Bridal Show Offers Chance to Help Women

Hundreds of brides-to-be thinking about planning a wedding in Bucks County will descend on the visitors' center this weekend, but some will be bringing freebies, rather than looking for them.

The women attending the 3rd Annual Bucks County Bridal Show will be able to donate gently used dresses to A Woman's Place, the Doylestown-based nonprofit dedicated to domestic violence victims.

"Because its a bridal show, we thought the bridesmaids dresses would be a good fit," said Michelle Greco, of Visit Bucks County, the visitor's bureau which is organizing the show. "Brides can drop off thieir formal dresses, cocktail dresses, bridesmaids' dresses, anything, really. A Woman’s Place then takes the dresses and either gives them directly to women in their programs or they sell them in their retail store."

The bridal show runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the county's visitor's center, 3207 Street Rd., Bensalem. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to register ahead of time for a chance to win a Bucks County getaway.

The show features more than 40 exhibitors, including hotels and venues such as Peddlers Village, Bucks County Riverboat and Crossing Vineyards & Winery, bakeries such as Buckingham's Town Crier Bakery and photographers, such as Anthony Sinagoga Photography, and more.

Last year's bridal show attracted hundreds of guests, Greco said.

"We’re trying to make it really fun for everyone," she said. "Last year we had more than 700 people, brides and their mothers and bridesmaids, just lined up waiting for the doors to open."

New this year, Greco said, is a "groom's room" with a big TV showing the Flyers game, which starts at 12:30 p.m. The guys also will get snacks, vouchers from Dave & Busters and Chickies & Pete’s and more.

The visitor's bureau is promoting the bridal show using social media, too. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #bucksbridal. Plus, attendees who check in using the location-based app Foursquare will be entered into a drawing for a bed and breakfast getaway.