An annual bridal show in Downtown Kenosha attracted happy couples and wedding planners alike seeking ideas for the perfect way to tie the knot.
The 2022 Kenosha Bridal Showcase was the place to be Sunday as 250 people flocked to take in all that vendors had to offer.
Upper East, 622 58th St., which opened in 2020, was the venue for the bridal expo organized by Wisconn Valley Media Group. Sponsors include the Kenosha News, The Delta Marriott Racine and Rasmussen Diamonds. It marked the third year for the Kenosha showcase.
The event featured 30 vendors from southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Vendors offered wedding goods and services from cakes and reception fare, to invitations, decorations, photography and men’s wear. They also served up free food samples and the event included a cash bar.
Kasey Mylan of Milwaukee said she is planning a fall wedding in the Kenosha area where her parents live and where she and her fiancé will be getting married.
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“It’s nice to talk to someone to see exactly what they would offer,” she said after talking with vendors that handle the “day of” wedding details and invitations. Mylan is getting married on Sept. 17 and has a unique theme for her wedding – of the two-wheeled variety.
“Our theme is actually bicycles. My fiancé and I are really big into cycling. Where we live there’s a ton of bike paths and trails and roads. So, I’ve got cute little table number holders that have little bicycles on them and a couple other fun things like that just to incorporate something different into our wedding. Other than that, it will just be classic, elegant,” she said.
Friends Ana Schmidt and Demi Moore (yes, her real name), both of Kenosha, stopped in to find out ideas for planning their weddings.
“We wanted to get a feel for what to expect and different kinds of things we’re thinking about, different venues, different vendors,” Schmidt said. “I think it has been very helpful. There’s been maybe a lot of things I haven’t thought about necessarily.”
Both are looking forward to nature-themed nuptials. While Moore is expected to be married this summer, Schmidt said her wedding is still at least a year and a half to two years out.
“I like to take things slow,” said Schmidt.
The Wisconn Valley Media Group also organized the Racine Bridal Showcase that took place Feb. 6 and the Lake Geneva Bridal Showcase to be held March 6.
IN PHOTOS: Upper East wedding venue occupies former Barden’s building
Upper East before
Upper East is shown during the early stages of renovation by Witico Development Corporation.
UPPER EAST
The ballroom at Upper East, located at 622 58th St.
UPPER EAST
The ballroom at Upper East, located at 622 58th St.
UPPER EAST
Shown is the ballroom at Upper East, an new Downtown event venue located at 622 58th St.
UPPER EAST
The ballroom at Upper East, located at 622 58th St.
UPPER EAST
A bridal suite at the Upper East, located at 622 58th St.
UPPER EAST
From left, Hanni Gould, chief operating officer, Sophia Edwards, events specialist, and Kelsey Tover, venue director, stand in front of the expansive ballroom at Upper East, located Downtown at 622 58th St.
UPPER EAST
The ballroom at Upper East, located at 622 58th St.
UPPER EAST
A sitting area in one of the bridal suites at Upper East, located at 622 58th St.
UPPER EAST
The bridal suite at Upper East provides a large area for bridal parties to get ready for their big day.
UPPER EAST
A large area to get ready in one of the bridal suites at Upper East, located at 622 58th St.
UPPER EAST
The exterior of Upper East, located at 622 58th St., belies the elegant features inside, including a ballroom and bridal suites.
BARDENS RENOVATIONS
Crews are at work on the final phases of redevelopment of the Barden’s building, a former department store on the northeast corner of 58th Street and 7th Avenue. The building is scheduled to open in late August as the new home for Public Craft Brewing Co. and for a new event space, Upper East, by Circa on Seventh operators Culinary Infusion.