Monday, February 18, 2008

If you missed Sunday’s Nashville bridal show at The Frist, you missed a great show. But don’t worry, I’ll be sure to give you an update later this week.

If you did attend the show, please take a few seconds to VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BOOTH. Simply scroll down and comment on this post.

I want to thank all of the brides and all the vendors who stopped by “Ashley’s Bridal Bar” yesterday. I like to think we were a popular booth because of our inviting decor and smiling faces…but it may have been because we were one of two booths offering anything to drink. Oh - here are my bar secrets:

The Lemonade - Everyone was raving about the lemonade. While it was created with love, it’s simple ole’ Sam’s Choice Lemonade and Pink Lemonade. I just added fresh cut strawberries to the pink lemonade to make it Strawberry Lemonade.
The Diamonds - Hobby Lobby - (Kat of Selah Style picked them up for me)
The Beverage dispensers - Target

I am going to do some shot outs to all of the amazing folks who stepped in to make my booth super chic and super fun…

Event planning friends are great friends to have! Remember - if they are willing to do this much work (for free) imagine the magic they create when they’re getting paid. (Hire them and just show up on your wedding day.)

Selah Style and Events - Kat, thanks for putting up with me and thanks for loaning me Chris, your “sexy” (his words), Home Improvement boyfriend on Saturday and Sunday. Chris built my bar and back-drop, hung my sign, brought my tables, ran errands during the show and even went to get McDonald’s for us. (Kat - what did you do? Only kidding:)

Everyone commented on how cute my booth was and Kat made it possible - from the diamonds all around to the funky stripes - Kat did everything she could to make the AshleysBrideGuide.com booth match the feminine colors on our website. Thanks cutie!

Selah Style receives my “Diva Designer” award

Bridal Opulence - Latrice called me on Thursday after reading my “I’m stressed” post and said “How can I help?” Now, I am not sure if folks really want a “to-do” when they ask that question or if they want you to say “nothing - I’m fine”, but Latrice certainly got to-dos. I asked her to help me set-up on Saturday because Kat was attending another bridal show. I emphasize the word help because by end of the set-up on Saturday, I was asking myself “Whose booth is it anyway”. I was so very unhelpful. Latrice basically did everything. I am a chatterbox - clearly that’s what I do. In fact, my friends say I reallly should have my own talk show. Maybe one day. But for now, this is my e-show.

Back to Latrice - so at one point, as Latrice asks whether we should steam the linens and I return that oh-so familiar face that says “what are linens”, she switches into solution mode, gets a steamer and starts steaming. Meanwhile, I return to chatting. Then, she configures my booth - and I say “that looks great!”…you get where this is going. I helped unload and let her do her magic.

Bridal Opulence receives my “Make it Happen” award

Wonderful Graffiti - Leanne is their local sales rep and she was responsible for my cute, colorful banner. Now, Leanne jumped through hoops to get my banner done in time. I didn’t place the order until like Monday even though the deadline was like…2 weeks ago. I wasn’t really certain I would have it because I’d missed the deadline. But the Wonderful Graffiti gods duked it out with the Fedex gods and made sure it arrived in time for the show. Whew! So, after that feat (with Leanne pulling strings and cords and everything that could be pulled), I was indebted to her. Then, she shows up on Sunday to make sure I’m all set and of course at that time, I was. Then the doors open and we’re greeted by hundreds of thirsty folks and I want to make sure everyone gets a beverage. So my team jumps in and we start serving. (Gracen - I told you we should have worn those cute aprons that Relish wore at the last show.) All of a sudden, Leanne comes out of nowhere. She was like superman - she just sensed that I needed her. She asks me a few times if I needed help and I said no. Then, she does what a mom does, and just started helping. She stayed at my booth for 2 hours and probably served 200 drinks and registered 50+ brides.

Keep this in mind because you want to hire vendors who go above and beyond. Last I checked Wonderful Graffiti had nothing to do with bartending. But, Leanne wants her clients to succeed, whether they are brides, wedding planners or website geeks like me.

Wonferful Graffiti receives my “Super Service” award

A Magical Affair - Hillary is my Dr. Phil. She helps keep me sane. She is also a graphic designer and designed the bridal show checklist. If you were not able to attend the show and want a checklist as you attend bridal shows, download here. She also came by every hour, shared her great energy and made sure I was ok.

A Magical Affair receives my “Counsel & Cheer” award

My fam, my crew - My sister and mom attend everything that I do. My sister thought she was just coming to the show only to be surprised enroute with my request to stop at Walmart, pick up 200 more cups and 6 gallons of lemonade. Mom came and greeted brides and wedding vendors too. Tiffany and Gracen are part of my “chicks rule” sales team. They helped from start to finish and tried to keep me fed (thanks for the 1/2 cheeseburger from Mickey Ds. It did the trick!)

Family & friends receive my “Always Got My Back” award

Designs in Paper - I have the custom confetti they created for me twice already and everyone loves it! I did lose a few pieces due to my “wet bar” as Chris called it. But, we still have enough for the 94FM Fish show on Saturday.

Great, funny moment -

I arrived on Sunday to find a queen cupcake waiting for me from Cakes by Shara. The cupcake had a crown and an Ashley’s Bride Guide inscription. Later that day, she asked me if I had tasted it and I told her I wanted to wait until I got home where I could enjoy it. Well, as we were packing up the show, my adorable mom dropped the cupcake in the parking lot! She said that only the bottom hit he ground (unlikely story as I follow a trail of icing on the side of my truck) but it’s mom so I believed her. Then, I look for the cupcake when I get home and dont see it. I head to moms for dinner and see the cupcake at her house. She said “you dont want it since it dropped on the ground, I was going to eat it.” Huh? Of course I am going to eat it. If it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for me. Mom really wanted the cupcake I am sensing. So, we shared it. Thanks Shara!

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite booth from the show. Just post your comment below.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 18th, 2008 at 10:13 am and is filed under Daily Scoop. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.