9 Things We Saw at the Cannabis Wedding Expo in Denver
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All photos by Kenesha Facello for Cannabis Wedding Expo
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I had the pleasure of attending the third annual Cannabis Wedding Expo in early March in the wintery backdrop of Denver, Colorado. Having been raised in a very evangelical “clutch your pearls” environment and now being the reason some people clutch their pearls, I was equal parts excited and morbidly curious about what I’d find. I have little to no experience with weed because I know what happens when people who look like me are caught in possession of it. That compounded by the fear of my mother tanning my hide was enough to keep me away. But the expo was far from seedy or hedonistic. It was a well produced, curated, fun time with a wintery backdrop to boot.
Here Are 9 Things We Saw, Learned, and Observed at the Cannabis Wedding Expo:
1. People Really Love this Stuff.
There are a lot of people who love the fuck out of mary jane. A. LOT. It shouldn’t surprise me at all, but it did. It was also nice to see people congregating for a common passion while being approachable and welcoming.
2. There Wasn’t Any Weed.
My one opportunity to not be the square normie and I was completely foiled. But I did get lashes!
3. It Was Largely Monochromatic.
It’s not new for me to be the only, if not one of the few, black people in a room. I mean, I used to go to Hanson concerts...in this century. But the irony wasn’t lost on me. An event about enjoying cannabis filled with mainly white faces in stark juxtaposition to the black and brown ones filling prisons for doing the same thing left me feeling a way. I don’t think that’s the fault of the expo and Denver is about 70% white so that turnout tracks. It’s more a note on the few strides the industry has made towards acknowledging and reconciling institutionalized racism, and that stung. Everyone should be allowed to celebrate it, and I couldn’t help but think of how many more innovative entrepreneurs would have been there if they weren’t serving time.
4. Cannabis Can Be Incorporated into Pretty Much Anything for Your Wedding.
Cannabis is now being used in bouquets (like this one from Irie Weddings), wedding party gifts, the guest experience, the food, and the after party. There are lots of innovative things that people are doing, like Bello, a startup that created a vapor tap. Like a beer tap, you bring your glass to the tap and fill it to your heart’s content.
5. CBD Is Liquid Gold.
These tinctures from Good Love CBD are chock full of great health benefits for people who suffer from anxiety, depression, arthritis, and more. Consider adding them to your gifts for your wedding party, or just stashing some for yourself!
For bath bombs, lotions, potions, and more try Bellalicious Bath and Body.
For amazing food and recipes look into Chef Shadi Ramey.
6. The Cannabis Wedding Expo Has an Intimate Setting.
The Lionsgate Event Center was the perfect venue for the expo. In addition to being beautiful, it also made the event feel less rigid than most wedding expos. It’s perfect if you really want to connect with a vendor versus just tuck their information away in a bag you’ll eventually forget.
7. These Wedding Vendors Knew Their Stuff.
I got to meet some amazing business owners who were all extremely knowledgeable and passionate about what they did. Charmed Beauty was giving away free lashes and applied them with the gentlest touch. For my fellow leaky-eyed mavens, try them on for size for your makeup trials!
For all your stash box needs, looks to Dry Hollow Cache for something more crafted than the shoebox you’re used to using.
8. The Cannabis Business Could Be an Even Bigger Cash Cow if It Wasn’t So Limited by Federal Banking Laws.
Even though states like California and Colorado have legalized its use, federally weed is still considered an illegal substance. This forces many weed-based businesses to operate mainly in cash. If you’ve ever seen Claws, you know how this could lead to a bunch of fuckery. The Attorney General of D.C., Karl Racine, does a good job summarizing that issue in this op-ed from The Hill.
9. Cannabis Weddings Are No Longer Outré.
As uncommon (and illegal) as it is to incorporate cannabis into your big day in states like Texas (for now), it’s obviously not something that’s completely out of the box to do where it’s legal. Despite all my dorky assumptions about what the event was going to be, it was a relaxed, fun opportunity to meet like-minded wedding vendors like Fresh Frame Foto, My Bud Vase, Malvitz Photography, and more on a beautifully snowy day.
Want to Learn How to Incorporate Cannabis into Your Wedding?
Check out the last show for the year on March 31st in Las Vegas. To see more of our favorite vendors, check out the photos below!
For more about weed wedding etiquette check out Lizzie Post’s Higher Etiquette.
JORDAN MANEY
Jordan A. Maney is a San Antonio-based wedding planner and owner of All The Days Event Co. She she started her company as a planning haven for all the couples the industry chooses to ignore. Instead of just making a brand, she's building a community. Find more of her sass, humor, and Southern hospitality at allthedaysweddings.com.
