The holiday marathon stretch of Thanksgiving to New Year's Day is full of parties, potlucks and proposals, with many people coming out of the holiday haze with a sparkly left hand. Now that everyone's settling back in to real life, those newly minted brides-to-be have a lot of planning to do.
That's where the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show on Sunday comes into play.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show
12:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock
Tickets: $10 advance, $12 at the door , $45 VIB
(501) 378-3807
"It's the mecca of all things bridal," says Democrat-Gazette Marketing and Events Director Amanda Copley.
And brides will have a little more time to shop this year. Instead of opening at 1 p.m., the official start time is now 12:30 p.m.
For the twice-yearly fair, the Statehouse Convention Center is stocked full of booths with vendors offering information on everything from music and flowers to personalized water bottles and selfie stands. They'll also have samples and displays so brides can see the latest trends up-close, getting a tactile experience they can't get from perusing bridal magazines or Pinterest.
The booths, Copley says, "are literally like individual artwork. Their booths are gorgeous. They show off the best of the best of what they have put together. You could essentially plan your entire wedding at this show."
There are two stages. The sponsors' stage will have sponsor question-and-answer advice sessions while the Main Stage will be the place to go for contests like "Dress Your Groom" and "BYOB (Build Your Own Bouquet)."
The Main Stage will also be the gathering spot for the big finale, the "bang-up" fashion show at 4:30 p.m., which features more than 50 looks for everyone in the wedding party, from the mother of the bride to the flower girl.
After the show, organizers will announce the winner of the Ultimate Wedding Package, which includes photography, a DJ, rentals, flowers, cake and other goodies valued at more than $6,000. The winner will be chosen from a drawing and brides must be present to win.
One does not actually have to have an engagement ring to participate. Copley says vendors have reported a surprising number of nonbrides getting tips on skin care, makeup and fashion for proms and other formal events.
Every bride is special and has access to all the vendors and games, but the show has special things planned for those who buy the Very Important Bride (VIB) package for $45: "swag bags," reserved seating for the fashion show and early admission.
In the past, VIBs were admitted a half-hour before everyone else, but along with tweaking general admission time, they've also bumped the VIBs, opening doors to them at 11:30 a.m., a full hour ahead of the rest of the crowd.
"We wanted them to feel exclusive and 'very important,'" Copley explains.
Organizers also added a more intimate information-gathering opportunity for the VIBs: the VIB & Sponsor Mixer, 7-9 p.m. Saturday, a small reception where brides can chat with sponsors including The Bridal Cottage, Chenal Country Club, PattiCakes Bakery and Melody Skin Care.
"It can be crazy in that show," Copley explains, and the mixer is designed to give brides a chance for a quieter, calmer consultation.
Men are invited to the show too, but if it's all a bit too much for the prospective grooms, there will be football and recliners in the man cave.
As for the brides, Copley recommends comfortable shoes and coming with a retinue.
"Bring your bridesmaids or your wedding support crew. It makes it more fun to have everybody come and get opinions and see everything and start to plan that special day."
Weekend on 01/14/2016