Bridal Show, Schmidal Show

Bridal Show, Schmidal Show

April 26th, 2010 @ 5:23 pm by Mrs. Argyle
Share

First off, I can feel your eyes of judgment staring at me… yes, I’ve slacked on blogging. Forgive me as full-time work and part-time graduate school has owned my life the past few weeks. But, I digress.

So, bridal show, schmidal show. That pretty much sums up how I feel about them.

Literally the weekend after Mr. A and I got engaged, there was a bridal show taking place at one of the casino resorts in town. So, with a good friend (Bridesmaid KD) and my Mom in tow, we showed up not knowing what the expect. Not sure if that was good or bad…

I get it. Bridal shows can be helpful to some brides, but not this one. At that time, I already pretty much knew which vendors I wanted, or at least an idea. We had also narrowed down what venues we wanted to tour.

So basically, there should be a disclaimer on how overwhelming these things are.

All these vendors were attacking us, and handing us paper goods (which broke my heart). I took all of the fliers I received and dropped them in our recycling bin when I got home.

On the other hand—hello free food samples. It was great to be able to taste catering and cake samples to get an idea of all of the options in town.

Did you have a good or bad experience with bridal shows? Did you book any vendors you met at any of them?

Tags: bridal-show, st louis |

Share |

Latest Gallery Pics

Hot Pink and White with Zebra 36" Lighted Spandex Ostrich Feather Centerpiece

23 Responses to “Bridal Show, Schmidal Show”

1 2 Last

Bee

Miss Hamster (message) 4,046 posts, Honey bee

Definitely agree with you - they are very overwhelming. I could see how they might be useful for someone looking to book vendors, but since I already had/have my vendors booked, I’m in it for the food

4/26/10 @ 5:24 pm (reply)

Member

ktbrady (message) 1,054 posts, Bumble bee

I won an entire set of cookware…so I was happy with that part of the bridal show!

4/26/10 @ 5:38 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Seashell (message) 1,713 posts, Bumble bee

I’ve never been to one, and I probably never will! I have heard people have won some crazy things, though! That part could definitely could be cool! I’m with @Miss Hamster: I’d be in it for the food!

4/26/10 @ 5:40 pm (reply)

Member

alivoo01 (message) 2,622 posts, Sugar bee

I booked my videographer that I met at the bridal show. Actually, I inquired and contacted them prior to the show and they informed me they would be there so I swung by their booth to meeth them. Plus, by meeting them at the bridal show, I got a bridal show discount!

4/26/10 @ 5:55 pm (reply)

Member

jordynrose (message) 6,351 posts, Bee Keeper

I have never went to one, and don’t plan on it. The whole thing seems super unappealing to me.

4/26/10 @ 6:14 pm (reply)

Member

futuremrssteel (message) 60 posts, Worker bee

I was super duper overwhelmed. I agree… a warning would have been nice.

4/26/10 @ 6:46 pm (reply)

Hostess

Jessie516 (message) 5,480 posts, Bee Keeper

I had the exact same experience as you did at the bridal shows I went to! I think part of the issue was that because of the timing of “bridal show season”, I had already made most of our big decisions by the time we went. I felt totally overwhelmed and like I had spent the evening with a bunch of used car salesmen!

4/26/10 @ 7:00 pm (reply)

Member

vttp926 (message) 537 posts, Busy bee

I went to one with my friend when she was beginning to plan her wedding. I was actually underwhelmed with the representation out there. It was probably less than 30 vendors and a lot of it where things we didn’t need but got bombarded with spam from afterwards.

4/26/10 @ 7:28 pm (reply)

Guest

Greene

We went to a Bridal Show one Saturday when we were up visiting friends- the only thing we got out of it… 1/2 price photos!
(also came with dj and light services but our DJ is free and didn’t see the point in lighting)

4/26/10 @ 7:50 pm (reply)

10.

Bee

Mrs. Pug (message) 3,753 posts, Honey bee

at least you got some food! but yes, i can see how bridal shows can be overwhelming, with or without having any vendors already lined up!

