You’ve been engaged for months now and unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions it’s been difficult to get in front of wedding vendors to make plans and gather information…
Getting The Most Out Of Attending A Wedding Show
Wedding shows are finally happening!! In addition to finding creative inspiration from all the great ideas on display, you’ll have the opportunity to meet local wedding professionals face-to-face. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about their experience and what they offer. In essence, attending a wedding show is a great way to accumulate a massive amount of information in a very efficient environment.
Sometimes it can be overwhelming because there may be hundreds of wedding professionals exhibiting their products and/or services! But they can be an informative and fun way to kick off your journey towards “I do!” So here’s how to make the most of attending a wedding show:
Wear Comfortable Clothing
You’ll spend the majority of your time on your feet. Also, plan to wear layers of clothing and leave your coat in the car… otherwise, it will be a long day juggling your coat, your bag, and all the literature you will gather throughout the show.
Please, Wear Your Sticker
Nearly all wedding shows will provide you with a “Bride” or “Groom” sticker upon arrival. Please wear it; it helps vendors identify who is who in your group and who to address when you approach their booth!
Create a Wedding Email Address
Provide this email address to prospective vendors, and reserve your personal email address for the professionals you actually do a book. Print a sheet (or two) of labels with your name, wedding date, email address, and phone number for ease of filling out interest forms and to enter drawings for FREE services.
Be Prepared to Share Basic Details
The size of your wedding party, the number of guests you are anticipating hosting, the venue (or at least the geographic location you are considering), even the date itself will be helpful information to provide to each vendor you meet with. Also, bring material swatches and ribbons, as they are helpful when speaking with florists, bakers, planners, etc.
Don’t Attend Alone
Invite your Maid of Honor and/or mother to join you. Not only will it be fun, but it also gives you at least one person to bounce ideas off of. Let them know it’s like a trip to Costco complete with plenty of samples including signature cocktails, wedding cake, and appetizers.
Also remember to invite your fiancé, as well. He’ll have opinions about come choices, like cake and music AND…someone has to carry that bag of goodies you’ll receive! 😉
Stick Together
Splitting Up” to cover more territory is not a good plan for a Wedding Show! When it comes to making important decisions, it’s best to have all the decision-makers together and listening to the information provided.
Do Some Homework BEFORE You Attend
Take a look at the Wedding Show’s website before you go! Visit each vendor’s website you have interest in and do some light research. If there is a map, Highlight the vendors who offer services you are still looking for. This will make your journey more efficient.
Avoid Taking Children If Possible…
Hire a babysitter; you’ll be glad you did and your local wedding vendors will be too.
Walk Away with Appointments
Take your calendar and be prepared to set up an appointment for a follow-up (personal) consultation if you find a vendor that interests you. Ask if the vendor will honor their show special in the days and weeks to come. This way you can take time to make an educated decision about your wedding day needs.
Bring a List of Questions
Don’t rush from booth to booth grabbing business cards and flyers, as you could have just stayed home and found vendors on Google while watching Netflix. The point of a wedding show is to get a feel for the personality of each professional you speak with, so ask them your hardest-hitting questions. The best of the best are there to help you.
Here are a few questions you may want to ask:
- “Are you available for my wedding date?
- “Have you worked at my venue before?”
- “Will you be the person I work with? If not, can I meet them before signing a contract?”
- “What does the process leading up to my wedding day look like?”
- “What makes you unique from your competitors?”
- “As a ____________, what is your greatest strength and weakest weakness? What about as a business owner?”
- “Can you provide me with a quote for my wedding?”
Have FUN
Planning your weddings should not be super stressful and attending the wedding show is just one step in gathering information to make important decisions. If it is stressful, then you are trying to conquer too many tasks at once. Slow down, Smile, and Enjoy the Process!
Complete Weddings + Events offers multiple services under one umbrella which can help simplify your planning by having one point of contact throughout the process. Enquire today about how we can assist you with DJ, Photography, Videography, Photo Booth, Day-Of Coordination, and Lighting for your special day!
We’ll see you at our next Wedding Show, Saturday, March 28th, at the Hilton Garden Inn in West Des Moines! Iowa Bridal Show
Happy Planning!!
Event Experts at Complete Weddings + Events Des Moines
At Complete Weddings + Events in Des Moines, IA, our team specializes in all types of events, so we understand the amount of work that goes into the planning of an event and we want to make it easier for you! Check out our service pages to learn more about how we can COMPLETE your event!
Complete Weddings + Events, Des Moines’ leading provider of event and wedding photography, videography, day-of coordination, lighting, DJ services,& photo booth rental.