodey.

The gowns here — the Moonlight, the Casablanca, the Maggie Sottero, the Eden Bridals — run the gamut from size 2 to 30 and from $99 to $1,500.

Bodey, a dress designer herself, also offers alterations; she vows to take “any gown and turn it into anything else” the woman desires.

“She is the magical one, this one,” Black Diamond Bridal staff member Karen Curto said of Bodey.

This is the first time Black Diamond Bridal has thrown its own bridal party with so many guest vendors.

“It was an honor to be asked because Belva does such a wonderful job,” said Angel Crest’s Moffitt.

She’ll have large and small flower arrangements, bouquets, boutonnières — and answers to brides’ questions.

“You dream it, we’re doing it,” she said.

“Come try on all the dresses you like,” added Curto, “and find the one that gives you the chills.”

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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.