The National Wedding Show

Today, Mum and I went to The National Wedding Show. I was very much looking forward to it but also imagined the NEC would be rammed with people like Kate, which was a prospect that concerned me slightly.

Kate

Kate booked her VIP tickets to The National Wedding Show the day after she got engaged to her fiancé Dan. Dan said he was “really looking forward to it”. (Actually, he thought £35 per ticket was a total rip off but he didn’t like to burst her bubble.) Over the next few weeks, her sole aim in life became finding the Perfect Wedding Venue which was free on the Perfect Date. Her many hours of intense internet research and phone calls paid off because the first place she took Dan and the parents to see – her dream venue – was The One. 

Since bagging the venue, she has read The National Wedding Show website from top to bottom at least seven times and has kept her eye on the blog daily for any important updates about how she might want to do her hair or make up. Her preparations for The Big Day (the National Wedding Show) have been thorough. Kate has taken plenty of time to trawl through the list of exhibitors who are going to be there and has highlighted the ones she needs to see.

She has a clear vision of how to get the most out of the day. The day before, she gives Dan, her mum, Dan’s mum, Rachel (her sister and Maid of Honour) and Laura (her BFF and bridesmaid) a rundown of all the must see stalls. The girls squeal at the prospect of the free beauty demonstrations. Dan tries to feign interest. The top three items on the list of things Kate must do: see the catwalk show (from her VIP seat), book The Perfect Photographer and, most importantly, hunt through the sample sales to get her hands on the Jenny Packham gown she has been lusting after for months – her Perfect Dress. Afterwards, they will rest their tired feet at The Champagne Bar, sip bubbles and eat wedding-diet-friendly seafood salad. 

On the morning, Kate wakes Dan up bright and early so they can make the three hour journey to Birmingham in time for opening. Dan (who is now struggling to hide his reluctance to go) pulls on yesterday’s jeans and slightly crumpled t-shirt. Kate spends half an hour choosing a flattering and stylish yet comfortable outfit, in which she will look like The Perfect Bride-To-Be and be able to undress easily for the all-important quest for The Dress. She double checks her bag which she packed last night. She has her list of exhibitors, camera and notebook. She is ready to get this show on the road.

Well, Kate was very much there with Dan, who did indeed look unenthusiastic, but the bridezillas were probably in the minority. Amongst all the normal people, we didn’t feel out of place at all. In fact, it was great, especially the catwalk show, which was a complete cheesefest but totally brilliant. It was a lush day in the wedding bubble with the Mother of the Bride. Loved it.