Columbia Basin Bridal Expo leads to her dream wedding

MOSES LAKE - It was February, and Amaris Suarez had a wedding date for August but no plan.

"I was a bit nervous," she recalled. "I had an idea, but not so much detail."

So Amaris joined more than 150 brides-to-be at last February's Columbia Basin Bridal Expo and discovered her dream wedding. She encountered D&Z Events and launched her planning.

Amaris and the owners of D&Z are just a few of the people who find value in the Columbia Basin Bridal Expo. Many brides start their planning there. Many businesses grow there.

This year's edition, the 16th Annual Columbia Basin Bridal Expo, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 11 a.m-4 p.m. According to coordinator Tera Redwine, of the Columbia Basin Herald, the expected throng will fill Big Bend Community College's ATEC building to overflowing.

"It was packed last year," she said. "We had about 175 brides."

The Columbia Basin Bridal Expo will have more than 50 vendors. There will be two fashion shows featuring first-time Expo participant Gabby's Bridal Store from East Wenatchee. They will showcase wedding and quinceanera gowns, the latest in prom attire and bridal attire for the whole family, including tuxedos.

Gabby's bridal is a family-owned business, managed by brother and sister Alex and Gabby Nunez. As a 16-year-old, Gabby started working at a bridal store, giving her the experience and excitement for the business.

In 2009, with Alex's help, Gabby opened the store. Alex, who managed the Men's Department at Macy's, manages tuxedo rentals. Other family members, including their mother, assist.

"For the last couple of years, we have done small bridal shows in the Wenatchee area," Gabby said. "We are super excited to be part of Bridal Expo in the Columbia Basin. This will help us cater to new customers in that area who may not know about us."

Expo will include free samples and wine tastings from White Heron Cellars and Imbibe of Moses Lake. There will be cake and catering samples and numerous door prizes.

"Everything you need to plan your special day, all under one roof, including photographers, designers, florists, planners, DJ's, caterers, bridal gowns, tuxedos, formal wear, videographers, health and beauty and more," Redwine said.

The Bridal Expo started 16 years ago at the Moses Lake Events Center. It outgrew that venue and was moved to the ATEC.

D&Z is one of the businesses that has grown with the show. Examples of its work are immediately noticeable upon entering the ATEC. D&Z is the Expo decorator.

"We plan to go full time some time this year, as soon we purchase our event center in Moses Lake," co-owner and spokesman Jesse Dominguez said.

Dominguez started D&Z after a favor for a relative. The relative knew he had artistic talent and asked him to decorate her wedding.

The bride was amazed at the result. So was Dominguez, and he asked another couple to join him and his wife in developing D&Z as a part-time business.

When Amaris went to the bridal show and saw some of D&Z's work, she became excited. She was marrying her best friend, Alejandro Garza, and decided to trust D&Z for a dream wedding.

"I could say I was a hard customer because I didn't really have a direction to give them, just a start," she said. "They were able to show me examples of what they envisioned I wanted, and I fell in love. They were able to take my ideas, even though I could not explain in full detail, and create my dream."

"The morning of my wedding, when I saw what was done, I could not believe that it was my wedding," she added. "It was absolutely amazing."

Amaris's story is just one of many. D&Z credits the CBBE's exposure for about 20 events directly last year. Those led to others.

D&Z Events was busy in January with events such as The 2014 AG Hall of Fame hosted by the Port of Pasco and Pasco Chamber of Commerce. D&Z also provided the décor and design for the Benton/Franklin Fair and Rodeo Association.

D&Z has also worked with entities such as Kadlec Medical Systems, Gesa Credit Union, Othello School District, Pasco School District and the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center.

In preparation for going full time, D&Z has brought in good friends Mark and Erica Wheaton as third partners. Erica is the marketing director, and Mark is the business manager.

Another business that has seen growth from its involvement with the Expo is Scentsy Wick-less Candles. According to owner Lori Valdez, the expo gives home-based businesses like hers a place to develop recognition.

"I still hear, 'Oh I didn't know you sold these,'" she said. "I make a lot of sales right at the Expo. One bride bought gifts for all of her bridesmaids."

This will be Valdez's seventh year of participation in the Expo. Part of the return for her is the list of all the brides who register.

This will be the second year for Realtor/Broker Joyce DeLeon of Gary Mann Real Estate in Moses Lake. She was pleased with the exposure last year as she met brides, couples, mothers and other family members.

"I really enjoyed the energy and excitement," she said.

The list of committed vendors as of Jan. 30 includes Guild Mortgage, Joyce DeLeon, Plexus Worldwide, D&Z Events, Anna's Creations, Classy and Crazy Cakes, Bumbleberry's, Moses Lake Rentals, Big Bend Community College, Celestial Selections, Pour Girls and Some Guys, Costco Wholesale, Dale Roth Productions, It Works!, Hyak Photography, Safeway, The Wedding Resource Guide, Tuxedo Gallery, Sincerely Happy Photo Booth, Gabby's Bridal, Mary Kay, Mrs. Washington Pageant, Knot Release Therapy and Omnitrition.