Hard times or not, it appears people don’t stop falling in love. That much was clear at the Bridal Expo on Sunday, where, as has been the case in years past, vendors crammed into the Cocoanut Grove and tried to woo the eyes, taste buds and checkbooks of thousands of brides-to-be.

“Even with the economy, love, romance and the pursuit of happiness will never go out of style,” said Joyce Anderson, producer of the expo’s bridal fashion show.

But while the nation’s financial struggles may not stop people from saying “I do,” it does appear it is changing the way some businesses and couples take their vows.

“My family is helping out, but a lot of the things I did want, I had to cut down on,” said bride-to-be Lauren Keehn, 23, of Capitola.

The floor was packed — mostly with women, many wearing stickers that read “Bride.” Cocoanut Grove Director Sally Sessions said more than 1,500 people came last year and she expected as many by closing Sunday. Dozens of florists, caterers, entertainers, photographers, bakers and jewelers lined the walls of the Cocoanut Grove, luring their guests with promotional packages and taste testers.

“Now I’m full,” Keehn said. “I feel sick.”

The highlight of the day was the bridal fashion show, where 40 models showed dresses and tuxedoes from four different local stores.

Anderson said wedding dress styles are changing to meet the simpler needs of brides.

“People are looking at having smaller weddings,” she said, because they’re “getting married in judge’s chambers and on the steps of city hall.”

Rosa Silva, who owns Rosa’s Bridal in Seaside, said she came to the expo for the first time this year because sales are down.

“When I was younger I used to come here and watch all the models,” she said.

But Sessions said she is hoping for a good wedding year.

“The vendors that I’ve talked to are doing very good this year,” she said.