Wedding Roadshow Experience and Review: Why we wouldn't go to a Bridal Fair again

There are two major categories of events that are vigorously promoted online - Bridal Fairs and Hotel Showcases. The former boosts of attractive discounts, lucky draw bundles, freebies, and a wide range of vendors for wedding couples to consult and consider.

Source: theweddingvowsg.com
Banquet setting for Capella Singapore

I am someone who falls easily into consumer traps and so after we decided on the auspicious date to get married, we went to our first bridal fair held at a major shopping centre feeling all hopeful and excited.

Sadly, it was our last bridal fair as well.

The fair we went to was a small event. There were a few bridal boutiques, photography services, and misc vendors. I have low energy level so a small event isn’t a problem. In fact, as an afterthought, I was more than glad that it was a small event and hence allowed us to get out of the place as fast as we could. D’:

Source: herworldplus.com
Marina Mandarin Hotel Showcase Promotional Highlights

We walked into the fair and was greeted by a polite and earnest middle-aged lady who invited us to listen to what her bridal boutique has to offer. We were almost persuaded into signing because it sounded like a really good deal and she sounded really honest and customer-oriented. Anyway, we decided to hold the horses because that was the first stop, and we continued on the treacherous journey.

We were then stopped by this younger man, who enthusiastically tried to entice us to go over to their bridal boutique booth. Mr R however, didn’t really consider the boutique as one of our choices so we tried to politely reject the man and go on our way. This is when we got a rude shock of our lives.

The man insisted, why can’t we listen to them when we just listened to another bridal boutique’s pitch?

Source: quickmeme.com
Our faces at that moment

I was wide-eyed with bewilderment. As consumers, we have the right to decide how we want to spend our time right? Why must you, a vendor, be all agitated and angry at us because we listened to your competitor’s sales pitch but chose not to do so for yours? Anyway, this behaviour further affirmed our decision.

Our third encounter was with a bridal boutique that specialises in overseas photoshoot. We were not looking at travelling (budget, time, budget) and their local photoshoot samples didn’t wow us much, so we passed it up.

In between all the listening and shuffling from booths to booths, we were faced with many aggressive salespersons trying their best to pull us to their booths. It was a frightening experience really. I feel like a plankton in the sea without any say and had to be pushed here there and everywhere by the strong currents.

Source: spongebobia.com
Plankton from Spongebob Squarepants

After the third encounter we decided it was time to retreat, so we walked as fast as we could towards the exit. I have never felt so relieved in my life.

So back to the first boutique, we decided to google reviews of the boutique as we were keen to sign up with them. Reviews online were mostly negative, with many couples saying that they signed up because of the earnest salespersons, but the service and experience with the actual crew was disappointing.

I guess we really have no luck with such events. *shrug*

How was your experience with bridal fairs? Have you met aggressive pitchers and were as traumatised as us?

Share your stories with us!