Good morning all you “On the edge” faithful followers.

Since it is the time of year for all the bridal shows across the country, and the fact that we (here in our hometown) have the largest one of the year this weekend . . . I thought I would ONCE AGAIN, dispel some of the common misconception about “Bridal Shows.” The following information is compiled from over 20 years of experience in the industry, working with hundreds of vendors, good and bad. We also incorporate the statistical information from Shane McMurry at TheWeddingReport.Com, which in almost every case, has matched our findings throughout the years.

So, sit back and hear what the TRUTH is, that few people or businesses will tell you.

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1. Bridal Shows are where you find the best vendors - FALSE . . . Yes, this is a common assumption, however this in many cases could not be farther from the truth. Vendors at most bridal shows are only the ones who PAY THE MONEY FOR A BOOTH. It has nothing to do with ranking, customer satisfaction or how each one compares with others in that arena. For anyone to think they can go to a bridal show and book the best vendors in that city is simply ridiculous.
2. Bridal Shows are a good way to judge some of the new trends and concepts that are accepted and fashionable in the industry today – TRUE . . . For the most part, this is true. Even though the vendors may or may not be leaders in the industry, they commonly do follow the most current trends. This is a good way to “walk the show floor” and take in the latest colors, styles, decor and concepts.
3. Bridal Shows is where you can get SHOW SPECIALS from vendors which are very valuable and save the client a substantial amount of money – FALSE . . . This is complete hogwash. We have never once in history seen any “show special” that was worthy of saying this. The only reason this is done is two fold . . . (1) the show organizers push the vendors to offer this and (2) the vendors believe that by offering this, they can book far more jobs. What they offer as incentives, usually amounts to a “less than” a $50 item or service. Those who fall for this, find out way too late that this was nothing more than a trick to get the client to book with them.
4. Bridal Show are a COMPLETE waste of time for the newly engaged couple – FALSE . . . Bridal Shows are a great way to see a large percentage of the “average” vendors across your local area. We highly recommend that all couples go and see what this is all about. If you stand back and “listen and watch” what the average vendor pitches to the people who walk by, you can really see what is going on. These shows are for vendors (on average) who book almost all their jobs for the upcoming year during this show. In most cases, this is 40 to 60 clients. Do you honestly believe that any vendor, after booking this many people in one or two days, IS GOING TO REMEMBER YOU IN ANOTHER 6 TO 8 MONTHS? The truth is . . . if the bride were to put her wedding dress on one of her bridesmaids and each of the vendors show up and come into the room at the event . . . the vendor would not know that the bridesmaid was not the bride and start talking to her like nothing was wrong. Sad huh?

So what is my point to all of this?

BE CAREFUL !!! Don’t fall for all the trickery that commonly happens at these bridal shows. Use common sense and WATCH and LISTEN to what goes on. Does our company have a booth at these events? NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS !!! Are we commonly there? Sure . . . we are walking the floor and “watching and listening” just like we advise other people to do. Do we think that by doing business in this way, our company has an advantage over many others? Yes we do. We do not book all our upcoming years dates in one weekend and we KNOW OUR CLIENTS VERY WELL and would be able to tell immediately that the bridesmaid in the brides dress is not the bride.

We do not just LOOK FOR THE WHITE DRESS. We make your most special day a “one of a kind” event, that few others can boast. When we recommend a vendor, you can rest assure that they are simply the best of the best. Funny thing . . . most of them are NOT at these Bridal Shows, and for good reason.

Be well . . .