I am not married. I have never been to a bridal show. Many bridal showers and weddings, but never the `show before the show`, until this past September. I will say that I am happy that I am old enough to know that when I may get married I will never go to one of these shows.

Our office participated in a booth for the Bridal Show at the International Centre this fall. Let’s just say walking in to find the booth, I was instantly overwhelmed and felt wedding nausea without even being a bride. If you have attended one of these events, you may know what I am talking about. Or not. Maybe you loved every minute of this wedding show madness, who knows. Maybe I am just too old for it.

Rows upon rows of event venues, tuxedo rentals, travel agencies, hotels, bakeries and accessories. More accessories than you could ever imagine in one place. The booths are overwhelming. Of course they want to showcase the “ultimate” wedding displays which from a sales perspective I totally understand. However, “if” I was a young bride to be, coming with my entourage.

Let’s call it what it is. It is all about getting you on their email marketing list. I am well aware of it working in sales and at my own booth as well. There are people that are professional trade show goers. They print their own labels so that they don’t have to waste time filling out ballots at every booth where there is some sort of giveaway. Having worked at many shows over the years, I always get a chuckle at that.

The entourage is a whole other part of the experience. Mothers of brides who want something different than the bride. I spoke to one bride who had just gotten engaged the week before. When I wished her congratulations, the mother very obviously rolled her eyes. Mother “not” approved, it appeared to be. Why bring her to a bridal show where you are clearly excited to be planning your nuptials if your family isn’t on board. That is something in sales you need to stay as far away from as possible – family drama. Every situation has it.

I will end this with one last comment I was surprised about – where the food samples? I would have thought there would be bakery samples, food tastings, etc. We had an Inn across the aisle from our booth who was making this risotto which was a great sample, but other than that, there wasn’t much. No cake?  No cupcakes? No truffles? I did stop at the LCBO travelling wine truck and sampled some wine (of course) but that was it. Tales of a classic foodie.

Thanks for sharing in my stories. I would love to hear your comments on your bridal show experiences if you had one.

Live your best life,

Lisa