“For better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”

Vows very similar to those are ones that many couples have sworn in their lifetimes, thus bounding themselves in holy matrimony.

They may be the phrases that many people hope to utter one day, or perhaps they are the phrases that people dread.

Regardless, it seems to have become a trend around campus in which meeting the acquaintance of someone that is engaged is not a rare occasion.

Meet Jen Cradlebaugh, a 20-year-old sophomore that has been engaged for two months.

She said that being engaged is not much different than having a serious boyfriend/girlfriend in college.

“It’s not any different other than the fact that I have an awesome ring!,” she said. “It doesn’t seem different to me. It might to some people, but I don’t think it’s any harder.”

Although, at times it can be a struggle living the college life amongst the anticipation of a wedding in the future. “It sucks knowing that you have to wait for so much longer after being together for like three and a half years, but I’m not in any hurry to get married so it’s not that big of a deal to me,” Cradlebaugh said. “I’d rather just have fun here and worry about getting married afterwards.”

Fortunately for engaged college students and adult couples alike, the Toledo Zoo will be hosting a bridal fair cleverly titled “I Do At The Zoo” on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Sponsored by Sounds of Music, a local disc jockey service, this event will be very informative and exciting. Admission tickets cost $7 per person, $5 if ordered in advance online and a first-come first-serve dinner buffet will be available for $5

as well.

Traditionally, bridal fairs are held in January of every year, but the significance of holding “I Do At The Zoo” in the fall allows couples to check things out now instead of waiting for the beginning of the year.

Kristin Meyer, the bridal fair coordinator, described many of the attributes that such an event has to exhibit. “It is an offering of up to 70 different vendors who offer all sorts of different wedding services,” she said. “Anytime you go to a bridal fair, and ours is no exception, you get a chance to see maybe five different photographers, ideas on new wedding things that are out there, favors that you can give away, and all sorts of different things that you wouldn’t even think of.”

One exceptional event that will take place on Sunday is the public showing of an actual wedding. Over 50 couples entered to win the free wedding, which include a free wedding dress, rings and a honeymoon. “People will not only be able to go around and shop at different wedding vendors, but they’ll get to watch the progression of what happens on a wedding day,” Meyer said.

If in doubt about whether or not to attend the bridal fair, just think about the importance of planning a huge milestone event that is usually experienced only once in a person’s lifetime.

“It is so important to get as much information as you possibly can, because with a wedding, since you’ve never done it before, you never know what you want until you inform yourself of everything that is out there,” Meyer said. “It’s a very valuable way to do all of your research in one afternoon.”

If the sound of wedding bells can be heard in the near future, “I Do At The Zoo” would be an excellent event to attend in order to get informed about how to have the best wedding possible.

Take some time to spend the day with your soon to be significant other, and learn the best way to say “I Do” while at the zoo.