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Back in September, I attended my first big bridal expo (or show, or salon, or whatever). My friend and I scored free tickets through Weddingbee (sweet!), and I was pretty excited. But oh, you guys, I was such a naïve little bride. I imagined we would show up, be treated like royalty, find the best vendors in the city, and get so many free gifts that they would have to carry the boxes to our car for us.
Well…no. No, that’s not really what happened (and yes, I can hear you all laughing at me). Here’s the breakdown of what actually occurred:
I think the main downfall of this event was the sheer number of people they allowed in. There were times when I literally could. not. move. It would have been nice if the organizers had focused more on making the experience enjoyable for EVERYONE rather than catering to a mysterious VIP crowd.
While the crowds and lack of food were major downers, the experience wasn’t a complete disaster. I had never seen a nice table mock-up or centerpiece display before I attended the expo. Because of that, I was riding the “no flowers needed” train. I just didn’t see the point in spending so much money on something that would probably die the next day (dramatic, I know). Like I said, that was BEFORE I saw the displays at the expo. I mean WOW. I was a changed woman. Here’s some of what inspired me that night:
Personal photos
Gorgeous, right? It also didn’t hurt that everything was in my color scheme. So now I’m all about flowers. I want them on the table, on the aisle, on the walls…OK, maybe not on the walls.
Has anyone recently been to their first wedding expo? How did it go? Did you leave feeling inspired? Or just hungry for truffle fries?
#6 Drink many free blue beverages = AWESOME.
you’re a bee after my own heart, sparks!
~in my best Buddy the Elf voice~ What’s a truffle fry? I want one!
I’m not sure if another one will happen before your wedding date, but the best bridal expo I went to was IndieWed, held at the Ravenswood Event Center. It’s not your typical bridal expo (and I did go to one of those to meet a specific vendor…she gave me free tickets, and I think it was put on by Brides magazine or something). The only downside of any bridal expo in my opinion is the endless amount of junk mail, emails, and phone calls from vendors I’ve never even met. If I have any advice for brides, it’s put down false email and phone numbers!!!
Just for fun, I checked and they do have a show before your wedding date, but it’s only about 2 months before, not sure how much good that will do you. Here is a link:
http://www.indiewed.com/
@vaness13181: Thank you!!! I wanted to go to the last Indiewed show, but I was out of town. I might not need anything else by the time the next one rolls around, but you better believe I’m going, haha.
My first expo was last January. It was a mob scene full of deranged brides and their entourages and vendors I knew about already (and had mostly eliminated). Sounds like the ones in your area are much more inspiring!
Can someone please tell me where to get the candle vases in the last picture?? Love them!
Oh my goodness! I would have been right there with you. “Eating” champagne is one of my favorite past times 
These make me want flowers and I don’t want flowers. They will die. But these are pretty.
Aw, that sucks that your first experience was so lame! I’m part of a marketing team that puts on bridal shows, but we only do small scale, so you don’t have to deal with the crazy crowds and vying vendors. I think they would all do much better if they marked to smaller crowds, where you can really talk to the vendors, and everyone is a VIP!
Boo for being denied VIP status! That tablescape mock-up is lovely–I can see why it changed your mind about flowers!
Those flowers are great! And I’m not a fan of wedding expos, because I feel all awkward pants at them. I don’t know why.
ugh my one and only bridal show experience was horrible! The vendors were so pushy and not at all what i was looking for and for months after my email in box and regular mail box was flooded with junk mail!
@Miss Lox: Me freaking too. Hungry for those and champagne now!
Aww I’m so sorry that it went so badly for you. I have been to two, the local one was a bunch of vendors.I probably wouldn’t use, but last weekend I went to festival of brides in LA and it was really nice!! There was no VIP, and none of the sales people were pushy. We got a ton of coupons (like $300 off a dress) and saw a ton of great mock up and dresses!
I literally laughed out loud at you eating champagne. Love it!
I was fortunate to have worked a Bridal Extravaganza or two before having to attend one. They are so overwhelming. Glad you got to have champagne though! Pretty blue drinks at the ones I go to, cost a pretty penny.
Just happy that you discovered the bar in the corner with pretty blue beverages. =)
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Mrs. Sparkler, Chicago Age and Occupation: 27, Communications Aficionado Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Publisher Engagement Date: July 21, 2010 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Chicago Illuminating Company About Me: I’m a Southern lady living in the big city of Chicago. Well, lady may be a stretch, but I’m working hard to keep some Virginia charm in our sleek, urban, wedding-palooza! I’m addicted to marathons, not-so-famous bands, Chicago restaurants, and Mark Twain. I cry during SPCA commercials, and I think LOST was the best show to ever hit television. Mr. S and I met at a classy college mixer and, 7 years later, he’s still by my side. He’s the only child, laid back, free spirit... I’m the oldest of five kids, type-A, organizer. It doesn’t work on paper, but we’ve never paid attention to that stuff anyway. Somehow it works. And like they say, sometimes when you know…you just know.
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