I’ve been getting some requests for referrals lately, mostly for a florist who was as good as my mom and charged like she did. While I don’t know if there’s anyone like that anywhere — of course not! — I do know how frustrating it must be to find good, trustworthy wedding vendors.

Photo by Flickr’s Paulo Rodrigues UK

Now, I don’t know about other parts of the country — sorry! — but I did get wind of an event called Wedding Happy Hour here in L.A. Basically, you get to have cocktails with folks who are vying for your business. How cool is that?

Now, don’t think I’m getting paid for this mention. I’m not. Actually, a trustworthy blog buddy sent this event to me, and I thought — hey! Why not. Besides, where else can you go to find wedding vendors for free? Bridal shows can get costly — for both the bride and the wedding vendor — and it being a happy hour event makes it a more relaxed atmosphere where you can actually get to know the vendors and get comfortable with them. Bridal shows are more often than not sensory overload. Trust me. I know.

Here’s a little more about the event from one of the organizers:

The thing about our group that is different then other vendor referral sources, is that none of our vendors have to pay to participate. It is free to vendors and Brides. Our vendor list is closed but we do substitute vendors from time to time when or main list cannot participate. Vendors are chosen on quality and professionalism and someone from our committee must have worked on site with the them. Unlike other referral sources, such as Bridal Expos, magazines and websites, where vendors will pay a fee to be listed, we base our sources on actually knowing the vendors and their work. It’s true that sometimes the above will do a background check in the form of referrals, but that is about it, they certainly don’t go onsite.

Now. I honestly don’t know how many of the readers of this here blog might actually go to one of these events. But if you do decide to go, they’ve given me a security code — whee!!! I have a security code! — that you can use when RSVP’ing. So when you register, enter this code: TWD/MP. And who knows, maybe you’ll see me too!

Oh! And register quick, it closes on Feb. 12!