Planning

Tips & Advice

Bridal Show Survival Guide

Tips to conquer those big, big bridal shows.

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• Go online. Most shows have a website containing information about vendors, location, show times and other important stuff. Get prepared, cyber-style.
• List your needs. Do you still need flowers? A cake? A venue? Knowing what you need can help you narrow down what you need to look at. “If you’ve already found your venue, then you can focus on other things on your list,” Milks advises.

• Make a time line and prioritize. How much time do you have until your wedding? A year? Six months? One month? If you haven’t set the date, perhaps finding a great wedding consultant is your first order of business. If you have a year to go, then finding a reception venue is crucial, since many places require major advance notice. If you have half a year to go and haven’t found a dress, then that is high on the priority list. If you have a couple of months left, then you need to find a makeup artist. Sure, that cake designer’s work may look amazing, but if you’ve already ordered your cake, move on! Get info on those favours, shoes or flowers that you need.
• Look at the list of exhibitors. You know what you need, now find those vendors. There may be links to their websites. If you can whittle down the list of vendors to only those you are definitely interested in, you can spend more time making a connection at each one. In the long run, that means you have more time to make an educated decision.
• Know what you’re venturing into. If you feel confused, call the shows. Ask questions. Some shows are smaller than others and are more intimate. They may be more low-key but will possibly not have what you’re looking for. Others are larger and, while providing more services, provide more stress. If you’ve been to previous bridal shows, ask if there are any new services or products. The more you know beforehand, the better off you’ll be when you arrive.
• Pre-register. Some shows allow you to register in advance and provide this service online or over the phone. It means one less thing to think about when you arrive.

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