ArtsQuest Center's Blast Furnace Room hosted the Lehigh Valley's first LGBT Wedding Expo recently.

The LGBT Business Council teamed up with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to host over 40 businesses and vendors, each of whom is celebrating the passing of marriage equality in Pennsylvania.

"We had a conversation after Pennsylvania legalized same sex marriage," Robert Sandoval, a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and LGBT Business Council said. "We wanted to feature this decision in a huge way and get everyone involved.

"We had such a short time to plan, gather people and vendors, and it took a lot of hard work and passionate individuals, but we pulled it off," he added.

The event featured about 40 vendors including florists, travel agents, printers, florists, salons, limo services, bakeries, attire, officiates/houses of worship, entertainment, jewelry and venues/ hotels.

"One of our goals here at the LGBT Business Council is to offer all-inclusive events, to promote LGBT businesses and to show that the Lehigh Valley has a good support system," Sandoval said.

"When I was approached with the idea, I thought what a monumental opportunity," he said.

Approximately 250 people attended the event.

"The expo is a celebration," Angela DelGrosso, executive assistant of diversity for the Chamber of Commerce said.

"We didn't realize at first what went into the planning, but we reached out to anyone we thought would be interested and a good fit and we pulled it off," she said.

Christi Garcon, owner of Popmart, in Bethlehem, said, "It's important that people can get all the things they need for planning a wedding and everyone should have that experience. I'd like to see it grow and more people get involved.

"Everyone should have access to make their day perfect– the perfect accessories, hairstyles, catering, flowers. Everything," she said.

Donna Forsythe, a part-time wedding officiate, wedding service, and humanist celebrant, said, "It's all about love, relationships and couples. Working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning couples has made such an impact on me. It's a wonderful community."

American Hairlines manager Meghan McGrath said, "We're about everybody. We want to help people get comfortable in their skins and comfortable in all aspects.

"We love to help people shine and encourage them to be their best selves on the inside and outside. What we offer [at American Hairlines] is transformative," she said.

American Hairlines was a premier sponsor because of an award the company won for recognizing the work they do.

"We want to continue to do our work and give back as a thank-you to the community," McGrath said.

Sandoval said Steel Stacks and ArtsQuest is a great space with great vendors.

"People came in from other events. It was nice to see that there wasn't any nervousness or awkwardness," he said. "We wanted to make sure the event didn't feel exclusive and that everyone was welcome."

Additional sponsors of the event included King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC; EBC; Susan Bella Jewelry; Silver Creek Country Club; BalloonWorks; Ruby's Floral; Rockin' Photobooth; Equality Travel; Lehigh Valley Style; The Morning Call; John DelGrasso Photography; the LGBT Business Council; and The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.