The bride today is often busy in day to day life. She may find that the more time she can save in planning her wedding, the better! At a bridal show, a bride can plan her entire wedding in just one trip if she goes prepared and is ready to get the job done. Here are a few tips to the brides as well as the grooms on how to get the most out of your local bridal shows.
First of all, you will need to have a budget planned. Make a list of what you need the most and what your budget will allow for this particular item or service. When you get there, go to those service providers who have what you need the most first.
Remember, some wedding professionals can only do one or two weddings a day. They will be the ones who will fill up their date books first. Some of the professionals who can only do one or two weddings a day are videographers, DJ's, banquet facilities, balloon decorators, photographers, and wedding consultants.
Plan to spend the day there. The more time you can spend, the more you can get planned. Some shows offer you up to three days to shop. Also, be prepared to make decisions. Bring some of the major decision makers with you. If you are the major decision maker, bring someone who you can bounce ideas off of. Other important items to bring are swatches of material and ribbon in the colors of your wedding. This will assist the florist, balloonist, baker, and many of the other professionals in helping you plan your event. A checkbook and date book are also necessities. If you are going to book that perfect photographer, you are going to need to give them a deposit. A date book is needed to schedule appointments with potential service providers. Remember to wear comfortable shoes. There is no doubt that you will be doing a lot of walking.
Often times, the exhibitors will have drawing boxes available for you to enter to win prizes. To avoid having to write your name, address, phone number and wedding date 90 times, it is a good idea to have some address labels or a rubber stamp made up. Most of your local print shops can do address labels and rubber stamps or you can look in the phone book. You may want to just have your name, address, and phone number printed so you can use them after the show as well. When you find the right professional to hire, ask if they have a show special, if they do it may benefit you to give them a deposit then. The more you can book at the show the less you will need later.
The important thing to remember is that the show is there to assist the bride in every aspect of planning her wedding. When used to the fullest extent, you can plan your entire wedding in just with just a few shows and without having to fight traffic and drive all over town.
How many shows a bride goes to is up to her. However the more of them you can attend the more you can save. And who knows, you might just win a honeymoon!
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