Chattanooga Times Free Press

Here comes the BRIDAL SHOW

Bridal Affair is Sunday at The Chattanoog­an

- BY SUSAN PIERCE STAFF WRITER Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreep­ress. com or 423-757-6284.

So you got a ring for Valentine’s Day, and now you’re planning the wedding of your dreams.

Why schedule numerous appointmen­ts and drive all over town to comparison shop when you could do it all at one convenient location on Sunday, March 13?

The Times Free Press is sponsoring its annual Bridal Affair wedding expo that day, bringing 85 vendors to The Chattanoog­an hotel with displays of everything bridal from flowers and photograph­y to venues and videograph­y. This year’s change of venue to The Chattanoog­an is part of a plan to create a setting that more closely resembles an actual wedding, says Tiffany Thomas, event sales specialist for the Times Free Press.

“We want to create a more elegant experience for a bride. We thought with carpeting, chandelier­s and white drapery, it will set the right mood for brides,” she explains.

Also new this year will be the manner in which fashions are presented. Instead of a runway show, Thomas says this expo will feature “fashion previews” with models clothed in the latest fashions from Giorgio Men’s Warehouse and David’s Bridal.

“We will have brides and grooms on podiums around the hotel who rotate every so often to model different dresses and menswear. This way, brides- to- be can see the fashions up close throughout the event instead of just for a few minutes on a runway.”

Giveaways and drawings are a big part of the fun at every expo. Each vendor will have something happening in their booth, whether that’s giving out discount coupons, prize drawings or sampling cakes from the bakers. New this year will be wine tastings from the three wineries participat­ing in the expo, as well as a Grooms Room, where the guys can grab a beer and hang out while their fiancees browse the satins and lace.

The grand prizes include three sets of two titanium wedding bands, each set valued at more than $600. Names also will be drawn for a weekend getaway for two to Gaylord Opryland Resort as well as a Viva Wyndham threeday, two- night vacation in the winner’s choice of either Jamaica, the Bahama Islands or Dominican Republic. Guests do not have to be present to win.

Buy tickets online in advance at timesfree pressevent­s. com and receive a $2 discount off the $10 price at the door.

 ?? FACEBOOK PHOTO ?? A weekend getaway for two to Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is among the prizes to be awarded at Bridal Affair, a Times Free Press signature event, scheduled Sunday, March 13, at The Chattanoog­an hotel.
FACEBOOK PHOTO A weekend getaway for two to Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is among the prizes to be awarded at Bridal Affair, a Times Free Press signature event, scheduled Sunday, March 13, at The Chattanoog­an hotel.

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