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By Ciara Daykin
Bridal shows can be completely OVERWHELMING for a bride. There are so many other brides, so many booths, everyone is trying to get from point to point and it can really get crazy. In this special edition of my ezine I’m going to give you some savvy tips and tricks for hitting the bridal expo with style and sass!!
Tip #1: Wear comfy shoes! – You’re going to be walking a mile on a hard tradeshow floor. Yes, it’s lovely to look fashionable but the brides in stilettos never last long at the bridal expo. If you really want to see everything and be comfortable think about your feet first! (But be a little elegant and leave the stinky gym sneakers at home… opt for some cute supportive flats.)
Tip #2: 1000 Brides Gather In 1 Place – You think it might be a bit of a mob scene? Well then you’re absolutely right! If you really want to get some valuable one on one time with the exhibitors I recommend planning the timing of your visit to the Expo. When the fashion show is taking place the booths slow down significantly. This is a great time to chat with an exhibitor or try on dresses at the gown sale. I also recommend first thing in the morning (especially if you want your pick of all those frugally priced gowns).
Tip #3: Your Hand Will Cramp – Many exhibitors will be offering prizes at their booths and you’ll be asked to fill out a ballot form. You waste valuable time writing out your contact info again and AGAIN. So print off a couple sheets of labels that include your name, your groom’s name, your wedding date, your address, phone number and email. Then it will be easy to just peel and stick your info to the ballots. Then you can spend quality time checking out all the cool stuff on display!
Tip #4: Watch Out For Bridezilla! – I often see the dreaded bridezilla at the Bridal Expo. You know her… she’s the girl that pushes your Mom aside so she can get a better look at the booth, she criticizes your wedding colors when she overhears you gushing about them, she muscles her way to the prize box while telling the exhibitor she doesn’t want any information (just the prize!) and she complains loudly about how expensive everything is…. Oh yes… Bridezilla always makes an appearance at the Bridal Expo. But don’t let this kind of bride ruin your good time! She has a bunch of BAD karma surrounding her so just IGNORE HER and have some fun!
Tip #5: Be Patient & Be Nice – Be the opposite of bridezilla. The exhibitors at the show have brought some really great deals with them… some that you won’t even know about unless you talk to them! It’s true! At our booth I have a SPECIAL OFFER JUST FOR YOU!! If you come to my booth I’ll give you a special gift if you introduce yourself to me and let me know you read my ezine. But I’m ONLY giving this gift to brides on my ezine list that visit my booth- no exceptions. But I might be a little busy, so please be patient and look around our booth because I do want to talk to all the brides that come by.
This kind of mentality will get you far with other exhibitors as well. I find myself giving extra nice brides FREE advice! I know other exhibitors do too!! (because we all want to work with nice brides)
Tip #6: Hydrate! – The Round Up Centre with over 1000 people in it at any given time can heat up pretty quick. And you can bet the water ain’t cheap! So bring along some water for your journey. You don’t want to get a headache!!
Tip #7: One Step at a Time – Okay, the truth is that there are going to be A LOT of booths, people, and noise at the Bridal Expo. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. YES, there are a lot of choices but you don’t have to choose EVERYTHING or choose ANYTHING right there and then. Here are a couple of TIPS within my TIPS to dealing with all the choices:
BONUS: Tip #8: Overwhelmed? Come Relax With Me – The day can get a bit hairy but think of my booth as a sanctuary. Come by and enjoy the elegance, look at pretty wedding photos and chat with us about your wedding. It’s really hard to figure out which exhibitors you should be seeing and I can point you in the direction of some of my favorites. I can also tell you about our FABULOUS programs that will do ALL the work for you (they make you feel like a celebrity!). So always know that I’m waiting at Booth 115 with a smile (and a hug if you need it!)
Ciara’s Bridal Advice
Good luck and I’ll see you there!! Don’t forget to introduce yourself to me for my SPECIAL OFFER, available ONLY to subscribers of my ezine!
