We decided there is just so much information about bridal show survival, we couldn’t cover it all in one day. So we’ve broken it down into 3. Yesterday we touched on selecting bridal shows and today we are going to chat about the before and after.
Before the Show:
~Print out address labels so you can enter draws and request information without writing info each time. It’s a little trick wedding planners love to give brides at the show, but you need this information BEFORE you get there! Make sure to include the following information:
| Your Name & Fiancé’s Name |
| Wedding Date (if know or at least year) |
| Wedding Location (if known) |
| Email Address |
| Phone Number |
~Set up a web-based email address that is wedding specific. This way you can keep this information separate from your personal or work emails. You will receive lots of emails and special deals from vendors right after the show as well as months later. Make sure you check your email regularly for specials vendor offerings. This will also eliminate the need to flag email as junk from vendors you spoke to, who send you additional information. Later you can use this same account to communicate with all your selected wedding vendors and save all the emails you receive from suppliers so that you have a record of correspondences and receipts etc.
~Create a plan of attack. Know which vendors you are on the hunt for at the show. If you can get a list of the vendors who should be attending ahead of time (a lot of bridal show websites will list vendors in attendance). Research vendors you are interested in talking to ahead of time. Check their websites BEFORE you meet them, so you can ask them questions that will help you get to know them better and be more helpful than simply “How much do you charge?”
After the Show:
~SORT ASAP. Take time to sort through all the stuff you collected at the show ASAP. It’s quite confusing to go through 10 lbs of swag days later.
~Create a file of information. When sorting through your bag make notes. Write down items and vendors that really caught your eye. It’s easy to forget which baker had the fabulous cake of your dreams when you get to this stage, which is why your journal during the show is so important. Sort the resources in your bag into the FAB, OK and Not-so-Fab piles. Toss the Not-so-Fab pile right away. Hold onto the others and sort into categories for future planning.
~It’s only just begun. After the show you follow up again with the websites of the vendors you loved. You can also check forums for feedback- good and bad, read vendor’s blogs, check out articles they’ve written and read reviews posted about them. When you feel comfortable with the company, reach out and set up a consultation. Our company offers complimentary consultations to couples to find the best wedding planning and event designs for their needs. Taking the time to get to know the vendor before meeting one on one will definitely result in a better meeting for you both!
We love sharing information with our Michigan brides and want to hear your feedback. Do you have other tips that helped you make it through a bridal show in one piece? Chime in and leave us a comment below to share with the rest of the brides!
