Getting ready to walk down the aisle gets a little easier this weekend as the WESTMAN WEDDING EXPO returns to Brandon this Sunday. The event will feature over 30 businesses from nearly all wedding professions, including photography, entertainment, venues, catering, and much more.
The Expo, a wedding planning and organizing tradeshow, has been an annual event since it was first held in 2009. Years and trends have come and gone, and the Expo continues to help those in search of great deals, wedding inspiration, and connection to the area’s finest wedding professionals.
“This show has become the staple wedding event in this part of the province. People come from all parts of western Manitoba to find everything wedding,” says Bryan Podworny, show organizer and owner of Expressions Entertainment. “From Swan River to Boissevain, and from Moosomin to Portage le Prairie, it’s awesome to see so many people come wedding shopping!”
As owner of Banquets & Bashes, an event planning business in Carberry, Shandar Elmhirst joins the Expo with goals in mind. “I’m hoping that the brides and grooms that I talk with will go home with a sense of ease about planning their big day.” It’s more that just about the couples, as she adds, “I’m also looking forward to making new business contacts to help my clients in the planning process.”
Elmhirst, along with 30 other vendors, will see the return of planning excitement this weekend as an expected 500 people take in the show.
When asked what words would best describe one’s wedding day, the most popular word brought up is ‘fun’. With that the case, the 2nd annual “Fun Weddings Workshop” is designed to give useful advice to couples about how to ensure enjoyment of the celebration for themselves, as well as their guests. Over the course of 2 hours, couples will learn ways to engage and connect guests to their wedding with fun activities, personalization, and good preparation. It will be hosted by Podworny, a long time veteran of personalizing weddings. There will also be additional input from Blue Moffat, manager of Asessippi Weddings, Henrik Langer of Henrik Langer Photography, and Shandar Elmhirst of Banquets & Bashes.
The Westman Wedding Expo will be held this Sunday January 21, 2024, at the Victoria Inn & Conference Centre at 3550 Victoria Ave in Brandon. Doors are open to the public from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. The Fun Weddings Workshop will run from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm, and is included with the admission fee. Advance admission to the Expo is $12.50 per person through Eventbrite, as well as cash at the door. Those 17 & under are free.
