It’s no secret that Prince Edward County has become one of the most in-demand wedding destinations, its rural charm drawing in both urbanites and a growing international set. Surrounding businesses are lining up to meet the demand.

About 160 guests and over 30 vendors met at Compass Rose Suites last month for a sleek and stylish demonstration of the County’s wedding offerings. 

Just like at a real wedding, attendees were welcomed with signature cocktails and canapes, setting a celebratory mood — even while outside the rain came down in a steady drizzle.  

The weather might have been an auspicious sign for betrothed couples, though. As the saying goes, a wet knot is harder to untie than a dry one. And Compass Rose’s many indoor spaces, from a massive tent to a warm greenhouse, were more than able to compensate

The show was the culmination of a two-year labour of love for Brittany Anderson and Harmony Reinhardt, founders of County Content. Weddings are already a big part of their social media content creation work, and they wanted to create a place for couples and vendors to meet face-to-face.

“Basically, a lot of our couples come to the County to get married; many of them come from out of area,” says Ms. Anderson. “Because they struggle to find local vendors, they end up bringing in a lot of out-of-town vendors — and paying super-high travel fees.”

Meanwhile, the pair worked a fall wedding at Compass Rose and fell in love with the venue. 

“After that, the wheels started turning, and Harmony and I approached their team.”

The big set piece of the day was a stunning runway fashion show featuring bride, groom, and wedding party looks from Emma’s Bridal, Moxie and Mine, Lafferty’s menswear, and hair and makeup by Michelle Shaw.

Models strutted down the “aisle” with moves choreographed by Leah Hamilton of Elevation Hall, while a DJ spun the gamut of first dance favourites, from Bruno Mars to Nat King Cole.

After the show, guests strolled along vendor booths featuring florists, photographers, and caterers from Belleville, Napanee, Grafton, Kingston, and Toronto.

Weddings also mean all manner of spin-off events, from showers and bachelorette parties to engagement celebrations and honeymoons. The hundreds of guests who flock to the County’s wedding venues on any given Saturday often make a weekend of it, spreading out to wineries, art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

“It has a really positive impact on the local economy, if you think about the trickle-down effects,” notes Karin Desveaux, a wedding officiant now in her ninth season. 

And it’s no longer just seasonal. Ms. Desveaux has presided over at least one wedding every month of this year. Her company, Weddings By Karin, employs a team of six officiants.

Events like the Wedding Show “allow couples to experience what it’s like to be immersed in the location. Feel the feels and taste the tastes, meet the humans behind what happens.”

“That personal touch is what sets Prince Edward County apart,” she added.

Shawna Pereira of Noxon House Flower Farm agreed, noting, “there’s more of a connection here,” as opposed to the corporate atmosphere of wedding shows in Toronto.

“Something like this is so important because it brings everybody together,” said makeup artist Michelle Shaw. 

Contacts with prospective clients draws many of the vendors. For the couples, finding the right florist or photographer is a match-making process made more impersonal in the digital age.

“We love to connect face-to-face with couples that are getting married. A lot of the time I never even get to meet the person I’m creating flowers for,” said Makayla Thomspon, lead wedding designer at Pam’s Flower Garden in Kingston.

With the success of the event behind them, Ms. Anderson said they hope to plan one for spring every other year, perhaps hosted at venues across the County.

“It’s come together,” she said. “The vision has come to life.”