Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park Wairarapa will host the 7th annual Wairarapa Wedding Expo on Sunday 19 August 2012.

The 2011 Expo showcased 40 top quality exhibitors to around 600 visitors primarily from Wairarapa, Wellington, Manawatu and Hawkes Bay.

From humble beginnings as an event run in conjunction with the annual Wairarapa Bride of the Year Contest, the Wairarapa Wedding Expo has grown in recent years into a special event in its own right. In 2012 the event will run on separate dates to the Wairarapa Bride of the Year Contest for the first time. The event has also become a popular weekend away for brides and their family and friends, thanks to the hotel’s ideal overnight packages offered during the Expo.

“The Wairarapa’s boutique vineyards, beautiful beaches and stunning rural landscapes make it a popular wedding destination for Wellingtonians with couples popping over 'the hill' to sample this for the weekend of the Wedding Expo,” say Expo Coordinators, Caroline Wallace and Pip Campbell.

The Wairarapa Wedding Expo has become renowned for its premium exhibitors and boutique nature with around 40 exhibitors ranging from wedding venues, caterers, gowns, wedding transport, florists, photographers, health and beauty and more. Brides and grooms tend to find the boutique nature of the expo ideal as it’s not too overwhelming, allowing them to take their time to browse and discuss  wedding plans rather than rushing to get through the exhibits.  The relaxed feel of the event is an advantage for exhibiting wedding specialists too as they can discuss wedding day requirements in more depth with attendees.  The feedback from exhibitors is very positive with some businesses reporting  that they have generated genuine leads from up to 30% of visiting brides.

While the date of the Expo has been confirmed for 19 August 2012, Exhibitor Packs won’t be released until late January. More information is available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WairarapaWeddingExpo or by contacting Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park - email caroline@solway.co.nz or phone 06 370 0507.