Which bridal show is better?

Re: Which bridal show is better?

• dshrawder

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  I went to the Great Bridal Expo at the Mark Center in Alexandria in September when they had it... it was fun.  They had A LOT of vendors for HM's, 1 cake vendor who had absolutely STUNNING cakes (one shaped like the capital... it was amazing!), a fashion show of mostly David's Bridal, but some Alfred Angelo dresses (BM dresses too!).  They had a lot of photographers... I thought it was great if you are planning to get married near DC, but I'm more Southern MD, so nothing really helped me except the registry stuff (Bed bath and beyond, cuisinart, etc) and HM ideas.  I can't comment on the other.

  

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• meaganB12 member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  I went to the Bridal showcase last year and altho totally overwhelming it was a rally great resource for finding vendors.. it was at the dulles expo center so I dont know about the patriot center but I think it would be worth it to go...

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• C&VT member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  There is also one @ the DC Convention center this weekend run by the same people for the GMU show.

  
  

  I echo the GMU show as I went last April.  It was a great resource & really open the door to all the possibilities & options.

  
  

  There is free tickets by the Knot for the Alex. one though:

  https://email.theknot.com/servlet/cc6?sghlQAUURQUVJHkkpLHgKNmQljHgxnuHptQJhuVaVRVXLX

  
  

  Promo code - KNOT

  
  

  
  

  Good luck!

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• EHams11 member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  All I'll say about bridal shows is that you better be prepared for a crap ton of spam emails and mailings to your house. You might not mind, but I went to the bridal shows having already selected several of my vendors and I still get people calling me (i went to a show in september).
  
  I would go to the one at the Patriot Center though, if I were you
  

  
  My Planning Blog!

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• BrideCahill member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  The Washington Bridal Showcase has more options and is overall a better show.  Just look on their websites and compare the exhibitors. Great Bridal Expo (http://www.greatbridalexpo.com/bridal-shows/Washington-DC-Alexandria-VA-1-23-2011.aspx) has about 50 exhibitors, which are repeated multiple times and the Washington Bridal Showcase has 150 plus exhibitors (http://www.bridalshowcase.com/exhibitors.html?ActiveCategories.SelectedCategory.ID=492) - just click through the different categories on the left hand side.

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• ctalley83 member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Thank you all! We actually did end up going to the one in DC on Sunday and it was a little overwhelming but we ate a lot of free cake! We are in the very very early stages of planning and haven't even set a date yet so a lot of the vendors didn't even bother to talk to us too much.
  
  My future mother-in-law asked me how it went that night and I told her they gave me a button that said "Bride-to-be" and she stops and goes, "don't you already have a ring that says that!?" which I thought was pretty funny!!

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• bterry80 member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Honey - I have been to ALL of the bridal shows.  As a planner, I recommend going to more than one to  really get a feel for what's out there.  Large expos can be overwhelming and impersonal, but you come away with so many choices to research.  It's also a good idea to attend a more exclusive event for personal attention and an interactive experience.  Come to my luxury show on 2/5 from 6-9 in DC - tickets on me.  Email me directly if you're interested: info@biancasamoneevents.com.  Visit event site: www.aweddingsoiree.com
  
  Cheers,
  Bianca

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