Tips for going to a bridal show?
March 22nd, 2010 | 
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Niina17 asked:
I am planning to visit several bridal shows soon, do you have any tips for me, what should I take with me? What questions to ask? any preparations hints to to get ready?
I am planning to visit several bridal shows soon, do you have any tips for me, what should I take with me? What questions to ask? any preparations hints to to get ready?
Posted in Frequently Asked Questions
You should have an idea of what type of dress you’re interested in. By that I mean, the cut (princess, strapless, empire, etc.). You should also bring some sample pics of gowns that you liked from magazines just so they can narrow your choices down and save you time when you arrive.
Yes, take a note pad and pen w/ you. They’ll probably have little tote bags there so you can fill your bag w/ business cards and brochures. Taste the cake samplings, ask the DJ’s if they’re open on your date, and prices. It really depends what you have yet to plan for.. Register for the prizes.. Bring one of your bridesmaids along… and have fun!
TC
-http://executivehomebody.com
Here is a list you might find useful while preparing.
Don’t say “several” just yet. You’ll soon see that some of them are such a waste of time. Go there with an open mind though, and an agenda. Know what you’re going there to see. Take a little notepad if you want to make a note of the things/companies that you like and dislike, and why.
Take pre-made labels with your name an address, trust me you will get so tired of filling out forms you’ll you had them. There will be a ton of things to register and fill out and you will move through so much faster.
I’m not sure what you are going to them to look for. Choose before you go what you want to have a t your wedding (ie: band or dj, photographer or videographer or both). My suggestion is take someone with you (my fiance and I went together) and both of you pick up a bag. For each booth you choose to stop at, ask as many questions as you can. If you like the people and the quality, put that person’s service cards/brochures in one bag. If you don’t like that service, put it in the other bag. Like I said, be sure to ask as many questions as you can think of – google ‘what to ask a wedding photographer’, ‘what to ask a wedding dj’, etc. Then when you’re leaving, toss the bag that you put all of the services that you do not want and keep the bag with the ones you do want. Also, take a digital camera so that if you see a dress you like in the fashion show, you can snap a picture. Oh, and unless you want your mailbox stuffed with offers from everywhere, only give your information for things/raffles that you would really want to win. Best of luck and have fun!
You really only need to attend one, maximum two shows. They’re all the same. The same vendors go to all the shows so you’re not going to see anything different so more than once really is just a waste of your time and money (I went to 2 wedding shows and that was waaay more than enough). Now that I’ve said that, you should take samples of what you think you want (pictures of dress, cakes, etc). If you have one, take your wedding planning book. This is the one I got, it’s great because it has little folders inside for pamphlets in each section (attire, reception, food etc)
Other than that you should also maybe write up a page of questions you might have for vendors. For example for your baker you might want to know the difference between fondant and other toppings? I can pretty much guarantee they’ll have a tote for you to put all the stuff you gather in. What I did and what you’re probably going to end up doing is you go there, you walk around and visit every booth. Get all the business cards, pamphlets etc then go home and organize it all by vendor and then start making phone calls and setting up appointments with the ones that appeal to you. It will be pretty busy there so you probably won’t get a lot of personal attention if you are particularly interested in a vendor.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes – it’s a lot of walking!
– Carry a note pad and pen to take notes. Take photos if it’s allowed, to help you remember things.
– Have a list of types of vendors your interested in: dressmakers, hair/makeup, photo/videographer, limo, etc.
– If you have pictures from magazines of things your interested in, take them with you to show the vendors.
– Pre-printed labels are a must! For drawings, for guest books, all sorts of things.
– Start out early and take your time. I only went to 1 expo, but I went two days in a row because there was just too much to absorb in a few hours.
Questions to ask:
– photographer – Color or black and white? Digital or negatives? Can you buy the negatives to make prints on your own? Pre-set photo packages or ala cart? Do you pay for milage if the location is far away? Does he use an assistant? Payment policies
– Dressmaker or seller: Are alterations included in the price? What’s the turn-around time on alterations? Payment policy? Time frame to order?
– Caterer or cake: Payment policy? Does he work with your location or does he have his own? Time frame for giving headcount? Can you do a tasting before you decide? Mileage costs if location is far away?
– Makeup/hair: Can you have a test run? Will they go to your site or do you have to go to their studio? How early or late are they available? How large of a party can they handle?
– Site: Payment policy? How early should you reserve the location? If it’s outdoors, what is their foul weather policy or backup location? Are there restrictions on decorations like candles or flowers petals?
Print out sticky labels with your name, address, phone number, e-mail and wedding date (even if it is just a guess.) The best things about bridal shows are all of the raffles, drawings, and free stuff! The labels will save you SO much time and effort. I was so glad I did this for the bridal shows I went to. Congrats!