By Mary SchenkelVERO BEACH — The Heritage Center in historic downtown Vero Beach hosted a first-time fall edition of their popular Treasure Coast Bridal Expo and Fashion Show on Sunday. The show included 36 vendors from all over the Treasure Coast, their largest to date. Event planners estimated that between 50 and 75 future brides attended, with those also bringing along their friends, family and even the occasional bride groom.
“The vendors thought our spring show was so great that they wanted us to have a second show,” said event chair Gina Wattles. “They like that it is an intimate setting and they can get to meet and talk to all the brides.”
Brides were encouraged to visit and have every vendor initial their program in order to be entered into a grand prize drawing for a gift basket filled with up to $2,000 worth of donated items.
The first part of the expo took place at the Heritage center, with vendors offering all varieties of wedding related products and services. Later in the afternoon, a fashion show, presented by Bridal Suite South, Dillard’s and Island Formals took place across the street at the Courthouse Executive Center. Beautiful bridal gowns, evening wear and party fashions for the ladies and tuxedos for the men were modeled by local volunteers.
Proceeds from the expo benefit Vero Heritage, Inc. and the Heritage Center, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010.
In addition to event chair Gina Wattles, the committee included Heather Dean, Pat Stelz, Cathie Callery, Bernadette Kopacz, Darlene Forage, Nicki Kent and Rose Spytek. Event sponsors included the Courthouse Executive Center, Vero Heritage, Inc. and Class Act Productions. {igallery 51}