Cost of living no barrier to wedding inspiration at Albury bridal fair

Couples planning to say ‘I do’ will find inspiration galore at a wedding expo to be held in Albury next month.

For those with marriage on their radar, and the rising cost of living on their list of concerns, the wedding fair will have experts on hand to provide advice and guidance on all things nuptial from finance plans to affordable fashions.

On 23 June, from 9 am to 2 pm, the Albury Entertainment Centre will be packed with up to 50 industry specialists, all armed with making the most out of your matrimonial dreams.

There’ll be fashion shows, question and answer sessions, goodie bags, prize giveaways and professionals on hand to help you through the maze and magic of making your special day, well, special.

“This year is going to be impressive,” said Albury Wodonga Wedding Expo organiser Bron Roberston.

“Not only will it look fantastic with our new, fresh exhibitor booths but we’ll have everything covered from photographers, celebrants and venues to entertainment, flowers, travel, hair and make-up and more.

“We’ll be putting a variety of vendors in the spotlight and will have special question and answer sessions that will provide information that people might not realise they need to know.

“Do you know that it takes 60 days to plan your paperwork with a celebrant? There’s various things you need to have for your first consultation and it’s hidden things like this that we hope to highlight in some of these special sessions.”

Bron said while the essentials of a wedding were still the same, trends, needs and wants changed from year to year.

“Not much changes when it comes to the essentials of a wedding, but you’ve got to try and think of everything that a bride and groom would want.

“These days there are more things accessible online – such as things like stationery; there’s no real shop that you go into these days where you sit down and look through the options and choose your stationery, which is a shame, so at the expo we have tried to cater to what’s in and what’s now.

“At the moment a lot of people are choosing to either get married in their backyard at home or at a friend’s property and many are using the mighty Murray River as a majestic backdrop.

“There’s also a rustic vibe going on at the moment with couple’s gravitating to barn-style receptions and we have some beautiful venues in our region that can cater to this.

“People are also trying to save money and in particular older couples don’t really want the added strain or expense of a big show.”

This year there’s something totally different on offer with financial services outfit Yellow Brick Road attending.

“It’s their first time with us and fairly important considering budget is at the forefront of many people’s minds.

“People are still getting married but it’s more common that they don’t have the big money to have the big wedding so Yellow Brick Road can sit down with them and look at possibilities like refinancing or consolidating debts and create a savings plan for a wedding account.”

Catwalk shows will highlight the latest in men’s fashions with styles from M.J Bale (Myers) and wedding gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses and the perfect mother of the bride outfit will be well covered with Addiction and Maxcell Hall in attendance.

This year Wagga Wagga’s Sunday Soiree will showcase what would normally be called “preloved” gowns, but in their eyes, they say, they are “pre-filled”: with love.

Not your typical wedding boutique, Sunday Soiree’s gently worn gowns are in perfect or near perfect condition, “with another love to give”, and will appeal to those seeking a more affordable option and to reduce the footprint of their wedding on the planet.

Loved up couples can also talk honeymoon, or babymoon, with a travel agent or they can zone in on the fun elements and discover what’s on offer for a buck’s or hen’s day out.

“We’ve got new business Sip and Pour Wines on board; they are a young and enthusiastic couple who can take people away for a great weekend exploring the wineries in the region.

“There are a few other special things in store for people who come along; have you ever heard of dry ice fireworks? Keep an eye out for this during one of our catwalk events; it’s quite the showstopper.”

Entry to the show is $10 per person and brides who scan the QR code on entry will go into the draw for a five-night coastal holiday in Merimbula – drawn at the end of the show at 2 pm.

This year organisers changed the timing of the event following feedback from exhibitors in 2023.

“It starts earlier, at 9 am, and finishes earlier at 2 pm. This way people can get in and have a good look around and then still have time to enjoy the sunny day, go to Bunnings or mow the lawns,” said Bron.

Follow them on Facebook: Albury Wodonga Bridal Fair, or on the website Albury Bridal Fair.