INDY WEDDING IDEAS July Issue is on the Shelves

10 Things to Know Before Attending a Bridal Show

10 Things to Know Before Attending a Bridal Show


Bridal shows. To attend or not to attend? Is it worth it? Absolutely!
Those planning an upcoming wedding cannot afford not to attend.

With the bridal show season coming right around the corner, it’s time to consider attending and which ones to attend.

Brides can plan attending those shows coming to the area and surrounding city/towns. Jotting down dates & times, as well as the times for fashion shows is a helpful reminder.

Brides can save a lot of time and huge amounts of money, have the opportunity to be face to face with top wedding industry experts, see the latest fashions in wedding gowns and tuxedos, pick up great ideas for the wedding and while doing all that possibly walking away with wonderful door prizes.

Here are some Fantabulous tips when attending bridal shows:

1.Arrive early Arriving early is great. Many times the bridal shows offer extra incentives for those that do so.

2.Pre-register before the show Most times when pre-registering, you can get a discount for admission.  When attending Bridal Jubilee Expo, you get $4 off for pre-registration.
3.Bring your friends, family & bridal party Bringing your friends, family & bridal party will help them feel much more involved. It is a great opportunity to ask their opinions or help you make a decision on hiring services for your wedding day.

4.Make contact info labels. Wedding vendors will often have drawings for prizes at their booths. Instead of having to fill out multiple forms with your contact info, prepare some labels before the bridal show. Information to include: your name, address, phone number, and email address. Using the pre-printed return address labels work well.

5.Bring a notebook and pen so you can take notes. Write down contact info of vendors, attach flyers or business cards from those you talked to or thoughts you have while attending the bridal show.

6.Bring a digital camera. This will allow you to quickly remember some of the great things you saw at the show. Did you see a great dress during a bridal fashion show? Maybe there is a great cake from a wedding cake designer. It’s a good idea to ask before snapping the photos.

7.Know your budget. Setting your wedding budget and knowing who is responsible for each thing will help you make decisions and know what you are looking for while attending the show.

8.Bring your checkbook. Many wedding vendors will offer a “Show Day Only” discount. Take advantage of these deals. This will help you save even more money if you are able to find your vendors at the bridal show.

9.Do your research. Know which services you will need before the show. Also try to find out which wedding vendors will be exhibiting. This will help you know what questions to ask and allow you to visit those vendors you are particularly interested in. Attending a Fantabulous Events “Wedding Planning Exchange” can help too.

10.Plan to be there for several hours. Plan on attending the bridal show for several hours. Allow yourself time to visit all the vendors and find everything you need. Don’t rush yourself. Also, stay for each fashion show. Great prizes are given away after each of them. Most importantly, have a good time.
written by: Maggie Puertas

TWINKIE WEDDNG CAKE

Servings: 27 here's the recipe


This Hostess original recipe is a Twinkie take on a wedding cake. Fondant is a prepared confection, readily available at stores selling cake decorating supplies and large craft stores. It comes in a variety of colors and in various package supplies. You can also color your own by kneading small amounts of food coloring into the fondant to get the shade you desire, and then just roll out as usual. To use it, place it on a board lightly dusted with cornstarch or confectioner's sugar and roll it or the desired thickness , usually about 1/8 inch thick, with a rolling pin.

Ingredients: 7 3/4 pounds prepared fondant in 2 colors

27 Hostess Twinkies

1 piece of Styrofoam

1 cardboard cake round, covered with decorative, food safe, aluminum foil

1 1/2 can butter cream frosting

1 8 diameter, 4-inch thick) piece of Styrofoam

1 cardboard cake round, covered with decorative, food safe, aluminum foil

Instructions: Reserve 1 pound of fondant and roll the rest out to 1/8-inch thick.

Wrap 13 of the Twinkies in strips of one of the colors of fondant (3 1/2 to 4 ounces fondant per Twinkie). Lightly brush the edges of the fondant with water to seal tightly. Wrap the remaining 14 Twinkies in the other color fondant. For the top layer, place the 4-inch round of Styrofoam in the center of the 7-inch cardboard round. Frost the top and sides with one-third can of Frosting.

Alternating the colors, arrange 10 of the fondant wrapped Twinkies upright around the Styrofoam, attaching them with frosting, with the seams facing in. The top edge of the Twinkies should be even with the top of the Frosted Styrofoam.

For the bottom layer, place the 8-inch round of Styrofoam in the center in the 11-inch cardboard round. Frost the top and sides with the remaining 2/3 of the first can of Frosting. Alternating the colors, arrange the 17 fondant-wrapped Twinkies upright around the Styrofoam, attaching them with frosting, with the seams facing in. The top edge of the Twinkies should be even with the top of the Frosted Styrofoam.

Fill a pastry bag fitted with a #12 tip for larger decorations (or a #4 or #5 tips for more delicate decorations) with frosting. Pipe a decorative filigree of Frosting on the top of the Twinkies on the bottom layer, or mold fondant into decorative shapes and position on top of the Twinkies.

Stack the top layer on the bottom layer. Fit the pastry bag with a #6 tip. Pipe dots of Frosting around the edge of the cardboard circles. Cut flowers from the fondant with a small cookie cutter and decorate the tops of the Twinkies on the top layer. Fit the pastry bag with a #3 tip and pipe a small dot of Frosting in the center of each flower.

To make the bow on the top of the cake, roll the reserved 1 pound of fondant out to a 1/8-inch thickness and cut into strips about 1-inch wide. Place a generous dollop of frosting on top of the cake, then use a strip of fondant to make a loop, sticking the ends into the Frosting to secure. Continue to add loops of fondant ribbon, securing each loop in the Frosting, to make a large bow.
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Not sure I would have it at my wedding but what a fun bridal shower cake!

Apple Blossom Bridal Shower

photo by http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/

CAN'T FORGET COOKIE BARS at our Wedding Receptions

CUPCAKES and WEDDINGS

FREE STUFF for INVITATIONS by SPARK

We’re all about sparking your interest in letterpress, and what better way to do that than by sharing some free letterpress love.

Free Envelopes with Your Order

Any order of 75 envelopes or more will receive 25 envelopes at no additional charge. This offer may be used only once in an order.


Free Belly Bands with Pocket Folds

Our pocketfolds (a.k.a. envelopment, pouch, folder that holds your wedding invite and insert cards) come with a string and button closure that we just love. But, if that's not your thing, then just ask us to skip the string and button and swap for a belly band wrap instead! The belly band wrap literally wraps around the pocketfold to hold close. All of the wedding love designs feature belly band wrap options.

Here's how it works. When you purchase...

Unprinted Pocketfolds, receive an unprinted or 1 color belly band wrap. One Color Letterpress Pocketfolds, receive an unprinted or 1 color belly band wrap. Two Color Letterpress Pocketfolds, receive up to 2 colors on your belly band wrap. Upgrades do not apply with this special offer by SPARK STATIONARY.

Offers end July 31, 2010.