YOUR WEDDING EXPO SURVIVAL GUIDE – HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM A BRIDAL SHOW

ELEGANT WEDDING EXPO STAND DESIGN

Attending the bridal show can be most helpful when planning your wedding.  It allows you to meet and ask questions from many wedding professionals under one roof.  You can gather lot of information, compared prices and services, get great new ideas and see the latest fashions.

Here are some tips and some things to remember which will help you have a wonderful wedding expo experience.

TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS

It’s important to know not to take photographs.  The exhibitors pay a lot of money to exhibit here to enable you to make educated decisions and a work is protected by intellectual property and copyright laws.  Please note to note the no photography and camera at the entrance.  Please respect exhibitors in this regard

HAVING YOUR GROOM BY YOUR SIDE

It is important for a lot of brides to include their grooms in the decision making and sometimes it can be quite difficult because the men might not show the interest you as a bride want him to show. There might be various reasons for this. It is important to check if there are any major sporting events or any other events happening on the same weekend which he would rather prefer to be part of. Once you have this information it would be easier for you to choose a time slot to visit the expo that will not be in conflict with what he would have wanted to do. This would allow him to still do his thing but also accompany you to the expo. Another tip to get him involved is for you to go with your bridesmaid and mothers to the expo, identify the service provider that you possible would want to use and go back the following day with him and only show him the service providers which you tentatively short listed.

THE FASHION SHOWS

The fashion shows draw big crowds of people. Make sure you do research ahead of time to identify the times. Try and arrive at the show at least 1 hour before the show. You don’t want to get caught in a big line at the entrance and miss the show you really wanted to see.

• Research the show ahead of time to see what vendors will be there. NOTE: That there are a few bridal shows during the course of the year and events and functions do normally happen over a weekend so some of the best service providers and vendors might not be at the show you are attending. Make sure you do proper research as at times the once that are booked over that weekend and is not at the show is the best service providers out there.
• Look specifically for the one’s you need. Many vendors offer discounts on their services if you book them at the show. But also be aware that doing so you will not be able to change your mind should you find a vendor that is better suited for your special day that didn’t exhibit.

• Decide to concentrate on one vendor (Minister/Officiant, floral designer, photographer, DJ, etc.) and do your research ahead of time. At the show, gather info from other vendors too, but spend most of your time talking with the ones you researched, this will also help identify who of the vendors you really want is not at the specific show.

• If the bridal show has a wedding fashion show, check the times of the shows when you arrive, so you don’t miss out.

• Make sure you know when the Couture Fashion Shows are and when the Ready to wear shows are and which one you are most interested in. At the end of the mail I will give an explanation about what the difference is between the two.

• Bring a list of questions to ask. Don’t just rush by booths that have services you still need. Don’t just listen to sales pitches. Ask lots of questions, that’s what the vendors are there for. They want to help you and you are under no pressure to buy from them, so find out everything you need to know.

• If their product or service is one you need and they are busy talking with someone else, stand close and just listen.

• It may seem a little overwhelming at the show, but most vendors love to spend time with you and answer your questions. They will talk to you about their products and services in as much detail as you want.

• The shows are very hectic and noisy, so if you find a vendor that you like, it’s best to set up an appointment and meet with them later.

• Start a conversation with the people at the booths. Don’t be shy. You will know right away if they are someone you would want to work with in planning for your special day. It is very important that you “click” with the vendors you choose. Also know that the vendor himself or herself might not be at their stands when you stop by due to them being at a function etc. This is not a bad thing because it means that your special day would be as important to them. If you like their work, still make sure to book an appointment. Be sure to book appointments right after the show with the vendors that was not exhibiting at that specific show. Other brides will be doing this and you don’t want to lose out on someone brilliant because you only focusing on the vendor you met at the show.

• Bridal shows are big. Some have more than 400 exhibitors. Come early. Don’t be in a rush. Plan to spend a minimum of 4 or 5 hours in order to see all the exhibits. Take your time. Make a day of it. Don’t hurry!

• Visit every booth even if the exhibitor offers something you’re not interested in right now. You might decide in the future to include it and you’ll have the information readily available.

• Most shows have an exhibition guide which includes a floor plan – make sure you cover the entire show. Walk up one aisle on one side and check out the vendors, then walk down the other side of the same aisle to make sure you do not miss anyone. You may miss the very wedding service you were looking for if you try to wander from side-to-side down the same aisle.

