Events & Amenities.
Live Mon Cheri Academy (in Chicago)
Join Steve Lang & Nayri Kalayjian for an in-person education day!
This will be a one-day, information-packed session built to deliver real takeaways—clear strategies you can put to work immediately. Retailers who attended our recent three-day MCA in December left energized, focused, and ready to act—and many are already reporting strong results. You cannot afford to miss what they now know about driving stronger sales and increased profitability in 2026.
Attending MCA is not about stepping away from your business for a day—it’s about strengthening it. This session is designed to help you:
Make smarter decisions that improve profitability
Gain clarity on inventory, staffing, and operational challenges
Learn what’s working across the industry—and how to apply it immediately
We are very intentional about keeping this a high-value, no-fluff day. You’ll leave with ideas you can act on right away, not concepts that sit on a shelf. Taking one day for MCA can save you months of trial and error.
I strongly encourage you to prioritize this session. The value of this one day far outweighs the cost of missing it. Retailers who attend MCA consistently tell us it helps them refocus, recalibrate, and move forward with greater confidence.
Location
Mon Cheri Academy (MCA): THE MART, 2nd Floor — WorkLife Space
For easiest access, take the escalators in the North Lobby to the 2nd floor.
Breakfast & Lunch included. RSVP and purchase tickets below.
SEMINAR: The AI Edit: Smarter Tools for Boutique Success
Join us to explore creative strategies for using AI to grow your boutique! Discover how to use emerging technologies to track training, measure sales success, generate content, research competitors, and simplify everyday boutique operations. This session will deliver fresh ideas, easy tools, and projects with big impact!
SEMINAR- The Bridal Ecosystem: Building Trust Between Retailers and Seamstresses to Elevate the Client Experience led by Melissa Oddo
A seamless bridal experience depends on strong relationships behind the scenes. This presentation focuses on building trust-based partnerships between retailers and seamstresses through communication, integrity, and realistic expectation-setting. We’ll examine in-house versus independent alterations models, key hallmarks of successful partnerships, and common breakdowns in communication that impact brides. Attendees will gain practical strategies to set realistic expectations, strengthen professional relationships, and reduce friction throughout the wedding journey.
Led by Melissa Oddo of deMelis Atelier and Stitched Collective
Coat & Luggage Check Sponsored by Lazaro
Coat and Luggage check is available on the 1st floor complimentary thanks to Maison Perez.
Sunday 8:30a.m.-8:30p.m. | Monday- 8:30a.m.-6:30p.m. | Tuesday- 8:30a.m.-3:30p.m.
Safely store your bags, luggage, coats or strollers at Coat Check on the 1st floor, Located in the North Lobby, near registration.
Complimentary Buyer & Exhibitors Breakfast
All buyers and exhibitors are invited to join us in the Café on the 2nd floor for a complimentary breakfast each day of market.
Breakfast is served 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
*You must scan your badge to receive the complimentary breakfast or lunch.
Bridal Guide Editorial Studio
Introducing the Bridal Guide Editorial Studio!
Meet the new Editorial Director of Bridal Guide and join us for exclusive, on-site professional photo sessions during National Bridal Market.
Designers are invited to have their gowns—styled on a model* or beautifully displayed—photographed by fine art photographer Jonas Jungblut in Bridal Guide’s first-ever professional editorial studio. All participating designers will be considered for editorial coverage in upcoming print issues, on the newly revamped Bridal Guide website or amplified to Bridal Guide's vast social media platforms.
To reserve your appointment, please contact Rachel Capo at RCapo@bridalguide.com.
Sessions are available Sunday, March 15 and Monday, March 16 during regular market hours. Advance booking is highly encouraged.
The Bridal Guide Booth is located on the 6000 Aisle.
*Model to be provided by designer/brand.
Bel Aire Bridal Lemonade & Ice Tea
Stop by the main aisle for some fresh lemonade and ice tea, sponsored by Bel Aire Bridal!
Sunday & Monday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Specialty Coffee Bar | Presented by SYVO
Sunday & Monday | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Tuesday 10:00-1:00 p.m.
Complimentary coffee and pastries on the north side main aisle brought to you by our friends at SYVO.
SYVO gives bridal shops the tools they need to increase qualified appointments and drive sales. Attract the new generation of brides with proven strategies and grow your business today.
Mimosas with Ariel Taub
Sunday & Monday: 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.
