National Wedding Show at Earl's Court

Hiya

Is anyone going to this ? And has anyone been in the past ? What did you think ?

I was thinking of going just or a bit of fun with my bridesmaids. Is it fun or is it full of Bridezillas elbowing people out of the way and fighting over things !!!

TIA

Suze xx

I'm going on the Saturday with another couple who are planning their wedding.

Never been before but I imagine it will be a bit chaotic at best!

I went to the one last October with my sis (CBM), we went on the Friday, arrived at midday and left at 7pm!  We had a ball, It was great, especially the champagne bar!  If you have an idea of what you want so can go with some focus then you'll get a lot of benefit out of it.  I only tried one dress on when we first got in there and then gave the whole dress trying on thing a miss as some of the girls looked a little wild eyed and crazy

Hmmm think I might go then, I permanently have a  wild eyed crazy look so should fit in well !!

I was thinking of going but a bit of a wedding fayre novice. SO do you go with your OH or the girlies?

We always exhibit at the NEC National Wedding Show in October (and I am pretty sure I've read somewhere if you book before 11th September the tickets are cheaper).

Friday morning is normally the best time to go, its a lot slower.  But definitely give yourself all day because it's an experience - trying on dresses, champagne, fashion shows, mini seminars.  Great fun we love it, the atmosphere is brilliant.

Can't comment on Earls Court but if the NEC is anything to go by .....

i have just booked my tickets, im going with my auntie and two of my bridesmaids cant wait ita the first wedding fair iv been to

I went last year and it was probably the best thing idea...the freebies were excellent!

I would also say if you can go on the Friday afternoon when it opens, as it's much quieter and there is plenty of space and time to try on loads of dresses and see a few of the catwalk shows.

I went to Earls Court & Olympia and Earls Court was far superior...may more stands and ideas.

Hiya I'm going on Friday 2nd October to the one at Earls Court...  Going with the old dear and cannie wait! x

Thanks Everyone,

I think I will go then. It will have to be the Saturday or Sunday though as I have to pick the munchkin up from school at 3. Would Sunday be quieter than Saturday ??

I would have thought that the sunday would be a little bit quiter, you could also try first thing on saturday morning!

Hi all,

I've exhibited at Earls Court before and am considering whether or not to exhibit there again this year.  If so, I will let you know so you can all come and say hi.

Friday is the quieter day.  It gets busy on Fridays from 4pm as you tend to have people working London come later and stay until 7pm.  There are definitely more offers and freebies at this than the February one at Olympia.  I've done both the October and the February.  There are far more exhibitors and visitors at the October one than Feb.  If you look at the website you can find out more about each business and plan your day.

Do plan it - its huge and you will get tired and see something, try to come back to it and also forget where it is.  The company who runs it does put all the bridal dresses together.  Cake companies are spaced out and normally on corner stands.  The flower companies are normally placed together near the front entrance - probably because it is cooler.  On the Sunday lots of the florists give or sell some of their displays away.  There are only a few aisles which are quite wide and they are the ones near the Champagne Bar.  I had the "tooth whitening" near me - which was swamped as they were giving away whitening kits.  This company is also very good as it does stop outsiders who have not paid for a stand handing out their cards and trying to tout their business.  I bit like here really which is good for those of us who pay for the very pricey hire for a stand.

You can also get quite a good deal on chair covers and sashes and decorations to go round the chairs.  However, do walk round.  I walked round before opening to have a good nose - sorry but couldnt help it girls and there were some chair covers I wouldn't touch with a bargepole.  Do pull them around - sorry it sounds awful but some were covering up badly stitched covers!!  I didnt see any great deals from venues which really surprised me - however lots of brides walked away with wedding dress bags.  There are some fantastic jewellers there although I have to say that I cant really say any of the headpieces were as good as some of the photos from the suppliers I've seen on here.  However, the rings, etc are amazing.

Go, have fun and do go to the champagne bar.  Word of wisdom - if you want the champagne bar head there around 11.30am before lunch to grab a table by about 11.45am its getting busy and you will then have to stand or wait a very long while for the table!  Sadly I will not be able to participate in the old champers, god I've written masses - best stop but if anyone wants to know any more, getting there, travel, hotel, food prices, etc, let me know.

Jane

x

PS.  Of course, fabby me may be there as well!!