These are the essential bridal show tips you must follow in order to get the most of the bridal show that you want to attend. Bridal shows should be an integral part of your wedding planning, however, if you do not prepare yourself when attending, you will definitely not get the most out of the show that you should. To avoid that, you can follow these bridal show tips:- Bring your Patience: Seriously, be prepared to wait in line to not only register but only to be able to get to tables and booths and talk to vendors.
- Bring Labels: This may seem strange for me to put this down but, trust me, you will thank me later!
Many (if not all) of the booths and tables there will have draws for prizes and giveaways and each will have a ballot for you to fill in. If you bring your own pre-printed, self-adhesive labels with all of your information on it including your name, address, phone number, cell number, email, and the date of your wedding (if you know it!). Just think of how much time it will save you in filling out ballots, thereby letting you see so much more of the show and increasing your chances of winning since you will be able to enter so many more draws. Not to mention the fact that the vendors will love you for your neatly printed and much more readable ballots!
- Bring Pens: Even though the label tip is going to save you a ton of writing, you should still bring pens (note the plural) and make sure they don't leave your sight.
Chances are if you lend them out to some other bride-to-be, it will get lost in the crowd and you won't get it back.
- Bring Your Wallet: Have to say this bridal show tip, even though it seems like a given. Bring your checkbook and credit cards, just in case you have the opportunity to actually book a photographer, caterer, etc. or to hold a date with a deposit.
Always keep in mind your budget and how much you can afford to spend. It is very easy to get caught up in all the excitement of the show when you are just surrounded by everything "wedding". Also, be sure to carefully read the fine print on the contract, or anything else you may sign, with regard to refund policies prior to handing over any money.
- Bring Bags: Be sure to bring some real good strong bags (not plastic) to hold all the information that you will be collecting. As you go from booth to booth and table to table, you will find that there is going to be a whole lot of information for you to pick up.
If you are not yet ready to make some decisions with booking vendors at the show, then you can take the brochures, etc. home to go through later on when you have some quiet time to yourselves.
- Use Volunteer Wedding Coordinators: If you are going to be out of town the day that the bridal show is going to be, why not employ a family member or friend to be your volunteer wedding coordinator for the day.
They can attend in your place (using these bridal show tips) to register you for prizes and to collect the information on the services you will be needing. It might just be a good idea to take along friends (members of your wedding party) and family members (and members-to-be) to help you out on the day of the bridal show.
- Show Yourself Off: Okay, that didn't come out right! What I meant to say is, "Make sure vendors know that you are the bride-to-be and you are here to make some decisions."
Wear a special t-shirt or sticker so that everyone knows who you are. Be proud and you will be sure to garner some extra special attention from the vendors at the bridal show.
- Timing Can Be Everything: Another Bridal Show tip is to attend a later fashion show time than the earlier ones.
They are generally less crowded than the earlier ones, so use this to your advantage; while everyone is heading to the first shows, the vendor booths and tables will be less crowded and easier to navigate. Then later on (and when you would really like to sit down and rest your weary feet!) attend the fashion show and get a much better seat with much less fuss.
- Teamwork Produces Results!: Bring your fiancé with you. This is a show for couples, not just brides!
Approximately 30% of the grooms-to-be do attend, so he shouldn't worry about being the only guy there! In fact, he can play a major part in filling in the ballots (using the labels of course!) while you talk to vendors and gather information. Also, at the fashion shows, they usually present a good selection of tuxes and suits that might interest him.
- The Early Bride Gets the Seat: If you do not heed the advice of attending the later fashion shows, be sure to arrive a least one hour prior to the fashion show time so that you can get a good seat.
Hmmm, this might also be a good job for a volunteer wedding coordinator or fiancé - seat saving while you peruse the rest of the exhibitors until the fashion show starts.
If you follow these bridal show tips when attending an event held at a hall or convention center, etc., they will make your day go so much better. You will find that with a little bit of organization and planning, a bridal show can be one of the best things you can do in tackling the sometimes overwhelming job of wedding and wedding reception planning. To find out about shows happening in your area, go to Bridal Show Locations. You will need a password to access the page which you can get by signing up for my World of Weddings Newsletter. It's FREE! Don't forget to visit our Wedding Surveys and Polls page.
Make sure that you stay on top of all things good in the World of Weddings by subscribing to my FREE Newsletter! Just fill in the form here...
If you found this site and page useful, chances are someone else will too, so why not share it...
Or subscribe to my feed... 
Top of Bridal Show Tips Back To Bridal Shows page Return from the Bridal Show Tips page back to the My Wedding Reception Planning Home Page |
