– as Wedding Expo turns 10

THE tenth edition of the annual event, Wedding Expo was on Friday launched at the Roraima Duke Lodge on Duke Street, Kingston with its founder, Roraima Airways’ Captain Gerald Gouveia looking back with pride and a sense of achievement on the tremendous success it has been over the years.

The event, steeped as usual in elegance, saw the participation of young couples and a dynamic and enthusiastic band of artisans and entrepreneurs who elegantly and professionally displayed samples of the kind of services they have to offer.
Commending stakeholders for staying the course over the years, and playing a key role in making the event the resounding success it continues to be, Gouveia said: “This event has transformed many a small artisan into thriving small business owners who capitalised on the exposure occasioned by their participation.
“And secondly, the event has served as a kind of ‘Wedding Planning 101’ practical class for young couples and their families.

“Further still, Wedding Expo has also catered to the ‘big’ companies whose sponsorship and participation have assisted in subsidising the participation of the young artisans and craftspeople.”

He said that as Roraima Airways celebrates the tenth anniversary of this flagship event, there is more work to be done, and more opportunities to exploit, especially if Guyana were to put in place new laws that would provide for a shorter period for obtaining a marriage licence.
As things currently stand, said Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Mr. Donald Sinclair, a person residing outside of Guyana and wishing to secure a marriage licence here in Guyana is required to wait for a period of two weeks, which can invariably cause that person a lot of inconvenience.

WIND OF CHANGE

Looking on the bright side, however, Sinclair said there is hope yet, as the matter has been taken up with the Minister of Citizenship, and is to be sent to the Attorney-General.
He also pledged the necessary support to make the Wedding Expo grow.
The first Wedding Expo was launched ten years ago in 2008, and has so far had the support of about 50 businesses, Mr. Gouveia said.
Sinclair, who congratulated Gouveia and other stakeholders for making Wedding Expo what it is today, urged that they consider including a Honeymoon Booth, the purpose of which will be to give couples an idea of the possible places they can go to spend their honeymoon.

Wedding Expo is part of Guyana’s effort to develop its Tourism Industry, Chairman of the proceedings, Mr.Wesley Kirton said, noting that the concept of a Wedding Expo would be a perfect feature for Guyana’s National Events Calendar.
Other speakers for the evening included Mr. Edward Boyer, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, and Ms. Sophie Makonnen, Resident Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Meanwhile, the programme was spiced with rich music, both classic and otherwise, to the accompaniment of the energetic beating of the Tassa Drums and other musical instruments.
The programme culminated with the elegant and symbolic Bride and Groom Fashion display, with more than a dozen couples, beautifully and symbolically attired, gracefully parading around the swimming pool amidst cheer and words of encouragement from the gathering.

The event will continue today and tomorrow.