The Southern Charm Wedding Expo will be held at the Ringgold Depot on Saturday, Jan. 18.
The Southern Charm Wedding Expo will be returning to the Historic Ringgold Depot on Saturday, Jan. 18. The Expo will be a free event that showcases Northwest Georgia's wedding service industry and offer a chance for brides, couples, and planners to sample and connect with area experts.
This will mark the third annual Southern Charm Wedding Expo sponsored by the Ringgold Downtown Development Authority and the Ringgold Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"We usually average 300-400 people coming through the Depot for this event in just a few hours," said Pam Green, who heads up the planning for the Wedding Expo. Visitors will be able to connect with catering companies, decorators, DJs, and other wedding vendors to see what the area has to offer potential brides and grooms.
Several local establishments are returning for their third year but there are always new and services for each bridal season. "I look forward to this event every year, I look forward to seeing the returning vendors and meeting the new ones," said Ms. Green. "Every vendor has so much to offer the bride and groom."
The Expo will feature a variety of merchandise vendors, caterers, planners, bakers, photo and videographers and DJs. "I enjoy seeing the faces of the brides and the relief in sometimes finding that perfect location, or gift, or dress," explained Ms. Green who emcees the Bride and Bridesmaid fashion show. "It makes me happy to know we had a small part in their special day."
"Anytime the city can bring such a wide variety of businesses to the Depot and attract people from all over the metro area to spend a few hours in downtown, we're happy to help," said Joseph Brellenthin the director of Downtown Development for the city of Ringgold. "Our goal is to make this an affordable way for restaurants, event venues, and private entrepreneurs to market their wedding services to hundreds of people and give everyone a fun way to spend an afternoon in downtown. The free samples from the different catering vendors are a great bonus, too."
The Southern Charm Wedding Expo will feature a variety of wedding service vendors and a bridal show on Saturday, Jan. 18, from noon until 4 p.m. at the Ringgold Depot at 150 Tennessee St. in Ringgold. Admission is free. Parking is available at the Depot, along Nashville Street and in the public parking lot across Nashville Street from the Depot.
Businesses interested in applying to be a vendor at the Expo should contact City Hall at 706.935-3061 or visit www.facebook.com/ringgoldexpo for more information.