Couples get married every day in sl and a large and growing wedding industry has developed because of this.  As anyone who has ever been involved in a wedding can attest, the list of things needed to create that magic day can be endless: outfits for the bridal party, rings and other jewelry, flowers, invitations, photographer, venue, wedding cake, dj, and much, much more.  The "Say I Do" 2008 Bridal Expo, currently taking place at the Monogram Virtua Convention Center, is a place where couples can go to find all they need under one roof.

I recently spoke with organizer Tooley Renoir about the expo. She said "I thought of the idea because of my Day Spa." Renoir is the owner of the Serenity Day Spa and Wellness Center. "We do pampering spa parties for Brides and the bridal party. I was trying to think of a way to market that. Then I thought of all of my friends in the wedding business. And I thought why not a Bridal expo? It will be a great way for everyone to market with one another, showcase their designs and services beyond a mall or regular store and hopefully have some fun! I brought this idea to my partner Aliciana (Aliciana Decosta, owner of "The Fix" nightclub, general manager of Majestic Weddings and Renoir's partner in the Bridal Expo) and she was on board immediately."

The expo took 3 to 4 months, in Renoir's words "working at full throttle", to organize and includes 40 vendors.   Originally over 200 potential exhibitors were contacted. Some immediately responded saying they wanted to participate, others waited until the expo opened and then contacted Renoir and Decosta.  The booths were quickly filled and some vendors had to be turned away. The expo opened on July 17, and when I spoke with Renoir on July 23, she estimated that there had been approximately 800 visitors so far.

Many activities have been planned as well. Three bridal fashion shows were scheduled, plus a panel discussion on the "ABC's of wedding planning - Do's & Don'ts", a "Live spoken word, poetry/open mic" event, a dating game for those who are looking for someone special, and nightly live performances. The objective was to provide a place where people can get information and have fun as well, and Renoir and Decosta seem to have succeeded. 

The Bridal expo ends on July 27, with a fashion show scheduled at 2 pm sl.

For more information IM Tooley Renoir or Aliciana Decosta

The "Say I Do" 2008 Bridal Expo is taking place at Monorgam Virtua Convention Center (160, 126, 22)

1. Entrance to "Say I Do" 2008 Bridal Expo

2. One of the exhibition areas of the bridal expo

3. Fashion show

4. Live performance by Satin Galli & Erin68 Frog whose music can be seen to be putting couples in a romantic mood