Tips for Brides

Top tips when visiting exhibitions

• Take your maid/matron of honour, possibly your mother and future mother-in-law (You could just take your fiancé; however, make sure he wants to go!)

• Make a day of it. Plan on lunch or dinner, shopping, and all the different ideas that you will now have in your head once you have attended. (Good idea is to take a camera. Photos are easier to explain to your local bridal shop about this dress that you seen that your bridesmaids would look great in.)

• Dress comfortably!  You will be doing a lot of walking! Be prepared for sore feet!

• Keep in mind, the floral arrangements you see in the fall may be quite expensive when it comes to availability in the early spring wedding. So ask questions!

• Notebook. Take one; tie a pen on a string to it and USE IT! You will never remember which vendor told you what. You could see 15 photographers, 6 videographers, 7 cakes, 10 entertainment services. Write down notes!

• Get some of those return addressed stickers that you put on envelopes; these will be used to save some writer’s cramps.  Rather than filling out all of those entry forms, use the stickers.

• Don’t waste your time! If you already have a hall, don’t spend time looking at others. Same with your other services. It will just confuse you.

• Avoid the Show Special Price. (What is the difference?) If the price is good today, then it has to be good tomorrow. Why would the Show be any different?

• Avoid the excitement sell. Just remember, if they are the first one you have talked to, what does the others have to offer?

• If your plan is to hire suppliers that day, leave plenty of time to view them all. Pick the 2 or 3 in each area of your needs and go back and ask them when they will have time to talk with you for 30 minutes or so without being interrupted. (They will appreciate this, and will make the time for you)

• Attend the show! Each show has the fashion show with it. Check out those expensive gowns! Enjoy the different colours and gowns. It will greatly assist you in your search for that perfect gown!

• Remember, you will be getting a lot of mail, phone calls and inquiries in the coming weeks. You wonder sometimes if you seen that many vendors. Truth is, your name, address and phone number is made available for all the vendors at the show. They will be sending you information on their business for weeks to come! *Idea here, use a wedding date just a couple of months away! This way, some will see the close date and not bother you. (You don’t have to use your real wedding date)

• Don’t get discouraged! If you don’t see something that gives you an idea, ask a professional in that area of expertise. They have plenty of photos of prior work that you just may find what you are in search of!

• Enjoy it! Remember, if you don’t get it all done that day or weekend, there is another show just a few days away! (Unless it is March, then you may have some scrambling to do!)