In case you’re curious, we haven’t made a decision yet on the
save-the-dates. But even if we did, I probably wouldn’t disclose which design
we chose since some of you will be receiving them soon! Keep your eyes on the
mail in December…
Now it’s time to talk about bridal shows.
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| Signing in at the bridal show. Thanks go to my mom for taking these photos! |
I went to one over the summer with my mother and maid of honor. And
like everything else in life, there are pros and cons to going to a bridal
show.
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| My maid of honor and I putting our names in a drawing for who knows what. |
Pros:
-It’s more or less a catalyst of ideas—you can see dresses that are on
display from different vendors to generate ideas for your dream dress. You can talk with
photographers about your vision and get feedback on how that might translate
into the actual photos. You can even meet dermatologists who may have helpful
advice on skin problems that you might have. The list goes on and on.
-So many vendors come to share their wedding-related services. You can
make a lot of connections this way and even decide on some of the vendors you
might want to book. I actually met my photographer at the bridal show I went
to.
-Some vendors offer discounts if you book with them on the day of the
bridal show.
-There are lots of drawings and contests to enter! Take advantage of
this—sign up for everything. Have whoever’s with you sign up for everything,
too. Although the odds were low that I’d actually win something, I did get
contacted by Celebrity China, who told me that I had won a “free gift.”
(Perhaps my next entry will be about our experience with them… there’s a lot to
talk about on this.)
-It’s exciting. Even for a quiet and somewhat shy person like myself,
I enjoyed the atmosphere of brides (and some grooms) getting geared up for
their wedding day. Any time I get the chance to gather ideas for my wedding, I
get really excited. And this was another opportunity to do that so I enjoyed
it.
-Free stuff! I went over to the David’s Bridal booth to see what
they were advertising (even though I had already done my shopping there). One
of the reps started talking to me and I mentioned that I was planning on going
to their store later that evening to pick up a bridesmaid dress. Because of
that, she set up a faux appointment for me (I already had one), and gave me a $20
gift card to Shutterfly for “making an appointment with them.” Also, a couple
of vendors were handing out free cookies—no strings attached. Who doesn’t like
free cookies?
Cons:
-Obviously, vendors are still basically trying to sell you stuff. So
if you’re not a fan of advertising (and who is, unless you’re the advertiser?),
it can be kind of annoying.
-The drawings and contests are great if you’re okay with your contact
information being given out to tons of vendors. There’s always that off chance
that you could win something, but either way—you’re going to be bombarded with emails
from the vendors (and their affiliates) from here on out. So be prepared for
lots of ruthless advertising headed your way.
-It’s exciting, but it can also be a headache. It’s extremely loud and
crowded. If you’re not a people person and you’re not ready for it, it can
catch you off guard. If you’d rather shop around for vendors online or go to a
bridal store late in the evening when hardly anyone’s there, a bridal show may
not be your cup of tea. Personally, I’m not a big fan of crowds but I got over
my phobia for a few hours for the sake of getting ideas and having fun.
-There’s almost always a catch with the “free” stuff. At the bridal show
we went to, my mom spun a random prize wheel just for the heck of it. She “won”
an all-expenses-paid-vacation, but when she talked to the rep, there was a
catch—you had to be “eligible,” and of course, airfare and all that jazz were
not included.
So if you’re willing to spend a few hours with hundreds of other
brides, sifting through a chaotic maze of wedding vendors, I’d
recommend going to a bridal show. After all, you never know until you try it.
Ideas for next entry:
-Cookware/China
-Food
-Invitations
-Your Choice
-Paige
