The event at the Mercure Inn attracted about 600 people, including more than 300 brides-to-be. And with more than 40 exhibits, the engaged had everything at their fingertips.

“It’s one-stop shopping,” Bridal Expos Australia managing director Tadas Adamavicius said. “It’s one thing to go on the net, but here you’re talking face-to-face with the business owners and it builds the relationship.”

Mr Adamavicius said that with the cost of the average wedding almost topping the $50,000 mark, the expo could generate more than $10 million of business for the local community, with all exhibitors being based in the Ballarat region.

And everything wedding-related was on offer, from DJs, bands and venue hire to celebrants, make-up artists and balloons.

Ballarat’s Jade Quick, who is getting married on the 12th of the 12th, 2012, had no doubts about her favourite exhibits.

“Definitely the yummy cakes,” she said, aided by her best friend and matron of honour Michelle Kearns. “And the photo booth, I’m not getting married without the photo booth.”

The fashion parade also proved popular, with local student models showing off the latest wedding fashion on the catwalk while Bryan Adams’ best-known love songs played out.