5th Annual Strolling Wedding Festival

The Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival is a sensory showcase of the destination as an ideal island wedding location. Couples get to meet personally with the island’s community of wedding vendors, and use their five senses to see why Anna Maria Island is known as the Beach Wedding Capital of Florida – tasting wedding cakes and island-style food, smelling flowers, seeing ceremony and reception venues up close, touching bridal collections and listening to live musicians and DJs. Vendors include Sand Petal Weddings, Beach Bums, Black Tie DJs, Village Cafe @ Rosedale and many more!

The 5th Annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Wedding Festival welcomes couples to enjoy a one-of-a-kind strolling festival featuring more than 60 bridal vendors. Participants can visit the island merchants at their own pace, or choose the complimentary island trolley or limousine service.

Anna Maria Island, Florida – Vendors are located at eight locations around the seven-mile-long island

Saturday, May 5, 2012, 4 p.m.-7 p.m

4 p.m.        Grand Reception Party – Lobstahs Restaurant

337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

                  Pre-registered guests will enjoy a fun and fabulous evening at Lobstahs restaurant, featuring music, appetizers, and drinks for sale, including a signature bride and groom wedding drink. 

Sunday, May 6, 2012, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

10 a.m.      Check-In – Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

                  5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

Check-in to receive a wedding festival tote with a brochure, list of activities and map of various festival locations.  All participants will be automatically entered into the prize drawings when they pay their registration fee and visit all eight vendor sites.

11 a.m.      Bridal Fashion Show – Acqua Aveda Salon and Spa

                  5311 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

The highlight of the festival, the Bridal Fashion Show is a showcase of the latest bridal attire, hairstyles and makeup for all the women in your wedding. Arrive early enough to get a great seat.

6 p.m.        Grand Finale Event at Gulf Drive Café & Tiki

                  900 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach

Enjoy a sunset celebration luau featuring Hawaiian dancers, flame twirlers and a mock wedding. Drawings for gift certificates and the grand prize island wedding package will be held at 6:45 p.m.

Advance tickets are just $7 per person and $10 per person the day of the event. For more details and to pre-register, visit www.AMIWeddingFestival.com  or call (941) 778-1541. Sponsors include Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bright House Networks, Nuovo Bride Magazine, Rental Depot, All Event Rental Design, Bee Ridge Florist, Haley’s Motel, The Cinematic Moment, Harrington House Bed & Breakfast and Anna Maria Island Resorts