It was wedding bliss for the inaugural Hitched Fest in Gunnedah this month.
The event was created by Kyra Seton and celebrated everything a country couple could need for their day of matrimony.
The Gunnedah marriage celebrant, who also runs an event hire business, is often travelling across the region and beyond for wedding expos.
Ms Seton saw an opportunity to provide the same expo-like experience in Gunnedah.
About 17 vendors – displaying many products and services from food and drink to bridal gowns – took part in the courtyard event behind Conadilly Street.
“It showcases the talent of vendors and gives couples the chance to meet them in person,” Ms Seton said.
About 60 tickets to Hitched Fest were sold to people from as far as Coolah and Kingstown (near Uralla) who attended the Gunnedah expo.
Also attending was Claire Norris and Anthony Wason from Gunnedah.
The couple is scheduled to marry in March next year – a date that’s been a long time coming for the pair who first met online.
“We’ve been engaged for three-and-a-half years,” Claire said.
“COVID really threw a spanner in the works.”
Claire and Anthony tried arranging the wedding soon after COVID restrictions lifted but found many venues were already booked out.
Claire is from Geelong in Victoria and Anthony settled in the Gunnedah area about 30 years. The Gunnedah region made such an impression after a trip around Australia, he decided to stay for good.
Ever the romantic, Anthony proposed during a dinner for two at a Sydney restaurant – slipping the engagement ring under Claire’s table napkin. She said ‘Yes’.
The couple is now planning an intimate wedding at home with the ceremony in the front garden and reception to the rear of the property.
In keeping with the local theme, Ms Seton will be their marriage celebrant.
The event was created by Kyra Seton and celebrated everything a country couple could need for their day of matrimony.
