He added that they are an intrinsic part of life, especially in our socio-religious and family-oriented culture.

The exhibition was organised by Mirror, a monthly local fashion magazine at the Plenary Hall of the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre.

Festivity filled the air of the venue as the stylishly decorated stalls exhibited all items involved in a wedding -- from the invitation card printers, jewellery stalls by Apon Jewellers, Dia Gold, Arabians, displaying engagement and wedding rings and intricate gold ornaments.

From the plethora of established and emerging boutiques, saree and leather goods shops, like Dressy Dale, Rupahali, Khan Brothers, MATIr, to name a few, to decorators, like Ikebana, Polestora, and Divine and catererswith mouth watering dishes.

Beauticians like Women's World, La Femme, Rapunzel Day Spa and Beauty Studio and cosmetic companies, to well-known and prodigious portrait photographers, like Iqbal Ahmed, promising to capture the most wonderful wedding moments every step of the way were at arms length.

Pan Supari and Premium Sweets waited to tantalise visitor's taste buds!

The venue hustled and bustled with visitors scurrying jotting down phone numbers, collecting visiting cards and brochures, with a feeling elated as free benefits and discounts poured in.

La Femme offered free makeover on the last two days of the fair, while Women's World offered free skin tests and mehendi applications. Hertz offered rental of a brand new Mercedes Benz with a Tk. 3,000 slash on its regular rates, and coupons enticing visitors to win prizes of 10, 25 and 50 percent discounts.

Managing Editor and Publisher of Mirror, Shajahan Bhuiyan Razu, considers the prospect of a 'one-stop shop' where prospective brides and grooms, and their families, could browse in air-conditioned comfort.

The idea was to rule out the hassles of organising a wedding.

"I visited the bridal exhibition 'Celebrating Vivaha', at the Hotel Taj in Delhi and wondered, why not in Bangladesh?" said Shajahan.

The response has been phenomenal. Last year's show, arranged within seven days, had 20 participating companies with 35 stalls, and attracted 5,000 people a day.

This year, the number of participants in the exhibition has increased to 43, with 85 stalls in total, attracting over 6,000 visitors daily.

"Such wedding exhibitions "sure beats driving to different corners of the city to buy flowers, order invitations, and get your outfits made," said Shehzeen, a 24-year-old bride-to-be.

Stall owners said they receive a good response from visitors at such exhibitions and it helps to garner a stronger clientele base, which is a terrific offshoot.

Besides that, the exhibition has also turned into a platform for upcoming talents in the industry.

The exhibition ended yesterday on a grand note with an award giving ceremony, fashion show and dinner to round it all.