Five years ago when Sean Lyn and Kibwe Mcgann approached Kara-Ann Anderson of Petals and Promises to partner with them to launch Jamaica’s first – and still the only – bridal week, none of them understood the journey that lay ahead of them. Their mandate then was to promote the business of weddings by placing the bridal consumer in direct contact with the many scattered bridal service providers across Kingston. Today, that mandate remains the same.

“Our formula has been simple. Bride meet Wedding vendor, Wedding vendor meet Bride” says Kibwe Mcgann. “When we did our research, the one thing that frustrated most brides was how difficult it was to navigate the local landscape in finding bridal service providers. It almost forced brides to employ a planner. Back then there was no Yellow Pages app and information wasn’t necessarily at your fingertips. We set out to simplify that by creating a space – the Bridal Mall- where vendors could display their goods and services with the promise that we (KBW) could deliver brides”

“When you think about it, we are a very ambitious team. With only a years experience under our belts, we invited and hosted Randy Fenoli of Say Yes To The Dress of TLC in 2013. It was only our second year. No one believed we could pull it off and we did. Two years ago we launched the Bridal Scavenger Hunt, the only one of its kind in the Caribbean. We’ve had the Huffington Post and She Caribbean Magazine feature us. We’ve had some amazing success achieved only by strong partnerships and great sponsors“ says the events financial director Sean Lyn.

To date, this formula has paid off as Kingston Bridal Week has grown annually adding new events year after year and forever refining its model and presentation. This year the Jamaica Yellow Pages is their title Sponsor in association with Toyota Jamaica, First Global Bank and Blaktie Entertainment.

On average, KBW courts almost six hundred brides and 1400 patrons annually. The exhibitors who attend Kingston Bridal Week also walk away with a cheat sheet, as the organizers make available the coveted bridal lead with all the wedding information they’ve collected from the brides.

“As a partner and creative director of Petals and Promises, Kingston Bridal Week was a logical fit an addition to the brand I represent. Petals and Promises knows brides and my team and I have planned over 500 weddings. Each year Kingston Bridal Week still surprises me when I realize how important this event is to young brides who are searching for vendors and help. Kingston Bridal Week is more than just an Expo or Fashion Shows; it is a lifestyle event catering way beyond a bride’s BIG day. Which is why we have partners such a Toyota Jamaica and First Global Bank. “ says Kara-Ann Anderson.

The Bridal market and expo is this Sunday, October 23 at Toyota Jamaica Showroom 93 Old Hope room. Doors open at 10:00am, Fashion shows 1:30pm and 4:00pm respectively. Admission $1000, children under 5 free. Kingston Bridal Week, Jamaica’s first and ONLY Bridal Week.

www.kingstonbridalweek.com