Are you ready to attend your first bridal show? This can be an exhilarating time, but many couples feel completely overwhelmed when they arrive at the show. There are so many ideas and options for your wedding being thrown at you that it is easy to think you need to do them all. Or you may suddenly realize just how big of a job planning a wedding actually is. With this guide, we will help you to navigate the bridal show; leaving it with a sense of accomplishment and excitement.
Below you will find 10 tips on how to stay on top of it all! Want to go even further? Download our printable Guide + Worksheet > DOWNLOAD HERE
TIP #1
Know Your Wedding Date
Know Your Wedding Date
Knowing your wedding date is key to locking in the wedding vendors you want to build your perfect wedding day. But there is a difference between the date you want and the date you actually end up with. If you don’t have your venue booked, you really don’t have your wedding date. The first major hurdle when planning your wedding is locking in your venue. If you’re attending a bridal show and you have this, you can start locking in other vendors you really want to work with. If you don’t yet have a venue, the bridal show is a great opportunity to meet venue representatives and setup times to go tour their venues. Also, come with a few dates that you are looking at and ask vendors about their availability for those dates.
TIP #2
Know YOUR BUDGET & SET PRIORITIES
Know Your BUDGET & SET PRIORITIES
Wedding shows provide a lot of different ideas for you to consider. But keep in mind that just because it is possible does not mean you need to do it. At the start of planning a wedding, it is important to set your wedding budget and know what areas you really want to focus on and what areas you could cut if the budget becomes scarce. It is helpful to get a general idea of how much you’re willing to spend in each category as this helps you to know if a vendor is even in your range.
TIP #3
Build a Pinterest Board
Build a Pinterest Board
Before attending the show it is great to have a Pinterest board of your wedding inspiration going. This will help you when talking with vendors to know if they are able to accomplish what you’re looking for. If you don’t have a Pinterest board, color swatches, or photos on your phone also would work.
TIP #4
Do Your Research Ahead of Time
Do Your Research Ahead of Time
Most wedding show websites provide a list of the participating vendors and links to their websites. Take a look at them, and get to know which ones you really like and want to connect with. Make a list of which vendor booths you wish to visit. Make a plan for what you aim to accomplish at this show.
TIP #5
Be Ready to Put Down Deposits
Be Ready to Put Down Deposits
Did you find a vendor you absolutely love AND they are available for your wedding date? Then be ready to jump, most vendors will book you at the show if you ask. Deposits for most wedding vendors typically range from a couple of hundred dollars to twenty-five percent of the total and are usually non-refundable. Remember hundreds of other couples are also at this show and doing the same thing you are. So don’t let your perfect wedding day slip away because you were hesitant to book.
TIP #6
Choose Your Guests Wisely
Choose Your Guests Wisely
Sure it sounds like fun to attend the bridal show with all your besties. But in reality, this can often overwhelm and confuse. If you are going to the show to try to accomplish wedding planning it is best to do it with a couple of people that you can trust to provide honest opinions. Remember your wedding day is about you and your fiancee, not everyone else’s opinion. If you plan to book vendors at the show make sure any financial decision-makers are with you.
TIP #7
Wear comfortable shoes
Wear comfortable shoes
Wedding shows are most often on hard concrete floors without many, if any, opportunities to sit down. So make sure you’re wearing shoes that you can walk in comfortably and stand in for several hours.
TIP #8
Stay hydrated
Stay hydrated
Exhibit halls are notoriously filled with very dry air. In addition, you’ll be doing a lot of talking which also dries you out. So make sure you drink plenty of water to stay energized and refreshed.
TIP #9
Take lots of notes
Take Lots of Notes
Often times couples will pick up all the brochures or business cards and just put them in a bag thinking they’ll remember what they liked. In reality, all the literature gets jumbled up, and are you really going to look at it all right away when you get home? So make sure you have a notebook (or the handy guide at the end of this) to help you remember what you discussed and who you were talking to. Or if someone you trust is attending the show with you, assign them the job of note-taker so you can focus on getting to know the vendors.
TIP #10
Be Inspired
Take Lots of Notes
Wedding shows are meant to inspire and excite you. Take advantage of any workshops or seminars they might have, or attend the fashion show. You should leave the show feeling a sense of accomplishment and full of ideas. Take lots of pictures so you can remember what you loved most. And most importantly have fun!
So, do you feel more ready to attend your first bridal show? Take it just one step further and get our guide with a bonus worksheet to help you get all your information ready to go when you attend!
