The Engaged Wedding Show Story

The Bridal Swap evolution into the engaged wedding show

The Original Bridal Swap was the brainchild of Genève McNally, founding planner of Vancouver’s favourite wedding planning co. since 2004, DreamGroup Productions Inc. in partnership with former co-founder Sarah Shore. 

The Bridal Swap concept came about one afternoon when Genève was expressing frustration for the millionth time that there had to be someplace else other than Craig’s List and Kijiji (yup, it was a while back) for her clients to sell their décor after the wedding. “Isn’t there somewhere that Brides can go to sell their wedding decor? AHA!!! We should create an event where they can! We could call it Bridal Swap!”

DreamGroup knew that the idea of marrying Weddings and Decor Resale was going to be a huge success and that Vancouver needed a tangible forum for the sale and purchase of all sorts of wedding treasures.

Upon further investigation they were shocked to learn that no trace of this concept or even the name could be found anywhere. That is when the term “Bridal Swap” was coined and this fun, exciting, game changing concept was born!

In 2011 the first Original Bridal Swap was held at the cute and charming Heritage Hall on Main Street. “We were hoping for 200-300 attendees as that seemed like an exciting successful number! We certainly did not expect the 700+ number of people that turned up that day! That was when we realized just how needed and important this concept was.”

Over the years we have continued to adapt and evolve elements of the show that no longer suited the current market’s priorities with the removal of the consignment and dress sale portion of the show as well as “Past Bride” tables.  Facebook Marketplace has made these parts of the show less needed.

This brings us to 2024 and in acknowledging a more diverse and inclusive world and considering that wedding planning isn’t just for Brides anymore, we felt the need to adapt the Bridal Swap name and offering.  The Engaged Wedding Show has evolved into a more traditional wedding show format featuring thoughtful and elevated inclusions that people have come to expect from a DreamGroup production!  Certain elements will remain, like the super popular Decor Resale component, allowing couples to continue to maximize their budgets and uphold savvy eco-friendly shopping habits.  The addition of hors d’oeuvres and other treats, a well rounded Vendor forum catering to various wedding styles, an interactive fresh flower bouquet gallery, and our Venue Discovery Lounge, to name just a few, all lend to creating an engaging, productive, and well rounded wedding show experience.  In a digital world where it’s so enticing and seemingly easy to research vendors from the convenience of one’s iPhone or desktop or by endless scrolling through Instagram, we think Gen Z and New Millennial engaged couples are selling themselves short.  As they begin to assemble their all important wedding vendor team, they are missing out on an opportunity to connect with desireable Vancouver vendors who exude passion and talent beyond compare.  The value of meeting vendors face to face and connecting personalities and visions cannot be understated.  The 2.0 version of our beloved The Original Bridal Swap promises to delight, inform, and inspire couples in a modern time, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Engaged!