For those of you who haven’t gotten your fill of wedding shows yet this season, one show we are excited about is the upcoming Martha Stewart’s Wedding Party. When the folks at Martha Stewart contacted me asking if I’d like to host a giveaway for tickets, I didn’t hesitate. (I also have a special freebie for everyone at the bottom of this post).
Love her or hate her, Martha Stewart has helped to shape the way we view crafts, our home, our businesses and even weddings. When planning my wedding back in 2004, before the height of the wedding blog boom, Martha Stewart Weddings was the closest thing I could find that focused on a more creative approach to weddings. Several years ago while in NYC, I even had the chance to meet Martha Stewart… okay, actually she was walking into the David Letterman studios to tape an appearance and I was outside waiting for tickets to a later show and I started screaming “I Love You” like a giddy school girl. I’m sure she heard me though! Even now, when I have a tough business decision to make my husband often says… “What would Martha do?” (do they make a little bracelet for that? WWMD).
I’ve known about the annual MS Wedding Party event in NYC for a while because Indie Wed alum, The Blooming Quill is their go-to calligraphy vendor. This year they are bringing the show to Chicago featuring 60 vendors with about 10 or so of them, being Indie Wed vendors. However this event is very different than Indie Wed. They have limited the vendors in each category to just a few making it more intimate. It is also a “luxury” bridal show so you can cross off the more budget friendly options. Does this mean you shouldn’t go? Heck no. Just because you might have a more DIY or budget-conscious event doesn’t mean you can’t splurge in one or two areas. Sometimes it is good to attend different events because you never know what you’ll find. The show is on Sunday, March 10th from 10am – 3pm. Basic tickets are $65 / single and $110 / couple which includes a swag bag. There is also a VIP option too. Don’t have $110 to shell out for an afternoon of wedding planning with your sweetie? Don’t worry… I have some tickets to giveaway!
In addition to all the vendors there will be a roster of presenters with various breakout sessions including Martha’s right hand gal Darcey Miller and Indie Wed’s fave friend, Ami Price from Elizabeth Anne Designs. There is a destination and honeymoon lounge too. Plus I’ll be there taking tons of photos (and notes) – Say hi if you see me!
Panel of Event Experts
Darcy Miller, Editorial Director, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Celebrations Expert
Ami Price, Executive Editor & Publisher, Elizabeth Anne Designs
Meghan Andalman, Lovebird Events, Event Planning
Rishi Patel, HMR Design Group, Floral Design
Sarah Levy, Pastry Chef & Food Consultant, S. Levy Foods
Sacha Krasney, Be U Brides Stationery Design
Intimate Break-Out Sessions with your Favorite Vendors
Claudia Hanlin, Wedding Library “Throwing a Million Dollar Wedding”
Sarah Levy, S. Levy Foods “The Dish on Wedding Food”
Ami Price, Elizabeth Anne Designs “Inspiration to Implementation”
Richi Patel, HMR Design Group “Wedding Floral Design”
Elena Grapsas, Ultimate Bride “Trends in Bridal Fashion”
The best part… I have enough tickets for FIVE lucky couples. That is $550 in free tickets. How awesome. To be considered, just post a comment below by Wednesday at noon. A that point, I’ll select 5 people at random who will each win a pair of tickets to Sunday’s show. Please include your email address so I can reach you.
If you aren’t one of the lucky ones to win free tickets, I do have a special little freebie for everyone. Starting tonight you can download a FREE digital version for the iPad of the spring edition of Martha Stewart Weddings (which doesn’t even hit the stands till March 4th). This offer will be active for 1 month. Just follow this link and use the code GCmCDN. Just look at that cake!
Nikki Y
March 1, 2013 at 6:24 pmThis is awesome. Love her!
Dawn G
March 1, 2013 at 6:28 pmThis looks pretty great!
Ari
March 1, 2013 at 6:50 pmThis is so cool. Can’t imagine how many awesome ideas I can get after the event. Been a fan of the magazine and I’m sure this event will be great :)
Ember
March 1, 2013 at 9:23 pmI would die. Sincerely. A very strong likelihood. Does she come to the event?
