Navigating a Bridal Show… Tips From The Blog

Navigating a Bridal Show…Tips from the Blog

Attending bridal shows are exciting, fun and exhausting all at the same time.  There are basically 3 different types of bridal shows, so, plan accordingly before attending.

The Big Ones!

These bridal shows are great for the newly engaged and very excited brides-to-be because there is LOTS of excitement, lots of energy, and lots of free stuff. At these bridal shows you will meet multiple vendors who offer the same type of service. The benefits are:

  •  You can sign up to win stuff
  •  You can see a fashion show of what is in style this season and next
  •  You can taste LOTS of different types of foods and treats
  •  You will take home a lot of freebie type of marketing paraphernalia

The following tips will help you with “the big ones”

1. Create a separate e-mail address for just your wedding and the vendors. This way, once you are married, it can be erased, saving you valuable e-mail space.
2. Create labels that include: bride’s name, groom’s name, address, phone number, e-mail address and wedding date. Print out a few sheets of these and take them with you.
3. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a bottle of water. These shows are BIG, so you will have to buy drinks if you don’t bring them with you.
4. Bring your calendar to know what days you are available. Many vendors offer discounts if you book a consultation appointment with them on the spot.
5. Be patient. These shows are busy.  You will have to wait on line to get in, to register, and to see the vendors you are interested in.
6. Bring a camera. With all the displays there will be certain design aspects that will catch your eye and help the vendor you choose make your dream wedding a reality. (Be sure to ask 1st if it’s OK to take photos)

Example: http://tampabaybridalexpos.com

Big Event Shows

The Boutique Events

These events are great for those who like more one on one time with vendors. These events are usually held in more intimate locations, off beat places, or spaces that you might not know you could consider holding an event.

These events generally have only 1 or 2 vendors per service type. They may have a small fashion show or even an area where you could try on gowns.

These events are intimate, and give you time to really speak with and hear the vendors; You might even be able to have a little one on one Q & A right in the vendor booth.

There won’t be the same type of crowds and there will be way less giveaways and freebies.

These events are great to attend after you have had your fill of THE BIG ONES, or if you just like smaller, quieter types of events.

Example: https://www.facebook.com/events/532565216798856/

small show

The Trunk shows or Open Houses

These shows are small, usually held within the venue that is marketing the event.  At these events you will find the following…Vendor specific push. What does this mean?:

  •  If the location is a caterer, they will be showcasing food, with a few “preferred” vendors
  •  If the host is a bridal gown house, they will have gowns on display for you to try on, and will have some of their favorite support vendors there for you to speak with.
  •  Because these shows are small, there isn’t usually a fee for entrance or an RSVP needed. You may only need 30 minutes to navigate the entire event.

These shows are great for making final decisions on specific vendor types.

Example: http://whitemagnoliabridal.com/our_events.html

trunk show

Each kind of show has it’s own value. You need to decide which one is most valuable to you!

Now…go and have yourself a wholesale fresh flower day!

Link: check out one of Brides N Blooms Wholesale & Designs “Party It Forward©” boutique shows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dot_ps2mWk&hd=1

Secret Ingredient…

Sometimes I think I am so lucky…. I have a job where I get to work with my great friend Dorelle! I get to work with pretty flowers! I get to create artistic things and usually we are working on something happy and full of joy. Best of all though, we get to meet lots of people!

I have always been an artist and I’ve worked in many mediums. (Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, flowers are a medium). When left to my own devices I like to try something new or put colors and flowers together in fun patterns!  As consultants though, it is our job to listen to what our client wants and make that vision a reality. Give us a picture and we can make that happen. Explain your vision and we will work hard to bring that picture in your head to life.

Occasionally, there is the  client who really doesn’t know what they want and has absolutely no vision for their big day.  Sometimes we have the DIY client, who calls our Wholesale division and needs some guidance.  That is where Dorelle excels. She is the idea girl. If someone who calls needs some help, she will spend the time helping them bring their vision together. In our Design division I am sure that is why we work together so well. Whatever she dreams up, I will try!

