Something old or something new?

I love blogs - even if I've been pitifully bad at writing them lately! Whether people consider them to be for an 'average bride' or not, they are a fantastic source of inspiration, ideas and recommendations for those preparing for the big day. I love the fact they are not just for brides and grooms too - they are great for people within the wedding industry to share ideas, promote services and be a general soundboard (contentious or otherwise!)

The Harrogate Wedding Lounge at The Wedding Affair at Goldsborough Hall, photo courtesy of James Melia Photography

And that brings me to today's blog..... I have to get something off my chest. You may agree, you may not, but here goes anyway...

The wedding industry is here to stay. Even at the time of a recession, today's bride is still getting married - she just knows what she wants and is savvier at how she wants to spend her budget. Partly this is due to the plethora of blogs, magazines and wedding fairs out there, all wanting to help, advise, inspire and support. So what happens when a company promotes themselves as being 'an entirely different concept'? What happens when brides turn up a fair and, actually, there is absolutely nothing different at all?

Function 54 & Twisted Willow Floristy at The Wedding Affair at Goldsborough Hall,
photo courtesy of James Melia Photography

When we started The Wedding Affair just over two years ago, our aim was to organise wedding shows in venues that were of an exceptional quality (particularly stately homes, castles and historical buildings), which promoted high quality suppliers that we had personally vetted, and which gave the bride and groom an excellent, trustworthy platform from which to make decisions. Anybody who knows us, is aware that we have worked very hard to ensure our reputation is unquestionable and brides and grooms recognise our brand as being a superior one, associated with quality.

The Wedding Affair at Swinton Park, photos courtesy of Steve Ramsden Photography

So here's the reason for writing this blog - we had the pleasure of visiting a fair in recent weeks which advertised themselves as being entirely different to traditional wedding shows. We popped along to have a look as we were very interested to see what they were doing differently. The answer? Absolutely nothing. We were quite disappointed to be honest. After all, if someone is telling exhibitors and brides that they are going to be involved in the next big thing, wouldn't you be? Don't get me wrong - the event was beautifully laid out and there were, for the majority, some fabulous suppliers there (many of whom we work with regularly), but that was it. Nothing different to go away and rave about - nothing away from the norm. Nothing particularly interactive to engage the bride and groom and give them the amazing experience that was promised.  In itself the Fair was lovely but not what it said on the tin!

 

We love competition - it's healthy and natural and we welcome it as it ensures we strive to better ourselves constantly (hence the reason we spend almost every Sunday visiting as many other wedding fairs as we can and we have no lives!). But it really does get me riled up when people portray themselves as something different when they clearly are not. In all honesty - it can be difficult to find ways for some suppliers to exhibit in an alternative way depending on their product and the main aim of the show is to marry brides with the correct suppliers (no pun intended) but don't promise something you won't deliver. It gives fairs a bad name!

Helijet at The Wedding Affair at Swinton Park, photo courtesy of Jim Poyner Photography

Again, there are fairs that promise the world and are badly organised with very few exhibitors, no advertising or marketing to shout about and the venues just expect the Brides to turn up!  These fairs also give the industry a bad name.  Certain venues by all means should find ways to attract Brides and Grooms but don't advertise as the best wedding fair around and then under deliver.  A lot of exhibitors are saying that the market is being flooded with small badly run fairs and we would agree.  We are appalled by some and really don't understand why they bother. If you've got less than 30 suppliers exhibiting with more than 10% in each category or very few Brides attending the Fair, then it's just not going to be successful for your paying exhibitors or your visitors. If you can't do something well, don't do it at all.
 

Should I just not care? Should I really not get so annoyed - after all, we should probably just concentrate on what we do and let everyone else get on with what they do. But we're passionate about the industry and passionate about being the best that we can be and intended or otherwise, it feels like an assault on us when they describe their fairs as something different, the ultimate or the best shows.

Rant over - thanks for listening...

For now, we'll just continue to provide high quality fairs in stunning venues with fabulous suppliers, whilst bringing to fruition all our plans for A Wedding For All Seasons at Newburgh Priory on the 24th and 25th March 2012 - now that IS a different type of fair with a genuine luxury and interactive experience for brides.... check out our website www.theweddingaffair.co.uk for further details.

Contact us by e-mailing enquiries@theweddingaffair.co.uk or call 0843 289 8504