Start your morning with a mimosa in Ariel Taub’s booth 1101.
Custom Illustrations Sponsored by Bridal Live
We know you’ve got style. Capture it in a one of a kind illustration. Top fashion illustrator Kristine Steiner joins us on the Show Floor to sketch buyers in all their market glory - compliments of BridalLive. (Fun Fact: Kristine has sketched for Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton!) Located on the front aisle north side!
Sunday: 10am-2pm
Monday: 12pm - 4pm
Espresso Martinis
Sunday 11:00 A.M.
Espresso martini o’clock. Located in the center lounge
Complimentary Buyer & Exhibitor Lunch
All buyers and exhibitors are invited to join us in the Café on the 2nd floor for a complimentary lunch each day of market.
Lunch is served from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
*You must scan your badge to receive the complimentary breakfast or lunch.
Margaritas and Bellinis with Bliss Bridal
Stop by Bliss Bridal for a Margarita or bellini!
Vows Magazine Ice Cream Break
Sunday & Monday 3:00p.m.
Stop by the VOWS ice cream cart and learn about what’s new from the industry’s leading trade publication and grab a sweet treat as an afternoon pick-me-up!
Gimlet Happy Hour
A little tart, a little sweet. Sip a perfectly crafted gimlet in the Center Lounge.
Opening Night Party
Join us for THE Industry event, bringing together Buyers and Exhibitors in a spectacular venue - Marshall’s Landing at THE MART. The event will include open bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, DJ, riverside views, and great company. We can’t wait to see you there!
Complimentary event for registered Buyers & Exhibitors. No tickets required.
SEMINAR- Timeless Spaces, Generations of Expertise – Redefine Your Retail Space to Reflect Your Brand with Industry Expert Andrea Alvarez
Located on thhe 2nd Floor in WorkLife
This seminar will focus how a carefully curated retail environment can elevate your brand, attract the RIGHT clientele and pave the way for additional services and increased revenue.
40+ years in the luxury display industry, WW Bridal Displays has become the premier source for bridal retailers nationwide. The mission, to be more than a supplier—serving as a trusted resource for design insight, industry expertise, and retailer support.
SEMINAR- Recruiting, Hiring, & Onboarding top tier talent for your bridal shop
Mindi Linscombe is the Founder and Owner of Something New: Bridal & Formalwear, the most reviewed bridal shop in the world, and the visionary behind Bridal Owner Success Solutions (BOSS). With 19 years of industry expertise, Mindi has served over 15,000 brides with store lifetime sales exceeding $40 million.
Leaving this presentation your audience will learn:
✔️ How to define roles that actually support your goals
✔️ What makes a comp plan work (instead of wear you down)
✔️ The systems I’ve used to grow a team I trust—with results to prove it
SEMINAR- Creative Content & Numbers
In this seminar Jacqui Wadsworth will teach you
🌟Top 5 Content Trends! Setting Goals & Outlines for Content Creation w Accountability.
🌟 How To Define your True Cost of Sales so you make better buys and have consistent profitable sales.
SEMINAR- How AI Is Helping Bridal Shops Get More Appointments
Bridal shopping is changing, and AI is now part of how brides find and choose where to book appointments. For most bridal shop owners, the goal isn’t learning new technology. It’s increasing appointments without adding more complexity.
This session breaks down how AI is influencing bridal appointments today, what successful shops are paying attention to, and how to cut through the noise to focus on what actually drives bookings. If you want to keep your bridal shop current, competitive, and positioned for continued appointment growth, this session is for you.
Sweet Treat
Indulge your sweet tooth with a bite-sized treat 🍰✨ Located in the heart of the lounge, ready to make your taste buds dance.
Summer Nights in Chicago
National Bridal Market Chicago invites you to Summer Nights in Chicago located on the River Park of THE MART.
Join us for live music, dancing, open bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, city views, great company, and more!
Individual tickets are $65, or discounted to $585 for purchases of 10 or more.
Ticket Pick-Up: All tickets MUST be picked up in the show office on the 7th floor by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17th. Tickets are issued as wristbands. If you bought a group of tickets, you will be responsible for distributing your tickets.
The party will be moved inside if there is rain.
Fashion Show
Are you ready for our fabulous fashion show? The show will be held in a beautiful loft venue in The Mart.
Join us for cocktails at 6p.m. followed by the fashion show at 6:30p.m.
