I've been to conferences, conventions, collectible shows, toy shows, and rock shows (that's rocks and minerals, not rock concerts). My dad has a lot of interests, and he often brought me along to conventions throughout my childhood until his hobbies became my hobbies (not the rock shows so much, but I'm still big into comic book conventions). Many of these events took place right at Cashmen Convention Center in Las Vegas, so I was familiar with the location of the Bridal Spectacular Bridal Show I'd seen advertised on Facebook and websites. I never thought I'd get a chance to go to a bridal show. And though I knew the general structure of a convention "show" (you walk past people's booths or tables as they convince you to buy things or show off the neat stuff they offer) I really didn't know what a "bridal show" was all about.
As luck would have it, though most of the Vegas bridal shows are in January (after my December wedding date), this year brought about one in August too! I was able to find a ticket discount and invited my maid of honor to join me for the experience.
When you walk inside, the first thing you'll notice is sheer. Lots and lots of sheer curtains separating displays, marking the entrances, and serving as general backdrops the same way they might in a real wedding. Pass through the first curtain and you're treated to row upon row of bridal vendors ranging from caterers to venues to stationary to DJs, tuxes and gowns and photo booths. One station was giving out free nail polish. At least five asked me to sign up for their drawings. There was a fashion show stage at the back, though we didn't get to see a fashion show during the time we were there. And while I'd already made a large portion of decisions for my wedding (didn't need to find a venue, photographer, videographer, etc.), it was helpful to get to see what types of options are out there and affirm that the choices I'd made already were the right ones for me. Plus it didn't hurt to get ideas for some of the decisions I hadn't made yet, like wedding favors or hair and makeup artists. And try free samples.
Overall, I was curious about bridal shows, and thoroughly had my curiosity satisfied. A bridal show is not a big pile of discount wedding dresses with stampeding women all clamoring to find the one (something I had once pictured as a kid when the idea of bridal shows came up). A bridal show is just like any other "show", and when you get to attend as a bride it is even more fun. People want to meet you and make you happy. They know they could have your business since you're more than "just looking." You have a ring and a date and a groom and everything.
Again, I won't be a "bride to be" forever. So even if the vendors at the show didn't solve any major decisions for me, I still got to enjoy being part of a possibly one-time experience. And walk away with tons of swag.
When you walk inside, the first thing you'll notice is sheer. Lots and lots of sheer curtains separating displays, marking the entrances, and serving as general backdrops the same way they might in a real wedding. Pass through the first curtain and you're treated to row upon row of bridal vendors ranging from caterers to venues to stationary to DJs, tuxes and gowns and photo booths. One station was giving out free nail polish. At least five asked me to sign up for their drawings. There was a fashion show stage at the back, though we didn't get to see a fashion show during the time we were there. And while I'd already made a large portion of decisions for my wedding (didn't need to find a venue, photographer, videographer, etc.), it was helpful to get to see what types of options are out there and affirm that the choices I'd made already were the right ones for me. Plus it didn't hurt to get ideas for some of the decisions I hadn't made yet, like wedding favors or hair and makeup artists. And try free samples.
Overall, I was curious about bridal shows, and thoroughly had my curiosity satisfied. A bridal show is not a big pile of discount wedding dresses with stampeding women all clamoring to find the one (something I had once pictured as a kid when the idea of bridal shows came up). A bridal show is just like any other "show", and when you get to attend as a bride it is even more fun. People want to meet you and make you happy. They know they could have your business since you're more than "just looking." You have a ring and a date and a groom and everything.
Again, I won't be a "bride to be" forever. So even if the vendors at the show didn't solve any major decisions for me, I still got to enjoy being part of a possibly one-time experience. And walk away with tons of swag.
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