IF YOU GOWhat: Bridal AffairWhen: 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter PlazaAdmission: $8 in advance online, $10 at the doorWebsite: www.timesfreepress.com/bridalaffairSPONSOR GIVEAWAYS• Honeymoon trip to Cancun, Mexico, from Choo Choo Travel• $300 gift certificate good toward DJ service from Sound Force• Uplighting package from Luma Designs• Gift basket of cabernet wine from DeBarge Vineyards and Winery
Why drive all over town planning a wedding when you can make one appointment at one place Sunday, Feb. 17, and visit more than 100 vendors in one convenient location?
Bridal Affair, the annual bridal expo presented by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, will fill the Chattanooga Convention Center exhibition hall with about 160 vendor booths.
Vendors representing all aspects of wedding planning on hand -- from jewelers giving tips on diamond selections to travel companies advising couples on honeymoon destinations.
In fact, before the expo concludes, one lucky couple will win a grand-prize honeymoon trip for four days and three nights to Cancun, Mexico, courtesy of Choo Choo Travel. According to Angela Doggett, Times Free Press events manager, the exciting trip includes airfare, airport transfers, hotel and food amenities.
That trip and other sponsor gifts will be awarded immediately following the 4:30 p.m. show of fashions for the bridal party. Winners must be present to win.
Doggett said the latest trends in gowns and tuxes will be presented by Monica's Bridal, David's Bridals, All Dressed Up, Ever After Bridal & Formalwear, Men's Wearhouse, Giorgio Men's Warehouse and Boutique Couture.
In addition to sponsor prizes, every vendor at the expo will offer some type of giveaway, discount or samples to engaged couples visiting the show. Forte Strings will play music in its space.
Rebekah Hargrove, owner of Just Shoot Me photo booth, said she'll offer a discount on a photo booth rental for the first brides visiting her at the expo.
Vendors decorate their booths lavishly at the expo to show what they can add to a wedding. It will be hard to miss Flowers by Gil & Curt, where Curt Hodge says they'll have a 6-foot-tall pedestal arrangement in a booth decorated in a black, white and silver color scheme.
Gil Cartwright says they'll be creating bouquets that will be carried by the fashion show's models. The floral work will be displayed in their booth before the runway show so that girls can get a closer impression of their work.
Sharika Wilson of Simply Elegant party rental company will have a reception display set up featuring the newest in table skirts.
"It's a ruffled skirt that looks almost like a wedding cake. It's tiers of ruffles from the top of the table to the bottom. You pair it with a stretch chair cover and an elegant centerpiece. No extra colors or sashes are needed on the chairs," she says.
As this area's largest bridal show, Bridal Affair will offer couples all the information they need to make decisions on bouquets to buffets for the day of their dreams.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.