Jenna & Bryan
March 2, 2013 at 5:58 pmWe just booked our wedding venue and are excited to start our planning! Sounds like a fun and fancy event… :)
Elysia R
March 2, 2013 at 11:20 pmWould love to go! :)
Angela
March 4, 2013 at 8:08 amDying to go! She’s amazing! !
Gina
March 4, 2013 at 8:12 amWell… I don’t know about anyone else, but this event looks like my idea of heaven!
Julianne
March 4, 2013 at 8:13 amWith every bridal decision I make, I consult Martha. “What would Martha do?” or “What does Martha say?” has become a part of my every day bridal language, much to the eye-rolling of my fiance. As a fan of the brilliant business mogul, I would LOVE to go to this event!
Carlee
March 4, 2013 at 8:16 amThe woman taught me how to fold a fitted sheet. How could I not want to go to her wedding show?
Jamie
March 4, 2013 at 8:17 amGreat idea, thanks!
Sarah
March 4, 2013 at 8:19 amLove martha stewart weddings!
Danielle
March 4, 2013 at 8:22 amLooks like a great event, we would love to check it out!
Laura meyer
March 4, 2013 at 8:24 amWould love to go! Still have a few details to plan for our oct wedding- would be great to meet some amazing vendors- thanks!!!!
Rebecca
March 4, 2013 at 8:30 amThis would be so fun! I’d love to go.
Jenn
March 4, 2013 at 8:36 amI’ve been obsessed with Martha since I was about 10years old. I was a self proclaimed Mini-Martha. She inspires me daily in my home life and organizationally. Would love to see her wedding ideas first hand and translate that into fantastic tools for the success of my own wedding business. Belles and Thistles Floral Design loves you Martha!
Sarah
March 4, 2013 at 8:37 amI definitely would not mind replacing my overused/coffee stained Martha Stuart weddings magazine with the real deal!
Carley Rouse
March 4, 2013 at 8:37 amThis sounds awesome!
EHen
March 4, 2013 at 8:38 amI want to go to there! Darcy = my biggest girl crush.
Tracy Moran
March 4, 2013 at 8:41 amThis looks like fun! We’d love to go!
Shelly
March 4, 2013 at 8:50 amWould be so amazing to attend! Bring on the DIY for my wedding!! :)
Parichard Sangern
March 4, 2013 at 8:56 amI’m definitely in the market for some inspiration for my wedding, especially that clean classy style Martha Stewart always brings to the table. I would love to go this bridal show!!!
Jen Fortt
March 4, 2013 at 9:00 amSounds fantastic! Keeping my fingers crossed for a set of tickets.
Sara
March 4, 2013 at 9:12 amMartha is my guilty pleasure. I actually bought a subscription to MS Weddings when I got engaged!
Bridget K
March 4, 2013 at 9:12 amThis sounds like such a dream! <3
Erika
March 4, 2013 at 9:13 amYAY!!! A way to promote Indie Wed & support Martha is right up my alley;-) Inspiration is REALLY needed right now! Thank you guys for all you do.
Alicia
March 4, 2013 at 9:20 amWhat love to attend this event!
Jennifer
March 4, 2013 at 9:38 amAs a fan who has a whole bookshelf dedicated to my Martha Mags that date back almost 10 years I. Would. Love. To. GO!! Keep up the awesome work Indie Wed!
Allison
March 4, 2013 at 9:42 amI would love to go to this – the destination and honeymoon lounge sounds like a great addition to a wedding event!
Su
March 4, 2013 at 9:51 amThis is awesome. I love that Chicago is getting more exposure and exhibitors. Wedding events like this and IndieWed provides such great ideas and opportunities to couples like us!
Brooke Halcott
March 4, 2013 at 10:05 amMy fiancé and I had so much fun and Indie Wed! We would LOVE to go to this!!!! I <3 Martha!
viviana grasso
March 4, 2013 at 10:08 amIf I win these tickets it would be a “Good Thing” :) <3
Teanna Zarro
March 4, 2013 at 10:08 amLove Martha & her team’s ideas. Always chic & always a bit diy!
