INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — It’s the rare bride-to-be who can afford a lavish royal wedding like Kate Middleton’s, but attendees at Sunday’s Treasure Coast Bridal Expo and Fashion Show garnered a wealth of information to assist in planning their own fairy-tale weddings.
The event was a fundraiser for Vero Heritage Inc., which manages the Heritage Center and its adjoining Citrus Museum.
“I am very pleased with the variety of vendors we have to offer the brides,” said event chair Gina Wattles, noting that they had put together a thoughtfully diverse selection of wedding professionals.
“We did make room for about 10 more vendors than we normally have; they just kept calling, wanting to be in the show. It’s one-stop shopping for anyone planning their special day.”
Visions of that perfect day flashed before eyes of well over 60 future brides who packed the room with excitement and full entourages of grooms, mothers and eager assistants.
“We totally exceeded what we expected,” added Wattles. “It was a great show.”
The afternoon began at the Heritage Center, long recognized as a popular wedding venue, where the various vendors offered advice and information to help brides create their ultimate dream wedding.
“It was very informative,” said Michelle Miller, who was just starting to plan her November, 2013 wedding. “A little overwhelming, but it was good.”
As a special incentive to visit with everyone, brides who had their program checked off by all the vendors were entered into a grand prize drawing of multiple gifts, valued at $2,000.
Each bride-to-be was also given goodie bags overflowing with discounts, gift certificates and giveaways donated by local businesses.
“We started this event in 2006 as a fundraiser for the Heritage Center, simply because we thought it would be fun and no one was really focusing on weddings in our area,” Wattles explained.
“This is our ninth production and it is still as exciting and as much fun as it was the first year. We have so many of our vendors that have participated and supported us through the years and continue to make it a successful event. Our committee is comprised of several ladies who have volunteered since the inception and each brings their special talents to make sure this all looks effortless. Also, we have to thank the Brides for attending. It is so much fun to see the excitement they generate.”
Later in the afternoon, guests worked their way across the street for a glamorous filled to capacity fashion show at the Courthouse Executive Center, another lovely venue for receptions.
As brides arrived they were shot against a professional backdrop for photographic montage which will eventually be posted on Facebook compliments of Traxx Entertainment and Verola Photography.
Bridal Suite South and Cardita Formal Wear presented a generous selection of sumptuous bridal gowns and stunning jewel-toned evening dresses for bridesmaids and mothers-of the-bride, elegantly modeled by ladies who had been artfully coiffed and made up for the occasion by Causeway Studio and Energy Spa & Salon.
Tuxedos and formal attire for grooms and groomsmen, and sweet little flower girls rounded out the show.
All proceeds from the Treasure Coast Bridal Expo and Fashion Show will benefit Vero Heritage, Inc., the non-profit organization that operates and maintains the Heritage Center, a focal point for many of the City’s downtown events, built in 1935 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rentals of the building and fundraisers such as the Bridal Expo and the upcoming Frightening Formals Halloween-themed party are its major sources of income.