Get the Most Out of Bridal Shows

written by: Jean Neuhart, Professional Bridal Consultant

It’s almost that time of the year! Bridal Show season is just around the corner. Not surprising since 19% of all engagements take place in December. All other months are only 9% or less! (Source: Fairchild American Wedding Survey).

A Bridal Show is a great place to get started with your wedding plans. Held at various types of venues – including convention centers, banquet halls, even your local shopping mall — they can be quite large (100 different vendors or more!) or much smaller, and more intimate (only 10-20 different vendors). But regardless of the size, the main purpose is still the same, you get a chance to take a sneak peek at the local professionals – see examples of their work, taste samples of cakes and foods, and collect vendor brochures and literature.

While tempting, now is not the time to get all of your planning done in a whirlwind of a few hours. You want to be a savvy shopper, and select just the right vendors for you. Before you go, here are some tips offered by Jean Neuhart, Professional Bridal Consultant, and owner of Weddings From The Heart, to make the trip easier, fun, and worthwhile.

Create a game plan. Which types of vendors you are most interested in? Are you looking for a DJ? Perhaps you still need a florist. Figure out the types of vendors you most want to see, then plan on visiting their booths first.

Things to bring: Pen and paper, (you’ll want to take notes). A tote bag (to carry all those flyers and brochures you’ll be picking up). Address labels (saves time filling out all those contest and door prize slips). Cash (to pay for admission and to purchase a light snack or beverage). Checkbook or credit card (in case you find the perfect vendor and want to put down a deposit).

Wear comfortable shoes. And if possible, leave your coat in the car. You’ll have enough to carry without having to lug around or wear a coat. And you’ll be that much happier if you’re comfortable. Also, wear clothing with pockets. When you come across a vendor that you especially want to remember, place his or her card in your pocket instead of in the tote bag where it can get mixed up with all of the other cards and flyers you’ll be getting.

Bring only one or two people with you. Have mom, your maid of honor, a bridesmaid, or fiancé come along. They can help you carry the brochures you’ve picked up, and you’ll have someone who knows you to bounce ideas off of. Just don’t bring a whole entourage. It’s harder to keep a large group together (you don’t want to be spending your time looking for who you came with!) Also, too many people will offer too many different opinions, which will be confusing, and not enjoyable at all.

Eat before the show. Not all shows offer snacks for purchase, and you don’t want to be walking around on an empty tummy! While there will be plenty of yummy samples of foods and cakes to try, this is not the place to load up your plate for a meal.

Take notes. Jot down pricing and package information, as well as your personal opinions. Is there anything about a vendors’ personality that stands out to you? Is he or she courteous and polite, or unfriendly and grumpy? Are they enjoying themselves, or do they seem to want to be somewhere else? After you get home and are sorting through that pile of flyers you’ve picked up, it will be hard to remember who was who. A few notes will help remind you who you’ll want to contact later, (and who you want to steer clear of!).

A popular portion of most bridal shows is the Fashion Show. If you’re like most brides, you’ll want to attend it, so find a seat early – at least 20-30 minutes before it starts. However, if you already have your gown, or otherwise aren’t planning on attending the fashion show, use this time to talk with the vendors you are most interested in. Things will be much more quiet and calm, and you’ll have a better chance at getting their undivided attention.

Don’t feel that you have to make a decision at the show. Sure, all of the vendors would love for you to sign on the dotted line right then, and may even offer a discount if you do. But wouldn’t you rather be a savvy shopper and take time to carefully look over everything and figure out which vendors will truly best suit the style of wedding you and your fiancé envision?

Before you decide to book someone, be very thorough. Carefully read everything (literature, samples, flyers, contract – EVERYTHING!!) before you sign and put down a deposit. Make sure what they offer is really right for your wedding vision, is what you and your fiancé really want, and that their terms are acceptable. Ask questions so there is a complete understanding between you and the vendor. You don’t want that ‘great deal’ to turn out to be a headache because you didn’t notice the “additional costs” or the “fine print”.

So go and enjoy yourself! It’s just a bridal show!

About The Author: Jean Neuhart is the owner of Weddings From The Heart. As a Professional Bridal Consultant, she helps busy brides and their fiances plan creative, personalized and stress-free weddings. Visit Jean at www.weddingsfromtheheart.net. You can e-mail her at jean[at]weddingsfromtheheart.net.

10 Things to Know Before Attending a Bridal Show

written by: Maggie Puertas

Bridal shows. To attend or not to attend? Is it worth it? Absolutely!

Those planning an upcoming wedding cannot afford not to attend.

With the bridal show season coming right around the corner, it’s time to consider attending and which ones to attend.

Brides can plan attending those shows coming to the area and surrounding city/towns. Jotting down dates & times, as well as the times for fashion shows is a helpful reminder.

Brides can save a lot of time and huge amounts of money, have the opportunity to be face to face with top wedding industry experts, see the latest fashions in wedding gowns and tuxedos, pick up great ideas for the wedding and while doing all that possibly walking away with wonderful door prizes.

Here are some Fantabulous tips when attending bridal shows:

1. Arrive early Arriving early is great. Many times the bridal shows offer extra incentives for those that do so.
2. Pre-register before the show Most times when pre-registering, you can get a discount for admission. Saving up to $4 at some shows. When attending a Fantabulous Events Bridal Show, you get $2 off for pre-registration. $4 off each if you bring 4 or more guests.
3. Bring your friends, family & bridal party Bringing your friends, family & bridal party will help them feel much more involved. It is a great opportunity to ask their opinions or help you make a decision on hiring services for your wedding day.
4. Contact info labels Wedding vendors will often have drawings for prizes at their booths. Instead of having to fill out multiple forms with your contact info, prepare some labels before the bridal show. Information to include: your name, address, phone number, and email address. Using the pre-printed return address labels work well.
5. Bring a notebook and pen Bring a notebook and pen so you can take notes. Write down contact info of vendors, attach flyers or business cards from those you talked to or thoughts you have while attending the bridal show.
6. Bring a digital camera Bringing a simple digital camera will allow you to quickly remember some of the great things you saw at the show. Did you see a great dress during a bridal fashion show? Maybe there is a great cake from a wedding cake designer. It’s a good idea to ask before snapping the photos.
7. Know your budget Setting your wedding budget and knowing who is responsible for each thing will help you make decisions and know what you are looking for while attending the show.
8. Bring your checkbook Many wedding vendors will offer a “Show Day Only” discount. Take advantage of these deals. This will help you save even more money if you are able to find your vendors at the bridal show.
9. Do your research Know which services you will need before the show. Also try to find out which wedding vendors will be exhibiting. This will help you know what questions to ask and allow you to visit those vendors you are particularly interested in. Attending a Fantabulous Events “Wedding Planning Exchange” can help too.
10. Plan to be there for several hours Plan on attending the bridal show for several hours. Allow yourself time to visit all the vendors and find everything you need. Don’t rush yourself. Also, stay for each fashion show. Great prizes are given away after each of them. Most importantly, have a good time.

About the Author
Maggie Puertas, Fantabulous Events www.fantabulousevents.com. Northern California Bridal Shows & “The Wedding Planning Exchange”. Fantabulous Events Bridal Show Productions has upcoming bridal shows throughout the SF Bay Area, CA.