Amy Kristin Sanders
March 4, 2013 at 10:43 amI’d love to go!
Dawn
March 4, 2013 at 10:43 amLOVE Martha Stewart weddings! I have always wanted to attend one of her shows and cannot wait to see the see the Spring magazine so I can plan for my August wedding :)
Danielle
March 4, 2013 at 10:53 amWhat a fun event! No one does it quite like Martha!
Jamie
March 4, 2013 at 12:02 pmMy fiancé and I would love to go – Our wedding is this June and we could totally use Martha-inspired details! Pick us!
Jill Villanueva
March 4, 2013 at 12:35 pmWhat a great event, my best friend just got engaged on christmas eve and has no idea where to start planning. Would be a woderful place to start coming up with wedding ideas!
Lauren
March 4, 2013 at 12:37 pmHow fun! What a great giveaway!
Melissa Pradun
March 4, 2013 at 12:41 pmLove her craft stuff. Also, look at her fancy hipster glasses! adorable.
Jus
March 4, 2013 at 1:02 pmOh, how fun!
Heidi
March 4, 2013 at 1:18 pmThis sounds pretty amazing! I would love to attend for a little wedding planning inspiration.
Lauren
March 4, 2013 at 1:20 pmYes, I would love to go!
Kayla
March 4, 2013 at 1:26 pmMy husband and I are having a vow renewal ceremony next year since we couldn’t afford a real wedding when we got married two years ago! We have just started planning and would love to attend!!!
Ashley
March 4, 2013 at 3:03 pmThis looks AMAZING! Darcy and Martha know how to plan an unforgettable wedding.
Jennifer
March 4, 2013 at 3:21 pmI would love to go!
Allie
March 4, 2013 at 4:08 pmI adore all things Martha! Being a Chicago Wedding Coordinator myself, I would be more than thrilled to see the caliber of vendors present!
Maureen Strobel
March 4, 2013 at 6:35 pmWould love to go! Love Martha Stewart’s style and this would be a great way to kick off wedding planning!
Quiana B.
March 4, 2013 at 6:56 pmWow! This sounds like FUN!!! I would lovvveeeee to go & be inspired :-)
Nicole D
March 4, 2013 at 7:43 pmOooooh please pick me!! I would so love to go. Wedding fun with Marth sparks my creativity!
Katherine
March 4, 2013 at 9:47 pmHow great that this is coming to Chicago! I’d love to go!
Lora LaPratt
March 4, 2013 at 11:38 pmI would LOVE to go to this!!! XOXO
Usapan Teppratoom
March 5, 2013 at 6:10 amWould love to go!
Katie
March 5, 2013 at 6:30 pmWould love to go!!! and Indie Wed rocks!
Ashley and Katy
March 5, 2013 at 10:15 pmMy partner and I would be in craftynerdlike euphoria and would be stoked to go–six months before the big day–on with the shows!
Erica
March 6, 2013 at 8:20 amMartha Weddings are dreamy! Pick me! pick me!
Jill LeMasurier
March 6, 2013 at 8:44 amGetting married next month and would LOVE to go to pick up some last minute details (still looking for give away and hair pieces) My mom met Martha at a book signing last year. She’d love to go with me :)
Janet
March 6, 2013 at 9:53 amI had so much fun at Indie Wed – would love to pick up some more creative ideas at Martha’s wedding party!
Tracy Lande
March 6, 2013 at 9:56 amLooks like a fun event with lots of wonderful ideas! Indie Wed, you make me smile with your awesomeness :)
Mary O'Connell
March 6, 2013 at 12:28 pmThis looks like so much fun! Please pick me :)
kari witthuhn-henning
March 6, 2013 at 1:04 pmWhat a beautiful world you live in. Isn’t it grand to be inspired by love and all things beautiful. Blessings to all!
Autumn Wood
March 6, 2013 at 1:19 pmThis looks like a blast! I would love to win!