Bridal Shows – Do They Help The Bride?

There are numerous Bridal Shows going on at this time of year.  We’re going into the fall and with the holidays coming up many women will become engaged.  They will usually find inspiration in the wedding magazines you find at the check out in your local grocery stores and of course there are numerous on line options.  But what about Bridal Shows? Do they help the bride and family? Or do they complicate the planning process?

As a Wedding Planner I’ve had the pleasure of participating in many bridal shows. The purpose of wedding vendors participation is meet new potential clients and to find a way to help these brides and their families in the planning process.  So you register for your local bridal show and attend on the big day.  But there’s so many vendors!  What’s a bride to do?

Here’s a few tips to help you navigate your local bridal show:

• Take everything in.  There are numerous vendors to stop and look at and decide if their business or product is what you need on your big day;
• Ask questions.  What does the vendor offer? Is it a necessity for your big day? and if the answer is yes, what is the expense associated with their services or product;
• Gorgeous flowers and cake samples will be offered. Take in the inspiration you see.  If you find something you’ve fallen in love with, is it something which will fit in your budget?
• You’ll find the newest trends at bridal shows.  That’s exciting because now you’re on the cutting edge of what’s new and trending.  A new trend for 2015 is using a Caricature Artist to draw pictures of your guests.  How much fun is that and you can also use this as your favor.  It serves a dual purpose, it’s interactive and it gives your guests a keepsake to take home with them.  It’s a win, win!
• Collect information from the vendors. You’ll have time to sort through everything when you get home and have the time to review any offers, company info and to determine who, if anyone, you’d like to work with and set up a consultation appointment with.

When you’re at a bridal show you’ll see alot going on around you.  Take your time working around the room and talk to vendors.  Find out if they’re a right match for your wedding and your ideas.  A bridal show can give you so much information and a starting platform to work from in planning your big day.

One of our local upcoming bridal shows is the CNY Bridal Ball, on October 12, 2014 and can be found at the Best Western on Carrier Circle, East Syracuse, New York.  You will find free admission and free parking.  It will run from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. We look forward to see everyone there!    12, 2014  /

Happy Planning!

Mary Homer, Fairy Tale Weddings and Events

http://www.fairytaleweddingsandeventsbymary.com

http://www.marysfairytaleweddings.wordpress.com

Advertisement

Top 5 Edible Wedding Favors for 2014

The wedding season is upon us as we move through June and into July and August.  If you’re like alot of people, you will be attending at least one wedding this summer.  When you think of wedding favors, you probably think about the typical picture frame, chocolates or a wine stopper.  But rest assured there are new and creative wedding favors for you to choose from.

The newest edible wedding trends for 2014 include:

-Zeppole. Powdered and bagged while still warm just before the end of your reception will make these desserts a crowd pleaser. Guests tend to eat them in their car on their way home.

-Mini donuts. The donuts craze is still a top trend in wedding favors, whether it’s traditional styles or you order custom donuts iced in your wedding colors.  Bakers are always happy to accommodate your color scheme or style.

-Popcorn. Placed in containers or bags on a popcorn display table for guests to take home are available in almost any flavor you can imagine.

-Retro candies. A candy bar filled with colorful candy may feature retro candies that guests remember from their childhoods, like cinnamon candies, Pop Rocks, root beer bottle tops and others.

-Cookie or brownie mixes in mason jars. Mason jars have been a top wedding décor trend, and are now holding as the top wedding favor. You layer the ingredients for an easy ‘pour into the bowl and mix with eggs, oil, etc.’ baking project to make your own baked dessert.

Always remember edible favors never go wrong and are always on trend!

Happy planning!

Mary Homer Fairy Tale Weddings & Events

http://www.fairytaleweddingsandeventsbymary.com

 

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

We’ve all heard the rhyme for weddings and it’s a tradition right?  “Something old, something new, some borrowed, something blue”.  This rhyme is from the Victorian era.  It represents different symbols for the wedding tradition.

-Something Old: This represents progression.  This would typically be a piece of your grandmothers or mothers jewelry, passed down from one generation to another.  You could wear it or incorporate into your bridal bouquet.  It doesn’t need to be jewelry however, this is the most common “something old”.

-Something New: This represents success in your marriage.  This can be any aspect of your wedding….whether it’s your wedding gown, new jewelry, shoes, or a special hankie to remember the day.  This shows the union between the bride and groom as they start their life together as a couple.

-Something Borrowed: This represents unity with family and friends who surround the bride on her wedding day.  Whether it’s a simple piece of jewelry, a locket, a pair of shoes or even the all important wedding dress, something borrowed is something special.  It can be from your friend(s), your sister, you mother or even your mother-in-law.

-Something Blue: This represents faithfulness and loyalty in years gone by.  We all know a bride who has worn a blue garter.  However it’s easy to incorporate a little blue (or a lot of blue if you so wish) into your wedding in flowers, your nail polish, ribbons on your bouquets, centerpieces, table linens, your dessert/candy bar and even your up lighting.  How fun would it be to have a blue bottom to your shoe, as opposed to a red bottom? Be creative and have fun.

After all, this is a one of kind day and putting your special touches on it will make it even more special and memorable.  Wishing you much joy in your planning!