Getting married? Get inspired at these 6 spring wedding fairs
Love is in the air this spring with an influx of weddings—and their corresponding wedding fairs and other planning events—occurring in and around Sacramento. From a one-stop showcase giving away a prize package valued at over $8,000 to a Southeast Asian-infused bridal extravaganza, here’s a list of six wedding showcases to check out before saying, “I do.”
Dream Wedding Show
Feb. 22 Having wedding block? Look for inspiration at this bridal show’s Dream Theme Pavilion, a 5,000-square-foot space at Cal Expo scattered with tabletops and wedding designs collaboratively arranged by vendors, including décor professionals, furniture rental services, backdrop specialists and florists. (In the past, ideas have ranged from a Great Gatsby-inspired celebration to an Eiffel Tower-themed reception complete with French décor.) Wedding dresses from Dreamnette Bridal and Enchanted Bridal Shoppe will also be showcased during the expo’s runway shows. $10; $7 with preregistration. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cal Expo. 1600 Exposition Blvd. 285-6073. dreamweddingshow.com
Fresh Bash
Feb. 25 Taking a modern approach to traditional bridal showcases, this event pits four wedding design teams (each composed of a design planner, florist, paper specialist and pastry maker from various parts of California) against one another for who can create the most innovative wedding design concept. When not cheering on vendors, guests can enjoy bites by Oakland’s S + S Gastro Grub, dance along to music by Dart DJ, decorate their own donuts at a DIY donut bar (featuring ingredients like edible glitter, candied bacon and homemade cookie crumbles), or get “statement lips” painted by Polish and Pout. $40; $30 with preregistration. 5-8 p.m. Beatnik Studios. 723 S St. 747-3293. thefreshbash.com
The Wedding Suite Open House
March 1 You might walk in empty-handed, but walk out with a complete wedding giveaway valued at over $8,000 from this truly one-stop-shop bridal market. Consisting of gifts from every vendor presenting at the event, the package ranges from large prizes, such as coordinating services from Courtney Blair Event Planning (valued at over $1,200) and a complimentary booking at Eden Garden Wedding and Event Hall in Elk Grove. Other highlighted prizes include a custom-made tiara by Style Avenue Studios, honeymoon getaways from Travel At Heart, as well as dance lessons for the rhythm-impaired complimentary of BIQ Moves. Free. 12-4 p.m. The Wedding Suite. 11353 Pyrites Way, Suite 2. Gold River. 873-4843. weddingsuiteca.com
Sacramento LGBT Wedding Expo
March 3 Beginning in 2013 shortly after same-sex marriage became legalized in California, Sacramento’s only same-sex wedding fair enters its third year offering free cake and wine tastings in addition to raffling off prizes such as restaurant gift certificates and hotel getaways to locations such as Palm Springs and Napa. When not judging vendors at the DJ or cake and cupcake competitions, attendees can also shop runway looks presented by midtown’s House of Fashion Bridal Salon and Tuxedo, whose show will feature both traditional and nontraditional wedding dresses and tuxedos for both men and women. Free. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Red Lion Hotel Woodlake. 500 Leisure Ln. 329-9280. saclgbtweddingexpo.com
A Touch of Henna
March 22 South Asia comes to Sacramento for this unique showcase featuring specialty vendors, such as professional Indian and Pakistani hair and makeup service Henna Moods, international photography and videography outlet Desi Intervention Studios, and Zindagi Events, a traditional floral and officiant company. A fashion show highlighting gowns ranging from American to Indian, Pakistani and other South Asian designs will also be held. Guests can even enter for a chance to visit the region themselves through a drawing raffling off a three-night honeymoon stay at the Ananta Spa & Resort in Jaipur, India. $8. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Red Lion Hotel Woodlake. 500 Leisure Ln. 922-2020. hennabridalexpo.com
Folsom Bridal Show
April 26 The traditional bridal show meets the 21st century at this wedding exhibition incorporating the new Whirlii app, which allows brides to connect their smartphones with individual vendors and record personalized discounts without having to dig through cards and flyers. Attendees can also sip wine from It’s Personal Wine in the venue’s courtyard, explore the two ballrooms filled with vendor, or take pictures in a vintage Volkswagen Beetle photo booth by Temple Photography. $10; free with preregistration. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Lake Natoma Inn. 702 Gold Lake Dr. Folsom. 990-4347. folsombridalshow.com
Related Links
–Project Runway stars to present their new spring collections in Sacramento
–A new restaurant is putting down roots in downtown Auburn
–New time-lapse video shows Sacramento on the rise
