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September 19-20, 2008
Fri 5-9pm
Sat 10am-4pm
Tickets at the door
Pick up a $1.00 off coupon at any participating Member Location
January 23-24, 2009
Fri 5-9pm
Sat 10am-4pm
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-skip the long registration lines at check-in.
-automatically be entered to win all the fantastic door prizes offered by the vendors.
-receive pre-printed labels with your wedding information to make it easy to register with vendors of your choice inside the show.
To learn more about our Bridal Shows and for Vendor information Visit :
-instantly have access to thousands of dollars in coupons on this web site.
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Tips for a Successful
Wedding Day
By: Wade Jones
Shutterbooth
Brides (and Grooms),
Congratulations! You have made a decision to spend your life with someone special, and that is not to be taken lightly. Clearly, many huge decisions need to be made, but that doesn't mean you need to give yourself heartburn during the process.
I won't claim to know the answers to a completely stress-free matrimony, but I have, through my years, noticed some things that separate a hectic wreck from a smiling beautiful bride.
First if all, start as early as possible. It's not always possible to have eight months to plan, but the more the better. There will be certain vendors that you may really want at your reception...and others probably feel the same. To increase your chances of reserving that vendor, you need to plan ahead and take charge. No vendor dislikes a person that reserves well ahead of time. In fact, you can often save ten to fifteen percent by reserving at the current years price.
Secondly, take advantage of the wedding and bridal shows that you go to. Go to reliable websites such as, WestMichiganWeddingAssociation.org, for instance, and find out the questions that you really need to ask potential vendors. The more prepared you are, the better position you are in to choose someone who will work with you and be a positive addition to your wedding planning. Prior brides, are, and always will be, your best source of helpful information.
Lastly, THINGS MAY GO WRONG! Between the facility, catering, florist, DJ, etc, there is potential for minor issues. It may happen. Please don't think I'm suggesting that you should just accept mistakes and move on, because I'm not. Individuals should be held accountable when they don't provide the service they promised, and getting upset won't solve the problem. It will stress you out and put the vendor on the defensive. Find a proxy problem solver (mother, mother-in-law, best friend, whomever) and let them help you.
Best of luck, and again, congratulations! It's hard not to be hypersensitive about everything involving your wedding (reception) plans, but you don't need to be. Please take this piece of advice from me...If you hire competent vendors from the start, your world will be remarkably happier. They have done tons of weddings (most likely they were recommended to begin with), and will work their tails off to insure your happiness.
Spend your last week with family and friends, smiling and beaming...maybe have a terrific bachelorette party! Why let minor setbacks get in the way of your special day?
About the author: Wade Jones, is the Manager of West Michigan's ShutterBooth. ShutterBooth has been a proud member of the WMWA for nearly one year. You can contact ShutterBooth at 1.888.780.8837; info@ShutterBooth.com
Continued at: www.WestMichiganWeddingassociation.org
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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
If you know someone fighting a blood cancer the LLS has financial aid to help with milage and co-pays, patience can recieve up to $5,500 per fiscal year....please call 1-800-306-4139 ext 202.
For more information www.LLS.org
 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk is an annual event to raise funds for cures. It's the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of patients and their families. Funds raised through Light The Night Walk support the work of hundreds of the world's best and brightest researchers in their search for better therapies and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Anyone can take part-children, adults and seniors are all welcome. This is a casual Walk with no fitness requirements. Not only will you be helping find cures, but there are incentives that can be earned for different fundraising levels. Learn more about Walk incentives.
Please bring help and hope to thousands of people battling cancer.
For more information www.LightTheNight.org
Register to walk with the WMWA www.LightTheNight.org/WestMichiganWeddingAssociation
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We are excited to continue to bring you expert advice from our members!
Each quarter you will receive the newsletter with wedding related articles and advice from our Association's Members.
If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter please use the unsubscribe icon and you will be taken off the newsletter list!
Warmest Regards-
WMWA
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The Do's and Don'ts of Bridal Shows
By: Floyd Nobis
President, Complete Music of Michigan Inc.
Bridal shows are great for the bride-to-be that is just getting started. However, brides that are still fine tuning their reception can get great ideas and take care of finishing touches at a bridal show as well.