Our families and friends have said we should be in a TV reality show because we play off each other so well. I’m not sure how entertaining for the masses that would be, but for us when working on a project it certainly makes the day more enjoyable. I know it is clear to our clients that we love what we do and we like working together.  Flowers, Friends & Fun. I think those are our secret ingredients and is there a better way to work than that?

Some fun floral designs:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q9ffmkYdwE&hd=1

Ellen & Dorelle

Friends & Business Partners!

Friends & Business Partners!

It’s going to take some time to plan…

So, you’re finally ready to plan the big event! It could be a wedding, a bar/bat mitzvah, quinceanera, birthday or anniversary celebration.  One thing is for certain, it’s going to cost money and it’s going to take some time to plan.

My advice is simple, and straight forward:

1.   Start early:

checklist girl

Whenever possible, give yourself enough time to find the right venue & vendors. Interview vendors and make smart decisions based on solid information and choice rather than being forced to take whatever is available.

Make a list of what you need to do in order of importance and as you gain each piece, check it off on your list as done.

2.      Make a budget:

piggies

If you are like most everyone, money is going to be a big factor in planning your event. It will more than likely dictate each facet, so decide what is most important to you down to what is the least important to you. Be realistic about what each vendor will need to get what you want. It’s okay to be frugal, but don’t expect a $50,000 wedding on a $10,000 budget.

Brides N Blooms Wholesale and Design always asks our clients for their floral budget in our initial consultation. It helps the client think about what they will be comfortable spending and keeps us both on target with their budget range. It also helps us decide what flowers & design work we can offer without breaking the bank. We always tell our clients it is not our intention to reach into your pocket and take what you do not have to spend. There is nothing worse than having a client’s hopes for something be completely dashed because what we discussed ended up being totally out of their budget comfort zone. Remember, “budget” is not a dirty word, it’s a necessary word. No one will fault you for having a budget; we all just need to know what your comfort range is!

3.      Get Referrals:

coffee

If this is the first time you are planning a big event, talk to friends and family who have been there before. They will have insight into details that you might not have thought of.  Ask for and about the vendors they used and what they thought. If there is a vendor you seek that offers something new or is something that your friends/family didn’t have at their event, ask other vendors that you’ve contracted with if they can help. Many times when sitting down with a client we will share the names of different vendors we trust and have worked with. So don’t be afraid to ask. If you have the resources to use an event planner, that is a great option as well.

The time to plan goes by so fast, though sometimes it feels like you will never be done! If you are organized and keep to your budget and goals when the big day arrives you will be able to sit back and enjoy the day with all the happiness it deserves!

Now go plan to have a wonderful wholesale flower filled day!

Some wedding floral ideas by Brides N Blooms Designs:  http://pinterest.com/bridesnblmsdsn/roses-bouquets/    http://pinterest.com/bridesnblmsdsn/wedding-decor-miscellaneous-items/

 

Food Trucks for your Wedding?

As our long time readers know, we are all about bringing cool and unusual vendors to the forefront. No, they aren’t all for everyone, but, it’s good to know what’s out there, that might spark some interest.

This time we are going to highlight food trucks. Yes, I went there…Food trucks have made there mark on the culinary landscape.

They have food trucks that specialize in pretty much anything you may want. In fact, you could have your entire event catered by food truck chefs.

DC-wedding-food-truck-by-Poetic-Reality-Photography

Start with a truck that specializes in sandwiches or small bite morsels, for your Cocktail hour.  https://www.facebook.com/PaniniRiffic &  http://www.spunkyspirits.com to bring the cocktails.

Then bring on the Entrée truck… http://www.mobilemunchiez.com/

You could have almost ANYTHING you could think of. Got Vegan friends, Yeah there’s a truck for that.  http://www.therandyradish.com/

Now the best truck drives up, the Dessert truck… http://www.smoothinandshaken.com/

So in days gone by we had chocolate fountains (nice, but, messy)

Then we had Dessert tables (awesome for take-home goodies)

The cookies and milk/coffee doggie bags (very nice for those who maybe a bit tipsy from the open bar)

But, imagine being able to bring your guests outside, and instead of the “ice cream truck” which, in the Summer is still a GREAT option, they would enter the Dessert truck. They could pick out whatever desserts their heart desired, and it would all be “FREE”…

Wait..what if you gave them a Golden ticket to enter the dessert truck…but, I digress as thoughts of Willie Wonka fill my head.

