AS expected, this year’s Wedding Expo event certainly exuded an attractive serving of colourful creativity, as businesses and private individuals showcased their services and products with a festive air mostly associated with tropical carnivals. Those who participated this year certainly put their creative energies to the test, as was evident in the décor and brilliant manner in which they marketed their entities. The 2013 Wedding Expo event, made possible by the Duke Lodge, began on Friday, April 05, 2013 and attracted a large number of spectators.

However, the climax of the event was centred on the lavish hosting of the all-inclusive ‘Race to the Altar’ dream wedding that was offered to the Albouystown, Georgetown couple — Rudolph Davis and Oshanie Waithe — who have been together for the past ten years.

This year, organisers added a new and exciting feature to the event, which allowed couples the opportunity to win a free wedding for themselves.

For the past five years, the Roraima Group of Companies has been featuring at its annual Wedding Expo all of the ‘must haves’, the perfect dress according to each faith, with elaborate illustrations. But this year, the organisers decided to focus on the relationship that is being solidified. Four couples were shortlisted, but in the end, the blissful male and female who wedded, yesterday, were the ones selected for the royal honour. This couple had their wedding hosted and paid for through the kind compliments of the Duke Lodge, and combined efforts of several advertisers at the wedding expo.

Spearheading this year’s Wedding Expo, ‘The Race to the Altar’, is Chairman of the Roraima Group of Companies, Captain Gerry Gouveia, and at the recent announcement ceremony, he reminisced on the elimination process that initially commenced with fifteen couples. He spoke of the fascinating experience of listening to real life stories and expressions of genuine love and sincerity in anticipation of a future together.

Gouveia said that with each day that passed, the task of selecting that one couple who would have their wedding at the Duke Lodge became increasingly difficult. As a result, all of the finalists were awarded with lifetime membership to the exclusive Roraima Club.

Arriving in an elaborately decorated limousine, the couple was received with murmurs of appreciation from onlookers, as they stepped gracefully into the venue led by a beautiful little procession of starry eyed and smiling flower girls and ring bearers. The impressively attired bridesmaid and groomsmen followed, as camera men and media officiates tumbled over each other to get the correct photos.

The wedding party proceeded to the stage to the rear of the venue, and a very stirring wedding ceremony was conducted before the smiling couple was declared husband and wife. Of course, the joining of their lips as instructed by the pastor evoked laughter and loud cheering, and it was quite apparent that both parties savoured the kiss, their eyes dancing with the anticipation of the wonders to be fulfilled later that night.

Soon after, they retreated to the stately banquet hall of the Duke Lodge to enjoy their reception ball and the sweet smelling delicacies prepared for them to munch on.
Amongst those participating at this year’s Wedding Expo were Tent City, Rent-a-Tent, the Aracari Resort, Artistic Flora-Scope and Services, Giftland OfficeMax, Splashmins Fun Park, Hand-in-Hand Mutual Life Assurance Company Limited, King’s Jewellery World, Duke Lodge Restaurant and Bar, Wedding Weavers, and the Indian Henna Designs entity.

On the platter also were Vidya Binda’s Renaissance Gems, Bromelaid.rnc Bridal and Makeup Services, Unique Creations and Rentals, Tina’s Dresses, Amanda’s Costume Jewellery and Costmetics, J-Cee’s Enterprise, and many others.
The Wedding Expo event was again another outstanding success story in 2013.