By Simon Daykin
It may have been Valentine’s day, it may have been on vacation or it may have been during a hot air balloon ride (Congrats Steve & Sonya), but you got engaged…you’ve done a bit of planning, and while you were hiding the newspaper (like Marge did to Homer when the Chili Fest came to town) your bride to be has found out that there is a huge Bridal Show in Calgary and now she wants you to come as well. This is a full day of wandering around the Round Up Center looking at booth after booth, most of which couldn’t care less if you were there or not. Most vendors go after the Bride and the Bride only. It’s why I started Gutsy Groom in the first place and it’s why I work full time with my wife at Firefly Occasions to make sure the Groom isn’t left out and that his ideas are fully incorporated into the wedding planning process and the wedding day.
WHAT DO YOU AS THE GROOM DO????
As a planner & event designer, I attend this event twice a year, so I’m going to impart some tips to you on how to survive this day, keep your bride happy and make it out alive.
Comfort And Style
The trick is to mesh the two. You need to walk around all day, stand on concrete and look good while doing it. You wouldn’t wear track pants to go buy a new car, so why slum it for the Bridal Show? Project a high end image and high end vendors will be drawn to you. This is simple attraction. Vendors interview you just as much as you interview them, so put on a nice shirt, good pair of jeans and a kick ass pair of COMFORTABLE shoes. I’m not saying show up in a 3 piece suit, but dammit man, LOOK GOOD! I started going to this event in a T-shirt and jeans years ago, now that I plan 6 figure weddings, I dress the part.
Versatile Clothing Is Good
A dress shirt is good, as I find that they seem to blast the A/C, but when all those people get into that space…man it gets hot. I get cranky when I overheat so I always make sure I can change my body temp quickly and whenever possible, without having to carry anything. So with a dress shirt, you can roll up the sleeves, let off some steam and this will keep you in a better mood and not overheated all day.
Sure you can take a sweater off, but then you have to carry it.
I also recommend, that if you bring a coat, leave it in the car. It’s not that far from the car park to the doors, and you DO NOT want to be carrying around a coat all day. With Calgary you never know what the weather will be like, but trust me, if your fiancé brings a coat, odds are you’ll be carrying it around when she gets hot. So leave yours in the car so you won’t be carrying around two. And avoid the coat check (if there is such a thing) as that’s just another line you’ll have to wait in.
Happy Feet Ain’t Just For The Penguins
ALWAYS make sure you have a comfy pair of shoes on. You’ll be walking around all day and standing while you chat to vendors or your fiancé does. The floors in the Round Up Center are concrete. Being on concrete for hours on end takes a toll on the feet. And after the feet go, the legs follow and then it’s all downhill from there. I usually wear a pair of sneakers or the shoes I picked up at the Bridal Centre (patent leather sneakers) I’m not saying head out and buy new shoes for the show, go through the closet and see what you have. But make sure they have a nice, comfy sole on them. Cushioning will get you through the day and save the pain in your legs when you hit hour 4. This is a big venue and you’ll be doing A LOT of walking.
Hydration Is Key
So I know that the show is on a Sunday and Saturday nights are a great party night. But this is only ONE day out of countless weekends you’ll have in your life. Do yourself AND your fiancé a favor and don’t go out and get sloshed on Saturday night. Trust me on this, you’ll pay for it tenfold the next day.
So no hangovers OK guys!?!!
That being said, the recycled air will dry you out almost as fast. I suggest bringing a large water bottle, sure they sell water and but there is that whole line thing again. Bring Vitamin water, Powerade, whatever gets you through. I strongly suggest passing on your Red Bull type drinks as they induce a rather nasty crash after a couple of hours. (And if you leave that coat in the car, carrying a water bottle around isn’t that bad.) If you do need a “pick me up” type drink I suggest those little 5 hour energy drinks they sell at the gas station. I use these on long road trips and I can say they work, and have little to no crash at the end. I think they may include a bottle of water in your “welcome Package”…but you’ll go through that in no time flat. And remember to eat as well…the burgers are actually quite good.