Prosecco Toast & Dress Reveal With Ragazza
Join Ragazza for a prosecco toast and dress reveal in the lobby on the 1st floor at 11am Monday!
Limoncello Martini With Elissar
Join Elissar for Limoncello Martinis, where the fun is shaken, not stirred. Located at booth 1066
EAR PIERCING BY JONESY WOOD
Jonesy Wood Designs will offer 14k solid yellow and white gold stud options for piercings. Make sure you view their collection of timeless, designed to layer, gold-filled and solid gold jewelry.
Sunday- Tuesday: Starting at 1:00 p.m.
Location: Front Aisle 1
*Available while supplies last
Spa Water
Sunday & Monday- 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Tuesday 10:00a.m.- 2:00p.m.
Stay hydrated all show!
Aperol Spritz
Start your day with a smile, end it with a spritz. Located in the center lounge.
St. Patrick’s Day Seltzers
Cheers to St. Patrick’s day! Enjoy a refreshing green apple seltzer in the center lounge.
Beer and Wine Bar Sponsored by Lucci Lu
Stop by the main aisle for some beer and wine, sponsored by Lucci Lu
Sunday & Monday 3:00 p.m.
Pink Champagne with Monte Durham
Pink Champagne to celebrate Monte Durham’s (from Say Yes to the Dress) launch of his first bridal collection with Elissar Bridal. Located on the main aisle of Elissar’s booth
Cake Cutting With Delish Cakes
Stop by the front aisle on the North side for a special visit from Delish Cakes Bakery for a slice of heaven.
Mon Cheri Donut Wall
Sunday & Monday 11a.m.
Stop by the Mon Cheri donut wall to enjoy a variety of fresh donuts! Located on the main aisle, across booth 7030.
Welcome Mimosa(s)
Start your day on the Show Floor with some bubbles. National Bridal Market welcomes all buyers with a morning mimosa. Stop by the Center Lounge after 10:00 am to grab one. Cheers!
SEMINAR- Customizing Your Content Strategy To Increase Sales from Social Media
Just being on social media is no longer good enough when it comes to getting in front of the right brides - your content needs to appease the algorithm gods and do more than just show photos of bridal gowns. Learn how to incorporate your social media content strategy into your customer experience journey (CX) to attract and guide brides into your sales funnel, make appointments, and become a client who raves about you to everyone they know.
Megan Garmers: As a business consultant and educator over the last 25 years, contributing to the success of companies big and small brings Megan Garmers joy. Having multiple businesses plus teaching marketing, sales, branding and social media internationally, Megan understands how redefining one's brand for tomorrow's couples is crucial for future success and longevity and is passionate about helping businesses simplify and de-mystify best practices for creating and utilizing content effectively to achieve their revenue goals.
Megan works to provide education and connection while helping businesses move forward faster in an ever-changing world that values content and social media through The Bridal Masterclass Experience and Streamline Social, a new social media agency that provides social media services for wedding professionals.
2024 Social Media Strategy Webinar
Latest article: New Year’s Business Resolutions: Cementing New Habits
French butter cookies
Oh là là! Did someone say french butter cookies? Treat yourself to a delicious sweet in the center lounge.
French 75’s
The perfect summer drink to wrap up your day! Join us for French 75’s in the center lounge.
SEMINAR- Store Displays with Amanda Davis
Learn how to create compelling visuals for your shop with backdrops, mannequins, fixtures, props, plants, and signage. Thoughtfully elevate your displays to create an emotional connection with your clients and catch potential customers' attention through windows and more.
Amanda has over 20 years of experience with visual merchandising, window display, prop styling, floral, and event design. She has worked for brands like Corelle, Crate and Barrel, Target, Ulta Beauty, and Vera Bradley, and uses her background in drawing, painting, and art history, as well as her love for color and composition, to create engaging visual stories.
SEMINAR- 8 Ways To Make More With Less Brides In 2023 | Presented by the National Bridal Retailers Association
The last 3 years have been a wild ride! What will 2023 bring our way? The prediction is a cooling economy and less weddings. Join bridal store owners Michelle McFarland and Ann Campeau for a discussion on 8 easy ways your bridal store can make more money with less brides in 2023. Learn how to decrease inventory, increase margins, save time, all while improving your customer experience. You deserve to get paid for your time and effort.
Happy Hour- Wine & Cheese
Did someone say happy hour? It’s been a long day and we know you are in need of some cheese, meats, and wine.