Press & Praise · The Big Fake Wedding

Press & Praise

“I don’t think words can express my gratitude for The Big Fake Wedding. I was a newbie in the wedding industry without many contacts, and taking part in such a great event exposed me to so many wonderful vendors and brides.” – Emily Newman, Once Wed

“Through Callie and her team and the exposure they gave to the event, my business was pushed to the forefront of the wedding industry. Undoubtedly, this event single-handedly launched my brand to where it is today. I was so thrilled with every aspect of The Big Fake Wedding. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to boost their business or brand; it will change the trajectory of where you are and make where you’re going even better!” –Amy, amy osaba event.floral.design

“Our participation in The Big Fake Wedding increased our exposure without a doubt, and we continue to get regular referrals from talented vendors we had the pleasure of working with at the events.” -Kate, Incer Studios

“Our first full year as National Vendor with The Big Fake Wedding has been amazing in so many ways. The support that the team has provided to our company has been invaluable – always available to answer questions, direct us, etc. The vendor guide has been an incredible tool and we’ve used it ahead of each city. Our business has grown with each city and the client & vendor relationships we have made would have never been possible. By far, this was my best move as the owner of an up-and-coming company. As a result of our partnership with The Big Fake Wedding, we have accomplished more than we expected and are excited as we go into our second year with this incredible & creative company.” -Laura, Luxury Concierge Travel

“This company [The Big Fake Wedding] is changing the way future brides and grooms prepare to celebrate happily ever after.” – The TODAY Show, Sheinelle Jones

“I loved The Big Fake Wedding. I was just beginning the planning process and I had no idea where to start. Brought my MOH with me and we had so much fun drinking champagne, eating yummy food and cake. The vendors were so sweet and gave me advice. I’ve already booked a bunch of them and it took such a load off.” -Erin, a Greenville bride

“The Big Fake Wedding is not only unique in its untraditional approach to the bridal show, but also in its ability to bring a variety of vendors together as a team. It allows all attendees to share a moment that, all things considered, doesn’t feel very fake once the evening is over. As a (very) small business, I was so grateful to be able to sit down with brides and have conversations that were more in depth than those that I might have a a traditional expo. You get their history, their visions, their personal goals and stories. Ultimately, that is what a wedding is about. Ultimately a wedding is personal, and that insight is very valuable to me. Also, the marketing promise of this event is huge for anyone. From professional photos to placement on an incredibly recognized site, you really can’t go wrong here. I would recommend this event to any vendor and to any couple looking for inspiration. It is just as much fun as it is rewarding, both professionally and personally. Thanks to The Big Fake Wedding! Keep it up!” -Amanda, Bite Sized

“The Big Fake Wedding was a fantastic experience. The BFW staff was so easy to work with and we received multiple bookings in the weeks following the event. This is a great opportunity for any venue looking to gain more exposure!” – Paige, Waterhouse Pavilion

“It was such a fun experience from start to finish, and we’re excited to be following up with several of the guests and vendors we met in the last two days. It was a priceless experience, and we wish you guys the greatest success as you continue to travel throughout the country (and world one day soon I suspect! :)” -Gail, Bi-Rite Market

“Y’all allowed me to be myself and represent who I am as a business and individual. Not once did I feel like I needed to be a big, glamorous corporation. My small,business qualities were accentuated, so that I could meet brides on a personal level and become friends with them first. I’ve been offered opportunities, collaborated with photographers, and brought attention to my business that would have taken me forever to build.” -Sarah, With Love Paper Goods

“After doing the event I made the best vendor contacts who have now become friends and we are doing events together. I also got 2 weddings directly from the event! I am a believer!!” -Kim, August Event Design

“Joining The Big Fake Wedding family was the best decision I ever made in my career! The online and publication press I received elevated my presence in the wedding industry almost immediately. One of the biggest gifts it also gave me was the network of vendors I still work with today nearly three years later. The whole experience has always felt like going to summer camp and playing with your friends!” -Sherry, Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio

“Being a vendor in the 2012 The NotWedding/The Big Fake Wedding is quite possibly one of the smartest business decisions we have made: the return was immediate and measurable! Apart from seeing business flow through our doors, we had the opportunity to meet some wonderful brides, work alongside some of the most talented and passionate vendors in our city and gain inspiration for our business with every single thing we saw that evening.” -Matt, Studio Four Three

“Totally beside myself today…5 inquiries in just one morning and a random stranger/”fan” that somehow recognized me at the mall and stopped by to say hey and give awesome feedback! Wth!? Lol, “Holy thanks for the great opportunity NotWedding!” :-D” – Joe, O’Studios

“Thank you so much for not only coming up with a great idea, but executing it so well. I attended the Chicago event and have since found our venue, caterer, photographer and more connections and inspiration for our wedding next Fall. It was a blast! Thank you!” -Bridget, a Chicago bride

“As the caterer and venue for the first Athens NotWedding/Big Fake Wedding, we at the Foundry Park Inn were incredibly proud to participate and are eager to do it again. Never have we participated in a bridal show where there was so much excitement, energy and FUN for brides and vendors. Everyone – from the groom on the arm of his fiancé, to the rental company- was excited and happy to participate. Not only did we book new brides, we met new vendors with tremendous talent that we will be happy to recommend to our couples – and they are doing the same for us. Since the event is meant to be a showcase of new and different wedding ideas, our culinary team was able to show off – serving a menu that is much more creative that your average wedding. We found it very easy to participate as a venue and caterer, and the day and event ran very smooth. All in all, we found that The Big Fake Wedding was more than event – it is a mindset that is appealing to more and more couples: Weddings should be about marriage, personal touches, and having fun! Oh, and the marketing and PR are really great too!” – Casey Clark, Foundry Park Inn & Spa

