Hundreds of people flocked to the first day of East Anglia's largest wedding show this weekend.

Norwich Evening News: Bekka Page, founder of B's Bakes, at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIEBekka Page, founder of B's Bakes, at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIE (Image: SOPHIE WYLLIE)

The EDP Bride: The Wedding Show, sponsored by Pure Brides and Pure Suit Hire, is taking centre stage of the Norfolk Showground on the edge of Norwich today and tomorrow.

Norwich Evening News: Jo Dyman, owner of One Curious Dream, which styles wedding venues, at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIEJo Dyman, owner of One Curious Dream, which styles wedding venues, at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIE (Image: SOPHIE WYLLIE)

Brides, grooms, families and friends enjoyed looking round more than 150 mainly Norfolk-based exhibitors at the event, now in its ninth year.

Norwich Evening News: Shelley Barrett, sales manager of Funf4Guests, at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIEShelley Barrett, sales manager of Funf4Guests, at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIE (Image: SOPHIE WYLLIE)

There were also big audiences for the catwalk shows highlighting the best bridal wear, outfits for grooms, bridesmaids and mother of the brides.

Norwich Evening News: The Banqueting Hire Service stand at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIEThe Banqueting Hire Service stand at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIE (Image: SOPHIE WYLLIE)

Diana Sims, sales director of Archant's bride portfolio, said more than 600 people went through the doors in the first hour.

Norwich Evening News: The Firefly Tipi's display at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIEThe Firefly Tipi's display at the 2018 EDP Bride: The Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: SOPHIE WYLLIE (Image: SOPHIE WYLLIE)

She said: 'I'm absolutely delighted. There are lots of different exhibitors.'

Norwich Evening News: The EDP Bride: The Wedding Show, sponsored by Pure Brides and Pure Suit Hire, is coming to Norfolk Showground on February 17 and February 18, 2018. Picture: ARCHANTThe EDP Bride: The Wedding Show, sponsored by Pure Brides and Pure Suit Hire, is coming to Norfolk Showground on February 17 and February 18, 2018. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Mrs Sims added the show, which attracts an estimated 2,500 people over the two days, celebrated independent businesses from a 40-mile area.

Norwich Evening News: The catwalk at the Archant Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerThe catwalk at the Archant Wedding Show at the Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: Archant)

These ranged from jewellery makers and venue stylists to cake makers, entertainers and transport providers.

Norwich Evening News: Huge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerHuge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: ©Copyright Lee Blanchflower Ltd 2018)

Norwich Evening News: Huge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerHuge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: ©Copyright Lee Blanchflower Ltd 2018)

Norwich Evening News: Huge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerHuge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: ©Copyright Lee Blanchflower Ltd 2018)

Norwich Evening News: Huge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerHuge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: ©Copyright Lee Blanchflower Ltd 2018)

Norwich Evening News: Huge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerHuge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: ©Copyright Lee Blanchflower Ltd 2018)

Norwich Evening News: Huge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerHuge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: ©Copyright Lee Blanchflower Ltd 2018)

Norwich Evening News: Huge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerHuge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: ©Copyright Lee Blanchflower Ltd 2018)

Norwich Evening News: Huge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerHuge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: ©Copyright Lee Blanchflower Ltd 2018)

Norwich Evening News: Huge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee BlanchflowerHuge Crowds visited the first day of the 2018 Archant Bride Show at Norfolk Showground. Picture: Lee Blanchflower (Image: ©Copyright Lee Blanchflower Ltd 2018)

First time exhibitor Jo Dyman, owner of One Curious Dream - a Norwich-based wedding planning and venue stylists and prop hire company - said: 'It has been a lovely crowd of people.

'Our business is quite eclectic...being able to showcase our props in the flesh is very useful.'

Bekka Page, 24, founder of Watton-based B's Bakes, said: 'There are a lot of people here. It is great that people can see what I offer.'

The cake maker added the show allowed her to meet other wedding industry businesses, which helped trade.

Shelley Barrett, sales manager for Thetford-based Fun4Guests which has provided outdoor games for receptions for five years, said: 'It is lovely talking to brides at various stages of their journey. A lot more people are thinking about the entertainment more than the formalities of weddings.'

Anna Hare, owner of Pure Brides, said: 'It is the biggest wedding show in East Anglia. The catwalk show is a real plus. It gives brides a bit of inspiration.'

Bride to be, Chloe Kent, 28, from Norwich, said: 'It has been nice talking to different people. It is better than trawling the internet.'

Tickets cost £10 per person.

Visit www.bridetheweddingshow.co.uk