Wedding Palace bridal show kicks off show season - Related Image.
Cakes are my favourite part of wedding shows.
Emma Jackson
It’s the new year and only five months till wedding season,
which means its officially bridal show season in Ottawa.
First up is the Wedding Palace bridal show
at the Ottawa Convention Centre this weekend. Doors are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7 and
Sunday, Jan. 8, with fashion shows at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. each day.
Advance tickets are $20 each (which I think is a
bit steep, seeing as you’re ostensibly going there to buy the exhibitors’
products), but the ticket does enter you for some killer prizes.
Grand door prizes include a $5,000 Scott Kay diamond ring,
two $2,500 gift certificates for Jubilee Fine Jewellers, a $12,000 wedding
reception at Orchard View Wedding and
Conference Centre, a $6,000 photography package from Barbara Ann Studios, a $5,000
home decor package from the Bay, a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, a
$2,500 wedding gown, a $2,000 linen package and a $1,000 floral package.
That’s pretty sweet.
Personally I probably won’t shell out $20 to go to this show
because I’ve already got my big ticket items booked, but there are some pretty
nifty vendors to check out if you’re just getting started on your Ottawa
wedding plans.
The vast majority of the 175 or so vendors are local, which
means you can basically peruse the merchandise and all the competitors in one
location before making your decision.
(Note for brides on a budget: Even if you don’t think you can
afford most of the high-end vendors who tend to flock to this luxury show, you still might get some cool ideas that you can recreate at home for much less.)
And if you’ve really got wedding show stamina, put these in
your calendar, too:
The Ottawa
Wedding Show
Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FREE!
This one’s at the brand-spanking new CE Centre on Uplands
Drive near the airport. Be one of the first people to step foot inside!
Wed By Hand Alternative
Wedding Show
Saturday, Feb. 11
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Glebe Community Centre
Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door.
This is your ultimate DIY wedding show, complete with
workshops throughout the day. Vendors are local, eco-friendly and/or fair
trade. You can bet I will be there ALL DAY! More to come on this bad boy – I’ll
be dedicating a whole post to this one closer to the time.
2012 Ottawa
Sun Wedding Decor and Linen Show
Saturday, Feb. 18
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Brookstreet Hotel, Kanata
Tickets are $5.
This event is hosted by MME Canada, a linens provider in
Ottawa. It just so happens my venue uses MME Canada exclusively, so you will
definitely see me there picking linens with Fiance. I’m sure he’s just oh-so-excited!
Watch for more wedding show updates on the blog. Happy
shopping, Capital Brides!