Mariana Gonzalez - Blog #1: Event-Related Experience

During the second weekend of January I had the opportunity to fly and drive down to the Outer Banks, North Carolina and attend the 2016 Wedding Weekend and Expo organized by the Outer Banks Wedding Association. The main expo was held at the First Flight Middle and High Schools on Saturday and Sunday and there were multiple additional events held at different venues all over the area. Since this is a very slow season for the Outer Banks, everywhere we went there were signs saying “Welcome all Brides” or “Welcome to the Wedding Weekend Expo”. I thought this was a nice detail from the community because it gave us that southern hospitality feel throughout our stay there.

            Throughout the two exhibition days all of the participating vendors set up their booths and were very engaging with people walking past them. Most of the vendors had giveaway presents for the attendees. One of the vendors that stood out the most was the company ‘Flower Girls’ that specializes in floral arrangements for weddings, rehearsal dinners, and other festivities. They gave me my own floral crown to wear throughout the event. 

Another company that stood out was ‘Platinum Party Planning’. Their booth was beautifully set up and they had furniture rentals and flowers as part of their décor. One thing I did not enjoy as much was that a lot of vendors were photographers and videographers. After meeting and talking to four or five of them, there is only so much you can or want to ask to someone else offering the same product. There were also a lot of entertainment companies such as DJs and bands. There were not as many planners participating in the exhibition. This makes me think that showcasing in exhibitions such as this one might not be as good a resource for planners to get new clients. Based on other wedding exhibitions I have attended, I would have liked to see wedding gowns and recommended wedding gown vendors. 

After exhibition hours, a lot of venues such as estates, restaurants and bars held special events for the people attending the Wedding Weekend. We had the opportunity to dine at Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern

and also at Aqua Restaurant and Spa where we got to see a beautiful sunset. 

We also went to an estate that can be rented out entirely and has a bridal suite, a groom’s suite, and rooms for relatives and close friends. The estate was set up just as a wedding would be: lighting, florals, table settings, and a DJ. All in all, I think the expo gave me a good feel of what a wedding in the Outer Banks would look like and the resources to make it happen.

The Outer Banks Wedding Association is already advertising their 2017 expo!!