BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

More than 60 vendors participated in the annual Statesville Bridal Expo on Sunday afternoon.

Professional wedding caterers, venue managers, photographers, artists, make up artists, planners, florists, musical entertainers, travel agents, and others showcased their products and services. Each vendor had an exhibit to display their offerings, and guests also enjoyed a wedding-themed fashion show.

Several couples and brides shared details about their plans while checking out the expo.

Megan Wentworth, 32, and Tony Phelps, 35, have been together three and a half years and are planning a small wedding with family and friends.

The Statesville couple will tie the knot at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville on April 16. Foothills Catering is handling the reception. They are hoping to keep the total cost under $10,000.

“We just want to keep it simple,” she said. “I’m buying a second-hand dress. Our wedding will be eco- friendly with dried flowers with nothing to degrade.”

Brooke Walker, also from Statesville, is planning her wedding to McLaurin Lowder in May 2024. They have been dating for two and a half years and are planning to host about 150 people at their ceremony.

Walker plans to spend $20,000 to $25,000 for their big day.

“I’m marrying a pilot, so we want to have a travel theme,” she said.

She has been surprised about how challenging it is to find a venue.

“In May you can’t rely on the weather, so we’re looking for an indoor venue,” she said.

Until then, she’s just excited to be engaged.

“Being engaged is fun,” Walker shared. “I want to do this once, so I’m fully enjoying being the bride-to- be.”

Elkin residents, Victoria Kiger, 26, and Seth Brim, 27, have been dating for seven years. They got engaged in September 2022 while visiting Europe.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Kiger said.

They are planning a mid-sized wedding and haven’t set a budget.

Kiger hopes to get married at either a manor or other estate home, but has been surprised by the cost and unavailability of outdoor venues.

“I can’t believe how booked in advance they are,” she said. “Some are booked two years out.”

Wilkesboro bride-to-be Becky Bennett, 53, is getting married in August. Bennett and her fiancé Danny Nowlin plan to spend $5,000 to $6,000 on their big day.

“I’m more concerned with the ceremony itself,” Bennett said. “I know we’ll probably have around 150 people.”

Other than that, she says she’s open to a lot of different things.

“I’m game for whatever,” Bennett said. “But I’d really like to go to Alaska on my honeymoon.”

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