I’ve been engaged for 13 months now and have found myself attending just about every bridal show that comes to town. I’m not really sure if it’s the planner in me that wants to ensure I’ve been able to visit with every vendor imaginable in the city, but with each show I attend, I always come prepared and end up walking away with an idea that I never thought of before.
Living in the digital age of researching and visiting many wedding websites, it helps tremendously to attend a bridal extravaganza so you can meet the vendors in person. If you’re looking for a photographer, gown, transportation or linens, bridal shows have most wedding needs available and are a great way to help you compare prices and services.
Photo credit: Pink Pearl Images
Some tips to consider when planning to attend a bridal show:
- Pre-register. Tickets are usually cheaper if you register early or online than if you just show up at the door.
- Bring pre-printed self-addressed mailing labels to save time from filling out an information card at each vendor. Bridal shows also offer opportunities to win a variety of prizes, including a free honeymoon! The labels can also be used for any prize drawings there may be.
- Ask your fiancé to come along. Mine did and while you may have your bridesmaids and moms to offer their opinions, it’s nice to have your fiancé with you to help you decide since after all, it is his wedding too.
- Wear comfortable shoes. A lot of time is invested in attending bridal shows. Be prepared to spend approximately three to four hours to see all of the exhibits, visit with a lot of vendors and attend the fashion shows.
- If attending a fashion show, be sure to grab your seat early as many other brides-to-be want that front row seat to watch every gown that comes down the runway.
Photo credit: Brides Club.com
- Ask questions! For example, “Are you available on our wedding date?” “What kind of services do you provide?”
- If you’ve decided on your color scheme or theme, bring any swatches you may have to coordinate any items you will need for the ceremony or reception.
- The amount of vendors at each bridal show can be overwhelming. Remember to take notes and gather all the information from each vendor to be able to sort through later.
Photo credit: Dream Weddings Bridal
Whether you’re a first-time bridal show attendee or a regular, bridal shows are a great way to help with the planning process. For a bridal show near you, check out your local wedding websites or magazines. I don’t think there can ever be too many to attend since you will constantly find a new idea that offers a fresh perspective that can be incorporated into your special day.
Wedding Website: tedandcheryl.com
My name is Cheryl Lao and I am a bride-to-be who finds excitement about anything wedding-related. My fiancé, Ted, and I got engaged in November 2008 and we’re looking forward to our wedding set for June 2010 in our hometown of Houston, Texas. Event planning is something I’m very passionate about, and while it’s not something I do full-time, it is something I truly enjoy. I have had a few opportunities as a Public Relations professional to plan and attend several events, and somehow find myself drawn to the specific and unique details of each occasion — most specifically, weddings. After being a guest at weddings over the years, I am thrilled to execute all the ideas I have saved from all these memorable events to customize and make my own dream wedding a reality. With all the planning that lies ahead and after starting the process looking through various magazines and Web sites, I found myself learning more and more from fellow brides-to-be through blogs and other forms of social media. I am delighted to share what I have learned and have been learning through my wedding planning journey and look forward to sharing this experience with all of you!