4/26/10 @ 7:59 pm (reply)

11.

Bee

Miss Cola (message) 2,868 posts, Sugar bee

I pretty much agree with you on this! When I went to a bridal show, I really pretty much already had all my vendors, but the food was great! It was both overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time!

4/26/10 @ 8:24 pm (reply)

12.

Bee

Miss Lobster (message) 668 posts, Busy bee

Bridal Shows = Scary to me. Good cake though!

4/26/10 @ 8:46 pm (reply)

13.

Member

brittanyharvey (message) 177 posts, Blushing bee

i got my cake flavor idea kinda from a bridal show, but that’s about it, beside finding out what i didn’t want!

4/26/10 @ 10:28 pm (reply)

14.

Member

Salsals (message) 100 posts, Blushing bee

I’m so with you! I went to one, and we had to wait about 30 mins in line to get in, and then it was completely packed and crowded when we got in. Since I wasn’t far along enough in planning to have any idea what kind of vendors I needed/wanted, I just entered tons and tons of free raffles. Not realizing that…they use the contact info you enter for the raffles to email/call/generally stalk you. Gahhhh I’m STILL getting emails! AND then I realized that half of those raffles (at least the ones I allegedly won anyway) are quasi-scams where you have to go have expensive cookware hawked at you in a random warehouse in for hours on a Saturday. Epic fail.

4/26/10 @ 10:50 pm (reply)

15.

Member

shaydenise (message) 1,151 posts, Bumble bee

For the record NONE of my vendors had booths set up at the two bridal shows I went to. Everything was just so cheesy and not US. I’m definitely with you on the not-so-happy thoughts about them lol.

4/27/10 @ 9:55 am (reply)

16.

Member

Miss Pinot Grigio (message) 1,410 posts, Bumble bee

I was dragged to so many shows as a bridesmaid, I never wanted to go to one by the time I was engaged! They can be overwhelming…

4/27/10 @ 10:19 am (reply)

17.

Bee

Miss Stripes (message) 1,063 posts, Bumble bee

LOL. I went to one bridal show back when I was a MOH for Lil’ Stripe and before we’d even made the full rotation Bridesmaid J had turned to me and said, “yeesh, where’s the bar. I need a drink” A sympathetic (and tortured) looking vendor overheard and directed us appropriately. And we left and had a drink. The whole thing was too overwhelming and also mostly showcased vendors who were so out of our price range! I’m sure there were a few gems there, but we were too busy running for the door to search ‘em out!

4/27/10 @ 10:40 am (reply)

18.

Member

Ms. Library (message) 1,250 posts, Bumble bee

We actually met our photographer there. Mr. Library had done a play with him, recognized him, and then was really excited with his pictures. It was a great find! Otherwise, the bridal show was really overwhelming and kind of pushy.

4/27/10 @ 12:20 pm (reply)

19.

Member

krissybee (message) 3,921 posts, Honey bee

i’ve only been to a few for my sister and friend when i was a bridesmaid. Now that i’m the bride i’m going to pass on them. just not my thing and i’m pretty opinionated and have tons o ideas… i don’t need to be sold on anything and everything in an hour period. ha!

4/27/10 @ 12:48 pm (reply)

20.

Bee

Miss Argyle (message) 2,516 posts, Sugar bee

@ktbrady: That’s pretty awesome! Wish I had won something!

@Miss Seashell: Yes! Free food! Yum!

@vttp926: Always give out a fake or dummy account that you set up! That way you don’t get spammed.

@Miss Stripes: Haha, that was the first thing Mom and I did. “Where’s the wine?”

@Ms. Library: It’s good to recognize someone - otherwise you’re just wandering around hoping no one hounds you.

@krissybee: Yes! Now if I go with a friend, I seek out the food, wine and cake and walk around like I own the place, haha. They never seem to bug you if you don’t make eye contact, haha.

4/27/10 @ 12:56 pm (reply)

1 2 Last