The Big Picture, Wedding Party 2010

So many people ask me what the Wedding Party is, so here's the big picture. It's a one-day bridal event where the Wedding Library showcases our favorite products, services and people in the wedding industry.

It's unique because it's experiential (brides get to touch, smell, taste, hear and see beautiful things). It's unique because it is selective -- we only invite the best wedding peeps, including our celebrity guest hosts. It's unique because it's well-planned out and action-packed -- from 10-4pm brides fill every minute of their day with something fun. It's unique because it's big -- over 100 vendors and over 500 brides.

Finally, I think it's unique because brides actually learn things, make connections with vendors and are inspired. Still don't get it -- here are some pictures to bring it to life.

We throw a full-blown fashion show, this year with the latest styles from Vera Wang and our own seven! lines of bridesmaid dresses.

Did I mention that we hold The Wedding Party at The Breakers, Palm Beach, too?

We have live music -- actually a band showcase for 4 hours, and amazing raffle prizes from our sponsors, presented in the glorious Palace Hotel Villard Ballroom.

We throw a VIP luncheon, designed by Colin Cowie no less, for brides who want to connect with our celebrity hosts: Martha Stewart Weddings' Darcy Miller, Colin, and us!
We have celebrity speakers who present and inform -- like Lela Rose, Reem Acra, Mark Ingram, Mark Badgley and James Mischka, Colin Cowie, Preston Bailey, Sylvia Weinstock, Darcy Miller...

We have hundreds of brides who attend our events to be inspired! Luxury brands such as Guerlain, Temperley, Oscar de la Renta, Mikimoto, Martha Stewart Weddings, Wedgwood, Exhale Spa, Four Seasons Maui, Blue Star Private Jets participate. National brands such as Victoria's Secret, Gumuchian fine jewelry, WeTV, Brides Magazine, Macy's, and Barbados and Bahamas Departments of Tourism reach great brides at The Wedding Party.

Our vendors provide hands-on fun -- from makeovers to tastings. We have bouquet-making and sugar-flower crafting demonstrations, fun give-aways and amazing gift bags.

Over the top presentations by our vendor participants, too!

The New York Palace Hotel provides the stunning five-star backdrop for our event. Both ballrooms and 13 other meeting rooms plus all the common spaces on their immaculate 5th floor make this event undeniably the most luxurious in New York.

Live music throughout the event, along with our signature live bridesmaid mannequins and informal bridal models add to the experience.

The fabulous Palace Hotel Courtyard was host to treat trucks which served one last (edible) experience to brides on their way out. Until next year!

All photos courtesy of Elan Artists' Carlos Varela, Mel Barlow and Roey Yohai.