Cocktails and wedding vendors

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.

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Bride World Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center

I came, I saw, I conquered. Well, not quite. This was my first bridal show, but of course, not attending as a bride-to-be made it a little less pressure on me. The big crowds of eager women and aggressive vendor booth people were a little intimidating, but I think I came out OK!

Thanks to the economy and the rise in environmental consciousness, it looks like there are a lot of trends like Do-It-Yourself and Green Weddings that are coming into play. Check out these DIY options from one company offering invitations. I’m pretty sure this company is Paper Wonders out of Temple City.

I particularly liked this idea from Celebration Photography & Video. These appeared to be actual canvas, but these were digital photos on them! So they looked like paintings! That’s something I’d love to do with a lot of photos, particularly the nature and landscape shots I love to take.

Of course, accessories like these Popit Sandals from A Room To View are getting increasingly popular. They’re easy to personalize and useful at any time, not just the wedding day. Those little jewels? You can attach them to just about any accessory they offer here — those comes, brooches, hair accessories, you name it.

I saw this cake topper from Tutto Dolce, which happens to be based right near me in Thousand Oaks. They have some very cool cake and giveaway alternatives, and they’re all deliciously edible. The bride dragging the husband away cake topper was what really caught my eye though. You can send owner Vanessa Calderone an email at tuttodolce@roadrunner.com.

You probably think that’s all I got, huh? Oh contraire! I’ve got plenty more where all that came from (since I’m a voracious photo taker) and am planning some future posts highlighting other concepts and alternatives for you to personalize (and save) on your weddings and decorations. So be sure to check back OR subscribe to my RSS feed so you’ll know immediately when I post.

Get ready, get set, go bridal show!

Photo by Flickr’s Schminktante

Bridal show season is in full swing, and I’m mulling the idea of attending the biggie one here in L.A. — the two-day BrideWorld convention at the L.A. Convention center. I’ve been to one bridal show before (I know, right, weird for a wedding decorator), and it was not a good experience. I was a teenager, hanging around, taking pictures as my mom helped someone else set up for a show. I took pictures of a cool balloon display, and the owner of the shop the display belonged to made me take out my film for taking a picture of her display. That was inexcusably mean in my opinion, but people are people.

So trust me when I say bridal shows intimidate me.

So as I updated my list of L.A.-area bridal shows, I noticed an article about preparing so you can get the most out of a bridal show. I’m all about preparing, and I’m all about getting the most bang for your buck. So these tips really made sense to me:

Just as bridal fairs help you prepare for your wedding, you should properly prepare for the fair. Like a good general drawing up battle plans before engaging his forces, you’ll benefit from your own plan of attack—making a checklist of required services, accessories and design questions will streamline your efforts.

Pre-registering for these events saves you time at check-in, and often a few bucks. Don’t forget to print out directions before you hit the road. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes—you’re going to be doing a lot of walking. Bring a large bag, backpack, or even a carry-on with wheels: you’re going to be grabbing a lot of brochures and free magazines. Pack your checkbook and also some cash. There are usually special sales on items such as jewelry cleaner or cool accessories, and not everyone takes plastic. You’re going to be exchanging business cards, so have a case to keep the ones you hand out and collect. Pre-printed address labels or an address stamp are handy when signing up for mailing lists. Your PDA or appointment book makes for convenient scheduling. Micki Love suggests that brides who have already purchased their gown bring a color swatch along—useful when browsing jewelry, tiaras, and other accoutrements. And although you’ll be snacking at the fair, it’s a good idea to eat a small meal before setting out—it will keep you from wolfing down an excessive number of teriyaki chicken wings and mini-quiches.

The most important thing to bring with you is a companion, someone to bounce ideas off of or keep you from making an impulsive decision you may later regret. Pamela Noxon advises attending one show with a friend or relative, and another with your fiancé. (Giving your husband-to-be the illusion of having input into the wedding will disguise the fact that you’re actually the one calling the shots!)

Read the entire article for more tips. Happy hunting!
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Bridal shows in the Los Angeles area*

So I realize there are a lot of people who enjoy going to bridal shows. These people include brides-to-be, the not-even-engaged, the hoping-to-be-engaged. Vendors generally include everyone from florists, bakers, caterers, event planners, chefs, gift packagers, deejays, bands. When you get all these people into one gargantuan room, that can be just a little overwhelming, which is why I’m not a fan of bridal shows myself.

But there are people who enjoy, nay, want to do this sort of thing, so I figure I’ll try to compile a list of bridal shows in the Los Angeles metropolitan area for those who are interested.

Photo by Flickr’s dkhlucy

March 9, Riverside Convention Center, $10 admission, 10 a.m to 4 p.m.
March 9, Bridal Showplace at Knott’s Berry Farm, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 16, Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, $9 admission, $7 with advanced registration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 30, Quiet Cannon in Montebello, $9 admission, $7 with advanced registration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 20, Day of the Diva at the Corona Yacht Club, $12 admission, $10 in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 26, Anaheim Convention Center, $9 admission, $7 online, noon
April 27, Westin Bonaventure, $9 admission, $7 online, noon
May 4, Carson Center, $9 admission, $7 with advanced registration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 18, Redondo Beach’s Crowne Plaza, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 18, Long Beach Hyatt Hotel, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 1, Orange County Fair & Event Center, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 15, Ontario’s DoubleTree Hotel, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 28-29, Los Angeles Convention Center, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 29, Fairplex in Pomona, $9 admission, $7 with advanced registration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*August 3, For The Bride & Groom Bridal Show, Ontario Convention Center, $10 admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
August 17, Long Beach Queen Mary, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
August 17, Hyatt Westlake Plaza, $10 admission, $8 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*August 24, Ventura County Wedding Expo, $8 admission at the door, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October 5, Knott’s Berry Farm, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*November 1, The Great Bridal Expo, Westin Bonaventure Hotel, $9 admission at the door, $7 tickets if purchased online, 12 p.m.
*November 2, The Great Bridal Expo, Anaheim Convention Center, $9 admission at the door, $7 tickets if purchased online, 12 p.m.
November 16, Pasadena’s Hilton Hotel, $5 admission, $4 if purchased online in advance, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I’ll be adding to this as I go. Happy bridal show hopping! Also, if there are events you’d like added, or if you want me to widen my listing to include venue shows (events that showcase a particular venue and their affiliated vendors) or events outside Los Angeles/Orange/Riverside/San Bernardino counties, let me know with a comment.
*Newly added!
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