LA's last Bridal Show of 2015 is happening on October 4th in the gorgeous penthouse ballroom of Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica.  Shop and compare hand selected wedding professionals that are sure to make your wedding the event of your dreams.  Wedding show hours are 11am - 3pm.  Fashion show is at 1pm.  Free diamond ring key chain to the first 50 brides.  Each bride attending receives an eco-friendly reusable tote to collect wedding information!  For tickets visit www.premierbridalshows.com

The pre-fashion show entertainment as provided by Tino Productions was a crowd pleaser, allowing brides not only to enjoy great music but to get an idea what a live band could do for their wedding day. The fashion show featured the latest styles in wedding gowns, wedding hair dos, makeup and floral arrangements. Premier Bridal Shows is proud to be part of such a winning team of wedding professionals.

Upcoming Events

Premier Bridal Shows has been bringing top wedding professionals together with serious, upscale brides since 1997!

October 4 - Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica
October 25 - The Hills Hotel, Laguna Hills
January 2&3 - ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER
January - Ontario Convention Center


Don’t miss OC's biggest and best BRIDE EXPO of the season at the Radisson Hotel Newport Beach on September 20, 2015. This event brings together a collection of Southern California’s top wedding professionals ready to “wow” brides with displays of wedding services, inspirations and ideas on how to make a dream wedding into a reality.  Shop and compare wedding services. Sample food and fun. Experience Southern California’s leading fashion show. Take advantage of show discounts, free magazines, samples and giveaways. Spend the day discovering the best options to make your dream wedding come true. Tickets are $10 at the door or $5 if you pre-register at www.premierbridalshows.com

Your eyes are red and itchy, and although you've seen some amazing wedding ideas and inspirations, you are more confused than when you started off!  You've just spent 4 hours surfing the web (mostly Pinterest because we love it so and there are a million great wedding ideas!) You have looked at wedding cakes, dresses, unique guest book ideas, venues, photography poses, flower girl dresses, ways to ask your best friend to be your maid of honor, jewelry ideas for your future mother-in-law, grooms gifts, candy buffets,  hair dos, invitations, jewelry, bridesmaids dresses, color pallets and centerpieces.  You even took a little detour to read funny wedding memes and "how to" tutorials.  Everything looks so wonderful, how do you choose?  And once you choose, where do you find these services?  Are they local item?  Do they need to be ordered from overseas? You wonder what the pricing will be and if each item, idea and concept would look the same on your special day as it does in a stylized photo shoot. 

The internet is a great source for ideas but, when it comes to your wedding, nothing beats meeting and interviewing, in person,  experienced, local wedding professionals that will be there for you on your special day to make your dream wedding come true.   After all, don't you want to meet that wedding photographer that will be with you your entire day?  What if their photography is great, but your personalities don't mesh and they don't make you smile?  There are so many features that a website or "pin" cannot convey.  For example, is the wedding coordinator you are looking up beat and energetic, formal or low key?  Does the style and decoration of your wedding cake mean more than its scrumptious flavor?   Your wedding day is like no other, and shopping and comparing wedding professionals in person is a "must do."   Believe it or not by parring down your choices to realistic, local services, it will actually help alleviate wedding planning overload.

Bridal Shows are a fun and effective tool in wedding planning. There is no better way to shop and compare wedding services, ideas and inspirations than at an event that showcases wedding professionals all in one place.  With the ability to meet potential vendors in person  as well as get insight and advice for your special day, a bridal show is a “must do” in the wedding planning process.  A bridal show not only provides  information and ideas for wedding planning but is also a great way to spend a day with your wedding party, family and fiancé  focusing on you and your special day.  Show discounts, door prizes, samples, free magazines, food tastings, photo opps, makeovers, seminars, demonstrations, entertainment and fashion shows are an added bonus to attending bridal shows.  To make the most of these events, here are some tips every bride should know before you go. . . .

1.    CREATE A WEDDING EMAIL ADDRESS
An wedding email address will help you keep all of your wedding planning information together in one account.

