Phoenix Bridal Show

I atttended the 2015 show at the Sheraton Phoenix Hotel Downtown on Sunday May 31 because I received a free VIP Guest ticket in the mail and decided to take a look and had fun– and, learned a thing or two. The highlights were the fashion runway show and the free cake & pasta samples, as well as a free bag full of bridal magazines (I love magazines), a pink long-​stemmed rose, and flyers. Upon admission, if you’re a bride, you fill out a brief questionnaire when you’re marrying and get a neon pink round «Bride» sticker to affix on your shirt/​blouse/​dress.
This bi-​annual (loud, non-​relaxing/​laidback) event specializes in helping the bride & groom attendees to check out on-​site vendors for their upcoming wedding i.e. food, gowns /​suits, traveling destinations, DJs, photographers, and the like that associate with having a wedding ceremony. Anyone could attend so you didn’t necessarily have to get married. You could even purchase the gowns off the rack in real-​time or order on-​site. The models of all ages at the fashion runway did a flawlessjob modeling the various gowns, dresses, tuxedos/​suits. The African-​American model, in particular, did a great job with her walk– really classy and trained-​like. Most of the outfits seemed to have focused on marrying in the southwest so nothing truly ritzy. The pasta samples served by Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta were scrumptious. The Italian in me drooled ;) The cake slices served by Robert’s Catering, Inc. were wedding-​quality in formal flavors: white w/​strawberry rum filling, carrot, and chocolate– all 3 baked from scratch w/​whipped cream and also yummy (and not too sweet like the vintage cakes). Something to those effects ;) Both of these vendors were smart enough also to have brought enough food to feed the hungry guests.
⁴⁄₅ stars: some of the vendors who stood at their booths seemed to have been ‘grasping’ at attendees to get their business, rather than standing there and patiently waiting for the interested attendees to approach. However, Jeremy the caricaturist (Phoenix Caricature) was truly polite & professional, and I enjoyed posing for his drawing (he did a great job on my face, which included my wearing a tiara) ;) The fashion show was preceded by some brief ‘name that tune’ game with the DJ emcee and one of the event hostesses talking at the same time like auctioneers, as the 3 volunteer couples from the audience used eraser markers to write on each hand board what song they thought the head DJ was playing. Attendees like me don’t appreciate showing up early to get decent seats (to take great pictures) only to have to endure waiting for the fashion show to finally begin. You should see the audience: most were texting, talking with their friends, and even looking desperate for that silly pre-​fashion game to end. What purpose did that (interactive) ‘game show’ serve for this type of event? I don’t know and neither did my folks. The fashionista in me wanted to view the fashion on the runway. I would also liked to have a real band playing background music and even taking live request, instead of just a DJ. If/​when I get married, I’d hire a local band. What about an on-​site photo booth (there was just a flyer about it)? Just a broad spectrum to make it easy for the bride-​to-​be to have such a vast selection to make when planning her special wedding. I realized it’s not the ‘largest’ wedding event but still. And, lastly, the air conditioner inside that ballroom was a bit chilly for some…
In concluding, I wouldn’t need to go back; yet, I’d go ahead and let others know to try out this event– just so they learned a thing or two like I did. Just focus on the positive and have fun! Thanks for the invite. And, happy engagement to the lucky couple :)

I attended the October 27^th show at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Phoenix. This was a fun event to get in the wedding-​planning mood!
There were dozens of exhibitors with information, samples, handouts and raffles, a fashion show, a cash bar, and a lot of great camaraderie with other brides-​to-​be and their entourage. I’d already set up a lot of my vendors before this show, so I was looking for a few specific pieces of information. Even the booths that were offering things I didn’t need still kept me interested with their displays and explanations. I did feel like there were too many photographers there, and strangely there were more tuxedo vendors than bridal gown vendors. The only thing I’d hoped to find and didn’t see was studios for dance instruction… and possibly a little more cake: p
Overall, this was a good time to spend with a couple friends to get the ideas flowing. The fashion show was fun and it was helpful to see several bridesmaid dresses so we could start talking about styles. By the time we left, I felt like I had all the tools I needed to make the rest of my decisions about my wedding and a whole bag full of flyers and handouts to prove it.

The CEO of the company that produces this event contacted me directly, and we had a nice exchange. Upgrade to three stars, I appreciate the concern for customer service. They went above and beyond. Thanks.
I disagree with the description of this business. The bridal show is the patent opposite of relaxing. It is a busy, party-​like event for ladies, and I’m sure many women enjoy it.