Go on, dream it up, You are sure to find a “food truck” for that. I have found that the chefs on the trucks are more than willing to work with you, to get the very best bang for your buck, AND bring the cool element to your event.

Now, go have yourself a wholesale flower filled day…Remember, bridesnblooms.com where the flowers are always fresh from the farms to your arms. Wholesale flowers and design, helping you save money on your bulk flowers, one event at a time.

Links for more vendors: https://bridesnblooms.com/links.html

We’re Back!

We’re Back! It’s been a little while since we were here, but now we’re ready to share everything that we’ve been doing while we were gone!

After a busy wedding season with lots of wonderful Brides & parties we needed to spend a little time with our families and get a little R & R in. So, we took a little time off!  Everyone needs a break once in awhile! Even your friends at Brides N Blooms, Wholesale & Design!

Relaxing is fun!

Relaxing is fun!

After we returned to our work space we took a good look around and decided things needed to be organized. We had fun going through our inventory, deciding what we still wanted and what we no longer needed. We loved finding some little forgotten treasures and going through the boxes of items we hadn’t seen in awhile. We are so much happier with our space now. It is neat and organized and ready for work!

We're working hard!

Organizing things is a big job!

So now its back to work! We have been attending seminars and networking meetings, keeping up with what other event professionals are doing and researching new ideas and trends in our industry. We are working on a new look for our Brides N Blooms Design page. Keep an eye out for our new logo design!  July will bring a new sales special and plans for our next Party It Forward© are in the works! All of it is very exciting and we’re so grateful that our family and friends are supporting us through this whirlwind of change.

Hard at work!!

Hard at work!

This past spring seemed to bring out the “nautical” in our Brides. We provided flowers and designs for some beautiful Nautical/Beach themed weddings throughout the Tampa Bay area. We loved being a part of each and every one of them! We were lucky enough to do events on yachts on both sides of the Bay as well as A lovely beach/nautical themed wedding at the Carlouel Yacht Club in Clearwater Beach.

We were very excited to have been a part of two beautiful weddings at the Indian Cultural Center in Tampa as well as a  fairytale themed wedding at the Event Factory.

Our wholesale division shipped lots of flowers to Brides and event hosts all over the US. We always enjoy hearing how happy our customers are with their flowers and what they did with them! Brides N Blooms as a company is all about giving back and doing good for the community. So, following in the footsteps of  “Random Acts of Flowers” we donate all leftover flowers and floral designs to a local nursing home.  Thankfully it has been a wonderful year so far, and we look forward to working with all our new clients in this upcoming season.

fireworks

On a final note, we wish everyone a great Independence Day! Get your red, white and blue on and remember our troops who make it possible for us to celebrate our freedom!

Wedding photos:        https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.474423635978509.1073741840.235756349845240&type=3                                                                                                                                                                  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.472385626182310.1073741839.235756349845240&type=3

The best Wedding Dress for Less!

From time to time there are great articles written that deserve to be shared. I found this article in dailyfinance.com. I thought you might be interested in finding out some other ways to buy your bridal gown that you may not have thought about. 🙂

You’ve been dreaming of this day for years: Your boyfriend finally popped the question, and you’ve set a wedding date.

Now starts the hunt for a bridal gown that will make you feel like the most beautiful girl in the world but won’t have you crying down the aisle because you’ve spent a small fortune on something you’ll (hopefully) only wear once. Don’t fret: We’ve explored the costs of buying a dress at bridal salons, retail chains, sample sales and online resale resources — and offered tips for landing a solid deal from each option.

Bridal Salons

Nothing will beat the service and pampering you’ll get at a bridal salon. And for many women, the experience of shopping at a store dedicated to their big day is a rite of passage — but at what cost?

On average, brides spent about $1,100 for a wedding dress last year, and an overwhelming number of them –58% — purchased their gown at a local bridal salon, according to The Real Weddings Study by The Knot, the wedding planning resource.

