Weddingbee boards

I recently attended one at the place I'm getting married.  It was nice to see how people flowed through the room.  Plus even though I've done most of my wedding planning it still gave me some ideas.  It was free admission and there was a chocolate fountain with strawberries & cream puffs, among other yummy treats! I think they are fun and worth going to at least one when you are engaged! 

I've been to two.  The first was completely overwhelming, but it helped me see what was out there.  I got some ideas about music, the honeymoon, and such, but mostly acquired tons of cards and information sheets.  Oh and so many phone calls and emails that I could have done without.  The second show was much better.  I didn't feel so overwhelmed and won a gift basket less than 5 minutes after my arrival.  Also, I was contacted a few days later and told I won $250 in travel cards.  I was pleased with my winnings already, but it gets better.  About a week after the show I was contacted and told that I won the grand prize....a $1000 gift certificate to be used with any of the vendors from the show!  My photographer, musicians, and bridal salon were all present, so I know I won't have trouble spending it!  I'd say it was all worth it!

I went to the big one in Seattle and had a good experience, enjoyed the fashion show, and felt like I got my money's worth in catering and cake samples alone. I got a lot of ideas and used the endless pile of brochures as a starting point for my baker/photographer/florist search, but so far haven't booked any vendors because of it. Especially with flowers, it really helps me to see what they do in person. I had a similar experience with one in the burbs... it had way fewer vendors and the only thing I got out of it was a good tux rental coupon that I could have probably attained elsewhere.

I went to one when I first got engaged.  It was ok, but I definitely had better luck finding vendors on my own or through friends' suggestions.  It wasn't terrible, but I wasn't terribly impressed either.

I went to one in Boston and was disappointed, but that may be because I'm getting married in North Carolina and did not have the benefit of having too many national vendors that I could use so far away.

If its free its just something to and try to win some free stuff.

I went to the Seattle Show the beginning of this month, and it was pretty nice, I thought.  However, while I live in Seattle, I am not getting married here, so it was mostly useless for me, save for the stationers and bridal gown boutiques' booths. 

I have been to others that totally sucked, but still I find myself wishing I could attend the one in my hometown, where we're getting married.  It would be a great way to weed out vendors that we're totally not into.  In terms of evaluating photographers, caterers, florists, etc., I think we could accomplish more in an hour at a show than we could in a month doing online and phone research.  So for that reason, I think they can be useful.

I find them entertaining but I despise the snail-mail and email spam I have been inundated with since going.