Michigan – Toledo Wedding Photographer

Bridal Show Survival Guide

Congratulations on your engagement!!!

If you are just starting to plan your wedding, or if you are still trying to find the perfect wedding specialists to complete your list, you are probably considering attending a bridal show. If you have never attended one before, it can be quite overwhelming. Arguably, it’s even overwhelming to the participants who are there to help you. But it is also the perfect place to meet and talk with, albeit sometimes only briefly, those wedding professionals who can help you on your wedding day.

Here are a few tips to assist in your bridal show survival.

1. Pre-Register. Almost all of the bridal shows now allow you to pre-register for the event. This will save you lots of time from standing in line. In addition, many also allow you to purchase your tickets online as well. Of course, purchasing them online will save you even more time.

2. Show Up Early. Bridal shows are very busy and chaotic. Arriving early means you will be able to get to speak with the wedding professionals before most of the rest of the brides. This is especially important when your wedding date is the same date that many other brides also want. Remember that when booking a wedding professional, it is usually a first-come, first-served basis, so if you know you want to book a particular wedding professional, the sooner you do that the better your chances will be of getting your wedding dream team.

3. Print Address Labels. Almost all of the wedding specialists will have some sort of drawing. Print address labels prior to attending to save time. Be sure to include your name, email address, phone number and wedding date. Not only does this save time, but will spare your hand from cramping!

4. Know your budget. Knowing your budget will save you the embarrassment of hiring someone you will not be able to afford and then have to cancel their services. Keep in mind that most deposits are non refundable to protect the vendor. Therefore, it’s better for you to spend that money on things that are necessary and that you can afford. Don’t waste it on the fluff no one will remember.

5. Bring your checkbook! If you are serious about planning your wedding, you will want to bring your checkbook. Many wedding professionals do not accept credit card payments. Therefore, it is wise to bring your checkbook. This will ensure you get the wedding specialists that you want from the show.

6. Have your calendar available. If you wish to sit down and meet with your favorite wedding specialists before booking them, you should know when you are available. Chances are that they have their calendars with them and can schedule an appointment at the show.

7. Bring your posse. Have your mom, your maid of honor, your bridesmaids, and your fiancee come with you. Bring whoever will be helping you plan your wedding. (Just be careful not to bring too many people so you don’t get overwhelmed or confused.) They can help you decide on things and also help carry the massive amounts of literature that you will receive from the show vendors and also help you fill out the drawing entry forms.

8. Take notes, pictures and collect as much information as you can. There will be a lot of things running through your brain and this will help you keep track of what you like. Accordingly, there will also be a lot of photo booths that you can try out, so be camera ready!

9. Eat before you go. No one likes it when you are hangry. There will be small, almost bite-sized, food samples at the show. But, they are just samples and not enough to fill you up. It’s a good idea to eat lunch before the show to help keep your mind focused.

11. Bring something to drink. You will be talking to a lot of people and your mouth will get very dry. For that reason, you should bring something that will quench your thirst and keep you going.

12. Wear comfortable shoes! Your entire bridal show survival could depend on your feet comfort level! You will be doing a lot of walking and standing. There will not be any seating areas provided in the venue. Therefore, it’s important to wear something comfortable and supportive.

13. Don’t get pressured into booking at the show! There will be many eager brides ready to find the one perfect wedding professional for their special day. And there will also be many eager wedding professionals ready to fill their calendars with weddings. Don’t let their overzealous antics force you into a contract that you aren’t ready to sign.

14. Have fun! Don’t forget to have fun at the bridal show! After all, this is what you have dreamed of and worked for your whole life.

If you have recently become engaged and are looking for a wedding photographer and/or photo booth, I will be at the Sounds of Music DJs Superbowl of All Bridal Shows on Saturday, January 27 and Sunday, January 28 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. I will be located at The Premier on Heatherdowns. Don’t forget to stop by and say hi and check out my photography and my photo booth! Here is a map of the layout and where I will be.

Use these tips to get the most out of the bridal expo! Happy planning!

For more information about Kurt Nielsen Wedding Photography, including pricing, please visit my website at www.kurtnphoto.com.

