Talbot Chamber hosts Bridal Extravaganza

EASTON — Almost 200 brides-to-be and at least one groom-to-be crowded The Milestone Event Center Catering on Saturday, Feb. 20, for the 16th annual Eastern Shore Bridal Extravaganza, a project of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.

All the traditional services that you can think of were among the vendors — the dress, the flowers, the cake, the photographers, the caterers.

And then there were a few that you may not think of — the officiants, the liquor experts, the travel agencies, the dermatologists.

Getting married in the 21st century can include a wide variety of things.

There was even a long, shiny, white stretch limousine parked outside from Executive Transportation of Bridgeville, Del. Patrons could climb inside and imagine a large bridal party with lots of extra friends being taken to the church.

“We work all year long on this,” said Kathy Hanna, director of marketing, communications and special events for the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.

“You can go around and talk to the different vendors in the expo part and talk one-on-one about what matches, and show them pictures and that sort of thing,” she said. She said a lot of the vendors were making bookings.

There were four workshops offered, including choosing flowers, figuring out cocktails and libations, the pros and cons of honeymoon destinations, and more.

Delmarvalous Occasions of Salisbury held a fashion show of formal wear.

“The fashion show gives people an opportunity to look at things besides just the wedding gowns,” Hanna said. “Bridesmaids’ dresses, tuxedos and some other things like prom gowns.”

Hair styling was provided by Shabby Chic of Easton and background music for the entire day was provided by Steve Moody’s Entertainment Connection, with WCEI radio personality Matt Spence spinning the tunes and doing the announcing.

“The thing is, when you are talking about your wedding, you want to build a relationship with the people,” Hanna said. “You spend so much time with them before hand, and on that day.”

She said the bridal extravaganza gave visitors a chance to meet and talk with those who provide services one-on-one, saving a lot of time for those who were going through the daunting and often tedious process of putting together nuptials.

The Milestone not only loaned their venue for the event, but offer planning services, with in-house wedding planner Pam Zepp in charge.

Other local wedding planners that were present included those with DelMarvalous Occasions, Mason’s Catering, Celebrations by Cheryl, and XOXO Celebrations.

Hannah Gowe of Preston was a big winner when her name was drawn for a bridal treasure chest given by The Milestone, then drawn again for a $200 gift certificate from DelMarvalous Occasions. She and her fiance Elliott Roach are planning a July 8, 2017 wedding.

Jaime Bunting won a $150 PCA Sensi Peel facial from Anne Arundel Dermatology.

Heather Abbott won a one-of-a-kind necklace made by Lee Mallory of What Lee Sees jewelry. The prize was sponsored by Stewart’s Catering.

The Grand Prize Drawing was for an all-inclusive 4-day, 3-night stay at the Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe in Riviera Maya, Mexico, provided by Oasis Travel of Ocean City and Barcelo Maya Beach Resort.

The winner was Cierra Blaher of Greensboro and her fiance Chris Mitchell of Cambridge.

The next big event on Talbot Chamber’s list will be its annual golf tournament on July 18. Their annual awards banquet will be Aug. 25. For more information about the Talbot Chamber, visit talbotchamber.org.