Making the most of Bridal Shows..

Its that time of year again, where all of the newly engaged brides begin to plan the day of their dreams. For many of them, their planning process begins by promptly calling a wedding coordinator. However, there are many that start out on their own first, and will hopefully at some point understand the value of a what a wedding coordinator can bring, but would first prefer to venture out alone. Well it is a good thing that in January of each year there is no shortage of bridal shows.

Here are some of my thoughts on how to get the most out of your bridal show experience.

Pre-work before you go

1) Identify what type of wedding you are dreaming of. I don't mean down to the color linens, and flowers. I mean are you envisioning a formal affair, a backyard vintage soiree, a destination wedding.

2) Start to put together a budget. As wedding coordinators we CANNOT stress this enough! I am not saying to the penny.. but there is a big difference between, $5000, $50,0000 or $5 million. It is key that to have a wonderful wedding planning experience, that you first have realistic understanding of what you are able to spend.

3) Create a list of items such as food, drink, venue, photography, videography, floral, linens, decor, dj or band, etc and start to rank them in order of importance. This visual exercise will allow you to see every element of the type of wedding you are planning. You can then allocate portion of your budget accordingly. (note: a wedding coordinator will also be able to help you further finesse the budget to what the local cost of products is for your type of wedding) You would hate to choose a vendor, that takes 50% of your budget, and before you know it you are over budget before you have barely begun.

3) Once you have established a budget, and your priorities, sit down and start to brainstorm with your fiance to find out what guest count you feel would fit in your budget and not stretch it too thin but yet still allow for all of the items you want from step 2.

A tip that I tell my client repeatedly, is guest count is the fastest way to affect the bottom line.. either positively or negatively.

4) Check out the website for the show and look at the vendors that are going to be in attendance. Then look further at their websites. This will allow you to make a special cheat sheet of booths you don't want to miss. All too often, the doors open and the brides come in, and it seems like a cattle round up. And that is because most don't have a plan, they just seem to wander around. Now don't get me wrong it is good to browse, but don't get overwhelmed and then realize it's all a blur and you can't remember who you spoke with. (more on this in the next section)

5) Discuss your strategy with anyone who is attending the show with you. It is key that they know your vision and your goals. After all this is YOUR day. I hate to say it but sometimes, bridesmaids, moms, grandmas, etc mean well but they are making statements etc without keeping your goal in mind. This then makes the experience overwhelming and unenjoyable.

6) Limit the amount of people you take with you to any one show. If you are planning on attending more then one show, split the people that go with you. This will allow people to help you feel like that are involved, but without have 4, 5, or 6 people wandering around with you that day.

7) Print labels with your first and last name, wedding date, email address, and mailing address. Trust me you will thank me profusely later!! Just about every vendor is providing a giveaway. The often request the same information and you will be writing it over and over and over again. These giveaways are a great bonus, but if you could save 20 mins overall and writers cramp...do it!! You can peel it off, plop it down, and that's all she wrote (no pun intended).

Day of things to remember:
1) Eat breakfast (you need energy and brain food)

2) Review your list again

3) Remember you labels

4) When you visit the booth you are interested in, strike up a conversation with the vendor. Wedding planning is much more enjoy ble when you feel connected to a vendor you select. Rather than just price shop.

5) Remember that vendors, WANT to talk to you or we wouldn't be there. A good vendor is as selective about the clients they sign, as you are about us. So please just relax, and ask questions.

6)Take it all in! Enjoy being a bride...enjoy the process of finding the right vendors. (which might or might not be selected from a show)

7) Have your guest keep track of who you visited, and who you want to follow up with after you leave.

8) Watch the fashion show.. always a great experience.

Well this post was A LOT longer then I originally intended. But hopefully for all of you bride's, mother of brides/grooms, friends, etc reading this post will find it helpful.

Good luck!