A Marriage of Convenience
SPARTA-Sparta's newest bridal shop has joined the Sparta Athletic Club in a marriage of looks. The perfect look that is. Exquisite Bride owner Bunny Matthius has always had an eye for fashion and a personal desire for fitness. These two devotions urged Matthius to look for ways to combine them into a perfect match. And now she thinks she has done it. Her store, Exquisite Bride, has joined hands with the Sparta Athletic Club to help brides look their best in their wedding dress. "I have worked out at the Sparta Athletic Club for about 10 years so I know what is kind of work is needed to look good in a specific clothing. Working with Sparta Athletic Club is a natural fit," said Matthius. According to Matthius, brides always want to look their best on the big day, however, their favorite style may not necessarily be the most flattering to their figure. Under the new joint ventured, Matthius will work with the professional trainers at the Sparta Athletic Club in a six-week program specifically designed for each bride to take off those extra inches or tone and define the legs or other areas the dress may demand. "With this program we work closely as a team with Exquisite Bride by consulting one another through the fitting process. This ensures we are getting the woman exactly what she's looking for and looking perfect. We will be informed what the dress looks like and that the bride may need more tricep work or more definition in the shoulders," said Charlene Bebe, the club's director of membership services. Exquisite Bride is located on 13 Main Street. The store, which opened its doors for the first time on April 22, offers Coutoure dresses by Rivini, Tomasinia, Alice Padrul, Romona Keveza and Carmela Sutera as well as shoes, handbags, veils, and jewelry. Exquisite Bride can be reached at 973-726-7979, and the Sparta Athletic Club at 973-729-9141. Top left, Joy Johnson, a sophomore from Pope John wearing a designer dress by Carmela Sutera, jewelry by Tamra Gill, veil by Toni Federici and an Erin Cole headpiece. Top right, Jessica Galfo gets ready for her prom with a dress by Jovani Fashions. At right, a section of Exquisite Bride in Sparta.