“I would highly suggest it especially if you are new to the market. Beyond getting the bride referral, it is a great networking opportunity and one that really gets you involved with the other vendors and community. I find that this specifically is the benefit to the shows. If you foster and nurture the relationships that you create at the shows, they are a real benefit for your company.” -Shay, Shay Brown Events

“Not only did it help me build my portfolio, but allowed me to get first hand feedback about my products and build vendor relationships that have led to styled photo shoots, event collaborations and great friendships.” -Melanie, a labor of love

“We loved participating at the Big Fake Wedding! It was great exposure for our business. Within a few days we had already received a handful of emails. We are thankful for the opportunity and beautiful photos/marketing material and hope to participate again one day!” – Mudleaf Coffee

“The NotWedding/The Big Fake Wedding Event was an awesome introduction of my work to many of the widely-read and popular blogs. It was certainly great exposure and allowed me to continue to nurture those relationships with continued photography submissions and conversation.” -Hollie, Lytle Foto

“My first experience with The Big Fake Wedding was the best business decision I have made. My exposure to other vendors and so many brides and their families was priceless. The inspiration boards are a creative dream; they give you direction and challenge you to think to your full potential. I saw things I could do to improve upon and directions I could take my business, all from the people I met at this event. My social media had its biggest days of exposure after this event and I have connected with brides for weddings, showers and family events. The Big Fake Wedding family was the best, when I needed them, they were there to help. A fun evening, wonderful people and new business connections. I cannot wait for the next!” Lisa, The Sweet Trend

“This was such a fun experience for both me and my fiance! I would never drag him to your standard bridal expo but he was totally on board to come with me to this. We went with another couple who are also planning a wedding and had a great time not to mention picked up some vendors we have chosen to use along the way.” -Lauren, a Nashville bride

“The Big Fake Wedding was a wonderful for the experience I gained and exposure it gave to my business. At the time of the BFW Paper by JLee had only been in operation for a few months so this event really jump started my business in a way no other event could have. I was able to connect with other vendors with more experience than me and promote my business to a new base of potential clients. I learned so much and am so thankful I was able to be part of the Big Fake Wedding!” – Paper by JLee

“I was the Event Coordinator for the Orlando NotWedding/The Big Fake Wedding last year and it was an incredible experience! As a client and bride-to-be, you take a huge leap of faith when hiring your vendors purely based off their portfolio, website, and maybe a face-to-face meeting. This event gives you the firsthand experience of how they work an actual event, and how the bend and adjust when random situations are thrown their way. It’s definitely more fun than just meeting vendors at booths, and having everyone you meet jumble together in your brain and the swag bag full of cards that tell you very little.” –Emily, Emily Grace Design

“Everyone was so kind and helpful and encouraging that it inspired me to continue to work hard to launch my new business. I came away with new business relationships, friendships, networking opportunities, and media exposure! What could be better for company that really trying to grow?” -Lauren, Adorned Event Design

“Hosting The NotWedding/The Big Fake Wedding at our venue was even better than we ever could have imagined it to be. We have really loved developing a relationship with the amazing staff at The Big Fake Wedding, and we are completely confident that they are able to bring together a wonderful team of vendors that execute their vision. The Big Fake Wedding is a great way to show our venue to potential brides, and also a great way to network with other wedding professionals.” -Allison Jones, Mercy Lounge + The Cannery Ballroom

“From our standpoint this was one AMAZING event. From all aspects. It was a true success all around. The bride and groom were delightful and I met many great vendors as well as created a few relationships with potential brides. I had the time of my life from the moment I started the planning and preparation for this back in February to seeing the finished product as a whole.” -Jami Lyn Benjamin, Serendipity Catering

“I love that The Big Fake Wedding has a family atmosphere, a dedication to creativity and small businesses, and sincerely invests in the professionals and guests on personal level.” –Ashley Buzzy

“We’ve worked with The NotWedding/The Big Fake Wedding 2 times now. They have always been very organized and professional, even under the stress of multi-party convergent and conflicting requests (read: demands). From The Big Fake Wedding event we have derived many benefits. First is the number of bookings. We have heard time and time again that pictures from the The Big Fake Wedding are what led the bride to us. Those pictures, found on vendors’ sites, Facebook, The Big Fake Wedding’s site and more, are referenced more times than any other entity with the exception of Google searches only. We would be happy to have them back at anytime and hope to work with them again in the future.” – Jason Ivany, Ambient + Studio

“Thank you so much for putting on a wonderful event last night. Jessica and I had a great time and interacted with so many brides and vendors. It didn’t even feel like work for us. You all did an amazing job planning the event and making the space look incredible. We were inspired so we know brides must have been too!” – Jennifer Rea, Associate Publisher at Exquisite Weddings

“Thank you to the BFW for this amazing opportunity. All the of staff at City Chefs Catering are truly happy to be part of such a different event. We would be honored to work with the BFW wedding again in the future.” – Lee, City Chefs Catering

“This was my first time participating in a bridal event, and my experience was nothing short of perfection. Everyone I worked with was lovely, and I enjoyed getting to know other vendors as well as experiencing an unknown event space in my city. This was an investment in my business that I can’t recommend highly enough. If traditional bridal shows/networking events are not for you, the The Big Fake Wedding definitely is.” – Corie, CorieDoesMyHair

The Big Fake Wedding® is a bridal show alternative complete with an emotional vow renewal ceremony, light bites and a dance-party reception. “Wedding guests” are brides- and grooms-to-be who get to truly experience the wedding vendors in action.

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The Big Fake Wedding® is a bridal show alternative complete with an emotional vow renewal ceremony, light bites and a dance-party reception. “Wedding guests” are brides- and grooms-to-be who get to truly experience the wedding vendors in action.

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