Archive: Around Town

"By the authority given to me by Almighty God, by the great State of New York, and Cayuga Radio Group," declared minister Nina Hopper, "I pronounce that you are husband and wife."

With those words Rhonda Howe and David Godbey were joined in matrimony at a joyous ceremony in the food court at the Shops at Ithaca Mall last Saturday.  The couple were the winners of Cayuga Radio Group's 'Win a Wedding!  Get Married at the Mall!' contest.  The  grand prize was to be married during the 'Make Your Day' wedding exposition at the mall.  "They're a wonderful couple," says Cayuga Radio Group General Manager Susan Johnston.


The wedding show included about 45 vendors this year.  Attendance was high after Cayuga Radio Group publicized the event on Lite Rock 97.3, Q Country 103.7, Classic Rock I-100, HITS 103.3, News Talk 870 WHCU, and Progressive Talk 1470 WNYY.

Shops at Ithaca Mall Marketing Director Amy Hall says more than 100 brides showed up, some with their fiances, some with families, and some on their own.  The brides were eligible to win one of more than 50 prizes the mall raffled off.  Prizes included an overnight stay at La Tourelle, an heart necklace and earring set from Kay Jewelers, a free two month membership for the bride and the whole bridal party at City Health Club, photo albums, gift baskets, gift certificates for jewelry, a DJ package, and an electronic photo frame.


"We have more vendors this year than we had before, and we have more brides than we ever did before, because Cayuga Radio Group was promoting it so much," Hall said.

But the main event was the wedding, and everyone got into the act.  All the radio personalities were on hand, announcing events on the PA, ushering, handing out bubbles to blow at the couple after they were married.  Even Nina Hopper, who married the couple, is Cayuga Radio Group's receptionist as well as an ordained minister.


"We had no idea who would sign up for this," says Johnston.  "Rhonda and David are a wonderful couple.  They have been together for 18 years.  They've got kids.  I was talking to Rhonda and she said, 'You know, we love each other and we've been together all this time.  But the kids came and there was orthodontia and stuff like that and we never really got around to it.  This was a wonderful opportunity.'"


Between 20 and 30 couples entered the contest with poems, lots of pictures, and family history.  "I loved reading the peoples' stories," Johnston says.  "You just never know who is going to enter a contest like that.  The entries were really very touching and lovely."

Rhonda and David recieved a wedding gown from Nancy's Bridal , his and hers 14K white gold wedding bands from Perrywinkle's Fine Jewelry, flowers from Wildflowers Florist, a wedding cake from Just Desserts, Wedding Photography from Renee Marquis,  a reception on the food court balcony from The Lake Watch Inn, a package of wedding gifts,  and, of course, the Cayuga Radio Group DJs for their wedding party.

Interest was brisk at the vendor tables, as two models from Nancy's Bridal in Cortland strolled around the mall in more than 20 dresses throughout the day.  Hall says that brides came from a wide area including Ithaca, Massachusetts, Owego, Slaterville Springs, Trumansburg, Brooktondale, and Moravia.


"We've got some really unique vendors here," Hall said.  "Gippot Headcoverings hand makes women's head gear for their wedding.  Of course we have some of the mall vendors.  Digipro Photography, Periwinkle's Jewlers provided the sponsorship bags and the wedding bands for the couple that is getting married, and JB Robinson contirbuted a fabulous pearl necklace for the drawing.  We have cake tastings."

A huge crowd gathered for the wedding, many snapping pictures on their cell phones as the couple was joined in holy matrimony.  After the ceremony the wedding part adjourned to the food court balcony for a private reception.

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