Bridal Show Jan 15-16 @ Dorton Arena

submitted by ActOfGod on Tuesday, January 4 2005 at 8:11 PM

Wedding: a “perfect” day resulting from many weeks and months spent picking vendors you don’t know and spending thousands of dollars on services you’ve never needed before. There’s a better way - the Wedding Show. There will be over 100 vendors in all professions in one place for you to interview, compare, schedule appointments, and more. Get great ideas, references, samples, and perhaps even a little peace of mind.

Tickets are $10 per person at the door, but if you buy a ticket on Saturday it is good for Sunday too! Show hours are 9-4 Saturday and 11-4 Sunday: be there early when the crowds are small to get the best one-on-one at the show.

Experienced tips on what to bring:
* Address labels – saves writing time
* Appointment book – for scheduling private interviews after the show
* A binder or folder with pockets, paper and pen – store handouts and write down good ideas
* Your budget, even if it’s just a rough idea – some vendors will be taking deposits for reservations or discounts, but they’re usually nonrefundable.

Come on out for a weekend of the perfect planning help!

posted by CrazyBenni on Tuesday, January 4 2005 at 10:50 PM

copy/paste list of the categories:

Bridal Wear
Bakeries
Balloon Decor
Calligraphy
Catering
Ceremony Site
Children's Clothing
Communications / Internet / Media
Consultant / Planner / Director
Cosmetics / Skincare / Hair
Dee Jays
Faith and Marriage / Counseling
Financial Services / Planning
Floral Preservation
Florist
Formal Wear
Gift Registry
Gifts, Favors and Accessories
Guest Accommodations
Health and Fitness
Honeymoon, Travel and Resorts
Home Decor
Invitations / Paper Goods
Jewelry / Jewelry Cleaner
Kitchen Accessories and Cookware
Lingerie
Musical Entertainment
Officiants / Clergy
Photography
Publications
Real Estate / Homes / Apartments
Reception / Rehearsal Dinner Site
Rental - Attire and Accessories
Rental - Supplies and Services
Transportation
Videography
Wedding Gown Cleaning and Preservation

if anyone has questions about the show they can PM me

1/5/2005 2:05:23 AM

Hmm...cool!

Thanks!!

1/5/2005 3:18:45 AM

damn nutty broads

1/5/2005 8:30:57 AM

oh, and YES, it's the same weekend as the Dixie Gun and Knife classic - I think the DGaK is in the flea market building so it's right next door. In other words, if your SO really wants to go to the classic, and you don't, you can compromise

1/5/2005 8:57:27 AM

the fact that this is posted on a college board kind of scares me.

1/5/2005 9:48:14 AM

Or, you could do something cheaper and crazier...

like getting married after skydiving..

like we did on New Year's Day!

1/5/2005 11:41:23 AM

now THAT is cool!

1/5/2005 11:45:02 AM

^That is cool!!

I went to this bridal show last year, and I have to say that I was just not that impressed. The only thing I enjoyed was eating the wedding cake samples! Otherwise, the show involves stopping by various vendor booths where vendors want you to give them your contact info before they will give you any info. For the two weeks after I went to this show last year, my phone rang off the hook from both vendors that I had given my info to, plus other people that they had given my info. It was really annoying and irritating. Then there are all these vendors at the show claiming to hold prize drawings, then they call you (and everyone else) the next week to tell you that you've "won," but really all you "win" is a discount from their service, and you have to go to them to even get it.

There was a dress fashion show, and it was interesting to an extent.

The show can be fun to go to if you've just gotten engaged, just to be in the wedding atmosphere, but I just can't say it was all that useful overall!

1/5/2005 2:07:54 PM

okay, I know "bttt" doesn't work for stories.

Anyway, it's true some people just don't get anything from the shows. They are pretty hectic, which is why I say go early in the day before the crowds get there and you'll get the best one-on-one time. Keep in mind too, the vendors who are only talking to paying customers are either (a) experiencing high purchase volume and don't want to mess up the order, or (b) are total jackasses and you don't need to deal with them anyway ... at least you'll learn something either way.

I personally felt very overwhelmed the first time I went into one - like coming out of a whirlwind. If you go in the middle of the day, just breeze through in an hour or less, collect flyers/paperwork, go elsewhere and grab some lunch or something while you review what you picked up, then go back. That's what I did and it was a lot more informative the second time through.

Appointments are always good ... be ready to make some, or at least ask the vendor to contact you about setting one. Most of the ones I've dealt with offer free consultations, generally consisting of at least one hour free of charge without having to buy anything first. Sometimes they charge an hourly rate after that - depends on the company.

If you're at all curious come on out - and if you get too bored, there are 4 other events on the fairgrounds this weekend so there will be plenty to do

1/12/2005 1:49:41 PM

Well, it looks like I am actually going to the show now b/c my sister just got engaged, and she wants to go!

Maybe I will enjoy it more now that I am not the bride!!

1/13/2005 3:01:48 PM

YAY! for a bridal show!!! Now we can scam on fiancee's "almost husbands"

1/20/2005 12:00:51 AM