Bridal Shows…Are They Worth Going?

If you are a bride, chances are high that you have attended or thought about attending a bridal show/expo.  The question is…are they worth going to?  The answer largely depends on the type of bride you are and your specific needs.  There are a ton of benefits to attending a bridal show but they can also be overwhelming for the bride that does not like being faced with too many choices or decisions!  My professional answer to weather or not it is worth your time to go to a bridal show is YES!  Even if it may be a bit too much to take in, it is worth it and here is why:

1.  The admission fee is low; usually between $5-$10.

2.  It is like a one stop shop!  All of the state-wide top wedding vendors are under one roof…it’s like having theknot.com vendor search come to life.

3.  Most participating vendors if not all offer discounts or giveaways at their booths.  Sometimes they can be pretty substantial; example, $500 off a photography package.

4.  You get a chance to see each vendor’s work and speak with them personally…kind of like a “mini interview” without having to drive to their studio or location.

5.  You get a chance to meet and speak with fellow brides to get their opinions and experiences with different vendors.

6.  And the best part is at the end…the fashion show where you can see the newest lines of bridal gowns for the upcoming season usually accompanied by a raffle winning!

Here are some of our favorite pictures from our Glendalough Manor bridal show booths over the years!

Flowers provided by Ciao Bella Weddings

Linens by BBJ Linens

One of our favorite and most elegant booths…won us best booth in 2012!

Flowers by Ciao Bella Weddings

Linens by BBJ linens

2013 Bridal Expo at the Georgia Bridal Show at the Cobb Galleria

Be sure to come see us at the Georgia Bridal show at Cobb Galleria on January 5, 2014!

www.eliteevents.com for tickets and times.

Happy Planning and Happy Engagement Season!

Everything You Need to Know About Bridal Shows!

It is no wonder bridal shows can seem a little overwhelming!  Not only are there hundreds of vendors to see but thousands of other brides in attendance.   You may wonder why you should go?  Well there are so many reasons to attend a bridal show and I strongly encourage you to give it a try!

www.watlantadowntown.com The W Hotel in Downtown Atlanta pictured above.

One of the biggest reasons to attend a bridal show is to save money!  So many vendors are discounting their services significantly to encourage brides to book their services at the show.  Another advantage to bridal shows is that you get a great opportunity to sample a variety of vendors work at one time and one place.  You can sample food, view albums, talk to the vendors in person and you also receive tons of free goodies and advice.  My favorite reason to attend a bridal show is to see new and fresh ideas you never thought of before.  You may see design trends for inspiration, unique favors or wedding entertainment you may have never thought of without the show.

If you are attending a bridal show there are a few tips to remember:

-First, bring a digital camera or make sure you have a camera phone with you.  That way you can take pictures of vendors work for future reference.

-Bring address labels with you to enter for prizes and gifts.  This way you don’t have to fill out the paperwork at every booth!

-Do your research and know ahead of time which vendors you want to see.  That way you can map out which booths to visit first before they get too crowded! And make sure to bring a notepad and paper to take notes.

-Make sure you don’t forget your checkbook! This way you can potentially get discounts for booking at the show! Most vendors book on a first come basis, especially venues, so if you want a certain facility or vendor it would be wise to book them at the show!

-Have fun!! Bring your bridesmaids and make a day of it enjoying the planning!!

When the girls at Glendalough Manor participate in a bridal show, they try to not only show off their beautiful facility but show you new and exciting design trends.  They do an incredible job of painting the picture from the table decor, to the cake, to the passed signature drink, showing you what a wedding at Glendalough Manor can look like!

If you attend a bridal show that Glendalough Manor is at you can usually spot the booth.  I don’t mean to brag but it is usually the best decorated booths there with some of the best wedding inspiration! 😉

Here are some of the bridal shows that Glendalough Manor will be attending in the future:

The Bridal Extravaganza on Aug. 19th at the Mart

The Autumn Bridal Ball on Sept 23 at the W Atlanta Downtown

We would love to see you there!