Reading is a small city with about 10,000 citizens, just outside Cincinnati. It’s also home to the largest bridal district in North America! Our boutique, Blush Bridal Ohio, is located in the LOVE building at the edge of the renowned Reading Bridal District.
Cincinnati brides know that the best place to find their dresses is the Reading Bridal District, which also attracts weekend travelers from Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and beyond. Reading was a clothing manufacturing hotspot in the 1800s, and today the district is home to around 40 wedding-related shops within a walkable 2-mile radius.
Blush Bridal Ohio is one of several bridal gown shops in the Reading Bridal District. Our bridal gown shop carries top-notch wedding dress designers like Justin Alexander, Martin Thornburg, Sophia Tolli and Madi Lane. While visiting Blush Bridal Ohio is a must for brides-to-be, what should out-of-towners do after finding their wedding dress? Lucky for you, the team at Blush has some ideas for how to spend a weekend in the Queen City! There’s a lot to do in the 513, so make a weekend out of your wedding dress shopping excursion!
Before you visit the Reading Bridal District, make sure you pre-book bridal appointments online! Saturdays and Sundays are Blush’s busiest days and we want to make sure we have space for YOU!
If your work schedule allows, consider arriving in the Cincinnati area the evening before you begin gown shopping. This way, you can wake up well-rested and ready to shop! If you’d like to stay close to the Reading Bridal District, look for hotels in nearby Blue Ash, Oakley or Kenwood. Each area is home to fantastic restaurants and shopping. Check into your room and then head to a local eatery like Truva or Mazunte. You could also take a little stroll through Hyde Park, home to several incredible restaurants like Alfio’s or E+O and an adorable town square.
When you’re done with dinner, visit Kenwood Towne Centre, a Cincinnati shopping destination, featuring Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Tiffany & Co. and more. Afterward, head back to your hotel for a good night’s rest because you’ve got a big day ahead!
Today’s the day — you’re going to find your dream wedding dress at Blush Bridal Ohio! Put on your walking shoes, gather your crew and head to the Reading Bridal District. There are free parking lots all along Benson Street! Stop by Reading’s own Chasing Cali for a cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin. Not only is everything there delicious but the space is adorable. It’s the ideal spot to begin this special day.
When it’s time for your appointment, hustle over to Blush Bridal Ohio! Your stylist will be ready to help you find your perfect bridal dress. Appointments at Blush are 90 minutes long, allowing ample time to find your dress and a matching veil or hairpiece. We aim to be a one-stop shop! After selecting your gorgeous gown and snapping some “I Said Yes!” pics with your crew, it’s time for lunch!
Redwine & Co. is a popular spot in the Reading Bridal District and a favorite among our stylists! Celebrate finding your gown with a tasty cocktail, like a jalapeño margarita or pumpkin spice espresso martini. And since you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach, order a chicken wrap or loaded tater tots!
If you’re not ready to leave the Reading Bridal District, visit The Queen’s Lace, a boutique dedicated to mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom. This amazing shop treats moms like the royalty they are, and appointments should also be made ahead of your visit!
After finding mom her own unique dress, go back to your hotel for a quick nap or to freshen up – because there’s more celebrating to do! Head to Downtown Cincinnati’s fabulous Over-the-Rhine district. Do a little shopping before dinner! The Native One has some fashionable outfits (you know, for when you’re not wearing your wedding dress!), while Mica features specialty gift items and homewares.
OTR has so many top-tier restaurants that you might need to plan a second Cincinnati trip! For this weekend, visit Pepp & Dolores for Italian, Sudova for Eastern European or Sacred Beast (try the deviled eggs – trust us!). Reservations are encouraged at most downtown dinner spots. When you’re finished, hit up one of OTR’s bars like Cobblestone and buy a round for your entourage! They deserve it. Or if you don’t feel like imbibing, Graeter’s Ice Cream has an OTR location. Their Black Raspberry Chip is so tasty even Oprah is a fan!
There is always something fun going on in Downtown Cincinnati so be sure to check their calendar of events before you go! Maybe your bridal shopping weekend coincides with Oktoberfest, the BLINK light festival or a good ol’ Bengals or Reds game!
Once you’ve slept off your celebratory drinks (or ice cream), it’s time to explore one of Cincinnati’s attractions before heading home. There are several options, so you may only be able to visit one or two (we want you to come back to our fair city!).
You could spend your whole day at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Its collection includes works from Monet, Van Gogh and Warhol along with art from all over the world. The museum’s grounds feature stunning sculptures and an Art Climb if you want to get some steps in. (If you’re still looking for a wedding venue, you can even get married in the museum’s Great Hall or Courtyard!) You don’t have to leave the building for lunch — just stop by the charming Terrace Café! When you’re through with the museum, linger in Eden Park or Krohn Conservatory.
Not an art lover? Or have a kiddo in your group? The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the country. Don’t miss the Cheetah Encounter or Hippo Cove! (Before Moo Deng the hippo, there was Fiona — an icon to Cincinnatians!) The zoo also hosts several amazing holiday events if you’re visiting around Halloween or Christmas.
If you’d like to see a different view of Cincinnati’s breath-taking skyline (so beautiful, we even named a chili restaurant chain after it), go across the Ohio River to Kentucky. Newport and Covington both boast numerous restaurants and shops. Newport Aquarium is another popular destination for adults and children alike. When you’re finished, hit the road and reminisce about the highlights of your Cincinnati and Reading Bridal District weekend — maybe even pick up a coney on your way out of town!
We’re not going to lie – there are so many more gems to visit in Cincinnati than those covered in this blog. We didn’t even get to chat about the Cincinnati Museum Center, Findlay Market or Ault Park! When your little sister, friend or cousin gets married, we’d love to see you back in the Reading Bridal District.
Schedule an appointment at Blush Bridal Ohio to find your dream wedding dress! If you need more recommendations on making the most of your Cincinnati and Reading Bridal District weekend, don’t hesitate to ask. We love our city!
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