Bridal Fairs

The beginning of the year is always filled with new goals, and promises. For many of you, the promise of marriage came in the form of a Christmas gift, or a New Year's resolution.

So now you're planning a wedding. Congratulations! How fun and exciting!! ... but for some of you its a bit overwhelming. Lucky for you the start of the year also brings about Bridal Fair Season. For the next 2 months you can find a fair, or "show" practically every weekend. So lets talk about what to do there.

A Bridal fair is a great place to meet potential vendors. Its also the perfect place to get ideas when you're just starting out. When you're well on your way, its a great way to book your vendors at a discounted rate. I like to think of them as a great place to do lots of research in a short time frame. So keep in mind 2 things: you are looking for vendors, and they are working to book weddings. But lets keep it fun.

 So how do you get started? Here are a few tips to make it worth your while:
Before you go

• When you hear about a show and are thinking about attending, call them or look up their website. Find out if participating vendors have free passes and then contact one, or several depending on how many tickets you'll need. Keep in mind you might only get one or two from any vendor as they might only get 5-10 passes total.
• Decide who is going with you. At first you might think of bringing your mom, his mom, your sisters, your bff, and his sis cuz shes had the same boyfriend since high school. Not a good idea. It won't even be that fun for them all. Sure there will be food and cake samples in little 2oz cups, and maybe some wine, but is it worth paying $10-$15 per person if you don't get a free pass? Will it be fun for everyone to wait for you as you're talking to florists or invitation companies? And keep in mind, the vendors really want to talk to the decision maker, not the "bridal party." If its your first show and you don't have a date set, bring someone - just 1, that you'll have fun with while getting ideas. If you're further into the planning stages with a date and a budget and really looking for information bring along someone who is going to make decisions too (your mom, or fiance). When you're looking to book someone bring your check book!
• Some shows will provide you with a page or 2 of labels with your name and information on them, others don't. Find out and make your own if they don't give them to you. What you'll want on it is your REAL name, wedding date, email, and your mailing address is up to you. Some vendors might still contact you by snail mail, but most will email these days. The reason you want these is that often vendors raffle off discounts or gifts and its much easier to stick on your label than to write out all the information.

Once at the Bridal Fair

• Look at every one's photos. They will all have them, and its a great way to get ideas and inspiration. Even if its a vendor you know you don't need.
• Enter every raffle/giveaway, you never know what you might win.... years ago, I won my dress!
• Talk to the vendors. Look them in the eye and say hello.
• Be honest. If you don't have a date, say so. If you're just getting ideas say so... but please don't avoid us. If you don't want us to talk to you, and you don't want to talk to us, why are you there?!
•  Don't look at merchandise and say how ugly something is and that you wouldn't be caught dead in it. That's just rude, and believe me, that vendor will remember you when you walk through their door.
• Ask questions. "I hadn't really thought about using a ______, how can you help me?"
• Don't monopolize a vendor. If you click and are getting some good information, ask if you can set up a time for a more detailed consultation. Remember at the show, they're trying to meet as many potential brides as possible.
• get a card or brochure from everyone. Its a great place to jot down notes like "good idea," "call," or "don't hire." And don't throw them out until you've hired all of your vendors. You'll often get referrals from other vendors and its great to cross reference them if you've already met them.
• Don't avoid a vendor that you've met with but decided not to hire. Just say hello as you walk by. If they ask you why you haven't called back you can be honest (which is really helpful to their business), or you can just say "our needs have changed." And if you just didn't mix, they probably had the same feeling.

Discounts

    If you've seen a vendor that you'd like to hire but are waiting for the next bridal fair for a discount, you're better off just asking if they can give you their show rate. You don't want to take the chance on them getting booked by another bride. But if they can't do that (they'd rather book someone at their regular rate), and you want to take the risk and wait, ask them if they'll pencil you in for your date and give you a call if someone else wants the same date. At least that way, you'll get to make the decision. But if you have one of those popular wedding dates, like 9/10/11, don't expect to get any breaks. You thought it was such a great date, and so did hundreds of other couples.

Bottom line, bridal shows can be at its best a great place to hire your vendors and get some amazing ideas. At its worst, it can be crowded, loud, and overwhelming. So come prepared. Wear comfy shoes, and bring water. Be ready to chat, take notes, and have fun.