Get the Most Out of Your Bridal Show Visit

Remember when you were little and it was your birthday? You wore a paper crown, received the first piece of cake with a big frosting flower on it, and everyone gave you presents? That’s what it’s like being a bride (or groom!). And one place where you’re definitely the guest of honor is at a bridal show.

We know how it is. When the euphoria of the engagement begins to fade, you’re struck by a flutter of panic: “I need to plan the wedding!” Suddenly, the mountain of decisions that requires your personal attention seems as daunting as scaling Everest in your bathrobe and slippers.

Relaaaaax. This is the fun part!

Tips to Get The Most out of a Wedding Fair

Wedding fairs are a great way to get a kick start in your wedding planning. Whether you’re newly engaged or you’ve been planning for a while, wedding fairs are a great way to gather lots of ideas and meet with wedding vendors who can help you put together the wedding day you’ve been dreaming of! In Ireland there are some really fantastic wedding fairs held across the country in January including the Wedding Journal Shows nationwide and Bride of the Year Show. The Bentley Boys will be exhibiting at each of these shows. Wedding fairs can be quite overwhelming, so we put together a list of 9 tips for getting the most out of a wedding fair.

The highlight of most wedding fairs is the fashion show, with models decked out in the newest designer wedding dresses, tuxes and formal wear strutting the runway. This is when you may begin to envision your own personal aisle style! Tatiana Byron of The Wedding Salon says, "Bridal fairs that produce a fashion show give couples the extra edge in planning their big day. Not only can brides and grooms view the latest wedding styles from the runways, but they also get a peek into hair, makeup, music, and décor trends."

How should brides choose which wedding fair to attend?

Ask yourself what you want to get from the show based on what stage you’re at in your planning. ‘Just starting off? Then you might want to go for the biggest show in your city so that you can get as much as possible in one day. ‘Looking for high-end suppliers? Then a luxury fair is for you. ‘Looking to treat your bridesmaids and share ideas? Check out which shows do VIP packages.’

What research should the bride-to-be do before attending a wedding fair?

Most shows and fairs give full details of the suppliers taking part on the show’s website. Check out those suppliers’ websites and past work. ‘Make a target list of those you’d like to meet and bring it with you on the day so you can check off any you may have missed. ‘The larger shows also have live demos and catwalk shows, so make sure you check the timings of these on the website before going so you don’t miss out on the day.’

Bringing a Companion

You need someone to bounce ideas off or to save you from making an impulsive decision you may regret later! The big question is who to bring. If your parents are contributing to the wedding or if you are close, bring your Mum. Your Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids are people you trust and who’s opinion you value so they are an obvious choice. If your future Mother in Law has no daughters, it’s always nice to extend an invite and let her experience this side of planning she may miss out on. It’s never too early to get on the Mother in Law’s good side! Don’t forget to ask your Groom, this poor fella often gets overlooked in the wedding planning! Try not to bring too many people, you know what they say about too many cooks!

Ready, Set, Go!

So here you are at last, meeting and greeting prospective florists, caterers, DJs, etc. When you’re interested in a particular service, make sure you get current contact information, including the name and title of the person you’re speaking to. Find out if this individual will actually be involved in your event (he or she may just be helping out at the booth). The best way to get a “feel” for the service is to advance as high up on the proverbial food chain as possible, even if you have to wait a few minutes for a key person’s attention. For example, you think Pam’s Photography has the best photos you’ve ever seen, and you begin discussing your photographic needs with a charming woman in the booth who you discover is Pam’s assistant. That’s all fine and dandy, but you really should talk with Pam herself, since she’s the one who’ll be taking the pictures. And if you’re looking at, say, invitations, and you don’t see a style that matches your vision, then ask the vendor. Many simply can’t bring all of their samples to the show.

Another thing: we know you were raised to be polite, but you don’t have to give your contact information out to everyone—provide it only to those vendors that make your short list. Schedule appointments with your favorite professionals and have fun!

When You're Tired, Go Home!

If the thought of tasting one more piece of wedding cake makes you queasy, or seeing yet another photo of a smooching couple has you ready to draw mustaches on their faces, then you’ve had enough for one day. Armed with your notes, a collection of business cards, and 27 pounds of brochures and magazines, head for the door.

A day or two later, after the initial excitement has passed, it’s time sort through the bridal booty with your partner, and decide which vendors, tablescapes, and ideas left an impression. Some cards may end up in the recycling bin, others on your vision board, but chances are you’ll have a better action plan than BBF (before bridal fair!).