The City Scene
2/27/97

Field Museum to exhibit show on wedding planning

Next week Chicago’s Field Museum plans to unveil an event that celebrates a human ritual dating back thousands of years.

But unlike most of the other displays at the natural history museum, the Bridal Show/Expo set for March 5 will feature living displays for visitors to view and participate in.

Brides-to-be from all over Chicagoland will encounter the museum’s special event and wedding coordinators and 80 other wedding vendors. The event is co-sponsored by the Chicago Sun-Times and American Trans Air.

This will be a special version of the Bridal Expo, a series of several events held around the Chicago area each year to help brides-and-grooms-to-be plan for their big day.

“Bridal Expo is a chance for people in Chicago who are making wedding plans to come and see anywhere from 50 to 90 vendors gathered in one place and make arrangements,” said Bill Brennan, director of marketing for Bridal Show/Expo. “With people’s schedules today, it is often hard to spend Saturday and Sunday running around to all the different stores and reception halls. With the Expo, you can visit them in a shorter period of time.”

More than 2,000 visitors are expected to attend the Field Museum show on Wednesday. It starts at 7:30 p.m. when Mary DeBaggis of 100.3/WPNT radio opens the show.
A fashion show is scheduled for 8 p.m., followed by a raffle drawing at 9:30 to give away a trip to anywhere ATA flies. The show closes at 10 pm.

“The Field Museum makes a great location for people who live in the city or are planning a wedding in the city, “Brennan said. “It is a beautiful setting for a wedding and reception, and it will make a great setting for the Bridal Expo.”

Of the many venues in the Chicago area available for special wedding events, few compare to the beauty and grandeur of the Field Museum’s Stanley Field Hall. Its marble floor majestic columns and soaring arches have made it one of Chicago’s most desirable locations to conduct a memorable affair.

Using the hall to also host the Bridal Expo is a way to show off the majesty of its setting while bringing dozens of vendors in touch with the people in Chicago who need wedding, reception and honeymoon services.

The museum recently hosted a gala dinner for Princess Diana and was chosen by local celebrities Diane Burns and Phil Corboy as the spot to host their respective post-nuptual receptions.

Founded in 1986, Bridal Show/Expo is now Chicagoland’s biggest wedding show promoter with more than 33 shows at 29 different properties in Chicago and the suburbs.
Over 32,000 people walk through the doors at the various Bridal Show/Expos each year, and the numbers are growing.

“In a way, coming to this show is like a business person going to a trade show,” Brennan said. “You can go around to each exhibitor and get information you need to make a decision on who will provide the services and products you need.”

Every Expo-including Wednesday’s Field Museum event-contains an exciting, high-fashion runway presentation showcasing the latest styles and trends in wedding gowns and tuxedos. Cash and prizes area also raffled at most shows creating additional excitement and a truly memorable experience.

At the Field Museum show, and ATA vacation will be raffled off to one visitor.
DeBaggis will preside over the drawing, and the winner must be present.
This show and the others in the area are run by the Bridal Signature Group.
The group has helped thousands of couples plan their weddings, prenuptial events, honeymoons, and future lives together.

Visitors have found the Bridal Show/Expo to be the most efficient way to manage the time consuming task of organizing the most important event of their lives. Attendees meet personally with dozens of wedding vendors, all gathered in one convenient location. Exhibitors provide a vast range of wedding and honeymoon goods and services, and an exciting runway fashion show highlights the latest couture bridal fashions available from area bridal boutiques.

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