There are a ton of resources out there for brides and grooms to find the best vendors for their wedding. Websites and publications like The Knot and Wedding Wire offer a great resource for inspiration and guiding you to local vendors and resources for your wedding. Eventually, though, you want to meet the people you are working with. Bridal Shows and Expos are a wonderful resource for your wedding whether you are at the beginning or tail end of planning. Shows range from small and intimate to large and crowded, and you can expect to see: Bridal Fashion, Florists, Decor, Planners, Venues, Catering, Jewelers, Photographers, Videographers, Entertainment, and more. It can be overwhelming. Here are some helpful tips to help you make the most of your time at a Bridal Show.
You’ve probably spent a lot of time on Google, Pinterest, and Instagram looking for inspiration. Take a look at who will be showcasing at the expo ahead of time. Where are you in the process? Make a list of what elements you want to be included in your wedding and prioritize the list (Venue, Florist, Wedding Band, etc). Keep it broad. Bring your list with you to the expo and plan your visit according to your priorities.
One of the biggest benefits of meeting with the vendors in person is the you have the time to ask the questions you can’t online. There is a lot of ground to cover, but remember quality over quantity. Spending time at the booth with the vendors that are highest on your priority list. Get to know them and see what they are willing to offer you. While you are growing through the booths, many companies will showcase their package deals, top selling items, etc. Go deeper. You may just find exactly what you are looking for.
By the end of the day, you will be full of ideas and information. Every hour or so step away and regroup. Take notes throughout the day and during your breaks, “sum up” the past 3-4 vendors and an action list. If you meet a florist that seems to offer everything you need, they have a great inventory, and you grabbed their business card but forgot to ask about pricing, make an action item to call the florist by “x-date” to follow up on pricing for the arrangements and services you discussed. When you leave, you will have a whole new contact list from the business cards you collected, and a checklist to keep you moving in the right direction.
And stay on track. Inspiration is everywhere! There may be some elements you have not considered yet that could completely reshape how you want your special day to go. Take pictures and notes of things you like and inspiration, then refer back to the priority list. Later, you can refer back to your photos and notes when you have time to process how it fits into your overall plan. Maybe you found some super cute table settings, but you aren’t quite ready to book that yet— save it for revisiting later.
Do your Research
Bring Questions
One of the biggest benefits of meeting with the vendors in person is the you have the time to ask the questions you can’t online. There is a lot of ground to cover, but remember quality over quantity. Spending time at the booth with the vendors that are highest on your priority list. Get to know them and see what they are willing to offer you. While you are growing through the booths, many companies will showcase their package deals, top selling items, etc. Go deeper. You may just find exactly what you are looking for.
Take: Breaks, Notes, and Business cards.
By the end of the day, you will be full of ideas and information. Every hour or so step away and regroup. Take notes throughout the day and during your breaks, “sum up” the past 3-4 vendors and an action list. If you meet a florist that seems to offer everything you need, they have a great inventory, and you grabbed their business card but forgot to ask about pricing, make an action item to call the florist by “x-date” to follow up on pricing for the arrangements and services you discussed. When you leave, you will have a whole new contact list from the business cards you collected, and a checklist to keep you moving in the right direction.
Keep an Open Mind
And stay on track. Inspiration is everywhere! There may be some elements you have not considered yet that could completely reshape how you want your special day to go. Take pictures and notes of things you like and inspiration, then refer back to the priority list. Later, you can refer back to your photos and notes when you have time to process how it fits into your overall plan. Maybe you found some super cute table settings, but you aren’t quite ready to book that yet— save it for revisiting later.
Have Fun!
Shopping can be either fun or stressful. Everyone is there to help you create the experience of a lifetime. By showing up prepared, you will take the stress out and can focus on having fun, meeting new people, and walking away inspired.
Thanks for reading. This weekend, you can catch us at the Busch Stadium Bridal Event! We will be set up at a booth and two of our bands will be performing on site. From 12:30-4 PM You can catch Dance Floor Quiet at the Redbird Club and Push the Limit at the Cardinals club. If you have any questions feel free to shoot us an email. Otherwise, check back next for next week's #WeddingWednesday :)
Thanks for reading. This weekend, you can catch us at the Busch Stadium Bridal Event! We will be set up at a booth and two of our bands will be performing on site. From 12:30-4 PM You can catch Dance Floor Quiet at the Redbird Club and Push the Limit at the Cardinals club. If you have any questions feel free to shoot us an email. Otherwise, check back next for next week's #WeddingWednesday :)