10 Steps to Bridal Show Success!

1. Plan to stay for the whole show.  With so much to see and do at a bridal show, plan to stick around for majority of the show.  The fashion shows, meeting with vendors and educational workshops make bridal show a one-stop-shop for wedding planning.  For busy brides and grooms, a show can be a lifesaver as you are able to knock out numerous details in one day, particularly meeting potential vendors (who often only schedule meetings during the workweek).  Another reason to make a day of it? The biggest giveaways happen at the very end of the show and you must be present to win.

2. Can I come if I am not engaged?  Not as surprising as one might think, many brides-in-waiting attend bridal shows to search out ideas and meet with vendors.  And sometimes they even come to get engaged!  While the ring may be a formality at this point, getting a head start on wedding research can be helpful in determining a realistic budget or narrowing down vendors.  Particularly for brides hoping to have short engagement or marry during popular months (May or June) when vendors and locations sometimes book more than a year in advance.  Keep in mind that wedding vendors are usually not able to be specific about pricing without a wedding date but will generally offer range of prices as well give you an insight to their personality and style.

3. Dress for comfort. Remember the show floor is big with lots of walking on so leave the heels for later that night and wear comfy shoes!

4. Do your homework.  It’s worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the services you are still seeking, what questions to ask and who is exhibiting at the show. This helps to maximize the time you have at each booth which can sometimes be limited with busy shows and popular vendors.

5. Know your wedding date.  Having details such as your wedding date, budget and vision mapped out are  helpful… you don’t want to fall in love with a vendor only to find out that they are booked on your wedding date or out of your price range.

Insider’s tip: Many local vendors are given free show tickets to hand out to perspective brides that they would like to personally invite to the show. If you plan to set up meetings with vendors before the show, make sure to ask if they will have a booth and you just may get free tickets.

6. Don’t eat (a lot!) before you come. Weddings have food and so do wedding shows. Caterers and bakers use this opportunity to showcase great samples of their food so hold off on lunch & come hungry!

7. Leave the little ones at home. Children have small attention spans and even with all the cake samples, will quickly lose interest becoming dead weight. It is distracting to have fussy or bored children (or adults!) in your party while you are walking the show floor and trying to talk with vendors so think carefully about who will join you on wedding show day.

8. Have your dress?  Skip the Fashion Shows.  Why?  Vendors are generally not as busy during the shows, presenting a great opportunity to speak one-on-one.  If you not sure which vendor to focus on, the first fashion show is a good time to take a break, regroup and sort through the vendor information you have collected, determining which vendors to revisit.  Later in the show, you can return to their booth to book future appointments or even sign a contract.  Done and done! 

9. Yes, your groom can come!  You definitely want to Mom, your FMIL as well as any supportive bridesmaids with you at a bridal show but don't forget your groom!  Wedding day is as much his special day as yours so make sure you keep him involved.  Need something to entice him off the couch for a Sunday of wedding planning?  Catering companies and bakers give away lots of yummy samples.  Plus, show producers often have giveaways for grooms only!how, you can return to their booth to book future appointments or even sign a contract.  Done and done!

10.  Bring your Checkbook.  We also accept cash and credit and no, I am not trying to break the bank before you even get started.  Quite the contrary, as bridal shows have  an abundance of show-only specials, deals and discounts.  When it comes to vendors, why waste time setting an appointment after the show?  If you have done your research and find you mesh well after meeting at the show, use the opportunity to sign a contract and secure this vendor for your wedding day before another bride beats you to the punch.

Need to find a show in your area?  We have you covered!  Find a Pink Bridal Show here and save $2 by pre-registering online.