We’ve previously mentioned how visiting a bridal show like the National Bridal Show can help you prepare for your wedding. Visiting a bridal show will help you make tough choices about your wedding, give you an opportunity to speak with vendors in person, allow you to get a hands-on experience with different aspects of your wedding, make it easy for you to compare service providers, and much more.
However, bridal shows can sometimes be stressful and overwhelming. After all, shows like the National Bridal Show have hundreds of different exhibitors all under one roof (it’s the biggest bridal show in Canada) so you’ll certainly need a plan before going in.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of a bridal show.
Pre-Register Before the Show
Many bridal shows, including the National Bridal Show, offer cheaper tickets if you by them in advance through the show’s website. This can help you save some money over buying tickets at the door, plus you’ll likely be able to avoid a long line by doing so.
Create a New Email Account
It’s a good idea to make a new email account for your wedding. This can help you keep all of your important wedding-related emails in one place and it is also helpful at avoiding spam.
Make Labels and Business Cards
You’ll most likely be filling out a lot of forms and leaving your contact information for many different vendors at the show. You can save time, and avoid hurting your hand, by printing out mailing labels and business with your name, address and contact information on them. This way, you can quickly stick a label on a form instead of filling it out, and you can simply hand over a business card to anyone who asks for your contact information.
Have a Plan
As mentioned, you’ll definitely need a plan before going into a bridal show. There will be hundreds of different vendors there, and you’ll have a limited time, so it helps to make a list of the services you want to check out and the vendors that you’ll need more information from.
For example, if you haven’t bought your wedding bands yet, you’ll want to make sure that you plan to visit the various Toronto jewelers who will be at the show. Otherwise, you could inadvertently end up missing out on getting more information on a wedding service that you need.
Make a Map
Take a look at a map of the show and highlight the vendors that you would like to visit. Then make a point to visit these vendors first. You won’t want to miss out on speaking with someone important and noting all of their locations on a map will make it easy for you to plan your route.
Take Notes
It’s easy to get vendors confused or to forget the name of a vendor when you’ve spoken to several of them. After you’ve had a conversation with someone, make a point to take a few minutes to jot down some notes in a notepad or your phone. It’s also a good idea to write down names of any vendors who impressed you.
Remember your Budget
It’s also a good idea to bring your wedding budget with you, or to review it in detail before the show, so that you’ll know if a vendor fits into your budget. If he or she doesn’t, you might not want to spend too much time talking to them.
Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothing
You’ll be spending a lot of time on your feet, running from one vendor to another, so you’ll want to wear something comfortable.
Bring a Friend, but Not Too Many People
It makes sense that you’ll likely want to bring a friend or two along with you to the show. A friend can help you by keeping you organized, asking questions that you may have forgotten, and offering guidance and input. However, if you bring too many people with you, you could find yourself wasting time by having to wrangle people and have complicated discussions in the middle of the show.
For the sake of efficiency - and your own sanity - stick to one or two people at the show.
If you follow these tips, you\'ll get the most out of the show and be well on your way to planning your dream wedding!
