St. Louis Bridal Show

A friend from work--Kara--who is also a bride-to-be, accompanied me to the St. Louis Bridal Show on Sunday. The St. Louis show was on a much larger scale than the one I attended in Jefferson City at the end of July. My main focus for the day was gathering information on photographers. Most photographers travel these days, so it's not out of the question to get a photographer from St. Louis for the wedding in Loose Creek. And I have to say, it was between the photographers and DJ's for greatest amount of booths at the show! I also gathered information on some DJ's for Nate; however, I think it would be more feasible to get a DJ from around the Jeff City or Columbia area for the reception. I'm still wading through the oodles of photography information I received...

The highlight of the afternoon was my experience at the Savvi Formalwear booth. They had a square glass phone booth setup and inside the booth was lots of money. A motor was flipped on and all the money flew around inside the phone booth--and the job for the bride was to catch as much money as possible in 20 seconds. However much money you caught would be the discount your groomsman receive off of their tuxes. I snagged $190, so if Nate chooses Savvi for the tuxes, he'll have a discount to apply...and if not, I just had some free entertainment!

Next up is wedding dress shopping--my parents will be in town this weekend to help me get started!

Read more...

JC Bridal Show

The Jefferson City Bridal Show on Sunday was a fun time! This was actually their smaller one--there were only 40 vendors--and they have a much larger one in January. My mom, my childhood best friend Lindsey, and I made the most of it, however, browsing around and talking to someone at most every booth. One of my girlfriends mentioned that I should print off mailing labels with my name, address, and contact information on them, and I'm so glad I listened to her! Most every booth had some sort of giveaway drawing, so all we had to do was pull off a sticky label and attach it ...instead of writing my name a gazillion times! As far as ideas, the bridal show definitely got me thinking about things such as bridesmaid dresses, wedding cakes, and photographers. I'm certain now that I'm striving for a square wedding cake...I absolutely LOVE the modern look the squares bring. I took a snapshot of one that I saw...


We also flipped through portfolios of several photographers. Most weren't terribly impressive, but there was one that was absolutely fabulous...for $4500!! What I liked about that particular photographer's style was that he brought the photo journalistic approach to his pictures--the more candid, artsy sort of look. What I would love to find is someone who can do both the traditional group shots and incorporate some of the artsy shots in as well. And, of course, being able to afford them would also help! I know there are tons of options out there and I'm confident I will find someone who is affordable and qualified when I start looking. The reception facility is on the top of my priority list right now!

Another discovery we made is that Alfred Angelo has a burnt orange color available for bridesmaid dresses as well. Alfred Angelo and Bill Levkoff can be starting points for bridesmaid dress shopping. One vendor had mannequins setup with chocolate brown dresses next to a black tux, which also looked quite sharp. The dark brown would be my second choice if we can't get the orange to work out...

Of course now since the show, the wheels in my head are turning even more. How fun!

Read more...