Dresses purchased at bridal salons will tend to be more expensive, Rachel Leonard, fashion director for BRIDES magazine, told WalletPop, “[because] they’ll be made to order.” It’s where you’ll end up with a dress that will fit you well with more exacting alterations because that’s the store’s specialty, she adds.

What’s more, Leonard offers, “They’ll make it more of a special experience, and you’ll be waited on.”

At a bridal salon, you’ll have a plethora of dress choices from a variety of designers, Amy Eisinger, associate editor of WeddingChannel.com, told WalletPop. This means dresses will run the gamut from formal, traditional and ornate poofy frocks to classic and modern looks.

If you’re looking for that pampered salon treatment but still want to land a deal, consider this:

Bridal salons range from the moderate to the upscale. To find a lower-priced dress, look for salons that include gowns in their collection that come from vendors that specialize in more affordable fare, such as Maggie Sottero, Allure and Watters & Watters, Leonard suggests. These suppliers, she says, “make good, classic wedding dresses ..and you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck.”

Dresses from these manufacturers will generally range in price from about $500 to $1,700, Leonard says, although there will be a wide selection at the lower end of that range at the moderately priced salons. You’ll get an even better deal if you buy one that’s on sale.

You’ll also pay less for a dress with a simple silhouette without a lot of embellishments, internal structure, or yards and yards of taffeta or organza, Eisinger says.

Another big way to save? “Avoid custom alterations, or keep them to a minimum,” Eisinger suggests. For instance, stay away from altering the neckline or changing a dress from short to long sleeves. Instead, try to find a dress that already incorporates these details.

If you must have alterations made, compare the cost of altering your dress at the bridal salon with the cost of using an outside tailor, who might be less expensive.

And then there’s that old rule: “If you stick the word ‘wedding’ on anything, the price tends to go up,” Eisinger says. If you do tap a regular tailor, get quotes from several different tailors before making your decision and make sure they have experience and are adept at altering bridal gowns.

National Bridal Chains

National bridal chains, such as David’s Bridal and Alfred Angelo, offer a huge selection of dresses in all different sizes and styles at mostly affordable prices. In general, these bridal chains sell their own brand of dresses, save for some exclusive and licensed collections.

According to Leonard, the dresses these stores sell are typically made from a less expensive fabric than what you’ll find at a bridal salon.

“But there’s no question that buying off the rack will save you a lot,” Eisinger says.

At Alfred Angelo, for instance, dresses range from $199 to $3,000, with most hovering in the $599 price range, says the chain’s spokeswoman, Amanda Sheronas. “The gowns that we create fit every woman’s price point and budget,” Sheronas adds.

At David’s Bridal, dresses are priced from about $299 to $1,400, but you can find sale dresses for as low as $100. If you’ve got your heart set on a dress from a big-name designer, the retailer now sells White, an exclusive line from none other than Vera Wang, with dresses priced from $600 to $1,400. The line was created to give more brides a chance to wear “the designer gown of their dreams at an attainable price point,” according to a David’s Bridal press statement.

Retail Stores Say “I Do” to Bridal

More and more non-bridal retailers, particularly specialty apparel chains, are getting into the wedding dress business — and their collections are typically less expensive than what’s sold at a bridal salon.

If you’re willing to step outside the bridal box, check out the wedding dresses at Ann Taylor, White House Black Market, J. Crew and Urban Outfitters’ new Anthropologie spin-off division, BHLDN (Beholden) to see if they strike your fancy.

Just know that you likely won’t find the pomp-and-circumstance-type gown that’s available in a bridal boutique. For the most part, these retailers are offering simpler silhouettes that generally won’t be as formal, Eisinger says. If you’re having a more casual affair, be sure to check out these retailers’ stock of non-bridal white dresses that can double as a wedding dress, Eisinger says, which is another great way to save.

And it’s the affordability factor that just might win you over. For example, wedding dresses at White House Black Market range from about $348 to $698. Dresses at Ann Taylor go for as low as $300 for a simple, tulle, strapless number to $896 for an all-over lace gown; many of Ann Taylor’s dresses hover in the $395 to $499 range.

