Weddingbee Blog

A few of you commented that you’d like to see more information on bridal fairs. Here are a few listings and bridal show sites I bookmarked when I was still contemplating going to them.

[National]
WeddingChannel.com has a listing of bridal and trunk shows going on throughout the country.
The Great Bridal Expo - Seems to have locations nationally.

[Southern California]
For Los Angeles area brides, these sites have good listings:
Bridal Bar’s Calendar of Events
Here Comes the Guide (Southern California listings) - You can pick up a free copy of their guide at all the fairs listed.
myLosAngelesWedding.com’s Upcoming Events
Brideworld Expo - This Sunday in Riverside, next weekend at the LA Convention Center, and in Orange County April 1st. Get free tickets at select Things Remembered stores while supplies last.

[Honarary Mention]
Patina Bride is mentioned in a few of those listings, but it has unfortunately passed. Jenny from Red Loft Studios was the official photographer for the day, and here is her blog entry about the event.

The Los Angeles platinum standard of bridal shows seems to be A Soolip Wedding. Tickets are steep, at $55-65 a pop (currently $65), but I’ve heard it’s worth it just to get inspired. I resisted going as I knew I’d start to want more than my budget would allow.

[My Honest Opinion]
OK, so I have only ever been to one show. Most shows’ websites immediately turned me off. I know you can’t always judge all wedding vendors by their websites [my caterer, for example, has a pink, glittery site that would normally drive me away, but I'm SO glad I gave them a chance]. Plus, recent brides had told me that they weren’t all that great or helpful, save for the few, high-end ones. Even those were only helpful to get ideas from, for someone with my budget. Many told me not to waste my money on any that cost anything (again, save for the likes of Soolip and Patina). I prefer to find vendors via word of mouth and after reading or hearing real reviews from real, recent brides, so I knew I wouldn’t necessarily come away from a show with vendors.

What the are useful for: free magazines, free food/drinks/chocolate/cake/edible samples, free totes that you will never use again, tablescape and floral ideas, asking your fiance’s opinion on dresses as they come down the runway to get a feel for what he might and might not like on you, and Men’s Wearhouse coupons for tux rentals that are a good deal.

I will eventually edit my review of The One Show I Have Actually Attended and post for public consumption. Until then, hasta la pasta!