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Are bridal shows really that important?

hmm .. it all depends if you have not a clue where to start or need ideas its great to go, they tend to have lots of contests and give aways atleast here in toronto they give you a bag filled with free stuff samples, bridal magazines enough to never have to buy one lol! They have a fashion show so if u are still looking for a wedding dress or BMs dresses  its great also they sell stuff a bit cheaper like bridal shoes, veils accesories stuff like that.I also think its a great thing to do with your BMs& Moh make it into a girls  get together i went to dinner with my girls after  and discussed the stuff we saw.So yeah the whole experince is nice it also depends on what show you are going some are better than others  How about going with your fh?  I have seen many couples go, i know i'll be taking my dh  to one just cause its great to hear what he has to say about certain things we still havent decided on limos , or what his groomsmen will wear so  just ideas for him to look into while we are there.

Not really. lol..... They usually have great deals and carry them on for a month after the bridal show. If you need ideas or a vender they are great to go ...then you can kind of skip the "consultation appointment" and just get down to work!

I would say they aren't THAT important. I found them more fun to be there than anything. I took my mom and FMIL to a smaller one and it was a lil better for both of them who were feeling under the weather. That one was good cuz we registered for our tuxes and saved on a free tux for my FH, and then I got to try some cake (but I already knew what that bakery tasted like anyway cuz it's local haha). The bigger one I went to with my MOH was TERRIBLE! I got no ideas and instead signed up to "win" all these things to only receive millions of emails, junk snail mail, and these "free" trips I won if I sit at a 2 hour presentation for EXPENSIVE pots and pans/time shares (but I gotta pay for all the flights...so NOT  free!) So they CAN be helpful, but this early in the game, I would say not really. Maybe the one in May/June would be good for u. Just beware of what you put your name/address/email/phone on because if you aren't really that interested, it's just more headache later - TRUST ME!

Going to Bridal shows was very helpful for me, I went to most alone or with FH, which I was OK with because I was able to focus on what I wanted.

You may get some ideas, but the more valuable part for me were the show specials.

I found my photographer, videographer, limos, and tuxes at bridal shows.

the photographer videographer, I got a great package for $4000 which included photo/video all day shooting albums, dvds, thank yous cards, engagement photos, guestbook, and an extra show special our photobooth for free.

The tux special we got the groom free and everyone else 50% off

Limos we got 30% off

So the deals alone are worth the trip.

The other advantage is you can compare vendors with out having to make a bunch of appointments, this is great for photo, video and florist. You can see their work and compare it to others there.

I don't know abt Bridal Shows but OPEN HOUSES sure are worth it!!! Lots of food and drinks and music. Really takes u out of planning and plants u into REAL wedding atmosphere.  Especially the ones venues/caterers/bakeries have!!! Example...we liked our venue the first time we visited but we didn't love it. They later e-vited us to their open house and it was amazzzzzing!!! We booked then and there and got major discounts for doing so!!!!

Thanks ladies :) I think I am going to pass on the bridal show, I already have almost all of my services lined up, and we've already bought my dress and such. Thanks for the advice :)

Well that depends on if your looking for ideas and vendors. Most vendors give you pretty good discounts. I went to a my 1st bridal show 2 weeks ago and won the door prize which was a $250 suitcase, one studion session + an 8X10 to an expensive great photograhy  which I plan on using as our engagement photo so we can spend more money on our wedding photos, gourmet chocolate, Hypnotic ice bucket with mixer and shaker, book about Sandals, $25 gift certificate to another photography place, a cake cutting set. Then I put my name in to win a 3 day 2 night vacation which I won by Simplicity Gourmet and we're gonna use it as a vacation after our honeymoon to Sandals. So tell me was it worh it?