Bridal Show Survival

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Every bridal show is worth the effort if you go into it with the right attitude. It can be an afternoon of fun with friends and family as you share the excitement of planning your day.

Don't expect to find that perfect item you have been searching for. Don't expect to get the greatest of deals just for being there. Don't expect to win the grand prize or any prize for that matter. Don't expect to have a one on one conversation with a vendor who will give your their full attention. If any of the above happens, consider it a bonus.

What you should expect, is to learn a little bit about the various vendors in the wedding industry. You should be able to walk away with a feel for what the current trends are and perhaps be slightly more knowledgeable about the industry as a whole.

Collect samples, pamphlets, cards and prices from all booths. Do this even if you aren't interested in their services directly or if you already have that field covered. You might find a vendor offering a service you want to have your vendor provide. You will be able to pick up tidbits of information and apply it to other areas.

Take the time to analyze each individual booth. Pay attention to the photographs on display at the various photographer booths. Jot down the particular poses and shots you like for later reference. Make notes on what you like and what you don't like from what you witness. Once you have all your vendor selections made, refer back to these notes to verify these things will or will not be done.

If you are in the market for a particular item and you see it at the show, be sure to ask what "show discount" they are offering. The majority of vendors will give either a financial discount or a bonus item. If they aren't offering any type of promotion, it will be embarrassing for them and they just might make you some kind of a deal just because you brought it up.

The goal for the vendor is to get you to book at the show, don't do this. Nobody wants to be pushed into a decision, especially one as important as your wedding. Ask to make an appointment within the week after the show to discuss in further detail your needs. Get them to write on their business card that the special offer applies if you book at that follow up meeting. You may get a completely different opinion of the vendor on his or her own turf without all the energy the show itself produces.

If the man in your life is actively involved in the planning process of your wedding then be sure to go together. If he is not, and if he is open to the idea, having him come along is a great opportunity to introduce him to the wedding world. For someone that has no idea how big the industry is, it can be an eye opening experience. He will have a much better understanding of what you are dealing with after attending a show.

One thing folks tend to complain about is the overwhelming amount of mail and phone calls that they receive as a result of attending a show. There really is no way around the mail issue. Just allow it to come and toss what you don't want. Concerning the phone calls, leave a pager number instead, or hook up an answering machine at your home number.

If you receive more than one piece of literature or phone call from a particular company whose services you don't need, give them a courtesy call back. Thank them for their information and ask them to take you off their mailing list. It's that simple. Most brides and grooms don't realize that direct mail is a major market to the wedding vendor. It's a proven fact that a potential client may have to see a businesses name up to seven times before it registers. The person on the other end of the flyer has no idea that you have already booked with a catering company if they aren't told. It saves them time and money to not have to mail information out and it saves you the frustration of receiving it again and again.

Dress comfortable and wear a good pair of walking shoes. You will do a fair amount of traipsing about before the day is over.

Order mailing labels that show both your first and last names with your address. You can write your wedding date on the bottom. Stick these on the many vendor cards, entry slips, and such. It is much faster and easier on your part, and on the part of the recipient, reading it becomes effortless. An alternative to this would be to print up business style cards stating your names, address, phone number and wedding date.

Happiness always,   Wendy