Take It All In
This type of event can be very overwhelming, so take your time. If you find a vendor you like, get all their contact info, make a note on it so you don’t forget what it was you liked about them and keep it somewhere safe. There is so much info passed out at these things that the good stuff can get lost in the shuffle. If you can make an appointment with the vendor on the spot for a later date, do so. Take the time to talk to the vendor and get a feel for them and the services they offer. If you take an interest in stuff instead of hanging back and moping, the day will go by faster, your fiancé will love you for it and you’ll be able to get some of your ideas incorporated in your special day as well.
Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice
While this may not be the greatest day ever…it doesn’t have to be the worst. Follow the simple steps listed above and it’ll go smoothly. If your fiancé brings other people, ie: her mother, maid of honor, any bridesmaids…anyone really. Listen to what they have to say, add your opinion, but NEVER get into a fight with any of them. You can discuss all the info you gather when you get home with the only person who really matters…YOUR WIFE TO BE.
We are flooded with calls after the show, so if you want to meet with us after meeting us at the show, we can hook you up on the spot and make a sit down appointment with you. This way you won’t have to wait and you’ll have pick of the times we offer for meetings. If you’d like to secure your meeting now, simply click here and let me know the details of the wedding and I’ll book you in for a meeting.
It means a lot to your bride to have you involved so suck it up and go in with your head held high and the best of intentions. You may actually have a great time.
By the time you get this I’ll be on my way back from my uncle’s fishing lodge in British Columbia. Simon and I are off with our dogs Kohl and Chayse to celebrate our 4 year wedding anniversary and relax without cell phones or the internet for a whole week! I’m super lucky that I have a great team to support me while I’m gone. And I’m just in a good mood all around, 4 years of marriage will do that to a girl *blush* That’s why I’m throwing the good vibes your way by having a sale. It’s only for this weekend and it ends on Monday August 10th at 11:59pm MST but you can get 40% off my DIY Wedding Planning System by typing in the code 4YEARS. Some of my favorite calls in the series are the ones Simon and I did together since that’s the way we plan most of our events… I just can’t get away from the guy now can I? Well, you’ll see how fun he is when you listen to the great design ideas we come up with on the calls in the DIY Wedding Planning System (don’t forget your code to get 40% off is 4YEARS).
I’m glad I’m taking a midsummer break because wedding season has been hectic and AMAZING! We’ve had some really awesome events so far and we’ve got more great ones to come so stay tuned for pictures and stories. I know that it’s totally the season of love as lots of weddings bring lots of engagements. You just can’t help your lovin’ feelings! So today’s article has some tips for those of you who are newly engaged. I hope you enjoy “ Avoid These 3 Newly Engaged Mistakes.”
You love the pictures of brides in magazines running with their groom being showered with petals. It signifies the celebratory feeling everone in attendance at your wedding has right after you’ve said “I Do.”
But many venues are saying a big NO to the petal toss. No one clean them up so they get ground into the carpet or cement leaving stains, they blow off into the wind in an un-ecofriendly whoosh, or they disappear under chairs and pews wreaking havoc for the clean up crew.
Soo… Sooo… Sad.
But wait! I have 5 petal tossing alternatives that could meet your ceremony send off needs.
1. Ecofetti- Confetti and rice was banned long before petals (no so good for the birds) so this great alternative was created in various colors and it dissolves with water. Great outdoors, probably not for inside- still a little messy.
2. Ribbon Wands- Bachelorette Trista and Ryan’s fairy tale wedding made these wands a fab alternative to the petal toss. Coordinated with your colors not only are they a great send off but also a décor accessory.
