The Wedding Industry Experts Awards Gala is this Saturday and organizers are very happy to see this event in Red Deer. Red Deer has been chosen to be the only Canadian city to host this national and one-of-a-kind event.

Cheryl Lockhart, event manager, said this event is a way to show everybody what Red Deer offers.

“Red Deer offers services for brides that can compete on a big City scale. We’re not a bunch of rednecks and there are a lot of fantastic businesses here and without their hard work and dedication these awards wouldn’t be here,” said Lockhart.

The awards started in Europe about seven years ago and came to Canada two years ago. Last year there were 17 winners from Red Deer and this year it’s expected there will be 33. With 33 winners, Red Deer would be at the top of the ranks with more wins than any other Canadian city.

Lockhart said it’s great that Red Deer has so many competitive businesses as it means there is no limit. “It’s not like we have one florist. We have so many thriving businesses and everybody is putting such huge amounts of work into it that we are able to compete with some of the bigger centers.”

Some of the categories in which Red Deer has won include photographer, flowers, floral designer, wedding planning service, event décor, limousine service, disc jockey and cake designer.

Winners locally also won on a national scale with Image of Beauty winning for best photographer, hair designer and makeup artist on a Canada-wide scale as well as La Petite Jaune Fleur winning for best floral designer in Canada.

Meanwhile, the event is open to the public to attend and tickets are $75 a seat or $130 for a couple. Ticket prices include a four-course meal and entertainment. The last day to buy tickets is Sept. 27.

To buy tickets and for more information about the event visit www.eventelegance.co or email info@eventelegance.co.

kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com