5 Tips to Surviving Your First Bridal Show

May 10, 2015

As a wedding vendor, I am not a huge fan of bridal shows.

Here is what they are to me:

A bunch of just-engaged brides who are super excited about planning their wedding, who have no idea what their budget is yet or what they are looking for and just want to have some fun with the ladies who have just said "yes" to being a bridesmaid!

And from the point of view of the bride:

An event that is meant to be fun, to get some great ideas and meet some fantastic vendors. It is a great event for some freebies and yummy food too! It is also an event that is extremely overwhelming, as hundreds and hundreds of vendors are asking you your wedding date, what your budget is, what style of wedding you are having, details, details, and more details, to the point where you can't even keep a vendor straight and just want to toss all of those business cards in the trash and begin researching from scratch online!

Too harsh?

As you can see, I don't like bridal shows. Yes, many vendors book some great weddings. And many brides instantly connect with vendors that they MUST hire. But more often than not, they are a place for an overwhelmed bride, to become even more overwhelmed about all of the details she has not figured out yet (and all of the vendors she just spoke to who made her feel as though she should have these details figured out by now).

I know that bridal shows are not going to stop and you are still going to want to attend no matter how much I tell you not to, so here are some tips on the do's and don'ts of attending a bridal show:

1. Save the business cards for later!

Once you get home, put the bag of goodies away and enjoy your engagement! Don't take those business cards back out until you have a budget set and are ready to really get down to the grind!

2. Those annoying emails are a plus!

You are going to get bombarded with emails from wedding vendors, eager for your business. And instead of getting annoyed with these emails, look at the positive! Those vendors who spoke with you, got your email address, and took the time to email you (whether it is a mass email or not), are the vendors you want to look for! They are the ones who you can count on to be organized and the ones who you know will typically be the most responsive during planning.

And while it is even more annoying when one of these vendors follows up after you not responding to the first email, that is an even bigger sign that that vendor is on top of things!

3. Be Honest

If a vendor is far out of your budget and you know it, tell them! Then they won't waste your time and you won't waste theirs! If you tell a vendor you love them and want to book, knowing very well that their cost is double your photography budget, you aren't doing anyone any good!

And if you aren't planning on getting married for two years, or aren't wanting to begin planning for a couple of months, let those vendors know so you are both on the same page!

Just be open and honest, and everyone benefits!

4. Learn the Vibe

Personality is HUGE when it comes to booking wedding vendors. So while the price and package may be a great fit, bridal shows are a great place to see if your personality meshes well with potential vendors!

You may not have another chance to meet in person to make sure you take note of the vendors you really vibe well with and those that didn't seem to mesh well with you and your fiance.

5. Have fun!

This is supposed to be a fun day and isn't meant to stress you out. So if you know that attending will just overwhelm you, plan a spa day with your bridesmaids or a date day with your fiance instead. That's what the internet is for ;)

Exploring the World of Group Fitness

May 9, 2015

Written with love, by Nikki Lian

Group fitness is a great way to learn new things so you can add to your own routine. Sometimes walking in the gym can be intimidating if you don’t know what you’re doing, and personal training may not be in your budget. So what can you do to learn how to work your body properly and see results? Try a class! I’ve actually jumped around and have done my own research into group fitness to keep my workouts fresh.

Boxing + Kickboxing

One class I’ve tried was a good friend of mine’s boxing class at Elite Pro Fitness in Manhattan Beach. Chuck is a great trainer, and he pushes me to my limits when he works me out. This class was a mix of heavy bag work, mitt work and some leg and arm work. This is a workout that will push you to the limit. A boxing workout like this one is usually non-stop and can burn up to 800 calories per hour. It also works your entire body. Remember, an hour sounds long, but time flies when you’re having fun!! Your local gym may have a cardio kickboxing class, or if you have a CKO Kickboxing close to you, try out a class there. 70 percent of your workout is on a heavy bag and the trainers are amazing. You can also get the stress out by punching things!!

Zumba

Another group fitness experience I had was when I joined my friend for a zumba class at the YMCA in Burbank. I had taken Zumba once before with her and didn’t enjoy it that much or felt that I got much of a work out. But my friend told me that I needed to go to Shauna’s class, and that her class was a lot more fun. I agreed, because I do believe different people add different vibes to classes, and I was really glad I went. Shauna has unbelievable energy, and a lot of compassion. She explained to her students that it is all supposed to feel good and be fun, and if anyone has injuries, to moderate the moves. I, for one, appreciate that because something is usually always hurting on my body.

Shauna’s zumba class was very face-paced, which is what I like. I didn’t have time to feel like a fool with two left feet because I was so concentrated on what she was doing, I wasn’t worried about anyone watching me trip over myself. I ended up getting a great work out, and decided to go back for a second and third time. However, personally I felt I could supplement this class with lifting weights as well. It was like my “Cardio.” This was also a lesson learned that your trainer or instructor makes your class. So it’s best when you’re trying a new workout to not judge it on one class.

Yoga

Black Dog Yoga is a studio in Sherman Oaks I heard about through a client. They were having a great deal—unlimited yoga for a month for 30 dollars. I had done yoga only once at Runyon Canyon, and again didn’t have the greatest experience, so I decided to give it a shot. The first class I took was called Restorative Yoga with Melissa. If you’re trying to get a good work out and sweat, this is not the right class. Restorative Yoga was right up my alley, because it’s pretty much self-explanatory—you’re restoring your body. You sit in different positions using blocks and pillows to try to shape your body back to the way it should be. It was very relaxing, and again you are able to adjust and modify positions to fit your comfort,

I also participated in a basic flow yoga class, led by Hanna. This was a little more intense. I was sweating buckets, but it really stretched me out and worked my core, two things I desperately need. I was able to do everything (I just had to sit on a blanket instead of the hard floor to protect my tailbone). Both instructors at Black Dog Yoga were extremely helpful and although the classes were full, they walked around to help you out.

So if you’re bored of your same routine or are trying to get in shape and have no idea what you’re doing, try to throw some group sessions in to mix it up. If you’re in the Sherman Oaks, CA area I’d love to have you at my Fit Camp! If not, ask your local gym for their group fitness schedule, or check out the deals on Groupon or Lifebooker. They usually have a lot of different classes to choose from. Find the one that fits you!!

Today on The Bridal Boutique: Wifey Pocket Tee by Shop Allie Anderson

May 8, 2015

Ahoy there! This week on the Bridal Boutique we’re featuring a treasure of a product. This adorable anchor “Wifey” pocket tee is perfect for the bride to be! This shirt would be great to relax in on your honeymoon or to give as a gift for the almost Mrs. at her bridal shower. If you’re looking for something that’s comfy and cute, look no further and check out this great shirt and other gifts like it at ShopAllieAnderson on Etsy!

Shop Allie Anderson