7. Arrive early. Get to the show early and be waiting for the doors to open. You'll catch the vendors when they are fresh. You'll get through quicker and if you see any vendors still setting up or getting organized as brides are entering the show, you'll know who might do the same on your wedding day.
8. Try to get free passes before the show from participating vendors. Almost every show I have ever done as a vendor has sent me free tickets to provide to some potential clients. So find out who is going to be at the show you are looking at attending. Call around and ask if they have any free tickets. They'll be happy to give them to you.
9. Don't shop on price alone. You are assembling a team. No two vendors are exactly alike. A cheap price doesn't always mean it's a good deal. Every decision you make will have some impact large or small on you wedding day. Find the best, the professionals you like the most. Go home and rank them in order of priority. Then determine, based on your budget, who makes your team.
10. Have fun! Bring your maid of honor. If you drink, relax and have a drink. Make yourself at home. Joke with the vendors. You'll see other sides of them that might give you more insight into what they might be like to work with. Enjoy planning your wedding. It's a once in a lifetime feeling.
11. Come with an open mind. One of the best things about a bridal show is that it gives you an opportunity to see what's new and exciting, things you may not have thought of or considered. Make a list of what you will need most and what your budget will allow for each item and service. Be sure to leave some room for the unexpected---you never know when you may see something you'll want to have that you never thought of.
12. Bring along a friend. It is good to have someone to share the experience with and to offer a second opinion.
13. Bring pre-printed self-adhesive address labels with the following information: your name, address, phone number, email and wedding date. This will save you time and allow you to sign up for drawings or anything you want very quickly.
14. Bring a notebook to record specific notes on each booth. It will be difficult to remember which vendor told you what. You could see 15 photographers, 3 videographers, 4 bakers,5 DJ's.....write it down!
15. Create a new email account. Register for a free email address that you can use when filling out forms. When the wedding is over you can cancel the account and not receive any unwanted wedding information.
ENJOY IT! Bridal shows are fun. Remember, if you don't get it all done that day or weekend, there is another show in your area soon!
8. Try to get free passes before the show from participating vendors. Almost every show I have ever done as a vendor has sent me free tickets to provide to some potential clients. So find out who is going to be at the show you are looking at attending. Call around and ask if they have any free tickets. They'll be happy to give them to you.
9. Don't shop on price alone. You are assembling a team. No two vendors are exactly alike. A cheap price doesn't always mean it's a good deal. Every decision you make will have some impact large or small on you wedding day. Find the best, the professionals you like the most. Go home and rank them in order of priority. Then determine, based on your budget, who makes your team.
10. Have fun! Bring your maid of honor. If you drink, relax and have a drink. Make yourself at home. Joke with the vendors. You'll see other sides of them that might give you more insight into what they might be like to work with. Enjoy planning your wedding. It's a once in a lifetime feeling.
11. Come with an open mind. One of the best things about a bridal show is that it gives you an opportunity to see what's new and exciting, things you may not have thought of or considered. Make a list of what you will need most and what your budget will allow for each item and service. Be sure to leave some room for the unexpected---you never know when you may see something you'll want to have that you never thought of.
12. Bring along a friend. It is good to have someone to share the experience with and to offer a second opinion.
13. Bring pre-printed self-adhesive address labels with the following information: your name, address, phone number, email and wedding date. This will save you time and allow you to sign up for drawings or anything you want very quickly.
14. Bring a notebook to record specific notes on each booth. It will be difficult to remember which vendor told you what. You could see 15 photographers, 3 videographers, 4 bakers,5 DJ's.....write it down!
15. Create a new email account. Register for a free email address that you can use when filling out forms. When the wedding is over you can cancel the account and not receive any unwanted wedding information.
ENJOY IT! Bridal shows are fun. Remember, if you don't get it all done that day or weekend, there is another show in your area soon!
Courtesy of Lisa Sheldon
