The people that read this blog (and I now know it is more than six!) know that I love being a part of the Independent Wedding Association.
The association is funded and run by local Minnesotan owner operated businesses that are dedicated to educating, high quality and customer service. In that spirit, the IWA throws a wedding fair a couple times a year. But this isn’t your giant wedding fair…this is a fete. A place where you can look at beautiful things, chat with knowledgeable vendors, see what is new in the wedding industry, and not just see what is trendy, but also what is creative, unique and full of personality. And you can do all of that without being pressured into sales. In fact, the vendors that participate are encouraged to wander the fair themselves rather than stay at their booth.
At the last fair, the IWA introduced mini sessions, where a vendor would talk for ten minutes about a certain topic. This was so popular that they are bringing it back this time around. I talked with a couple brides after the fair and they were so excited about what they learned and how nice everyone was. And I was so impressed that most guests stayed the entire show because there was so much to do and see.
To up the ante again, the IWA is focusing this fair on grooms. That isn’t to say that girls aren’t allowed, but it is to encourage guys to show up as well. Grooms are just as much a part of a wedding as their brides, and this fair is a great environment to prove that. Bowling, cigars, whisky, suit demonstrations…I mean, come on! This will be a fun night! No cake dives or pink fru fru here, this is a man cave wedding fair =)
The fair will take place at Pinstripes in Edina on Thursday Oct 13th from 530 to 9pm. Bowling and bocce ball will be open to all to use and there will be some delicious snacks. The Cocoa and Fig dessert table alone is worth the trip! And like I said, everything is low key, no pressure, yet with vendors that are experts in their field and dedicated to their couples making the most of their wedding.
Here a link for more info, and I hope to see you there! (PS, there may be some free tickets if you leave a comment and are very nice to me) ; )
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