Did he put a ring on it this holiday season? Now is the time when most couples become engaged and start planning their dream weddings. Thus, January begins the Bridal Show season.
Once again this year, I will be at the Sounds of Music Superbowl of Bridal Shows. This show is a 2 day event at The Stranahan Theatre Great Hall and Premier Banquet Complex (Formerly Gladieux Meadows). This is Toledo’s biggest bridal show of the year. It already has over 100 vendors signed up to be part of this year’s show. Hundreds of brides will be in attendance ready to book their wedding vendors. The bridal show is on January 7th and 8th, 2012 from 1pm-5pm. You can purchase tickets in advance from any Anderson’s store for $8. Tickets will also be available at the door for $10. Pre-registration isn’t a requirement, but makes it much easier and quicker for you to get started with your wedding planning. You can pre-register on the Sounds of Music DJs website. There will also be transportation to shuttle you between both venues and your tickets are good for both days.
If you have never attended a bridal show, it can be very overwhelming. Here are some tips to get you through (in no particular order):
1. Bring your mom, fiancee, mother, soon to be mother-in-law, maid of honor, bridesmaids, or anyone else that is helping you plan your wedding. This way, they can also see who you talked with and can better help you plan when it comes time to make those important decisions.
2. Go early. By going early, you will get there before most of the other brides to be. Plus, this will give you longer to look around and talk with the vendors. Since this is a two day event, you can even come back to the vendors to talk again on the second day to answer any questions that may have arisen after speaking with other vendors.
3. Visit with as many vendors that you can. Even if you already have a vendor for something, visiting with their colleagues can give you more ideas for your wedding planning. By visiting all of the different kind of vendors and taking the informational packets or fliers that they have can give you a more realistic sense of what to expect as to their services and prices. This in turn will help you better with the budgeting for your wedding expenses and the types of services you want and can afford.
4. Make up self adhesive address labels. Most of the vendors will have give-aways or contests that require you to fill out an entry form. By having this pre-made, it will save you time and your hand won’t cramp up! Make sure you include your name, address, phone number, email address and wedding date on these labels. When you are at the bridal show, you can just stick these labels on the entry forms.
5. Bring a camera and notebook. You can take pictures of the vendors you speak with, decorating ideas or items displayed at their booths. A notebook will help keep you organized and you can write down any questions or comments you have about the vendors or what they offer.
6. If you have a phone that has a camera on it, make sure you download the bar code scanner or QR code app. Many of the vendors will be using this technology for their bridal show specials, including me! Having it already on your phone or ipad will save you time.
7. Bring your checkbook or credit cards. Many vendors, including me, will have special discounts for booking that day, so it is best to be prepared. There are thousands of weddings in and around Toledo every year, and most vendors book quite a few brides from these bridal shows. In order for you to get who you want for your wedding day, and to save money, it’s a good idea to book them early. Booking at a bridal show like this one, will do both.
8. Bring your calendar! If you can’t book at the show, or want to check out everything before you commit, it is a good idea to at least schedule a wedding consultation with the vendors of your choice. This will at least hold your date until the consultation (for most vendors). However, you may not be eligible for the bridal show discount if you don’t actually book at the show.
9. Know your wedding budget. It is a good idea to have some sense of what you can afford to spend on the biggest ticket items in your wedding budget. This includes (but isn’t necessarily limited to) your Reception Venue/Caterer, Photographer, DJ or band, Videographer, Planner, Florist, Dress and Cake. Prioritizing what is most important to you is also a good idea. Always remember, for any vendor, do not go by price alone. Quality of their work and their customer service is also very important and should be a factor in your decision.
10. Wear comfortable shoes! There is a lot of standing and walking involved in attending a bridal show. There usually isn’t much room for sitting down and relaxing.
11. Eat something before you go! Yes there will be samples from some of the cake vendors and catering companies. But that is all it is, samples. Don’t expect to have an entire meal. It is also a good idea to bring a bottle of water with you to keep you hydrated.
12. As I previously stated, there will be hundreds of brides searching for their wedding vendors just like you. As much as I would like to, I cannot do a complete wedding consultation with each and every one that comes to my booth. I will, however, answer any question you may have as best as I can given the situation. That is why it is important for you to be prepared. Have any questions for your vendors written down so you can ask them at the show. Research their websites, read their reviews and ask your friends about their experiences before going to the show. By being prepared, it gives you the advantage of knowing what you are really looking to gain from going to the bridal show. If you want to spend longer time talking than the show will allow, you can always set an appointment to meet with me or any of the other vendors.
13. Don’t be pressured into booking someone that day. Yes, if you book you will get the discount they are offering. However, if you are unsure at all, or want to comparison shop before booking, be sure to go with your gut instincts. You can always come back at the end of the day to the vendor(s) you really like.
14. Be prepared to carry a lot of things. It’s probably a good idea to bring a tote bag with you. The show may provide you with one, but it may not be big enough to carry everything you receive from all of the vendors. Having a second bag (that a friend can carry) to put all of the vendor information from the vendors you are really interested in can save you time when sorting through all of the information you received at the show!
15. Avoid bringing small children, especially those with strollers. With as many people that will be attending and the numerous vendor booths, small children can easily get split up from you and the strollers will prove hard to navigate through the aisles. It will also be a long day for you and if they become cranky, you may not get to see as much of the show as you were hoping to see.
16. The first question you should ask each vendor is “are you available on [insert your wedding date here]?” This way, if they are not available on your date, you can move on to the next vendor and save you the time to spend with those that are available. However, be sure to take their handouts in case they have a cancellation.
17. Have fun! Planning your wedding is one of the most special events you get to enjoy so be sure to do just that! Enjoy the day!
After the bridal show, make sure you go through all of the information as quickly as possible. That way the information stays in your mind for the vendors you spoke with. If you don’t book your vendors at the show, set up appointments with the ones you really liked as soon as you can. Keep in mind, you are not the only one getting married and the hundreds of other brides will be doing the same. The ones that were available when you spoke with them may no longer be available. Booking a consultation with them will allow you more time to see their work and ask more questions.
Also be prepared for the vendors that were at the bridal shows to contact you with some sort of follow up. Bridal shows usually give their vendors a list of all of those in attendance. Some vendors send follow up information and some do not. The same is true if you sign up for information on the many wedding websites. It is a good idea to prepare yourself for information overload for your wedding planning!
For a sneak peek at my bridal show discount, visit my special bridal show page on my website! Good luck and Happy Planning! Make sure you stop by my booth at the Premier Banquet Complex and say hi!