The upside of a large bridal show such as the WMWA Bridal Show at DeVos Place, January 23 and 24, 2009 is that there are many vendors to choose from with many options, ideas, and price ranges. Be careful, it can get overwhelming! Here are some specific tips to help both the bride just beginning to plan her perfect day, as well as the Bride who is putting finishing touches on her plans.
Always pre-register when available. Brides can pre-register for the WMWA Bridal Show at www.WestMichiganWeddingAssociation.org Chances are you can save money by looking for on-line coupons to the show, and you can bypass the long lines at registration tables. You definitely want to register either at the show or in advance as this will provide the greatest opportunity to win some fantastic door prizes. Vendors in the show will also use the "lead list" for offering specials after the show, which is another way to save big money on your wedding. Most Bridal Shows offer an opportunity for you to select ONLY those services that you are interested in getting information from. This should eliminate the junk mail and calls that you are not interested in.
Setting up an email address specifically for your wedding with a site such as Brideandgroomswedding@hotyahoo.com is easy and free. You can sign up for ALL the specials without worrying about spam after your wedding.
Pick up a bag on the way in, and plan on collecting all the information possible. Stop by all the vendors in the categories you still need. Take the time to speak with them, ask questions, and star the brochures of the companies you liked for later.
Make a day of it. At a large show like the WMWA Bridal Show, it could take 3-4 hours to speak with all the vendors, in depth. Once again, ask questions. There is no better time to compare companies all in one place-take advantage of this. Wear comfortable shoes, watch the fashion show, have lunch. It can and should be a lot of fun!
Bring Mom, Dad, bridesmaids and drag your groom with you. These people will all appreciate the opportunity to add their input. They can also think of questions for the vendors that you may not. If Mom and Dad are paying for some or all of the wedding, they really need to have input.
Bring your checkbook. Don't feel you have to buy at the show, however, many vendors offer very good deals if you book at the show. If you can research six different companies in one place, check prices, compare benefits, and options, there is really no reason to wait until tomorrow. You might potentially miss out on a great special, and/or lose a chance to work with that first choice vendor, because another bride booked them for your date. Remember, the vendors are competing for your business. However, you are competing with all the other brides for your wedding date, especially if your wedding date is May - October (the busiest wedding months).
Ask a Banquet facility to recommend a DJ or a DJ to recommend a photographer, etc. In the wedding industry all the vendors work closely together, and believe me, the facilities know who to avoid! They might not tell you who is bad, but you can usually trust them when they say who the good vendors are.
Bring a pen and notebook to take notes and write comments about the companies you like and DON'T like, you'll be glad you did later. Your bag will be full of promotional material, and a day or two later when you start to dig through it, you may not remember who you liked.
Bring address labels with your name, address and wedding date all ready filled out. This helps when you want to register for prizes from the vendors you like. It saves time and writer's cramps. The WMWA gives these labels FREE if brides pre-register on their web site.
Have FUN! Remember it can be very busy, be patient, and take lots of time with the vendors you are seriously considering. If they don't have time for you, they might not be the right company to book. Ask a lot of questions. Go into the show with an attitude that you are going to have fun. Bridesmaids can help with this! Take your time and don't feel rushed. Enjoy yourself!
About the author: Floyd Nobis, is the President of Complete Music of Michigan Inc. and the East Coast Regional Director of Complete Music nationally. He is the Membership Director of the West Michigan Wedding Association. You can contact Complete Music at 616-957-4200; Michigan@CMusic.com
Continued at: www.WestMichiganWeddingAssociation.org
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About the West Michigan Wedding Association (WMWA)
Celebrating its fourth full year, the mission of the WMWA is to do three large bridal show events per year; one in the Spring, Fall and a "NEW" Winter Show will be added in 2009. The Association strives to assist their Members with networking. We are also honored to present the WMWA Wedding Business of the year at our annual Honors Banquet. This Black Tie occasion is used as a time to raise money for our charity of choice the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of West Michigan. Currently there are more than 160 Association Members. Additional information is available at: www.WestMichiganWeddingAssociation.org
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