Wedding shows
A great opportunity to meet professionals, gather ideas
Schedule of shows | Planner
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Coming in October
The first annual
12-3 p.m. Sunday October 8, 2006
The Schwartz Center, North Front Street
Downtown Wilmington
 to details
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As you browse this site, or read your Cape Fear Wedding planning book, you'll find plenty of good advice and see listings of the many local wedding services. But to shop and compare dozens of these wedding professionals at one time, there's nothing like a well-organized bridal show.
Each year, several wedding shows are held in the Wilmington area, with two in the winter and two in the fall. Smaller, more specialized events may be held at other times of year.
These shows offer you a wealth of resources under one roof: gowns and formal wear, caterers and reception sites, cakes and flowers, invitations, photographers and videographers, limousines and many other products and services. Besides seeing their work up close, a show gives you the chance to talk directly with these professionals, get brochures, price lists and samples, taste the work of bakers and caterers, and see examples of the latest wedding fashions.
Sometimes a show may be sponsored by a major
hotel or reception facility, in affiliation with the bridal registry
of a large department store. The sponsors may not open their shows
to their competitors. A show that's organized by an independent entrepreneur
may offer more choices in some types of service. For this reason,
it may be worthwhile to attend more than one show.
Expect to leave any show with a list of new ideas you hadn't thought of before.
Bridal show schedule for 2006 and 2007
2006 Member
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Cape Fear Wedding Extravaganza
When: Sunday, October 8, 2006
Where: Schwartz Center, Cape Fear Community College
North Front Street
Time: Noon-3 p.m.
Contact: Kate Meyer (910) 392-5228
or Judy Bradley (910) 686-1891
This unique bridal showcase is sponsored by Cape Fear Wedding and Eventz!
Wedding professionals: want to exhibit? Ask us how. to email form.
Southern Cape Fear Coast Bridal Showcase
When: Sunday, October 15, 2006
Where: Southport Community Building
223 E. Bay St., Southport, N.C.
Sponsored by Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce.
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Contact: (910) 457-6964
2006 Member
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Bride and Groom Expo 2007
When: Sunday, January 14, 2007
Details: To be announced
Contact: Mike Raab (910) 259-8323
The oldest wedding event in coastal North Carolina,
with over 60 vendors
Watch this page for other upcoming bridal events.
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Some tips for getting the most out of a bridal show:
- Take a notebook or daily planner so you can write down information you'll want to remember. Don't count on your memory to keep track of every contact you make or idea that catches your fancy.
- Bring a friend: your maid of honor, your mother -- even your fiance. A second opinion or different perspective can be useful, and besides: the show is more fun if you have somebody to share it with.
- Expect to fill out registration cards at many, if not all, of the booths. Besides the chance of winning door prizes, this lets the vendors whose work you're interested in send you information and offers that can help your planning.
- To save time (and avoid writer's cramp!) while filling out registration cards, consider bringing a set of return-address labels that include your basic contact information.
- Even if you aren't sure you'll need a particular vendor's service, at least pick up a business card or brochure. Add them to your planning file so you can find them easily if your needs or plans change.
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