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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!

Aisle runners Custom made for you!

We’re so excited here at bridesnblooms.com. We found an amazing vendor with an even more amazing product!

Chic Unique Inc. is a company that specializes in custom made aisle runners. What a fantastic addition to your wedding (or any other occasion where you want to be the “center of attention”).

Chic Unique Inc. creates the most beautiful, handpainted aisle runners, unique to you. You get to pick the colors, the style, the ribbons, the verbage, and, best of all, what you will do with it after you walk on it.

It almost seems a shame to walk on such a beautiful work of art, but, hey, that’s what it’s there for. Once you have come down the aisle, you can choose to reuse the runner in various places at your event.

Beth recommends using it for a backdrop behind your sweetheart table, and then, once you return home, have it shortened and framed, or have a pillow made, for a keepsake that everyone can admire for years to come.

This is one of those items that “not everyone and their sister” will have. Be unique, be yourself!

So, if you are looking to step up the look of your ceremony and have a wonderfully beautiful keepsake for years to come, check out www.chicuniqueinc.com I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.

Now, have a wholesale flower filled day!

Reasons to use Bulk flowers

Do you have a “need” to create? Do you marvel at Mother Nature? Do you want to pull over and cut something just to bring it to your home and arrange it? Do you love working with flowers, greenery, sticks/branches? You need to check out www.bridesnblooms.com . We are a wholesale fresh flower company selling directly to the public. If you are planning a wedding, a large affair, a fundraiser, you need to check us out. We send you flowers so that your creative genius can emerge.
Thoughts of a floral design business just got a whole lot easier, since you just found an inexpensive flower contact.