Who doesn't love a wedding? OK, some people really don't. But for most, the venue, flowers, dresses, favours, and photography make planning a wedding ceremony an exciting proposition, to say the least.
With so much to choose from — search "wedding" on Pinterest for a small taste of the options for being betrothed — bringing wedding businesses all together in one place makes decision making much less overwhelming. Thus, wedding shows abound, but they are usually in the city.
That is changing.
Squamish is playing host to the Sea to Sky Wedding Show at the CN Roundhouse and Conference Centre on Sunday, Jan. 20.
The event will include 50 vendors — local or with a local connection — and bridal fashion shows.
This is the first time the West Coast Railway Heritage Park has played host to such an event, according to the conference centre sales manager and organizer of the show Mandy Pentland.
"There is something so magical about this event celebrating love and the endless creativity that can come from it," she said. "Weddings aren't cookie-cutter anymore, it is whatever you want."
Unlike other such shows — with rows and rows of similar vendors set up at tables — this show will be very "Squamish," according to Pentland.
"We are gearing toward more of an interactive wedding show," she said. "We are the adventure capital of Canada, so we are bridging the idea of adventure and interactivity within a wedding show."
Vendors are encouraged to move beyond the booth to set up something more experienced-based. For example, a tent rental company may set up the covering for people to sit in; a chocolate fountain company may set that up and offer samples, she added.
The space will be open and have a garden feel — Billies Flower House is decking out the show — and there will be a lounge area.
Two bridal fashion shows are planned: one at noon and one at 2 p.m.
Flowers will be part of the fashion show, too.
"Nature meets the style," Pentland said.
For her own wedding almost five years ago Pentland held the ceremony over a weekend at a ranch with close friends and family. She cherishes her memories of that event, she said and wants other couples in Squamish to feel the same way about their experience.
"I was able to tap into what I actually wanted and that was embraced, and I got to just go with [it]," she said.
For more information on the Sea to Sky Wedding Show go to the event's Facebook page or search for it on www.eventbrite.ca for tickets.
