Elizabeth Green is one bride that won’t be sucked into spending a small fortune on her big day.
She and thousands of brides-to-be looking for bargains flooded the Shaw Conference Centre yesterday, like a scene pulled from a zombie apocalypse film.
Green said her decision to head to the Bridal Fair wasn’t made without her bottom line in mind.
“It’s one big party for one day, and I don’t see why I should have to spend thousands of dollars to do it,” she said.
Green is cutting back in creative ways, and has already struck a deal with a photographer in exchange for laying laminate flooring in his home.
Despite current economic uncertainty and rampant creative budgeting of attendees, event organizers feel brides are still willing to shell out for the big day.
“They’re not looking for lower prices, they’re just shopping harder and being a little more astute in what they’re looking for,” said Bridal Fair producer Dennis Eyjolfsson, citing hundreds of discount gowns that flew off the racks.
Despite the economic downturn, the bridal industry is essentially recession-proof, he added.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and they don’t do it again, for the most part,” Eyjolfsson said. “This issue with the economy is a mistake. The downturn is not affecting this business.”
More than 100 exhibitors and 3,000 visitors attended the event.
