B.S. Mania: Bridal Shows for ALL!

So it has been a moment since I have blogged but only because there has been a lot wedding activities that are starting to fill my calendar.  I had a chance to travel to my first bridal show (I’m no longer a BV aka bridal virgin) and let me tell you it was insane.  I decided to go with a bridal show pro, my fellow bridal sorority sister, but she was as surprised about the madness that we were walking into as I was.  We attended the Georgia Bridal Show at the Cumberland Galleria.  We should have known exactly what we were getting ourselves into when we saw the herds of brides with bags, boas and stickers (oh my). 

Our first stop was the registration station where we signed up for everything that we needed or were interested in knowing more about.  Options ranged from wedding bands to Mariachi bands. As we entered the door to the vendors there were herds of brides screaming, mumbling and speeding from booth to booth.  It was hard to see what each vendor had to offer because brides were circling each table like vultures to their feast. Eventually, we joined the chaos. We jumped into a money machine where we won a huge discount on tuxedos and almost become eye lash models for the second half of the show (ok she wanted to do it more than me).  We were signing up for things left and right, trying to get ideas for our own event but mostly grabbing as much free stuff as our bags could hold. 

Towards the close of the event there was a fashion show that was put on by Savvi Formal Wear.  The show was cute and some of the gowns were pretty but for the most part the tuxedos were the best (Go figure!).

My overall impression of my first bridal show was that for the $10 I paid, it was worth it.  I got free stuff, new ideas and opportunities to win additional prizes both during and after the show.  I’ve received several calls about honeymoons, invite only designer dress shows and plenty of emails about discounted bridal/wedding packages.  I will say the best thing to do is to attend a bridal show in the city where the celebration will be held, that way there is a higher probability of utilizing those resources but it doesn’t hurt to go to as many as you can wherever you can.

I definitely suggest that every Georgia bride-to-be goes to the Georgia Bridal Show, heck to any show in that regards because you just never know; you could be a winner too!

Venues, Venues, Venues: STRESS UPDATE

So I decided to follow my own advice and begin planning where the ceremony and reception will be.  I decided to use my best friend’s church and to look in to city hotels and reception halls for a venue.  Prior to calling any venue, my fiancé and I had already decided, per the internet, which venue we believed to fit us best.  Well I go ahead and gave the venue a call, even though I’m several months earlier than the 11 months out suggestion from theknot.com.  Since we are not in the same city where the nuptials will be held, I decided that it may be best to call and set up a meeting for when we would be coming in town.  In my mind, the worst that could happen would be that the sales person would say “Wow you are early, aren’t you?” Instead I got a comment that bolstered sheer panic and unmentionable anxiety. The wonderfully pushy sales person explained “Well I won’t be able to hold a date for you to see the venue as it may be gone by the time you come see it in a couple of months.” Now my wedding is next year, over a year away, and she was saying that I won’t be able see this venue because it may be gone over a year before my date.  I know what you may be saying, duh Nikke it could be gone, but that wasn’t what I called for.  In addition to sparing my worries the sales person continue to explain how I needed to book the place before seeing it in order to reserve my date…WTH!  Now anxiety was peaking at 10 notches because in my mind I’m thinking I have to take an immediate trip to the location to go look for it and book it ASAP, when that was not in the original plan.

I immediately place a call to some of the star players on my wedding team, my Fiancé, MOH, and BM. Through my sheer panic, each person was able to give me some valuable points and ideas.  For any Brides that fall into this situation here is some good advice to go by;

1.       Breathe and re-evaluate the situation: Signing a contract before seeing the place is totally out to the question so finding a person who you can speak further about your position is best.  Speak with their manager, not to get them in trouble per se, but to see if there is any way to accommodate placing yourself down for any calls if the date is jeopardy. 

2.       Be sure to keep a list of alternate choices: In the case that the date is taken for your favorite venue, remember there are always other choices.  With the proper designer and décor, any venue may be able to give you your dream vision.  Try to stay flexible to those uncontrollable situations and be prepared for continual changes.

3.       It’s about your day: Don’t let yourself be force into any situation.  If the sales person continues to push you into an uncomfortable situation take yourself out of that situation and take your business elsewhere.  The reception venue is very expensive and is a good portion of the wedding budget, so there is no reason to no get what you want. 

In the end, I calmed down and remembered that I have more than a year to be stressed out and that no matter what, our day will be great where ever it ends up to be.  But I’m sticking with the plan and seeing the place when I come in town.  Stress adverted! Nikke 1: Weddingland 0