Couples planning to tie the knot in the next eight months or so might want to circle May 31 on the calendar.
That’s when they’ll have a chance to personally meet multiple vendors – ranging from wardrobes to venues to wedding cakes – under one roof.
The Arizona Wedding Show returns 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at the Phoenix Convention Center South Building, 33 S. 3rd St. in downtown Phoenix. It will feature Arizona’s top wedding professionals brought together by Kim Horn, one of only 75 people in the world certified as a master wedding planner.
Horn and her daughter, Alexa Horn, put on the show in January and May, and attendees will find not only wedding day vendors but also some bargains and even a chance to win some free stuff.
“Now in its 33rd year, the Arizona Wedding Show remains the ultimate destination for engaged couples and their entourages to discover trends, connect with vendors, and plan the wedding of their dreams,” Kim Horn said.
“It is renowned for its ability to connect engaged couples with the best wedding vendors from across Arizona.”
The event typically draws thousands of would-be brides – and their grooms – as well as other members of the wedding parties in search of cutting-edge ideas, trends, and inspirations.
Three lucky brides will win wedding gowns from AW Bridal during the two fashion shows while six grooms will win a suit/tux rental from Men’s Wearhouse.
One lucky couple will win the Ultimate Wedding Package valued at thousands towards their wedding.
With all raffles, attendees must be present to win.
The first 50 couples to check-in receive exclusive gifts and all couples will get a canvas bag filled with exclusive show-only specials from exhibitors from AW Bridal.
The high-energy fashion shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. will feature the latest in wedding gowns and menswear.
There also will be tastings of wedding cakes, savories and sweet treats.
While this is the off-peak season for weddings in Arizona Horn has said time already is growing short for couples planning nuptials in the fall.
Indeed, fall has become so popular that many reception venues are open for weddings seven days a week – and couples are dumping the tradition of just looking at weekends for their ceremony and reception.
That kind of thinking also fits in with saving money, Horn said.
Given that “every guest that you invite is an expense to you in food and beverage and linen and a seat,” Horn said last year that inflation has brought back the wedding-planning that dominated the pandemic.
“It’s kind of like COVID times, if you will,” she said, “where people pared down the guest list to their inner circle.”
Besides, she noted, “people who are traveling from afar look at the prices of gas, airfare and hotels.”
And couples who are really cost-conscious may not want to wait until fall, making the Arizona Wedding Show all that more of a planning essential.
“If you want a Saturday prime time in October or March, you’re going to pay for it,” Horn said. “If you want prime time in June, July and August in Arizona, at least in Phoenix, it’s going to be less money because that not everybody wants to get married when it’s over 100 degrees.”
Early registration is $12 at ArizonaWeddingShow.com while day-of registration online is $15. All registrations are online.
