GORE BAY—In terms of the large number of people who attended the 2019 Wedding Extravaganza event that took place in Gore Bay this past Saturday, the event was a huge success. And hearing from a bride to be (later this year), she confirmed that the event and the many vendors on hand promoting their services provide everything that a couple needs to resource to make their wedding day extra special.
“It has been great,” said Colleen Bruder, who will be marrying her partner Dennis Blackburn later this year. “There are a lot of vendors here, providing a lot of different services tied to a wedding day and they have a lot of great ideas.”
“We will be,” stated Ms. Bruder, indicating that she and her husband to be will be using some of the vendors they saw and met at the Wedding Extravaganza for their wedding.
Vendors on hand were also happy with the turnout and, in many cases, expressed surprised at all the resources that the Manitoulin Island region has in place for a wedding celebration.
Annalee Cooper, of E’s Flowers and Gifts by Design of Mindemoya told the Recorder, “it has been really wonderful. I’m really impressed. There has been a steady flow of visitors and it’s great to see so many vendors on hand here today. Everything has been organized very well.”
There were 24 vendors on hand, providing everything from music for the wedding, both disc jockey and live music, wedding photography and makeup artists, personalized glassware, gifts, food catering, flowers, cake decorators, accommodations and places to hold the wedding, wedding officials and many more.
The list of vendors included Aloette Cosmetics-aloe-vera-based skincare; Artist Eye Photography; Ashley Martin-makeup artistry; Ashley’s Vinyl Creations-personalized glassware; Bare Naked Beauty, Bank of Montreal, Cod Mothers Restaurant and Catering, Electric Rhythm DJ Service, E’s Flowers, The Flower Hutch, Heather’s Artistic Creations-Cakes for all Occasions; Humanist Wedding officials “Whynott Weddings,” “Your Wedding Your Way;” The Inn at Gore Bay; the Manitoulin Island Country Club; Mary Kay with consultant Barb Roberts; live band Missy and the Speed Wobbles; M&R Jewellers; Rebecca Wright Photography; Rhianna Buchanan-hair design and aesthetics; Scentsy consultant Julie Omnet; Split Rail Brewing Co.; Timberlane Rustic Lodge; and Woods Bros. Clothing.
“Several people have said today that they didn’t know that Woods Bros. offers tuxedo rentals for weddings and other events like proms,” said Karen Chandler of M & R Jewellers. “This has been a wonderful event to make people aware of what we have on this wonderful Island.”
“There has been lots of people around and a lot of interest,” said Myrna Thomas, clubhouse manager of the Manitoulin Golf. “People will be happy with what they see.”
Ms. Buchanan said, “I have three weddings booked already from today’s event.”
Daryl Twilley’s disc jockey business is based in Sudbury. “I saw the event posted on Facebook. I’ve already got two bookings from today’s event; a stag and doe this year and the wedding the next year.”
Janis Hutchinson, who along with Dominique Chartrand and Ashley Martin organized the event, told the Recorder previously, “we just felt it would be nice to showcase what we have on Manitoulin. “There are so many businesses on the island that people can tap into for their wedding, but it needs to be in the forefront-more than word of mouth.”