At J. Crew and Beholden, the dresses tend to be pricier. Still, you can find a $300 dress at J. Crew, but you’ll also see ones that go for as much as $3,500.

There’s one big compromise to consider when shopping at these lower-priced retailers: Dresses at these stores are mostly online exclusives, which means you can’t try them on. (A few of these retailers carry bridal dresses in a handful of their stores.) So before you buy, be sure to check retailers’ return policies.

One slightly unusual source you might to consider is Costco, which entered the bridal business this year with its Signature collection of dresses from designer Kirstie Kelly. And while you can land a deal, you won’t necessarily land a steal: Costco’s dresses, which are being sold in a handful of stores, range from about $600 to as high as $1,400.

Sample Sales

Bridal salons — as well as off-price department store Filene’s Basement, with its Running of the Brides event — hold sample sales a few times a year, where brides-to-be can score dresses for discounts of as much as 80% off the original price.

These sales can be like frenzied sporting events, as shoppers compete to snatch up a limited supply of bargain dresses.

Just know this: “You should be prepared to pay in cash and buy the dress that day,” Eisinger says. Also, the dress will likely be soiled and need to be washed, so plan on factoring in that cost, she says.

Second-Hand Dresses

If you really want to save big on your wedding dress and don’t mind wearing something used, you have s a host of options.

For one, there are sites devoted to selling pre-owned wedding dresses, such as Encorebridal.com, OnceWed.com, and PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, which recently featured a new Oleg Cassini dress for $250, 72% off the original price.

While the assortment and sizes at second-hand resellers will be limited, Eisinger says, “this is where you can find dresses that are very inexpensive. In some cases, the brides have worn the dress only once, or maybe they never wore the dress.” Just remember, you most likely won’t have the option of returning the dress, so be prepared for the transaction to be a final sale.

You should also check out consignment stores and thrift shops for wedding dresses. Goodwill, for one, holds an annual bridal showcase, where used, designer wedding gowns can be snatched up for as little as $99. Check to see if the Goodwill in your area is planning such as an event.

And if you want to save on your dress but also want to give back, check out Brides Against Breast Cancer’s Nationwide Tour of Gowns. Most gowns in the collecting range from $99 to $799, and the tour features both new and donated wedding dresses, including some high-end designer dresses. Sales benefit Making Memories, a foundation devoted to brightening the lives of women whose cancer is terminal.

Now that you can breathe easy about finding a gorgeous wedding dress for less, all you have to worry about is…everything else!

Have a wholesale flower filled day!

A flip Wedding…Staying ahead of the Curve

Hi everyone:

I know that I have been lax in updating my blog, I promise to work harder at getting relevant info to you in a timely manner. That being said, I found this wonderful article, and though I have written about this particular vendor before, not all of you have been followers for a long time.

The article was found on a site called “Think like a bride.com”

I hope you like it, I know I did!

******************************************************************

I have built a reputation of being pretty spot on in terms of trend tracking, well here is the next one. I rarely take on clients for full on marketing campaigns anymore, but this one was too hot to pass up. I want you, my faithful readers to be ahead of the curve. In the coming months, your brides are going to be asking you about My Flip Wedding. What, you ask, is a Flip Wedding? It is the brain child of the wonderful folks at Storymix Media and it is a way for brides and grooms to capture the memories of their wedding (before and beyond) in a DIY way with amazing results. Storymix Media will rent the simple to use little Flip cameras as a package, your bride then gets them into the hands of the people who know her best, her friends and family. Once they have filmed the bits and pieces of the big day from their unique point of view, the cameras are packed up and sent back to Storymix Media. They upload the footage and then the bride can use their easy-peasy storyboard editing system to pick the scenes, the theme and the music. The Apple Certified Pros at Storymix then edit them into a wonderful highlight reel. Videographers, don’t panic. This isn’t to replace you, this is in addition to you. I think, even cooler than couples using it for their wedding are all the other applications I am seeing. Grooms are using them for their bachelor party, brides are capturing their shower and girls day. Couples are taking them on their honeymoon. The possibilities are endless. You see the thing is, sometimes your best friends and family see things that you (and your videographer) miss. It is like getting to be a guest at your wedding. You can find out more in today’s press release.  Next month, OffBeat Bride is doing a feature on My Flip Wedding. Here is another heads up. I am seeing some copy-cats start to climb out of the wood work.

