subject: Bridal-Show-Success-Tips [print this page] Bridal-Show-Success-Tips Bridal-Show-Success-Tips
In the wedding industry, January is the most popular month to attend a bridal show. Vendors are anxious to kick off the New Year with new products and this gives the bride-to-be a perfect opportunity to check out everything from gowns, to wedding invitations, to caterers, and lots more. If you've never attended a bridal show before, here are some helpful hints to help you survive the day.
Arrive at the venue early and wear comfortable shoes. Depending on the size of the show, you may be on your feet for an extended period of time. You'll want to enjoy the show and not be in agony as you walk from booth to booth. Take it from me; comfort over appearance is the way to go.
You can expect to sign up for various giveaways and promotions, so come to the show with a sheet or two of peel-off labels. These labels (I recommend Avery 5160 with 30 labels per page) should have your name, address, phone number, email address and wedding date on them. This will save you lots of time and the vendors will appreciate it too!
You may also want to set up a special email account in advance just for wedding- related correspondence. Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo offer free email accounts and when the wedding is over you can cancel the account.
Bring a friend or two along with you. It's perfectly acceptable to bring your fianc. You'll want to get their opinions on things and they can help you carry literature around.
Come prepared with a notebook and/or appointment book. Depending on the size of the show, prepare for information overload. Jot down what you particularly liked about a particular vendor's booth so you can refresh your memory later. Ask lots of questions and write down any good tips vendors share with you.
Don't expect to leave the show with contracts in hand. The bridal show is a perfect place for scheduling future appointments so you can discuss your wedding plans in depth. While there may be instances when you might want to book something right at the show due to limited availability and your date is still open, use caution in doing so. After all, you want the vendor to fully meet your needs for your special day.
This brings me to my next subject: beware of vendors that offer show discounts on the day of the show only. You should be given at least a week to consider whether or not a vendor is a good fit for your wedding.
If you already have a gown, consider skipping the fashion show portion and visit vendor's booths during this time. Vendors will be eager to talk with you since most of the crowd will be watching the fashion show.
Many shows require pre-registration and some collect admission fees. If you want to save some money, check out the vendor list for the show you'll be attending. Most vendors receive a certain number of comp tickets to give away to brides interested in their services. Just contact a vendor and ask if they have a couple of complimentary tickets so you can come check them out.
Hopefully this article has given you some great ideas so you can really benefit from the shows you attend. And don't forget, wear comfortable shoes!
