Hundreds Attend Bucks County Bridal Show

More About the 4th Annual Bucks County Bridal Show

The bridal show ran from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. As they had during the previous three years, future brides and grooms, their parents and friends, poured into the visitor’s bureau. All Occasion Video, Kiss Professional  Photography, Bensalem Country Club, Limo Today, The Pen Ryn Estate, Peddler’s Village, Provence Catering, Bob Egan Entertainment, Sound Choice Disc Jockeys, Sadie’s Bridal, Town Crier Bakery and TW Photo Arts were amongst the dozens of exhibitors on site.

Future bride, Allison, her mother and younger sister attended the bridal show to get tips, advice and to learn about wedding décor, fashions and entertainment options. Her wedding scheduled for next spring, Allison said, “I like the bridal show. There are a lot of local vendors here.”

Although she didn’t attend a bridal show before she got married years earlier, Allison’s mom, Susan, saw advantages in couples attending the shows. “It’s a good idea to come to bridal shows,” she said. “It helps couples to plan for their wedding day. It’s nice having everything in one spot.” 

Rachel Boughman, Kate Agnew and Alicia Downs, a trio of friends who happen to all be engaged, shared Susan’s view. They’d just come from another bridal show in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Rachel who’s wedding date is scheduled for May 2014, said, “I’ve found lots of do it yourself ideas at the [Bucks County] show.”

Kate’s wedding date is scheduled for November 2012, giving her the shortest amount of time to prepare. She enjoyed the Bucks County bridal show because she said it was, “small and intimate. The show’s spread out good. There are lots of local vendors.” Alicia added, “You can get lots of information you didn’t think about beforehand.”

An Array of Exhibitors at the Bucks County Bridal Show

Exhibitors displayed their wares on rows of tables that filled the visitor center. One of the exhibitors was Flower Girl Florist. Karen Laich, owner of Flower Girl Florist said, “This is our third year at the bridal show.” Several fresh flower arrangements lined the table she stood beside. “Couples at the show receive gift certificates for $50 off wedding orders they place with us,” she continued. “We make fresh bouquets for the show to give brides and grooms ideas. We also offer suggestions.”

Around the corner from the Flower Girl Florist booth, Lisa Dannerth, sales manager at Residence Inn by Marriott, handed out brochures highlighting wedding discounts and services offered at the hotel. “This is our first year at the bridal show,” Lisa said. “Couples can get discounts on blocks of rooms they reserve for out-of-town guests.” She continued, “We work with two hotels in Montgomery.”Smiling, she added, “I love the bridal show.  It’s very well laid out, very organized.”

Barbara, sales manager at Cramer Bakery, passed out samples of miniature cakes, one with a rich, creamy filling. “We’ve been in business for 65 years. All our cakes are made from scratch,” she added. When asked what she thought of this year’s bridal show, she enthused, “I love the show. I’ve met a lot of nice people. We get a lot of business from the show.”

Jason Flock, marketing and sales manager at Bob Egan Entertainment, agreed. “This is our fourth year at the show,” he said. “We’ve been coming  from the beginning. We offer $100 off photograph packages. For brides and grooms we’ll also put wedding pictures on Facebook, in email and video. We also provide DJs and music for weddings.”

A Panel Discussion and Wedding Fashion Show

In addition to learning about services and discounts offered by local vendors, engaged couples got the chance to attend the “Wedding on a Budget” panel discussion that featured representatives from O So Inviting Invitations, Town Crier Bakery and D’La Borgata Florist. Following the panel discussion, Sadie’s Bridal and Frank DeRito Men’s Clothier presented a fashion show in the visitor center theatre. Uptempo music played while models walked the stage in bridal gowns, tuxedos, suits and bride’s maid dresses.

One of the couples attending the fashion show was Jo and Jacob. Their wedding date is set for July 2012, less than six months away. Jo said, “I’ve been going to bridal shows for a few months. I came to today’s show to check out the gowns, tuxedos and for the prizes. It’s a nice bridal show,” she added. “This show has more vendors than other shows I’ve gone to.”

Her fiancé, Jacob, said, “It’s nice to see what we need as we prepare for our wedding. We can also find out how much things cost.” Before going to meet more vendors, his fiancé, Jo, added, “This is a good way to get information in one place so we can make comparisons.”

Another groom, Onix, said he and his fiancé, Joanna, were getting married in May 2013. “This is my first time at a bridal show,” Onix shared. “I thought it would be mostly for the ladies, but it’s very informative.” Asked which vendors impressed him most, he said, “Peddler’s Village. They  offered various amenities. They also do indoor and outdoor weddings.” His fiancé, Joanna, said, “The show’s nice. It has a whole selection from venues to restaurants.

One exhibitor, A Woman’s Place, received dress donations from attendees. “The dresses go to Full Circle Thrift Stores,” Heidi Leiberman, a representative for A Woman’s Place, said. About 600 people attended this year’s bridal show according to Michelle Greco-Falcone, Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau’s communications manager.

Jessica Lawlor, the bureau’s marketing and communications coordinator, said, “Visit Bucks County partnered with Philadelphia Weddings Magazine to give away a complete Bucks County wedding to one lucky and very deserving couple. Philadelphia Weddings Magazine selected the couple based on the heartwarming story submitted by the bride about why her groom is the greatest. The lucky winners of the Greatest Groom contest, Amy Pickett and Tim Bock, were announced at the show.