Some Enchanted Evening - Sept. 12

Brides-to-be walk the aisles of tonight's bridal fair

IF YOU GO• What: Bridal Affair: Enchanted Evening• When: 4:30-8:30 p.m. today, Sept. 12• Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza• Admission: $8 online, $10 at door• Website: timesfreepressevents.com/enchantedevening/2013

photo Bridal Affair: Enchanted Evening is sponsored by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

If you're planning a winter wedding, you can find vendors to help plan the day of your dreams at Bridal Affair: Enchanted Evening tonight, Sept. 12, in the Chattanooga Convention Center.

Walk down the aisle to visit more than 50 vendors representing venue rentals, cake makers, health and beauty products, flowers, jewelry, photography and bridal fashions for the entire wedding party. The bridal fair, sponsored by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, takes the driving out of wedding planning and brings all the vendors engaged couples need to one convenient location.

"We want brides-to-be to bring their bridesmaids, mother and all their friends and make this a girls night out," says Lyndsi Lane, Times Free Press marketing manager. "Because Enchanted Evening is more intimate (than the Times Free Press' bridal expo held at the first of the year), it allows brides to have more one-to-one conversations with vendors."

To set the party mood, complimentary champagne and hors d'oeuvres will be served guests 21 and older, along with The Blushing Bride cocktail and appletinis.

"We have a spa station where we'll be doing free mini manicures and pedicures by Coco Nails salon in Hixson," says Lane.

Gorgeous gowns for the bride and her attendants will be modeled in fashion installations throughout the night. Models will pose on slightly elevated platforms allowing girls to get up close for a more personal look at the gowns and their details.

And of course there will be giveaways.

Ray Wright, of sponsor Wright Jewelers, encourages all Enchanted Evening guests to drop by his booth and register for a man's wedding band.

"We will be giving away one man's wedding band in his choice of alternative metal every hour," says Wright. "We'll also have displays of bands in the three alternative metals -- titanium, cobalt chrome and tungsten."

Wright says an alternative metal band is very popular with grooms-to-be because "the price point is excellent, durability is excellent and they aren't quite as heavy as white or yellow gold."

The jeweler adds he is bringing a new line of engagement rings for couples to browse, along with pearls and jewelry for the wedding party.

"We are bringing an entire line called La Vie. It's a brand new line in any metal you want. They have matching wedding bands that go with every engagement ring. I also have a special vendor coming from Kentucky who is going to have a lot of semi-mounts and different-shaped bands for brides to see. Mothers of the bride, who have been married for years and might want to reset their rings, will be interested in these."

Lane says guests can still buy the $8 advance ticket online today, but tickets will be $10 at the door. Other sponsors of the bridal show with Wright Jewelers are Flowers by Gil & Curt and Grandview.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.

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