3. Ring the Bells- We don’t all have a great church bells to ring post nuptials so an idea from Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings was just right. She gave the guests of the Today Show Breakfast at Tiffany’s wedding mini Tiffany bells to ring as the bride and groom exited.
4. Bubbles- I did these at my wedding and I loved them. When I look at the wedding video and photos everyone was having so much fun acting like a little kid blowing bubbles. Especially our Gramma’s! It was also so dreamy and romantic on a hot summer’s day.
5. Organic Material- For winter weddings I think it’d be cool to have the green bits of cedar branches cut up into pieces and thrown (none of the hard bits), for the fall autumn leaves. For the summer, make an arch out of huge ostrich feathers that you fan as the bride and groom walk through, for the spring bird seed can act like rice.
Ciara’s Bridal Advice
Don’t be sad without petals. There are lots of fun and creative ways to craft your ceremony exit. Play with the theme of your wedding and use a ceremony send off that enhances everyone’s experience and makes your pictures look great!
Award winning Calgary based wedding planning company, Firefly Occasions has made a big wish come true for one couple. Ciara Daykin, CEO of Firefly Occasions was approached by Vibe 98.5FM to grant a wish for one of their listeners. A representative from Inn from the Cold, a local Calgary shelter had written in about a couple who had gotten engaged in the shelter and who were planning their July 18th nuptials. She had asked in her letter that the couple be granted the wish of an amazing wedding day with any help that could be provided.
Daykin, not only granted the wish by providing her planning and design services, she rallied the Calgary wedding industry to give this couple the wedding of their dreams. Calgary based wedding businesses such as Great Event Rentals, Mandala Floral, Cory Tomlinson Photography, Prism Sound, Beautiful Bride, Pink Lime Salon, Bridal Centre, Savour Food, and Production Lighting have all donated goods and services towards this couple’s wedding day. “I’ve been really excited and touched that I’ve called upon my colleagues in the wedding industry and they’ve really come through to make this a truly dream wedding day for this special couple” states Daykin.
The wedding will take place this Saturday, July 18th at Central United Church with a reception to follow. Daykin says, “The bride and groom are going to be really surprised when they see what we have in store for them. I think my favorite part of this whole process was when I saw our bride try on the wedding dress we’d secured for her. The smile on her face was priceless.”
Ciara Daykin is the owner and CEO of Firefly Occasions Inc., a wedding and event planning company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Ciara is the publisher/ editor of “Beautiful Brides” a bi-weekly ezine for brides which offers industry insider tips and tricks to planning a fabulous wedding and is subscribed to by over 7500 individuals. Ciara is an expert in planning haute couture weddings that reflect the couple’s personality and style but still fit into their budget.
Ciara also coaches other wedding planners, is a sought after speaker in her industry, has had her articles published in books, magazines and online, and is a well-known social networking personality. Ciara is a personality on the blog SheandHePlanWeddings.com, with her husband Simon Daykin. They provide readers with a she said, he said perspective on weddings. Ciara also consulted designer Nancy Gale of Jamah.com on the creation of a bridal line of handbags and “The Ciara” handbag is named in her honor.
http://www.fireflyoccasions.com
Will Your Wedding Photos Come Back To Haunt You?
by Simon Daykin
We all have our love for facial hair and sideburns. I myself used to sport a long ass goatee that I had dyed bright red. Yup, seemed like a good idea at the time. We’ve all seen the photos of Dad’s wedding, groomsmen with huge mustaches, mutton chop sideburns and oh dear Lord, The Mullet! My Dad gave me some advice on my wedding day, he said “Son, shave that crap off your face, don’t date your photos.” Having thought about this I think that was some of the best advice I could have gotten. You want your wedding photos to be timeless.
