What Brides Want

For the past few weeks we’ve been busy, busy preparing for our first Bridal show with Charlotte’s Perfect Wedding Guide, coming up this Sunday, November 12th, at Temple Beth El.

Temple Beth El’s newly renovated facility is stunning! It has two spacious ballrooms, built in lighting elements and gorgeous Wood detailing & Jerusalem stone throughout. And you don’t have to be a member to hold an affair there.

Here’s a link to their facility brochure:

http://www.beth-el.com/customers/108010716302234/filemanager/TBE_Facility_Brochure_4_13_11.pdf

Or contact Denise Troutman, Facility & Events Coordinator
704-749-3055
dtroutman@beth-el.com

She is amazingly helpful and professional and can answer any  questions you may have!

Check out these pictures of their Grand Atrium & the Levine Social Hall!

A special Thank You goes out to Cathy Terry from Charlotte Perfect Wedding Guide, who has been just amazing throughout! If you haven’t already seen their website, check it out here:

http://charlotte.perfectweddingguide.com/

There is a ton of valuable info for Brides!

So, as we’ve been  trying to figure out what aspects of our business to showcase – which dummy cakes (essentially styrofoam blocks covered in icing and designed to look like the real thing) to make/bring, which pictures to put on the slideshow, what samples to give out, what to write on our brochures…it occurs to me that at the heart of the Bridal industry, are professionals trying to figure out What Do Brides Really Want?

It’s certainly been a while since I’ve been a Bride, but as a Cake Designer/Caterer, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know quite a few.

Here are a few of my thoughts about What Brides Want at their Wedding and from their Wedding Pro’s…

IDEAS – While some Brides have definite ideas about every aspect of their Special Day, most have very few concrete ideas. Very often they’ll say “I want everyone to have a good time”, but have no concept as to how that will happen at their wedding! Brides are on the lookout for something that strikes a chord within, something that makes them say, Yes, that’s what I want!

TO FEEL SPECIAL – Brides want to be treated as special as they feel. This is (hopefully) a once-in-a-lifetime event and one that many Brides have dreamed of  since girlhood.  Brides want to feel as though you care about the wedding almost as much as they do, and they want everything to be perfect!

LUXURY/EXTRAVAGANCE – Thank you Royal Wedding! Opulence is in, but most of us don’t live a very Opulent life. Weddings are the one area where its not just okay to go over the top, it’s expected! Give them permission to be extravagant! But Brides often want Luxury, even when its not in their budget. Help them find cost effective ways to incorporate some of their ideas.

EASE -  Brides are busy! They are juggling wedding plans, a career/school, family, friends, and let’s not forget a Fiance! Brides want to get things done and checked off their mile long TO DO list! They want to have the answers they need easily accessible- like prices – to make decisions now. They don’t  have time to waste, going back and forth. Try to anticipate questions they may have as well as offering suggestions that will help them be prepared -maybe a checklist of items they’ll need to make arrangements for, like the return of the cake stand or flowers for the cake table. Don’t forget to outline services you can do for them that will save them precious time!

PERSONALIZATION – Brides want unique, different, but still THEM. Most Brides don’t want cookie cutter weddings. They are eager to find ways to incorporate personal touches that their guests will recognize as coming from the heart. Be up on the latest trends so you can suggest interesting ideas that will make their Wedding stand out from the rest.

In the next several months, I will be doing a series of posts focusing on individual Wedding Professionals.  In addition to featuring Company profiles, you’ll find helpful tips and advice from them on dealing with vendors, tricks of the trade and HOT new trends in their field. Check back often!

I’d love to hear your ideas, so please comment

Brides….Tell us what YOU want…