Top Tips to Get the Most out of a Wedding Fair!

As the flurry of excitement of getting engaged begins to settle, you may just start to panic about how on earth you are going to pull this wedding together! Our advice? Visit wedding fairs. For all the trawling of the internet that you can do, a wedding fair will save you time and energy to find the perfect elements for your dream wedding. 

 

Where else but at a wedding fair can you smell the flowers, taste the cakes, listen to the bands, preview luxurious locations, peruse photographers’ portfolios, and try on the dresses!? To top it all off, there is usually a catwalk show, showcasing all the latest aisle styles to fuel the excitement for your big day! 

 

Its a sensory explosion that is sure to get your ideas flowing and your sure to pick up a few freebies along the way! When face-to-face with the experts, you can ask them your most burning questions of how to tailor their services to you.

Follow our top tips on how to make the most out of wedding fairs:

 
Research
Firstly, find out which wedding fairs and venue open days are right for you and are therefore worth attending? Look online, in wedding magazines or start following wedding venues and suppliers blogs. There are bridal events that cater to everyone's needs, i.e for a particular religion or ethnic background. Suppliers at these fairs will provide unique requirements or tastes of these groups.
Once you know what’s going on and where, look to see who will be exhibiting, whether there are any demonstrations, catwalks and whether there is a champagne bar - a necessity! Narrow down your options by considering:

• Where you are getting married
• What time of year you are getting married
• Your wedding style
• What is your inspiration
• What suppliers you are looking for
  

You should now have a list of wedding fairs to attend! We would recommend no more than 3. Just remember to buy your tickets in advance to avoid the queues and higher prices on the door!

Prioritise your favourite exhibitors
At the larger more renowned wedding fairs, it can be difficult to get around all of the stands in one day. Before you attend try to view a floor plan or list of exhibitors so that you can prioritise who you want to see and write down where they will be exhibiting within the wedding fair.
Take note of any seminars or demonstrations that may be scheduled in that day. You won't have time to attend them all, but you can make sure you attend the most relevant ones to you. Arrive early to guarantee yourself a seat or a good view!

Set goals
It can be easy to get overwhelmed or carried away at wedding fairs by the myriad of exhibitors handing you business cards and information. Try to list a few things that you want to achieve by the end of the day; i.e finding a photographer, deciding on the style of wedding cake or choosing a colour theme. This way at least, you are less likely to get distracted, pressured into signing up for irrelevant services or run out of time!

Pack your essentials
Don't forget to take the following items to help you make the most of the day:

• Flat shoes – a must, especially for large national shows!
• Suitable and comfortable clothing if you wish to try on any dresses.
• Swatches of your colour scheme and fabrics or any inspiration pictures to keep you on track.
• A large bag, backpack or wheel along to carry all of the leaflets and freebies that you will be collecting.
• A case to keep all the business cards that you pick up.
• Pre-printed address labels or an address stamp are handy when signing up for mailing lists.
• Cash and a bank card for any on the day purchases - don't miss out on something special!
• Refreshments to keep you hydrated and your energy levels up.
• A diary to keep a record of any appointments you schedule in for later dates.
  

Take your partner/best friends
If your fail to convince your partner to go with you, don’t drag them along! It will be counter productive. If your partner does want to get involved however, make sure they don't get left out! Try to limit the number of people you take with you as too many people or too many opinions may confuse you and your ideas.

Meet and greet
Take business cards of suppliers you like the look of so you can contact them again. Link up with them on facebook Twitter and Pinterest to hear their latest offerings.

Don't be afraid to ask if suppliers are offering a discount for bookings made that day, you could easily save yourself up to 15%! It’s also appropriate to request references. By all means if you’ve already set your wedding date and you hear the band of your wedding dreams playing your special song then go ahead and find out if they're available!

Get stuck in
If your open to ideas, get involved in the demonstrations, try out new make up styles, have your hair styled in the latest trending up-do or even get your teeth whitened for the big day.

 
And finally, treat yourself to a glass of Bubbly!
A wedding fair wouldn't be complete without a glass of bubbles so make sure you take some time out to relax and reflect on a good days planning!

Coming up... So you've got your wedding dress sorted, but what about your wedding lingerie?! Not only does this have to look amazing it has to provide all the support too! We reveal our best shopping tips on "How to choose your bridal lingerie."

For inspiration and DIY deco tips visit our 'Party Planning' page on our website.

xxx


Credits:
www.inlovephotography.i.e | www.hercampus.com 

Oscar De La Renta Bridal Spring/Summer 2016 Runway Show | ulyana.aster via instagram