Don’t go there. Mike and Ariane at Storymix Media have been doing this since 2006 for pros and consumers alike. The new part is that now they have launched a wedding division specifically for the bridal market. Trust me, the team at Storymix Media knows what they are doing. For the record, no this isn’t a sponsored post but they are a client of mine.

Now, go and have a wholesale flower filled day!

Now I’ve seen Everything! Weddings in Funeral Homes!?!

A good friend of mine recently asked me my thoughts on a new trend. “What trend is that I asked”

“Having a Wedding or some other type of event in a Funeral home”.

“Are you kidding me”? I asked.

“No”. she said….and she sent me this article.

I want you all to know that I run a big fundraiser each year, Halloween themed, the week of Halloween, and even for that I don’t think I could bring myself to secure a Funeral Parlor for the host location.

What do you think? Read the article below and send your thoughts.

Would you get married in a funeral home in order to save money?

Tom BarlowTom Barlow RSS Feed
Jan 25th 2011 at 1:00PM

Bride; would she have her wedding in a funeral home?For many of us, the nicest place we’ll ever spend a night is the funeral home where our friends and family pay their last respects. In an era where cremation continues to eat into the funeral home business, it’s no surprise that purveyors are looking for ways to leverage their beautiful properties to increase cash flow. One surprising way? Host a wedding.

Or replace the term funeral home with community center, as some entrepreneurs have done. And why not? If you can get past the thought of what might be in the basement cooler, you’re usually looking at a facility completely equipped for the festivities, a facility with lovely decor, great parking and plenty of mingling room.

Using a funeral home for other community functions is nothing new, according to a spokesperson for the National Funeral Directors Association, James Olson of the Lippert-Olson Funeral Home in Sheboygan, Wisc. Olson tells WalletPop that his facility, for example, has been used for charity events such as cocktail parties, for group meetings, murder mystery dinners and wedding receptions.

Local laws could also play a role in the use of funeral home facilities. Olson explained that, in some states, it is illegal to have food in a funeral home. So, in order to serve families that want to put on a spread after the funeral, those homes have built separate facilities. Once they have those facilities, it only makes sense to look for new ways to leverage them by making them available for banquets, family gatherings and … weddings.

Is a funeral home wedding a rare occurrence? According to USA Today, the Community Life Center owned by the Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Centers, in the Washington Park East Cemetery is scheduled to host almost 100 weddings this year.

And the events provide a benefit to the host home beyond the rental fee. Olson said that by hosting people for more pleasant events, (and what is more pleasant than a wedding?) he hopes that they will remember his home in times of more dire need.

What do you think????

Wedding Disaster? Want a do-over?

Hi guys:

I just came across this posting and thought it was worth sharing. WETV is looking for anyone who had a disaster at their wedding, that was caught on tape, and who wants a do-over.

Do You Have The Ultimate Wedding Disaster Story?

Did you suffer a wedding disaster that put a damper on your big day?

Does your wedding video play like a blooper reel?

Do you wish you could do it all over again and have the wedding
you originally dreamed of?

WEtv WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!!

WEtv is casting dynamic Southern California couples who deserve the ultimate DO OVER…a dream wedding celebration planned by an acclaimed LA-based wedding designer.

What happened to ruin your big day? Did your ex show up and object in the middle of your ceremony? Did a storm knock out your power or prevent most of your guests from attending? Were you forced to elope instead of having the great white wedding you dreamed of? If you live in Southern California and have your disaster caught on tape, you could get a second chance to have your dream wedding!

Contact us today with your story!

Danielle Gervais
Sr. Casting Producer
212-377-4543

[email protected]

Video Powerpoint of some designs

We want to thank Ellen for all her hard work at getting this powerpoint presentation to work, so that we could share it with all of you.  If you should have any photos of work you have done with your bridesnblooms.com flowers, please, send them on to us, and we will add them in!

Have a wholesale flower filled day!