Bridal Show Happenings | Jasper Winery

If you are in the Des Moines area this Sunday, we would love for you to join us at The Preferred Bridal Show at Jasper Winery from noon to 3pm. We have a lot of wonderful things planned for this show including goodie bags for the first 50 brides, prizes every 1/2 hour, a grand prize giveaway, amazing vendors, look books to inspire and so much more! Jasper Winery will be providing wine tastings while Food Love is setting up a delicious gourmet s'mores bar with hot apple cider. As always, Scratch Cupcakery will be bringing an assortment of scrumptious cupcakes for you to enjoy! We are so, so, so excited for this show!

Click here to pre-register for the show. If you don't already, follow The Preferred Bridal Show on Facebook!

Show Sponsors Include:

Scratch Cupcakery

Jasper Winery

Special Events, LLC

Vintage Love Rentals and annessi

Happily Accepts

Food Love

Des Moines' Best DJ Services

Participating Vendors Include:

Centennial Oaks Golf Club
Champion Family Chiropractic

cynwhd b. designs

Mary Kay Cosmetics

Optimum Chiropractic

Passion Parties By Leslie

Photos By Aaron Thomas

Pure Bridal

Special Events LLC

UBetts Rental & Design

Vintage Love, Rentals and annessi

Jasper Winery

xoxo,

Ashley

Bridal Show Happenings | Burlington Preferred Bridal Show

You are cordially invited to the 

Burlington Bridal Show

Sunday, April 7, 2013

12-3 p.m.

Howard Johnson Hotel, Burlington, IA

Preferred Bridal Shows are unlike any other bridal shows - we bring a unique show experience to the bridal show world.  We are a "boutique-style" that thrives on showcasing premier vendors in a relaxed atmosphere where education, information, and an exciting afternoon go hand in hand.  From the very frist hello, to the beverage that we hand you as you enter the vendor display room, to the last round of applause, we want you to feel pampered, special, and know that you are in good hands for the time that you are with us.  

At the Burlington Bridal Show this coming weekend, you will find some of the best vendors in the area, fun prizes and giveaways, beautiful decor ideas, and Princess Boutique will be doing a fabulous bridal fashion show!  We can't wait, and hope to see you there!

The Burlington Bridal Show is sponsored by 

Howard Johnson Burlington | Des Moines' Best DJ Services

Vintage Love, Rentals & annessi

Bridal Show Happenings | Des Moines Spring Preferred Bridal Show

We've been having such a blast this spring with all our Preferred Bridal Shows - we love helping couples put their dream wedding together.  A couple weeks ago we had our annual Des Moines Spring Preferred Bridal Show at the Embassy Suites on the River - we had some of the best vendors in the area, gave away some amazing prizes, and met some amazing brides and grooms!  Here's some photos taken by Katie Lindgren Photography!

Our next shows are on April 7th at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Burlington, and on April 21st at West End Architectural Salvage, downtown Des Moines.  For more information and details on all our upcoming shows, check out www.preferredbridalshow.com.

The cupcakes from Scratch Cupcakery are as delicious as they look! -

All of these vintage pieces are available to rent from Vintage Love, Rentals & annessi! - 

Pure Bridal always puts on an incredible bridal fashion show! - 

The guys from Des Moines' Best DJ Services doing what they do best!  Thanks guys! - 

{all images courtesy of Katie Lindgren Photography}

Sponsored Vendor | Des Moines' Best DJ Services

Dennis, from Des Moines Best DJ Services is a DJ/MC that truly wants your wedding to be the best experience ever.  Since he is one of our Preferred Iowa Vendors, his words of wisdom ring true with our brides.

As a wedding entertainment provider of 24 years, I am frequently asked a lot of questions. One of the most popular questions is "How Long should my wedding reception last?" There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Every party takes on a life of its own. However, I can tell you that the longer a reception lasts, the more likely it will be remembered in a negative way.

One of the most common mistakes that I see brides and grooms make is adopting the attitude of "We paid to have this reception hall for 8 hours. We will stay the whole 8 hours." 8 hours is a long time, especially when you had to get up early to get your hair done. And your nails. And take care of all the last minute preparations. And then you still need to get to the ceremony. Pictures beforehand are very common. And then there is the ceremony itself. And then more pictures. By the time you are done, you're already worn out. So now we are off to the reception!

The average wedding reception lasts for 5 hours and 15 minutes, including cocktail hour. As previously stated, every party takes on a life of its own. I have DJ'd receptions that were as short as 3 hours and receptions that went as long as 8 hours. So how long is long enough?

 In the entertainment industry, there is a saying: "always leave them wanting more." That means we should end on a high note. Don't be afraid to end the night while you have guests present. No one will remember your wedding ceremony, but everyone will remember the wedding reception. We are creating memories. When the reception drags on and on, the few remaining guests (along with the bride and groom) are tired, worn out, possibly overly intoxicated, and just want to leave. By ending on a high note, while your guests are still present, we are creating memories that people will talk about in a positive way. It is the difference between your guests leaving and saying "What a wonderful night! Too bad it had to end. That was the best reception EVER!" and your guests dragging themselves out saying "What a long night. I am glad it's over. I just want to go home."

 The choice is entirely yours. What memories do you want your guests to have?