Future brides are in for an exciting array of ideas and inspiration with the arrival of The Bride Show. The bridal expo is back for the second year, so TOAD went to find out more about it.
Future brides dream about having a one-stop wedding shop that would satisfy their every matrimonial need. Just imagine – the dress, the food, the venue, the honeymoon, all in one space. It may seem too good to be true, but on February 12-15, that dream comes true, making others come true along with it.
The Bride Show arrives at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) this month. This wedding emporium is an ‘all under one roof’ shop to organise and plan weddings where visitors can feel, touch and experience the products. From the right dress to the best honeymoon destination, and from the perfect photographer to the preferred flower arrangements, visitors will have the opportunity to select from unique vendors based locally and internationally.
Daphne Cota, the exhibition director of The Bride Show says, ‘The Bride show continues to raise the bar year after year. This year again, we have some prominent names and special highlights – it’s a consumer event and brides-to-be will experience some interesting trends that they’ve never seen before.’
This year again boasts some prominent names and few special highlights on the runway such as Crystal House presenting the Designer’s Collective, a bridal and evening fashion collection. The trends are focused on tailoring the modern bride, looking to outfit Abu Dhabi’s brides in the latest trends and styles.
All participating exhibitors will offer free consultations and customised solutions to visitors. Apart from the interactive stalls from unique vendors The Bride Show will also have daily raffles, wedding tips and advice from consultants like Bride Club ME and many more. Some of the prizes include a dream honeymoon courtesy Seychelles or a wedding dress worth Dhs35,000 from designers such as Dar Sara.
Visitors can enjoy beauty services such as a complimentary polish changes and express massages at the Diva Lounge at the exhibition centre or hair and beauty shows that will showcase the latest trends.
The show is aimed at the consumer, rather than a business owner. Brides-to-be can view and buy wedding dresses, consult with event organisers and suppliers and book venues for the big day. But like all weddings, at least according to the bride, the highlight is the dress, or in this case the dresses.
The shows aren’t just for brides either. There will be fashion shows each day showing wedding dresses, evening gowns, abayas and jalabiyas–making the event equally fashion and bride friendly.
Daphne is a strong believer in brides trying out new and different options. A bridal expert, she is mindful to include out of the ordinary exhibitors such as Geneva’s Agua de Oro wedding bands –unique wedding rings that stray from the traditional single diamond band.
The Bride Show aims to highlight some of the current wedding trends as well. Daphne explains what is popular right now in the way of wedding trends, including incorporating patterns into the wedding day décor. She says “Gone are the days of peach and white, I think more patterns like striped table cloths or polka dots to add an element of fun to the look.”
Another trend is lace. Daphne exclaims, “Lace, lace and more lace will be the top trend this year. Kate Middleton made an elegant statement with her wedding dress and we are still seeing brides who want that look.”
Bride Abu Dhabi will take place February 12-15 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Hours 2:30pm-10:30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and 3pm-10:30pm on Friday. Children under 12 are not permitted in the show. Free tickets available for a limited time. Visit www.thebrideshow.com/abudhabi.
