The Bridal Show....

Well, it's finally time for me to let you know how the bridal show went last weekend (and we'll throw in a few other choice tidbits, too).

We'll start off kind of backwards. I learned today that the elevator pitch I gave last Friday (I think I told you about it) is an entry into an American Idol style elevator pitch contest at www.startupnation.com. You all have to go sign up on the site for membership and vote for me! :) Also, they apparently pre-record shows. The one I recorded will air on 8/12 and you can find where/when at www.startupnation.com/radio. I'll give more details as I get 'em! :)

Mark and I went to see the Broadway musical "Rent" on Tuesday night. Interesting....that's all I'll say because there are many people who are fans of it. We weren't really...we left halfway through. Since we'd won the tickets, we didn't feel to guilty about leaving especially since I had to be up early the next day. At any rate, it was nice to go and do something together so we're not complaining too much.

Another couple of details, I now have a partial business website (still under construction in many ways!) and I'm advertising on two online wedding planning sites - Wedplan and Wedding Solutions. If you're feeling like taking a peak, please do....for the ad sites, you'll need to give a zip code of 94541 in the consultant/coordinator section (or on Wedding Solutions alone, the financial services section) to find me. I'll be pretty easy to spot in both cases once you get there. Please let me know what you think! :)

And, now a little info about the bridal show - it was great! I received 85 entries for my bridal emergency kit and newlywed financial planning package gift certificate. They will all be receiving the first edition of my newsletter as well as a quick phone call to follow-up and answer any quesstions they might have about planning their wedding, using my services, etc. In preparation for this task, I just signed us up for long distance today. We've pretty much always just used our cell phones for this purpose, but now we're going to go way over our minutes if we adopt that strategy!

Now as far as logistics, we did have some frustration over the business cards and magnets I ordered not showing up on time. And, then, there were the brochures which were folded backwards. I'm not feeling too confident in the abilities of Kinkos, my friends. Luckily, I had Mark to help me refold enough brochures for the show. And, at least I won't even need to contemplate whether or not I need business cards, magnets or brochures for the next.

At any rate, overall things went well...so much so that I'm signed up for the show in January as well. If you're interested, there's a picture of my booth which you can see by clicking here. There was a great response to the newlywed financial planning as well. In fact, I may be doing a workshop at the next bridal show One of the ladies who works for the show loved the service and thought it would be perfect as a workshop. This same person also was in disbelief when I told her this was my first show ever. There's a compliment if I've ever heard one! :)

The show was also an excellent networking opportunity. I met with tons of great photographers, venues, videographers and even a muscian who I may work for part-time managing the business side of his wedding performances in exchange for access to all of his bridal leads and expertise in the business. I tell you, some people gave me "the look" when they heard I was a CPA and MBA, but most, were absolutely on board. I have so many appointments I need to schedule now with vendors as well as people I need to call back.

It was also a great time to check out the competition. There were two other wedding consultants there. One was right on the other side of the curtain from me. I actually picked up her information and I have to tell you, I don't know how she lives with the rates she's charging! They are about a third of mine...but then, the services she offers aren't as inclusive. She also may not be trying to tap into the affluent market as I am.

I also have several people who seemed quite interested in discussing my services with me further. One was a mom who was checking things out for her daughter. She adored my booth. I hope to hear from them soon...which I will or they'll hear from me. For the most part, the people who were interested in my services signed up for the bride's emergency kit. So, I have their contact information... I had another couple who wants a destination wedding - they want to take a cruise and stop at a port with a mission and get married and then continue on their way. Another is looking for someone to just step in on the day and handle things (they have the planning under control since the groom is an event producer). I could go on, but you get the idea that I was well-received...and it gave me some great confidence.

So, I'm looking forward to the next one on August 6 and I'm thinking it should be a lot less hectic than this one. I need to get another emergency kit put together as well as some door prizes. I may also do some little "favors" to get people to stop by my booth. Anyone want to suggest something inexpensive that I could put together in the next week? I had a suggestion of bobby pins in tulle, but I'm not sure I'm interested in that. If I had tons of time or tons of friends to put to work, I would love to do some fizzy bath bombs like I did for Christmas, but I'm not sure I have the stamina to make 300-500 of those by myself. If anyone would like to volunteer, feel free to come on over and help out with that! :)

So, more details on a lot of things....to come! Hope all is well with all of you!