• It is a great idea to bring 2 shopping bags with you. One bag for the leaflets and information of the people your most definitely don’t want to contact or that you not sure about and 1 bag for the information of the vendors you must contact. This will save you a lot of time sifting through the information after as you won’t be able to take picture to jog your memory

• Bring your Mother and girlfriends then go again with your fiance. Going twice allows you to really take in everything you need to see.

• Do your best to stay together. If you are the bride and the groom is somewhere else, if may be difficult to make a choice later about a specific service unless both of you were present to hear the information.

• If you are the mother of the bride and are gathering information for the bride and groom, make notes on the business card, brochure or flyer that you think might interest them the most. Bringing a small notebook and pen to make special notes is helpful and your two

• If a vendor gives you information that you especially like and want to follow up with at a later date, put that information in a special bag, not with all the other stuff you may collect. Bring your own light-weight carrying bag. Some vendors will give you one, however, use your “own” bag to separate vendor information that is of special interest to you and use the vendor bag for everything else.

• Another idea is to bring a red pen and mark that vendor’s information in a special way that will indicate your level of interest. Make notes on business cards, the brochure or flyer for easy reference later.

• Bring a small notebook and pen. You never know what tips or ideas you’ll find out and want to write down. There’s so much to see that by the time you get home, you may forget.

• Bring your personal planner so you will have your bridal shower, rehearsal, wedding and other important dates handy. It can also be helpful if you choose to make an appointment with one of the vendors. Ask about the exhibitor’s availability if you are interested.

• Be sure not to make speedy judgments on whether the information offered might be of interest to you. Take one minute to listen to their offer and if a vendor offers you literature you do not want, don’t take it! Be polite. Just say “No, thank you” and walk on. Vendors appreciate your candor because they spend a lot of money on their wedding flyers, promotional pieces, etc.

• Some vendors offer drawings for prizes. Prevent writer’s cramp! Bring address labels to save time in filling out registration blanks. Make your own labels (or business card) on your computer.

• It is helpful to include your name, the groom’s name, complete address, your wedding date & location, phone numbers and e-mail address. This is very helpful to the vendor when you request additional information. If you don’t bring labels, print very clearly when registering for anything.

• Don’t register for everything! If you know you will not need the service, don’t register, otherwise you may be receiving unneeded information from their mailing list for many months to come.

• Wear a Bride or Groom sticker to receive special attention from vendors.

• Bring your cheque book /credit card/or cash in case you want to book any services or give a deposit to hold a date. If you are comfortable with the vendor, by all means, go for it. But make sure you read the fine print first.

• If you see one of the vendors you have already hired at a show, ask them for referrals to other reputable vendors you need. They may have worked with them at previous weddings and can make a valuable referral.

• Don’t be afraid to tell someone that you already have booked their service with another vendor. Take a minute and visit with them anyway. Who knows? You make pick up a tip or suggestion you or your vendor hadn’t considered.

• Most vendors respect your decisions and would never push their services on you if you already have another provider. Vendors respect each other. Don’t worry; it takes a lot to hurt our feelings.

• People often walk past booths because they fear the vendor will pounce or be overly aggressive. Some are. If a vendor tries to “pressure” you into booking their services or placing a deposit with them “right now,” keep walking! Do not accept any pushy sales pitch to sign now!

• Enjoy the food, get a soft drink and socialize. Plan a “rest break” about every hour. Pick up free samples, magazines, sample menus, business cards, brochures, and catalogs to take with you and review them later in the privacy of your own home.

• Wedding shows are not supposed to be stressful or overwhelming. There is so much to see and so many vendors. Taking your time to view each exhibit will help reduce the stress. Remember wedding planning is preferably done over time, not in one day. It’s one decision at a time.

• Many of the exhibitors book up rather quickly on popular wedding dates, so don’t wait too long after the show before you decide to call or utilize their services. Generally speaking, there is a rush of appointments and often their calendars fill quickly immediately after a bridal show.

• Remember, if you go in with a plan of action, you most likely will get most of your planning done in one afternoon or at least gather enough information to make an informed decision when reviewing the info at your leisure.

Be sure to dress casual and wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking. Be prepared for sore feet.