2    RVSP OR PRE-REGISTER FOR A SHOW
By pre-registering or buying tickets online, you save time getting into the show.  Just like a wedding, bridal shows need to know an approximate count of attendees to plan for the amount of cake needed for tasting, door prizes, swag bags, magazines, and samples.

3.    WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES
From boutique bridal shows to large wedding convention expos, you will be on your feet for most of the time and generally covering a lot of ground, so wear comfortable shoes to keep your feet happy.

4.    EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST
Although many shows offer cake and food samples, hor d’oeuvres and other treats, it is still not a meal and you don’t want hunger to interrupt your fun.

5.    GROOMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND
A Wedding Trade Show Expo goes by many names including "Bridal Show", "Bride Expo", "Bridal Faire", and "Wedding Show."  Most of these names contain the word “bride” and none say “Groom.”  For that reason many grooms feel that it is not an event for them, but indeed it is.  The groom can help the bride make decisions about wedding services such as invitations and flowers as well as check out "manly" wedding services such as tuxedos, djs, honeymoon destinations and photography.

6.    BRING LABELS
Most exhibiting companies have enter to win contests or show specials at their booths.  By having pre-printed labels with your name, wedding date and contact info you can enter quickly.  Printed labels also help you to provide your information to companies that you are interested in.

7.    TAKE NOTES AND PICTURES
Bridal shows can be overwhelming, especially when you are just staring out.  You want to remember who you spoke with and whose services impressed you even if you are not ready to book right away.  Most exhibitors are happy for you to take photos of their service, but it is always nice to ask. Remember, if your notes or photos aren't clear, you can always follow up with the bridal show company to ask about their exhibitors.  The more information you have, the easier it is to put you in contact with that company

8.    ENTER TO WIN!
Wedding professionals provide real prizes which are generally geared around weddings (perfect for you) so definitely enter to win!  At bridal shows the saying is "few will enter, many will win!"
    
9.    KEEP AN OPEN MIND
Have a budget in mind as well as the types of services that you are looking for.  Be prepared, however, to see ideas, services and wedding day inspirations that you had not thought of (the wedding industry is an ever-creative bunch always coming up with something exciting and new).  Take the time to check out these services to see if they would be something to incorporate in your special day.


10.    FOLLOW UP WITH COMPANIES YOU LIKE
Wedding professionals at bridal shows are actively out there exhibiting their service and style to personally meet brides and ultimately book weddings.  They are confident in their customer service and product so rather than just relying on a website or stylized photos, they are there to speak with brides in person. They want to help you achieve your dream wedding by providing a quality service.  Because of this, their calendars book up quickly, so if you speak with someone that you are interested in, be sure to follow up with them after the show to schedule an appointment for more information or to secure your date.

11.    CHECK THE EVENT YOU WANT TO ATTEND
Not all bridal shows are created equal so take the time to research where the show is being held (location is generally a good reflection of a show). Check out the bridal show producer's website, videos and social networking sites to see photos from past events. Feel free to email or call the company producing the show to ask questions.  Experienced bridal show producers value the brides attending their events, and are happy to speak with you.

12.    HAVE FUN!
Have fun with wedding planning.  Extend the joy and excitement of your wedding day by enjoying the wedding planning process.  Be queen for the day as a V.I.B. – Very Important Bride.  attending a bridal show where every exhibitor is interested in knowing about your day including wedding colors, wedding date, engagement and wedding party.  Take the time to talk about your plans and enjoy and savor your upcoming day.  

Tips to Know Before You Go is written by Premier Bridal Shows, Southern California’s Largest Upscale Bridal Shows.  Premier Bridal Shows has been bringing brides and wedding professionals together since 1997.  With 12-16 events each year, Premier Bridal Shows services Orange County, Los Angeles, The South Bay as well as the Inland Empire.  For Bridal Shows in your area visit www.premierbridalshows.com
Photo credit - MelvinGilbert.com