Rotorua Wedding Affair expo has everything needed for brides and grooms

Brides and grooms-to-be were in wedding heaven at an expo this weekend which showcased everything needed for their big day.

The inaugural Rotorua Wedding Affair was held at the VR Rotorua Lake Resort today.

Rotorua's Alleysha Fielding said she was getting married in February and would have a country wedding at the Agrodome.

She got engaged just after the birth of her daughter in August last year, and the couple had been deciding details of the wedding since then.

She thought the expo was a cool event, and had been looking at ideas for table layouts and photographers.

"It's a nice way to get a look at some different bits and pieces."

She said one of the most exciting parts of her wedding was her dress, which was getting made for her.

Maureen Canham (left) and bride-to-be Alleysha Fielding check out the expo. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua's Kodie Montgomery said she was getting married in March next year on her Rotorua farm.

She said the expo was great, and had a lot of options, especially for different budgets.

Montgomery had been at the expo looking at options for a photographer, florist and a baker.

She said a highlight organising her wedding so far had been buying her black and red dress.

Rochelle Free, organiser and owner of Freestyle Events and Marketing Ltd, said the expo went well.

She said they had wanted to entice people to look at VR Rotorua Lake Resort because it was such an amazing venue.

"I think it's Rotorua's best-kept secret and a perfect place to have a wedding."

Free said they had also wanted to open it up to other wedding suppliers to make it a lovely time for everyone and show how amazing their weddings could be.

She said the expo included dresses, hair and makeup, hire gear to make tables, photographers, DJs, caterers, florists, a celebrant and a cake maker.

This was the first expo and it was hoped it would continue every year, getting bigger and better, she said.

Free said when people came to a show because they were getting married it was such a happy occasion, and so everyone was always positive and friendly.

"I love talking to everyone and hearing about their special day."

She said a lot of people thought you had to go to Auckland to get everything but there were great local shops in the Bay of Plenty.

"Everything you need is here."