Sure, Wolverine is cool and all…but…
Ah the mutton chop sideburn. They look great on Wolverine and Elvis, but do you want them in your wedding photos. When you pull out your photos in the coming years will your kids get a good laugh at Dad’s ridiculous facial hair? This goes for beards (Do you really want to put your bride through that on the wedding night?) goatees, soul patches, cool 80’s stubble and the “pornstache” that Brad Pitt is now sporting. Keep in mind he has his for a film role. Having facial hair that was cool in a certain era will date your photos, it will let people know exactly when you got married and how “cool” you thought you were at that time. You want your photos to be timeless!
Ha, Ha, Daddy had a mullet!
It doesn’t stop at facial hair fellas, oh no. Remember the Faux Hawk, the Vanilla Ice lines and the dreaded Hockey Hair or Mullet! Entire web pages have been dedicated to the Mullet, do you want your wedding photos on such a site!?! I thought not! It may have been all business in the front and a party in the back, the best of both worlds you say? HELL NO!!! I loved the re-make of Miami Vice, so I grew out my hair and grew a wee moustache, I found out I was NOT as cool as Colin Farrell and my wife and friends still make fun of me. I will be eternally thankful that this phase came after my wedding. Sure your personality should come through in all aspects for the wedding, but let’s keep is classy shall we.
We Can Help, We Have The Technology
So, how does one tackle one’s facial and head hair then? For the facial hair I suggest getting yourself a little pampered. On the morning of your wedding, after you’ve had a nice breakfast. Head out to a pre determined barber shop and get yourself a nice warm towel facial and straight razor shave. This will ensure the baby-ass smoothness of your face for your wedding and all the kissing associated there in. Even better, have the barber come up to your hotel room.
As for your glorious head hair. I suggest getting your hair cut in the style you want for the wedding a few weeks before hand. This ensures it will look good and you will like the style. Just before the wedding, pop back into the same guy and just get a trim. Sounds simple right? Well I got my hair cut right before the wedding, it was way too short and I look like I had a day pass from the Marines in my photos. Even worse, at the right angle of the sun, it looks like I’m pretty much bald.
Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice
So just a few things to recap here. Shave that crap off your face, take some time to pamper yourself and don’t cut your hair before the wedding, just have it trimmed. Oh and one more thing, if you decide to color your hair, give it time to look natural. If your wedding is on Saturday DON’T dye your mop on Friday night. It will look fake and you may have some runaway dye on your scalp as well. No one wants that.
You can make the shave an outing for all your groomsmen if you like. The bridal party gets their hair and make up done, why can’t you and your guys get a hot towel facial and a shave? That way you know none of your groomsmen will show up with any crazy facial hair. Maybe speak to them when you ask them to be in the groom party as some people have a great bond with their facial hair and may not want to give it up.
You want your pictures to be timeless, yes I have said this before but I can’t say it enough. You don’t want your kids to pull out your wedding photo album to have a good laugh with their friends, you want them to pull that album out and tell their friends how hot their parents were and especially, how great their “Pops” looked.
The type of music you choose will set the tone of your wedding reception and solidify your wedding-day theme. Actually… music can make or break your wedding reception! The decision of who to hire for this responsibility should be based on a number of things- your personal taste, budget, space and guests, to name a few. So who do you hire? A band? Or a DJ?
With a band, you not only get music- you get a performance. A good band leader will interact with people on the dance floor and select music according to the feel of the room. On the downside, a 12-person band will probably take up more space than a DJ, and they will probably cost more.
If you have a list of songs that you HAVE to have played at your reception, a DJ might be better for you, as they have hundreds of tracks at their fingertips. On the other hand, a DJ may not have the ability to improvise, if, say, during the father-daughter dance, someone needs a little help on the dance floor!
Whichever you choose, make sure they play a variety of music- slow and fast, old and new- and encourage EVERYONE to hit the dance floor!
Also, make sure you choose a professional who is open to your likes and dislikes. Give them your personal request list, as well as a do-not-play list. Consider your first dance song a test. If they don’t know it/have it, and are unwilling to learn it/get it, you may want to find someone else.
