Brides plan their perfect day at Treasure Coast Bridal Expo

VERO BEACH — For years the Heritage Center in downtown Vero Beach has been recognized as a popular wedding venue, so the idea to create a Treasure Coast Bridal Expo as a fundraiser for the upkeep of the building was a fitting one. 

The organization’s seventh Bridal Expo was held on Sunday afternoon and it has become so well regarded that vendors now clamor to be part of it. The two component event began with the Bridal Expo portion inside the Heritage Center, followed by a Fashion Show across the street at the Courthouse Executive Center, another lovely venue for receptions.  Some brides attended accompanied by their mothers, future grooms or maids of honor. Still others made an afternoon of it, inviting their entire bridal party to join in on the fun.

“It’s a fundraiser for the Heritage Center, but we also do this as a courtesy to local vendors,” said event chair Gina Wattles.  “We want to show brides that everything they need, they can find right here on the Treasure Coast.”

Brides who had their program checked off by every vendor were entered into a grand prize drawing for a gift basket filled with approximately $1,000 worth of items donated by vendors and other local businesses.

Susan Hunt, Indian River County Chamber of Commerce Director of Tourism was there promoting Indian River County as an ideal wedding destination, with many varied and beautiful locations.

“We started a new website, www.comediscoverlove.com about a month ago,” said Hunt. “We had a bridal familiarization tour with 40 wedding planners from throughout the country.  Since then we have seen an increase in destination weddings in Indian River County.”

At the Fashion Show in the Courthouse Executive Center, presented by Bridal Suite South and Island Formals, local volunteers modeled gorgeous bridal gowns, evening wear, tuxedos, and party fashions.   Emcee Ed Meade of Class Act Productions & Entertainment introduced the models, who had had each been artfully coiffed and made-up by Park Place Salon & Spa.

The Heritage Center is used for a variety of private parties and events and is the focal point for many of the city’s public events such as the Hibiscus Festival and Christmas in Downtown.  Rentals of the building and fundraisers such as the Bridal Expo, USO Rocks America and the Pioneer Dinner are the major sources of income for Vero Heritage, Inc. which manages the building. {igallery 278}

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