Toowoomba’s Wedding Expo at Highfields Cultural Centre to showcase more than 50 vendors

Toowoomba’s wedding sector has continued to grow as new businesses and venues pop up — now a major industry expo plans to showcase more than 50 vendors in one place.

Engaged couples looking for the right ingredients for their wedding day will be treated to more than 50 exhibitors at Toowoomba’s Wedding Expo.

The massive wedding industry exhibition at the Highfields Cultural Centre on Sunday will feature make-up artists, food vans, florists, celebrants, musicians, DJs and venue owners hoping to put their best foot forward to prospective brides and grooms.

There is even a fashion show that highlights some of Toowoomba’s top styles for a couple’s special day.

The event, organised by Toowoomba Region Community Venues (as part of the Toowoomba Regional Council), also includes prizes on the day as well as coffee vans.

Toowoomba Wood Fired Pizza owner Jeromie Barron is all set for Toowoomba's Wedding Expo at the Highfields Cultural Centre on Sunday.

Toowoomba Wood Fired Pizza co-owner Jeromie Barron, who will be heating up his ovens on the day, said he believed there was plenty of growth potential in the region’s wedding sector.

“About 30 per cent (of our work are weddings), all the rest are private parties and festivals,” he said.

“I hope to pick up a bit more of the wedding side, I do enjoy it, it’s a good vibe.”

Excited for Toowoomba's Wedding Expo at the Highfields Cultural Centre are (from left) bridal model Jasmin Long and Megabuzz Mobile Beverage Bar co-owner Buzz Brown.

Megabuzz Mobile Beverage Bar co-founder Buzz Brown said plenty of vendors like his business were adapting to the changing tastes of couples, who were opting for weddings on private properties or areas that required transportable infrastructure.

“We first thought of a food van but we thought it would be too finicky, so we thought an alcohol van would be simpler and easier,” he said.

“We have some friends who bought some property to do weddings, so we thought we could tie in with them.

“They’re getting away from the churches and doing it at people’s homes or properties.”

Bridal model Jasmin Long is gearing up for Toowoomba's Wedding Expo at the Highfields Cultural Centre on Sunday, January 21, 2024.

The expo runs from 10am until 2pm and entry into the cultural centre is free.

It marks a busy weekend for both couples and vendors, with top venue Preston Peak Winery also hosting its wedding festival on the Saturday from 10am.

Tickets and information are available via the Facebook event.

The expos come as Toowoomba’s wedding expo continues to grow since the Covid-19 pandemic, with new venues and businesses cropping up to take advantage.

The Garden City is home to the state’s best wedding venue after Gabbinbar Homestead took out the top gong at the 2023 ABIA Wedding Industry Awards.