As a Bride to Be, my weekends are no longer built around retail therapy and leisurely lunches. My diary is now packed with all kinds of exciting wedding related appointments. I’ve been asked recently if wedding fayres are really worth it. Read on for the good, the bad and the ugly.
If you haven’t yet ventured to any of the wedding fayres in your local area, you could be wondering if you’re missing out. One thing I discovered quite quickly is that the free ones are a total waste of time. Unless your wedding budget is £200, avoid these like the plague. No amount of champers can make up for driving all the way to Harrogate to look at wedding dresses that looked like they were made out of toilet paper and snaffle one crusty cake sample. Next!
The National Wedding Show
Yesterday, my mom and I went to the National Wedding Show in Manchester and it turned out to be a lovely (calorific) day. I opted for the VIP tickets and they were totally worth splashing out on. For £35 you get a complimentary glass of fizz in the VIP bar, a beauty box full of goodies and front row seats to the catwalk show. You also get to choose from a Bare Minerals makeover or a product worth £14.
After the show, you can skip from stand to stand sampling delights from the chocolate fountain, pretending you really want to get married in Cheshire just to get a handful of celebrations. There’s goody bags galore filled with everything from Clarins samples to Essie polishes. Recharge your batteries at the Vintage tea room or enjoy a liquid lunch at the champagne bar.
The best thing about a wedding show of this size is the number of exhibitors. There were over 200 present and they ranged from quirky photo booths to luxury wedding stationery and wedding dresses. It was great to see my favorite brand Five Dollar Shake and pick out my Save The Dates. You can even try on dresses, get great discounts on teeth whitening and get a manicure! The National Wedding Show is also in Birmingham and London if you don’t live up North.
Condenast Brides The Show
If I do attend another wedding fayre this year, it will be this one. Based in London, it’s one of the most prestigious events in a bride’s social calendar. Events like this are great to experience with your bridesmaid and you’ll find exhibitors like Bobbi Brown, Laduree and Babington House.
Top Tips for Busy Brides
If you have a list of venues shortlisted, find out when they are holding open days or wedding fayres as this is not only your chance to see your dream venue all dressed up but they will usually invite their recommended suppliers.
Don’t go alone. Good wedding fayres are great fun so don’t miss the opportunity to involve your bridal party at an early stage. However, don’t take everyone, you don’t need an entourage and there are plenty to choose from so don’t be afraid to divide and conquer.
Have you been to a wedding fayre? Do you rate them or hate them?
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