Bridal Expo Questions

Create a separate email address specifically for vendors. You're going to get TONS of emails.

Bring peel and stick labels with your names, email address, phone number, wedding date to save time.

I recommend focusing on one or two things you are trying to book right now. Since your wedding is pretty far off, that might be venues, catering, and possibly a wedding planner if you want full wedding planning. Venues are sometimes limited though; I've found that often the host venue doesn't like too much competition, so you might have to use the venue tab here to settle that part first because it's the most critical. Then at the next show just focus on what the different photographers have to offer, compare their portfolios, maybe set up some appointments to interview and get quotes. Then DJ, etc. Things like hair and makeup artists are just a huge distraction to you at this point.

But eat cake at all the shows. Eat all the cake.

Create labels with your name address phone and email address on them. Otherwise prepare for hand cramping for the number of times you have to write that out... I learned the hard way lol

Print labels with your contact info (name, address, phone number, and email address). You'll be writing all that information down so many times you'll get sick of it. And you'll get through the lines so much faster. And the vendors will thank you.

The vendors didn't really talk much when I went to an expo a few weeks ago. There were so many people they just rushed me off and threw their card in my bag. I got a crap load of emails though from vendors wanting my business. If I liked the vendor I put a star on their card or brochure so I knew to contact him or her later.

Just remember that the best vendors are too busy to do bridal shows. They don't need to. Have fun, but don't get so wrapped up in the moment to let it cloud your judgement.

I agree, have stickers with your information and set up a gmail account. Sarah, I don't agree, consider the fact that some are busy partially because of bridal shows. What better way to get in front of your audience and meet them? And have a way to stay in touch? My approach is to take quality time with those interested rather than rush them along, I've had good experiences from them and my 2017 is looking pretty good so far. You can only rely strictly on word of mouth when people in your social circles are getting married. A combination of many different things and being seen is the key.

Granted, there are a couple vendors I wish weren't there.....or anywhere, lol.....but there are some very fine ones there as well. This past show, I was a couple booths away from a dress / couture designer who has been doing it for about 20 years, one of the well known ones in town. She knows more about weddings than I ever will, lol. Take time to talk with those whose services you are interested in, gather info, use what you can and forget the rest. Some have show specials as an incentive. You never know, it can be a good experience for you.

Showcases are crazy! The stickers are awesome as is an email just for wedding vendors. Maybe even 2 email addresses... one for people you really do want to hear from and another just to be polite. Date, time, and location are the 3 things I need to check my calendar.

The good vendors do indeed attend showcases, especially the in house shows, if they are mid-week. On the weekends we should be out working as was mentioned above. Scheduling weekend meetings with popular vendors is almost impossible at this time of year. However I do recommend doing a week night when you can meet the real person, rather than a sales staff. When you hire a vendor, you are inviting them to your wedding. Maybe not as a guest, but choosing people who enrich the day with their presence is important IMO.

Personality and what people can deliver on are 2 different things. So I do recommend research after the shows. However if you don't have a date, time and location... and a vendor takes as much time with you as they would if you were September of this year and they had the date open, it does say a lot.

When couples see me at a showcase I'm jazzed and excited to be meeting and greeting. When they come over to meet it's a different vibe. They are welcomed into my house, can stay as long as they like (I only do 1 meeting a night) it's very relaxed and I actually write them a draft before I ask for a commitment. So although there are "book now and get a discount" offers... Some vendors that works better for than others.

Here's a link to the FAQ page of my web site. There are people in the industry who hate me for this page and I'm pretty proud of that. But it has the questions you want to know from all your vendors. What is included? (What is not included is a great question as well) How early do you arrive? Are we booking a company or a person? What happens if you get sick? How closely do you schedule? and so on...

http://www.churchofancientways.org/frequently-asked-questions-2/

Next Month is the LIW Show. It is one of the largest on the Island.

https://www.libridalextravaganza.com/

Happy planning!

L&L, April