giveaway

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!