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Find a complete list of local area
bridal shows, such as “Bridal
Shows in Pittsburgh and Surrounding Areas”, listed on this website.
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Choose a show that suits your
schedule and time frame. You may want to attend more than one show and it’s
really never too early to get started! Be sure to include your maid/matron of
honor, your mother and future mother-in-law. (Take your fiancé; however, make
sure he wants to go!) You're going to need some help carrying literature, as
well as someone to offer objective third party opinions.
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Visit the website of the Bridal
Show(s) you will be attending. They will most likely encourage you to
pre-register and offer coupons to discount the cost of admission. There are
typically special drawings in which you will be entered by pre-registering, as
well.
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Take a page or two of pre-printed
name and address labels. This will save you the time and hassle of filling out
your information over and over again for numerous vendors through-out the day.
You can make them yourself using Avery labels (Avery 5160...30 per page, should
work). You will be asked for your name and address often to enter the various
giveaways and promotions.
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Bring a camera. A picture is worth a
thousand words when trying to explain the details of that beautiful gown or
amazing floral arrangement you loved at the Bridal Show. This will also help you
remember what you really liked and help sort out the inevitable ‘information
overload’ of the show.
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Bring your date book so you can
schedule appointments with various wedding exhibitors.
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Bring a pocket size note book. You
may want to jot down some of the creative ideas that caught your attention and
take notes on oodles of available information.
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Wear a hip pack and keep your
personal items in it, instead of lugging your purse around all day. This will
give you the ‘hands free’ opportunities you need to try on rings, taste the food
and just be unencumbered in general.
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Bring a canvas shopping bag or some
type of carry all. Many vendors offer bags in which to carry all the
information, but if they run out before you get one, you’ll be glad you came
prepared.
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It may go without saying: Wear
comfortable shoes! We don’t want you to go home sooner than you’d like,
because of tired feet!
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Make sure you time your visit so you
can see the Bridal Fashion Show, if offered. This is an amazing opportunity to
experience the dresses in motion and really get some great ideas for your bridal
gown, your attendant’s gowns, mother-of-the-bride ensembles and even the flower
girl. Tuxes are usually showcased, as well.
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However, if you already have a gown,
you might want to skip the fashion show and visit vendor's booths during that
time period. Vendors will be eager to speak with you and give you some undivided
attention, since most everybody will be watching the fashion show. At the larger
shows the crowds at the booths are greatly diminished during the fashion shows,
and it can be much easier to move around. At smaller shows the vendors will
REALLY pull out the stops for you, as they will have some free time to spend
with you during the fashion show. Take advantage of this!
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Eat a sensible meal before heading to
the show. They may have samples of a few catered items, but it’s a good idea to
have some real food in your stomach to counteract all the sweets and chocolates
in which you may indulge!
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Realize when you put your name in for
a drawing, you may not win a prize, but you'll most certainly be on every
wedding-related mailing list for the next year! Go ahead and register, and think
about taking advantage of the following:
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Additionally, if you really hate
receiving "junk mail", however, you want to receive as much information as
possible and participate in the drawings and giveaways, rent a P.O. Box for a
few months. Give the P.O. Box address to all bridal show vendors with which you
sign up. Then all the wedding related material will come to the P.O. Box. After
the wedding simply cancel the P.O. Box and voila! No more junk mail.
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Along the same lines, register in
advance for a free e-mail address from one of the many free services like
Hotmail or Yahoo, or create a new screen name in AOL. When filling out contest
entry forms and inquiry sheets use this address. When the wedding is over,
simply cancel the account and avoid any further wedding related e-mail. Reserve
your main e-mail address for vendors you actually contract with.
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Bring swatches of material or ribbons
with your wedding colors on them. This will help bakers, balloonists, and
florists make appropriate suggestions as to what they can do for you.
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Bring some bottled water or a thermos
to the show. In some cases there are no concession stands from which to purchase
drinks, and at other shows the cost is rather prohibitive.
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Make sure all members of your
entourage have cell phones with them in case you get split up. Make sure their
cell numbers are in your cell phonebook!
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Don't expect to walk away from the
show with signed contracts in your hand. A bridal show is a place where you make
appointments to discuss your wedding in depth. While there are times when
you might want to book something at the show, (such as a limited availability
and your date is still open), if at all possible, wait for a calmer time when
you can talk one on one with the vendor and make sure they will be able to fully
meet your needs.
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Prepare for information overload.
When you find a vendor you would like to follow up with, take a pen and write
what struck you as appealing about them on their business card or literature.
When you get home and are faced with brochures from 14 different photographers,
your note may be the only thing you have to remember which vendors you liked and
why. Also, write down any good tips they might give you on THEIR literature to
help you remember who was knowledgeable and helpful.
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Have fun! These shows are put
together for you, the bride-to-be! Everyone is essentially there for you! So
enjoy the opportunity to be lavished with samples, ideas and be totally
pampered, as you are Queen for A Day!
