Bridal Show Nightmare

Last Sunday I exhibited at a local bridal show.I normally only do one show a year; a high-end show held at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco where they charge brides $30 a head for admission.

This show, located at the local county fairgrounds, was deeply discounted for the remaining booths. I paid only $299 and got a corner booth. (Electricity was extra.)

I was initially hesitant to participate because I had done this same show about three years ago and it was dismal. But I thought the $299 was too good to pass up.

Boy, was I wrong.

The quality of bride at this show was so... ahem...shall we say... "not my target demographic." Firstly I don't think brides who are looking to pay only $2200 for their photographer are even considering getting a videographer. Of the four brides that I actually spoke to (yeah. four.) two of them came up to me to tell me they weren't going to hire a videographer. What? What's the point of that?

There were many people who stopped to look at my demo on the 42" LCD I bought for the show, but they either strolled away after a few approving nods or they came closer to look at my price sheet, spun on their heels and sprinted to the concession stand for some nachos.

Let's put it this way: There was a skinny white dude with an oversized tee-shirt that boldy proclaimed "Cadillac" across the chest. That gives you a sense of the clientelle.

Anyway, the lesson here is this: $299 for a bridal fair means $299 down the drain. And if it's on a Sunday, you've either missed church or missed the opening kick-off of your favorite NFL team when you didn't have to.

Here's a picture from my busy, popular booth (with the 42" LCD). Sure, you say there is that one bride there, but she's actually a photographer's/vendor's wife from across the aisle. :-\