Those familiar with the nonprofit Greensburg Garden and Civic Center know of its value to the community.

The home to outdoor events, plays, meetings, weddings, teas, art shows and garden parties, will host a first-ever wedding expo this month in an effort to make the center a destination site for those looking to tie the knot in Westmoreland County.

Operators also hope the event will help introduce the multipurpose space to those who may be unfamiliar with it.

“We have folks who live streets away from the Garden Center and don’t realize we are there,” said Stephanie Reilly, center manager. “We are trying to reintroduce county residents to an established gem in the Greensburg area.”

Originally built by philanthropist Katherine Mabis McKenna and donated to the City of Greensburg in 1969, the center at 951 Old Salem Road has been hosting weddings since its opening.

Now in its 54th year, the center aims to reintroduce itself to the region with the wedding expo highlighting the space and local vendors. The free event is slated for noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 14.

“Our goal was to find vendors that would serve the couples the get married and or have their reception at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center,” Reilly said.

Weddings slowed down during the early days of the pandemic, but largely have bounced back across the industry. But not everyone is aware of the center’s facilities — it hosted about 20 weddings in 2023, but has the capacity to hold many more.

McKenna intended the building to be a place for the community to gather, Reilly said. Tours of the building will be available during the expo.

“When I give people a tour and I tell them the history of the building, it kind of resonates with people and it makes the place even more special,” she said. “They realize that they’re part of this history and community that she wanted this building to be a part of.”

Vendors in the spotlight

Three-quarters of the vendors attending are from the area, while the rest are from Western Pennsylvania at large.

“That was sort of the goal, was for it to be Westmoreland County vendors, but we filled in with some vendors from outside the county,” Reilly said. “It’s kind of (about) ‘get married local, spend your money local.’ ”

Balloon artist Kamie Chedrick of Kamie’s Creations plans to set up an example of her event balloon archways at the expo. A Youngwood resident, she often makes balloon art or backdrops for weddings, but also for other gatherings or sporting events.

“I do think the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center is a beautiful building,” she said, noting she previously made balloon displays for a bridal shower there. “I am really excited about it. There’s a lot of potential for events in the venue there.”

Amber Rae Shirer of Amber Rae Photography in Greensburg says she’s attended other wedding shows or expos in Pittsburgh. Having one in Westmoreland County helps show her work to more potential customers in a different area.

“Our goal is to document the day as it’s unfolding in front of us, and that’s what we set out to do,” she said of her photography business.

Practice Makes Perfect Music Studio, otherwise known for its private music lessons, also provides bands, DJs and solo performers for weddings and other events. Some of those performers will be onstage at the expo from 1 to 4 p.m., according to co-owner and CEO Aaron Gray.

“We try to get as many options and (as much) variety as possible, so we can offer pretty much anything anyone wants at their wedding,” he said.

Events like this expo will let people know that the Greensburg studio has local musicians available for weddings, he said.

“It helps greatly to get the word out,” Gray said. “I know a lot of people think of Practice Makes Perfect and think of music lessons only. Being at the wedding expo lets people know, ‘oh, you guys do weddings, too.’ ”

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