What do lovers, beekeepers and epileptics have in common? They all share the same patron saint, Valentine.

Lovers, however, were the ones mostly seen at the annual Kitsap Wedding Expo at the Kitsap Sun Pavilion Feb 3.

The 12-year event is the brainchild of Sunny Jack Events, owned by Sunny Saunders.

Weddings, of course, dropped off during COVID then saw a huge increase once those restrictions ended. After flattening out Saunders said they seem to be picking up again this year.

She explained that Kitsap has become a wedding destination because of the drastic rise in prices of venues and services in Seattle. She said weddings used to total around $10,000 in the county, they now regularly go for $30,000, but still are markedly less expensive than in Seattle.

Still, folks like Alexis Stone and Gabriel Garcia are local and planning their nuptials for August.

The Expo hosted over 80 vendors, and expected 1,000 attendees.

Wedding cakes can be very extravagant.

Alexis Stone and Gabrielle Garcia have fun posing for a photo at the event.

Irina Fox of the Point Hotel and Casino explains what it has to offer.