The Not So Fancy Wedding Show

For the first time in my life I decided to attend a wedding show, but little did I know what would be in store for me. I asked my fiancé to join me because I always admired his opinion and would love for him to be a part of the wedding planning. After stuck in traffic for over an hour on the highway going eastbound to Toronto we finally made it there. Turns out we parked on the wrong side of the Toronto Metro Convention Centre. Than the anticipation kicks in and realization that we only have two hours to see everything and not to mention we have no idea how to get to the other building. 

Eventually we managed to find our way to the wedding show and register our names in order to receive a badge. The purpose of this badge is so vendors can scan them in order to get emails or sign up for contests however the sad part was that 20% of the actual vendors scan your badge. Not to mention that many did not seem enthusiastic to be there which I think is very unfortunate that they have these people representing their businesses. 

There were only a handful of people that I met who seemed to be sincere and not pushy to book now and get a deal.  I honestly believe we should have made giant signs or hats so I didn't have to repeat myself over and over again about: When are you getting married? Are you the bride? How many people are you having at the Wedding? Each person will ask the same question and will give you that "Oh congratulations!" with a fake smile plastered on their faces. 

It never seems to amaze me on the sales pitch that they give you when your standing looking at their stuff. I had 15 different photography vendors try to sell me their "glass photo album with high quality paper" and that "it’s different from everyone else and is the best choice." Really? There is another booth across from you with the same book on their table! Like you can literally see it, and there is nothing different between the other 15 that I have seen in the past hour.

I honestly think the ideal search is sitting on my laptop in the comfort of my own home, and searching stuff online is more efficient than looking at these overpriced vendors who say they are giving you a deal. When in reality they're boosting the prices up for the event and than telling you they are giving you a discount. It is incredible how prices will change as soon as you tell them it is for a wedding.

My word of advice if you are attending a wedding show is to create shirts with your wedding information on them "Newly Engaged" "Wedding Day June 16/2015" "Yes, that’s right. I am the bride." Or even a better idea, the Wedding Show could make printed shirts instead of those pointless badges that no one uses. We all know the only reason why they collect your information is to give it to third parties for marketing and advertising purposes.

Why not print out shirts for everyone and pay a fraction of the price that it costs to rent out those fancy touch screen machines and printers. They could even create excitement by offering a variety of colours. They know we are going to keep them and they can brand their logo all over it for free advertisement implementing that we attended to the bridal show. 

My second advice to you will be to go to Michael’s Craft Store or any retailer that may offer this service and create a custom stamp with your personal information such as name, address, email and etc. It will literally be the best thing you have ever done and can bring it along for other wedding shows. 

No more filling out ballots and wasting time on them when you could be looking at other vendors. I promise you that you will thank me later. After the fifth ballot your hand starts to cramp and you will be carrying so much stuff by that time that you're juggling everything. Let’s be honest who doesn't like free things or the opportunity of being that lucky bride who wins her dream wedding!

And lastly, you should create a new email account before going to any bridal show. This will prevent getting bombarded by hundreds of emails and to avoid your emails getting mixed up. I recommend having fun with it and incorporating your names or wedding date in it. It is much more manageable and you wont get woken up in the morning with notifications on your phone.

Personally I think I will stay away from wedding shows for now and may or may not return to them in the future. I hope to ask friends who have been recently married in the past couple years and get their advice on their personal experiences about their wedding. Being in my twenties is definitely has its advantages since everyone you know is getting married and the best part is newly married woman are always so happy to help. 

Elizabeth - Bride to be