Wedding show season is in full swing and most brides will be excited to do the rounds and check out all the vendor booths. But - if you're not prepared, these shows can be exhausting, confusing and chaos
We've attended many of these shows and have seen brides walking aimlessly from booth to booth. Their arms filled with flyers and business cards and their faces looking like they're on information overload. But don't despair - there is a way to get through it all and even have enough energy left to enjoy the highlight - the fashion show.
Check out our tips below and make sure you're prepared.
- Check out the show schedule a few days before - as some of the featured events (like the bridal fashion show) take place only one time. You want to make sure you see this event/show first (before you hit information overload) before hitting the booths.
- Plan to arrive early. The wedding vendors will be excited to meet you and give you their information. If you wait until later in the day, they are likely to be exhausted from repeating their presentation over and over again for the past 5 hours
- Make a note of the type of vendors you want to interview. This will ensure you actually make a point of visiting exactly who you need to see - instead of aimlessly wandering around tasting wedding cake although you've already ordered the cake
- Take a large bag to place all the info and goodies in.
- Don't go alone. Take either your finance or a friend. If you're not technical you may want to take a man or techie with you to do the "tech talk" with the DJ's, Photographers and Videographers.
- Take a few sheets of pre-printed address labels. You'll use them to stick on the vendors sign-in sheets. This will save you from writing the same info over and over again. Be sure to only include the information you want to give out. I'd suggest including your name, phone number, email address, date of wedding and wedding location.
- Walk down each isle and check out only the vendors on ONE side at a time. This will save time and help you stay organized.
- Some vendors will offer "Show Specials" be sure not to commit to anything on the show day just because you want that cool discount/upgrade. You'll need a few days to go over all the information - so ask them to honor the special rate for a few days (and get this in writing).
- Be sure to check out a large selection of the vendors work - not just what they hand you at the show. Every vendor will showcase their best work - so check out their websites and look for a large demo sample. Look for customer testimonials too.
- Don't plan to attend more than one show each weekend - too much information
- Beware of pushy vendors. A great high quality vendor will not need to be pushy as their products/work will stand out and sell themselves.
- Enjoy yourself Most brides will attend several wedding shows before their wedding so make it a fun day out and find the perfect vendors for your big day.
