Follow these tips get the most from the show and enjoy your day!
1) Know your vendors. Go to the show’s web page. The vendors
will be listed, often times with links to their web sites. This
can help cut down on being overwhelmed by the number of
vendors in each category.
2) If you are going for a specific vendor or category of vendor
(i.e. photographers), again check the web site to see if they
are attending and where they will be in the show. If the site
doesn’t give a map, you can often call the vendor directly
and ask, or inquire with on site coordinators when you arrive
at the expo.
3) Be sure to go with a satisfied stomach. Although there will be
many food samples, most will be sugary dessert. This, coupled
with excitement can make for an unpleasant experience. Eat
something substantial before you go, and be sure to have water
with you at the show. Take some extra cash, just in case you are
not allowed to bring in outside bottled water.
4) Only bring one or two trusted family members or friends;
and/or your fiancé. They say too many cooks can spoil the
pot, and too many opinions at such a busy event can be so
overwhelming that you miss something that you wanted to
see. If you do bring more people, see if they are willing to split
up and cover more ground.
5) Make a plan. Check the web site before hand and make
sure that you search out the vendors who have caught your
interest first. You can always, check out the rest later.
6) Is the fashion show your priority? Make sure that you know
when and where it is scheduled. Arrive early to get the best
seats and don’t get caught up at a vendor’s booth. Remember,
the vendors are there all day. The fashion shows are only at
certain scheduled times.
7) Go with am “I’m just window shopping” attitude. Although
it is advisable to set up consultations at the show with vendors,
don’t sign any contracts under pressure and on the spot.
Remember, these vendors want your business. Most will extend
their bridal show specials/discounts beyond the show itself.
Some may ask for you to book a consultation or future face
to face meeting on the day of the show to receive the discount
and that is okay. Just don’t sign a contract for service or feel
pressured to give them money to hold your wedding date.
8) Some vendors do sell merchandise at bridal shows, such as
jewelry and other bridal accessories. Be sure that if you buy
something at the show, that it is not the floor model and that
the item is in good repair. Many merchandise vendors have stores
or showrooms in the valley (with multiples of the same accessory),
that you can visit and purchase a new item.
9) Be prepared to take center stage. If you have ever wanted
to be a movie star, with adoring fans requesting your autograph,
this is your chance. EVERY VENDOR at the show will be
vying for your attention to either try a sample, sign up for a
drawing or hand you information.
10) Take one or two bags with you. Trust me. A large canvas bag,
like the kind you take to the beach, will be an asset to collect
all the paperwork you are going to receive. I suggest two bags,
so that you can have one for the vendors you are interested in
working with, and one for those you are not.
11) Bring a pen, notebook and sticky tabs. Make brief notes while
you are at a booth or a few moments after. Attach them to the
flyers or make notes in a notebook. This is helpful for later
organization of the material.
12) Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Many vendors at bridal shows
know that the majority of their flyers won’t make it home with
the brides, so they try to keep costs down by printing black and
white. If a vendor intrigued you, request more information, set
up an appointment or check out their web site. You will find
these resources more helpful (and usually esthetically pleasing)
that the flyer at the expo.
13) Dress comfortably! Need I say more?
14) Save yourself from writers cramp. Bring address labels, or make
your own labels with personal information that you would like
vendors to have. This saves you valuable time and irritation when
giving information to vendors and entering drawings.
15) HAVE FUN!