To check for availability and schedule your FREE Wedding consultation, please call:

Kurt Nielsen Photography

kurt@kurtnphoto.com

5431 Schultz Drive

Sylvania, OH 43560

419 885 7153

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Ashley and Eric

Ashley and Eric chose Charlevoix, Michigan for their destination wedding in May because that is their favorite vacation spot. This beautiful little tourist town with an actual population of about 2,500 sits between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. The rich history can be found throughout the town and especially in the downtown area where the Weathervane Terrace Inn was. That is the hotel where most of the wedding guests and I stayed.

The Wedding Rehearsal

For Destination Weddings, I always arrive the night before. This ensures that I get to where ever I need to be in time on the day of the wedding. If possible, I try to arrive before the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner and photograph them as part of My Destination Wedding package. Ashley and Eric’s rehearsal was at their wedding venue, Dhaseleer Event Barn.

The ceremony was up on the hilltop overlooking the beautiful rolling hills of the countryside. The rehearsal was also on the hilltop which was already for the next day’s wedding ceremony. The rehearsal dinner was held at the Antrim-Newman Cottage that was rented for the week. This was one of the cottages where some of the family stayed for the wedding.

groom and his parents walking down the aisle during the rehearsal

father of the bride walking the bride down the aisle at the wedding rehearsal

wedding ceremony rehearsal at Dhaseleer Event Barn in Charlevoix, Michigan

wedding present that is a wine bottle wind chime

watch for the groom's gift from the bride

Antrim-Newman Cottage in Charlevoix, Michigan

Can you guess how many weddings I photographed of the people in the next picture? If you said all three of the couples, you would be correct!

past wedding couples photographed by Kurt Nielsen Photography

The Wedding Day

The next morning, I met Ashley at Panache Hair Studio in Downtown Charlevoix. This was where Ashley had her hair done by the owner, Beckah. Panache’s apprentice Laura did Ashley’s makeup.

happy bride at Panache Hair Studio Charlevoix

After the hair salon, we headed back to the cottage where Ashley was staying. I took a few shots of Ashley’s jewelry, shoes and her DIY wooden flowers bouquet on the front porch of the nautical themed rental cottage.

wedding shoes that match the bride's bouquet

it's your day wedding and engagement rings

navy blue pink paradox london peep toe shoes

After a quick food run to get the bride a little something for lunch, I headed over to the cottage where the groom and his family were getting ready. The groom’s tux was from Ticknors Men’s Clothier. His blue socks with pink flamingos and palm trees fit Eric’s personality to a tee!

Ticknors Men's Clothier Navy Blue Tuxedo

The Wedding Venue

After the groom was ready, I headed over to Dhaseleer Event Barn where I met up with the bride. Ashley was ready to finally put on her wedding dress from Atlas Bridal Shop. The venue had a little room hidden away from the reception area where the bride was able to finish getting ready and still be hidden away from the wedding guests that were arriving.

Dhaseleer Event Barn in Charlevoix Michigan

memory table for parents and grandparents wedding photos

helping the bride get into her gown photos

The Wedding Ceremony

Finally, it was time for the ceremony to start. Of course, it had been absolutely beautiful all morning. When it came time for the ceremony to begin, the skies got cloudy and the wind began to pick up. It was definitely chilly up on that hill! The groom’s uncle performed the short ceremony. After the guests threw their flower petals at the bride and groom, they scurried down the hill and into the rustic barn where the reception was held. The bride and groom and their immediate families stayed back to get a few photos.

picture from the back of the wedding venue

the bride and groom and the bride's parents

strapless bridal gown from Atlas Bridal Shop

picture of the bride in her gown from Atlas Bridal Shop

Ashley and Eric chose not to have any wedding attendants and everything was at the Dhaseleer Event Barn. Therefore, there wasn’t a need for wedding transportation. After we took a few photos at the venue, I drove the couple to downtown Charlevoix. We took some fun and romantic photos at the marina on Round Lake and also at the nearby park.

michigan destination wedding photographer

The Wedding Reception

After our photo excursion to downtown Charlevoix, it was time to head back to the barn for the reception. We stopped outside to take a few more shots then headed in for the party. The grand entrance was followed by dinner. The bride and groom chose to serve pies from Grand Traverse Pie Company instead of cake. Their dances were in reverse order. They started with the groom dancing with his mother. Then the bride danced with her father. Finally, the bride and groom had their first dance as husband and wife. Gregg from Bugbee’s DJ Plus kept the crowd dancing all night long. The couple even had a special guest sing Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville” to them.