Bridal Shows, where do you start and what are they about?

Times Contributor

 

Bridal shows are often considered essential for every woman planning on getting married, but they can leave guests feeling overwhelmed.

Since June is considered the unofficial wedding month, owing mostly to warm weather and the Roman goddess of weddings, Juno,  wedding talk is abundant, and brides are ecstatic to be planning an upcoming wedding, or tying the knot soon. Bridal shows are a great opportunity for businesses to showcase their services and product, as well as give brides a chance to see new styles and trends.

Amanda Bazant, an event and wedding planner who owns Studio B Events in Strathmore, says that bridal shows are an excellent resource for brides and can provide many unique ideas and inspire a wedding. However, Bazant agrees that bridal shows can be intimidating and recommends a few things to try.

“Have a plan before you go in,” Bazant suggests. “If you only need to know about the florist, or decor, well then that’s where you should be putting all your focus on.”

Shelby Collett, a Strathmore bride who attended a bridal show Jan. 22, says that she wishes she would have been more organized since the bridal shows are so interesting and huge. Collett recommends going with “a list of specific things to check out” because although there are an array of things to see, it can be “a little overwhelming” and it can be hard to stay within your budget.

Bazant said writing a list of what you need, or even to decide on your “one splurge item” whether it is the cake, or the decor, or the venue, is the best strategy because it helps you stay focused. Once you have your main idea, it makes a bridal show “much more enjoyable.”

Bazant explains that there are a large amount of giveaways that you can enter at bridal shows, but recommends creating a separate website or e-mail exclusively for the purpose of your wedding, so you can be contacted separately with wedding inquiries.

“I would recommend [the shows] to other brides,” says Collett, “it was really great.”

There is a fall bridal show to be held in Strathmore on November 3, 2012, for brides who are eager to experience all a bridal show has to offer.