The festive shows of the Russian Bridal Gala have already become a tradition - more and more companies that service weddings are participating in each subsequent gala. Everyone present at the Chateau Briand's Long Island Catering Hall, or in May at Brooklyn's Rasputin Hall or in Manhattan at Michael C. Fina in July have not only had a fabulous evening, but have also become acquainted with the products and services of many different firms. "We learned more in one evening than we did during a whole month - and we had searched the Internet, asked all our friends and responded to newspaper advertisements", mentioned one of the guests. Indeed, at a Russian Bridal Gala without even leaving the hall, by the end of the evening, one could arrange everything for the future wedding - a wedding dress or designer, a florist and even invitations and souvenirs for the guests!
Visitors had an amazing view of the limousine parade, which is how the Mila Limousine and Designer Limousines companies started off the show. Live music performed by wedding bands played in the hall. Many different companies advertised their services, all the way to the Little Cigar Factory (even though cigars are not necessarily a must-have wedding accessory, there often is a custom to provide expensive cigars for various festive occasions).
Before the show at Rasputin, visitors got a taste of a variety of pastries by Master Sweets and were swayed by those delicious, as well as beautiful, cakes. Wedding cake is an extremely important element of an American wedding. We don't want to break this fine tradition, but at the same time, we would not want to subject the wedding guests to something that is not as tasty as possible or is too sugary in favor.
At the beginning of every Russian Bridal Gala show and during the breaks, guests can browse the wedding albums, look at segments of wedding videos shot by different companies, talk to the photo artists and hopefully find the true professional they are looking for at companies like Davidzon Video, Vitalphoto and Five Star Video. All you have to do is find the artist who can fulfill your wishes.
The same process can be repeated for your choice of the bridal gown or the salon itself. It is not enough to see the beautiful models wearing dresses designed by Galit or Lilia Berzon - you have to talk personally with Lilia, Galit or other designers and go with the one you feel best about.
For busy brides and grooms whom have little or no time to seek individual professionals for their wedding, companies like Black Tie offer to provide a one-stop-shopping service, where the wedding coordinator will offer and consult with you on everything you need from invitations to "thank you" letters to the guests.
Excellent florists also participate at the exhibitions. For example, the family-owned business of Paradise Flower Shoppe was founded in 1956; it is quite possible that their floral arrangements bloomed on the wedding tables of today's brides and grooms' parents or their grandparents. Guests enjoy stopping by the stand covered in flowers and speaking to the friendly and kind owners, who present every bystander with gifts.
Russian Bridal Gala shows are not of interest strictly for brides and grooms but rather to everybody who can appreciate beauty. Professional models walk gracefully on a podium in magnificent gowns by Galit and elegant male models demonstrate various suits and tuxedoes from Dante Zeller. This company has been dressing New York grooms and promises to fit every taste and figure with their suit or tux.
During intermissions, the guests had a chance to meet makeup artist Kate Iniakina and hairstylist Olga Key who were working on actual models that day. Delacqua Salon demonstrated the amazing skills of their top stylists, who started the show by creating several beautiful haircuts in just 15 minutes in full view of the audience. After that exhibition, every guest received free samples of every hair care product used. When you have confirmed at home that you are not allergic to these shampoos, gels and sprays, they welcome you to visit the salon and create a unique style just for you with one of their artists.
Renowned showman M.C. Timokha masterfully conquered a difficult task - hosting a fast-paced, dynamic show even though he had to repeat everything twice - once in English and once in Russian. Furthermore, even those who didn't speak English or Russian enjoyed watching how he professionally conducted the show so smoothly and enjoyably!
At first, some of the participants at a gala may seem strange. For example, one presenter - Euro Casa Furniture - at first glance may seem to not have much to do with weddings, but remember, the newlyweds have to furnish their first nest. The young husband and wife will save a lot of effort and money if they entrust decorating their home to this company now and in the future, since Euro Casa will furnish your entire home. A few years later, if you move to a bigger house and perhaps are looking for baby furniture, they will help you as well. You won't have to sell or discard your original furniture - Euro Casa Furniture will expand your existing set with new items from the same manufacturer, made in the same style.
Many prominent New York businesses participate in Russian Bridal Galas specifically because at these bilingual shows, they can seeks clients from newly arrived immigrants, who may have felt they had to deal strictly with "Russian" businesses as a result of the language barrier. Then again, there are many guests at the galas that do not speak Russian, but who know that the language of "splendor and beauty" needs no translation.
At the end of the show, the host announced a nice surprise - a gift raffle for the all of the guests of the Russian Bridal Gala. It was wonderful to see the joy of couples that won a free limousine for the entire wedding day courtesy of Russian Bride Magazine. Euro Casa Furniture presented an elegant vase and Dante Zeller offered major discounts for everybody who was there that day. There were also huge baskets of makeup and other prizes that were raffled off.
The guests departed in a terrific, elevated mood. Many said that they were going to advise their friends to visit the next Russian Bridal Gala show. If you've seen the photos from the previous shows or just know you would like to participate in the celebration to come, visit us at www.brideus.com for the schedule of future shows. Choose a show and register for it. You will then be entered in the raffles, and your official guest status will entitle you to a multitude of discounts and presents from vendor companies. Register in advance and maybe you will be the couple to win the next super prize! |
