Events & Amenities.
50th Anniversary Masquerade Gala
You’re invited to the Bridal Industry event of the year!
This August, the National Bridal Market Chicago celebrates 50 years of design, retail, and history within the Bridal Industry. Join us in your finest black-tie attire and embrace the mystery of our masquerade - please wear an elegant mask for an unforgettable evening of skyline and lake views, dancing, live music, an open bar, & exquisite cuisine.
Monday, August 17, 2026
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Offshore Rooftop (at Navy Pier)
1000 East Grand Avenue
*Tickets required. Transportation will be provided.
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.
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- 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- 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.
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.
Gimlet Happy Hour
A little tart, a little sweet. Sip a perfectly crafted gimlet in the Center Lounge.
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!
Margaritas and Bellinis with Bliss Bridal
Stop by Bliss Bridal for a Margarita or bellini!
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.
Espresso Martinis
Sunday 11:00 A.M.
Espresso martini o’clock. Located in the center lounge
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
Mimosas with Ariel Taub
Sunday & Monday: 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.
Start your morning with a mimosa in Ariel Taub’s booth 1101.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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
