Tips for Bridal Shows

What is a bridal show?

• A bridal show (or bridal convention or bridal expo) is an event in which you can find information on many, if not all, of your bridal needs.  They will include booths for wedding industry businesses such as, bridal boutiques, caterers, musicians/DJs and bakers.  There is usually an entrance fee, but an early registration usually gets you a discount.

Here are some tips for a productive and enjoyable visit to a bridal show:

• Do some research before you go. Find the bridal show’s website and look at the list of vendors.  Do internet searches of the one’s that interest you.  This way, when you see their booth and they have an excellent deal going on, you’re comfortable putting down a deposit for their services.

• Make sure to pre-register. You’ll often times get a discount on your admission and be eligible for door prizes.
• Bring a pen and notebook. There will be many opportunities to sign up for prizes, info, etc. and having your own pen makes the process that much faster.  Also, the pen and notebook will come in handy when jotting down vendors to remember or design ideas!
• Print out (or hand write) pre-addressed labels to stick onto contest entry and info cards. You won’t have to stop and fill out dozens of cards.  Just stick a label on and your done! Having the following information on the labels will save you time:  Bride’s name, Groom’s Name, current address, telephone #s, Wedding Date and email address. Make sure to have the wedding date on the labels because some vendors will send special offers that correspond with your wedding date.
• Start a new e-mail address and use that on all info cards (use it on the labels too). You’ll be receiving a lot of offers and newsletters via e-mail and they can tend to clutter your inbox.  The new email will be for all your bridal mail and keep your personal inbox clutter-free!
• Bring a tote bag or large purse. It’ll be sturdier than any of the plastic bags you’ll receive from the show.  Make sure it’s large enough to hold booklets slightly larger than a standard letter-size sheet of paper.
• Don’t forget your checkbook. If you find a vendor that has an amazing deal on their services, you’ll be ready to put down a deposit.  However, make sure you’ve done the first item on this list—RESEARCH!!  You don’t want to have a horror story of a sketchy vendor, or even worse a deposit “gone missing’!!
• Collect information that is of interest for reading at a later date. This way, you’ll get all the information you want, but don’t have to spend all of your time trying to remember it all.  Also, jotting down the exciting or key vendors will help you know which pamphlets and booklets to pay the most attention to.
• ASK QUESTIONS! That’s what this event is for—gathering information.  If you don’t ask questions you might not get the information you need.  So don’t be shy!  Your research will help you formulate some questions so you’ll be prepared.
• Bring a friend or your fiance. If your significant other just won’t go with you, don’t worry. Get some idea about what they would like and then go with your mother, best friend, MOH (maid of honor).  The second opinion of someone who knows you and your S.O. will be beneficial for those tough decisions.
• Be prepared to stay for 2-5 hours. The smaller shows will take about 2 hours to get really good information and visit all vendors.  Add more time if you plan on staying for a fashion show or demonstration.  If it’s a larger show/expo, give yourself the entire afternoon.  A show with 100+ vendors plus fashion shows and demos could take 4-5 hours.  But don’t worry about it seeming like a long time.  You’ll be having fun!
• WEAR COMFY SHOES and bring a water bottle. You’ll need the shoes to walk around large convention centers and halls.  And the water bottle will keep you hydrated and give you something to drink after all the tasty cake and food samples!

I hope those tips help you!  It might seem like a lot, but they are all suggestions that will help you make the most of the day and avoid common frustrations.

Local Bridal Shows (Indianapolis and Cincinnati)

Perfect Wedding Guide Fall Show

September 28th, 2008 ~~~ 11am-4pm

Scottish Rite Cathedral

650 N. Meridian Street, 46202

$10 at the door, $9 pre-registration

For Website Info, click here

————————————————————————————-

Indy’s Best Bridal Show 2008

October 26th, 2008 ~~~ 12 noon-4pm

Indy Hilton North – Crown Room

8181 N. Shadeland Avenue, 46250

For Website Info, click here

————————————————————————————-

BridalRama, Cincinnati, OH

July 27th, 2008 ~~~ 11am-5pm

Cincinnati Convention Center

525 Elm Street, Cincinnati OH 45202

(about 1.5 hours from Indianapolis; 113 miles from Downtown Indy)

$10 admission

For Website Info, click here