If you got engaged during the holidays or are about to become engaged, you need to check out all the upcoming bridal shows in your area. Late January and February have become the "bridal show season" because of Christmas and Valentine's Day engagements. These shows provide great opportunities for brides and grooms to explore the wedding industry in their cities and towns.
Attending a large bridal show can be a daunting, intimidating and frustrating experience if you don't have a plan going in. Do your homework! Start out researching local vendors and venues on the www. They are not hard to find! Talk to friends and family members who have planned weddings in the past. Be prepared with a list of any vendors whose work appeals to you on their websites. If the bridal show has a map or printed program, pick one up when you enter the show. Check to see if those vendors are at the show. These are the ones you don't want to miss.
Either go alone or take only one other person with you. This is not a social time to visit with sorority sisters or Aunt Susie. You have a mission, and that mission is to gather as much information as possible.
By all means, stop at as many booths and talk to as many vendors as possible. If this is a large show, you won't have much time, however, to get acquainted. Introduce yourself if you can, pick up brochures, business cards or any other information you can get; fill out that vendor's information sheet if you are interested, but don't expect a lot of time from that vendor. You can take home all this information, sort through it and pull out the ones you liked. If you have time, make a personal notation on the vendors' cards whether you are interested or not when leaving the booth.
Taking a camera is not unheard of. Check the show rules before you start snapping, though. There will be signs posted or printed in the program if this is not allowed. If you have a camera phone, use it. Make shots of vendor spaces, any arrangements, cakes, dresses and decor that appeal to you; or even the vendor if you want to remember what he or she looks like. This will be enough to jog your memory when you get back home.
For the smaller shows, your one-on-one time will become a time to get acquainted with that vendor and check availability for your wedding date. You might even be able to set up an appointment if your interest is piqued. Don't be shy. Get all the free "stuff" and try all the sample foods and cakes that you like. This is why you are there -- this is why all those professionals are there. The want to meet you, hear about your plans and take a few minutes to show you their work and explain how they can assist you. They have put a lot of time and effort into making their booths attractive and being able to provide the most information they can in the small amount of time they have. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet many professionals in one place at one time.
Just remember, you should not plan to make decisions or commitments at a bridal show; this a place to gather all the information you need to get started making decisions.Take this information, make a list of the vendors you would like to interview, and start making appointments. A prepared, informed bride is usually a happy bride when that wedding day arrives.
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