How to get the most from a Bridal Show

A Bridal Show is an investment in your wedding.Not only can you compare vendors with more ease and speed than normal, but you can score amazing promotions, “show offers”, and prizes for your wedding. The key to getting the most out of a Bridal Show is to be prepared! Below are a few quick tips that are sure to improve your experience.

Buy your ticket early Most shows sell tickets online, and if you buy ahead of time you will get the best price. If it slipped your mind in all the chaos of wedding planning, you can sometimes purchase at the door, however you are risking the show being sold out. You can also ask any vendors that will be in the show if they have any complimentary tickets.

Bring someone along Your fiancé, your mom, your maid of honor, or the whole bunch will add to your support group. They can help you accomplish everything on your to-do list for the day, keep you from getting overwhelmed, and make the experience fun!

Wear comfortable shoes! However long you plan on staying, you will be mostly walking and standing. Also, temperature control is a gamble, so come prepared. It can be too hot with all those people there, or the venue may overcompensate for the crowd by running the AC too much.

Have a Game Plan Chances are you won’t be able to make it to every vendor, and if you did, it’d be more overwhelming than helpful. Before the show, find out which vendors will be in the show, and decide whose booths you want to visit. Keep in mind that many vendors will be offering promotions and drawings that you won’t want to miss!

Bring a camera, a notepad, and a pen You will probably hear or see things that will inspire you. You won’t want to forget the creative DIY altar featured in that one picture, or the exact design or flavor of that unbelievable cake you tasted.

Bring your Checkbook Some deals or dates won’t be around after the bridal show, & some won’t even make it to noon. It’s important to go in knowing your budget and knowing want you want because this is the time to jump on a deal when you hear it.

Don’t shun the Literature Even if you didn't plan on searching for a certain vendor while you’re there, still take brochures and business cards for later. You may see something you like, decide to pass them to another bride, or even end up needing to replace a vendor later on, and having some extra knowledge of what’s out there won’t hurt.

Bonus: Use Contact Labels A nifty tip for a super-organized bride is to bring along address labels with your name, email, and phone number. Use these to place on vendors’ contact sheets, otherwise you’ll be spending valuable time writing the same information over and over.

Now that you're ready for the Bridal Show, don't forget the most important part of the wedding process: enjoy yourself!

Posted by Kendall Arelleis, Event Coordinator with The 530 Bride