BRIDAL BEAUTY CROSSES CULTURES

GOLD Coast weddings are no longer just about the long white dress and lace trains.

A new expo is showcasing the booming appeal of Asian-style weddings.

Founder and designer Nowman Kareem said the show, the biggest multicultural wedding expo in Australia, brought together other cultures to make sure there is something for everyone to learn and enjoy.

“We’ve got the Chinese, the Japanese, the Nepalese, the Indian ... we have associations with all these local communities with designers based in Australia,” he said.

“The beauty of this show is that it’s not just another fashion show. People come to see it because it’s choreographed in such a way that you can see the way people actually get married in all those cultures.

“It involves and recognises and appreciates other countries, their cultures and their values.”

Mr Kareem said he started the show when he was working as a designer for global beauty pageants and needed a way to showcase his own designs.

“It’s not quite often an event happens on the Gold Coast, a bridal event that recognises other cultures,” he said.

“For example, if a Sri Lankan born in Australia wants to find a bride’s outfit, they don’t have to fly all the way to Sri Lanka. We have resources so they can get married at home for a fraction of the cost.”

Brides of Asia is on Sunday at the Palazzo Versace, Main Beach.