The Big Show

Yesterday, I spent most of the Packers/Bears game sifting through the two bags of wedding paraphernalia that I collected at Cavanaugh's Bridal Show on Saturday. I personally feel bad taking little gifts from people (like bubbles, cake, cake, pens, cake, cake, and more cake), without listening to their spiel as well. This is a flaw when attending conventions of any kind, as I end up with paper after paper of information I never really wanted. But I also end up with a belly full of cake. Lose/Win?

Going to the Bridal Show certainly puts in perspective just how much you could do with a wedding, and just how quickly you could get carried away. Each time we entered a photo booth, I thought, "Oooo! HOW GREAT WOULD THIS BE?!" When I passed by the 6-tier Pink and Green cake with an M on the front, I definitely pictured it sitting on a table at my shower. And don't get me started on the Bruster's "Name Your Own Tub" Ice Cream Bar. How can we NOT have that at our wedding?

Luckily, I don't travel to these things alone. (Thank you, girls)

Despite making me feel like spending left and right, Bridal Shows have merit, and the specials that vendors often have while exhibiting at them are definitely worth checking out. I would go so far as to suggest that once you narrow down a list of venues, you go to a Bridal Show and check out their "Day Of" specials on those venues. One place we looked at was offering $1500 off their rental fee. Another offered 10% off your entire food/beverage bill if you booked with them that day. I don't encourage booking blindly. You have to go visit the site, but, if you're already familiar, you can definitely save a few $$ through one of these shows.

Similarly, they are a great way to comparison shop. 10 Tuxedo Shops were featured at this show, most displaying their basic black tux and array of vest colors (and in one case, a gorgeous Chocolate Brown tux that I may be in love with). Because all the booths are just a short walk away from each other, you can easily sample their color selection, their styles and their prices in one afternoon. The same goes for the aforementioned Photo Booths, DJs, Bakerys, Invitations, etc., etc., etc.! It can certainly be overwhelming, but, if you go in with a game plan, or at least a map, you can benefit greatly from what's being showcased.

However, if you're planning on giving out your information, I suggest you make a "Wedding" e-mail address. This stops you from getting 100 e-mails a day clogging your personal or work e-mail, telling you about a special on $6.00 chair covers or forcing offers of Avon down your throat. Definitely a drawback to registering for these shows, but, totally manageable.

All in all, I love Bridal Shows. It's like a big opportunity-filled playground, and it seems to me that people that work in weddings are happy people, and I like being surrounded by that many happy people (and cakes).