Everything for the bride
The Wedding and Home Show sends couples down the right aisle
By Amber Dawe
Special to the Courier News

The dress, the cake, the rings, the photographer-the list of to-dos for a bride to be and her loved ones goes on and on.

Planning a wedding can be a harrowing ordeal. That’s why Bridal Expo/The Wedding and Home Show is bringing in more than 65 wedding services vendors together Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest in Arlington Heights.

“A bride could literally plan her entire wedding in one day,” said Bill Brennan, president of Bridal Expo. “They’ll save countless hours from driving all over town.”

Wedding service providers such as travel agents, florists, limousine services, bakeries and photographers will be on hand. Attendees will have a chance to see the latest designer bridal apparel, receive free samples and get advice from experts in the bridal industry.

There will be several price giveaways, and one bride will win a Chicago wedding valued at $20,000.

From 2 to 3 p.m. Shelley’s Bridal Couture of West Dundee will host a multi million media fashion show featuring more than 85 garments including bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, mother-of-the- bride gowns and men’s formalwear.

Brennan said Bridal Expo has grown in the last 10 years from a small, intimate affair to a major convention, introducing brides and grooms to the best bridal merchants in the Chicago and Milwaukee areas.

“They feel unique and special because of being catered to,”Brennan said. “A bride can go online, and can look at a beautiful cake, but at the Bridal Expo, she can taste them.
“Exhibitors have services for small weddings, small budgets and large budgets,” he said.
Brennan said brides can bring their families, friends, and wedding parties to the show. And don’t forget the groom. “You’ll appreciate their help in making your important bridal buying decisions,” he said. He also suggested brides bring their own preprinted address labels for entering contests.

“Otherwise, the brides will get writers cram filling out so many contest form,” he said, adding that other tips to make the most out of the show are available on the show’s Web site, www.bridalexpochicago.com, which also is where brides can register until Nov. 3 for two free tickets.

Additional tickets are $6in advance or $10 at the door, if available. Proceeds from tickets sales will be donated to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.

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