Bridal Show Pros and Cons and a Show Tip

Bridal shows are a way for
brides to get ideas for their
wedding and to meet wedding
professionals. You get to see
compare photographers, DJ's and
cake artists at the same time and
decide if you want to interview them
for your wedding. I've personally
done many fashion shows and bridal
shows and fairs and they are a good
way to know who you with whom you
will be dealing.

Pros: Wedding professionals in one place
presenting and you get face time to meet
and see their work.

Easy to compare work and design.

Great place to get ideas and network
with vendors and other brides.

Fashion shows to see how dresses and
tuxedos match up.

Prizes!

Fun time, especially if you get to be involved
in a cake dive.

Cons:
And this is a biggie: You have to register
with your personal information. You will get
inundated with mail, phone calls and emails
from vendors.

Some unscrupulous vendors have sold the
names of brides to other vendors even though
it is expressly forbidden. So your name could
possibly get on all sorts of mailing lists.

I found this out the hard way. Well, in a funny
way. I wanted a dress catalog from a big box
store and the only way I could get it was to
fill out a form. Well, I used my dogs name,
Tootsie. Tootsie has her own email address
that I sometimes use to keep all the spam
mail in one spot. Unfortunately, I gave my
real cell phone number. Within a week of
me signing up Toots, the phone started ringing.
Toots won a house full of furniture in Chicago.
(We don't live anywhere near Chicago, she had
to appear in person.) Then Toots won a free
tux. Then Toots won a honeymoon. When the
insistent phone solicitor wanted her credit
card number to "secure" her honeymoon, I told
her Toots didn't have a credit card, nor could
she go on a honeymoon because I wouldn't let
her go anywhere without her leash. You would
have thought that would have rung a bell, but
they continued to call and ask for Tootsie.
It was a scam and I know EXACTLY who sold
the names and addresses.

So be careful who gets your info, or your phone
will be ringing. Use an email address just
for your wedding and for when you sign up
for shows and giveaways. This way, if you
really get some amazing offers, you can
contact the vendor. And if you smell a scam,
just hit delete.

Bridal Show Plan of Attack

Attending a bridal show? You'll need a plan of attack
so you can see everything and get the most out of the
show. As much as you want to see all the vendors and
get ideas, the vendors want to meet YOU.

Bring a friend with you. It doesn't have to be your fiance,
it can be your mother or maid of honor. Your friend is your
extra pair of eyes and ears.

Bring along some pre printed address labels.
When you want additional information from a vendor
or to sign up for free prizes and giveaways, simply
put your sticker on the entry or sign in sheet. You'll
save a lot of time!

Bring along a tote bag with a notebook. The tote
will be an easy way to carry around all the literature and
flyers from the vendors. The notebook will be to jot down
ideas, take notes, write down appointments with vendors
and take down phone numbers.

Bring along a digital camera. Snap photos for ideas of
cakes, centerpieces and anything else that is notable.
Don't trust your memory, you'll see so much it will
get all jumbled in your brain.

Dress comfortably. Leave the coat in the car or at
a coat check. Wear comfortable walking shoes because
you will need to cover a lot of area and you'll be on your
feet.

Take time to talk to the vendors. Some vendors will
just "click" with you, others not so.

Every bridal show has show specials. This might be
discounts, free items with purchase and more. Make
note of the specials and book interviews if you
are interested in their product or service.

Don't be afraid to ask for references.

Don't be afraid to ask a vendor whose work you
like if they are having a show special.

Don't be pressured into any purchase at the show.
High pressure usually equals a big mistake.

Take a break. Have a bottled water, cup of coffee
or just sit and talk to your show partner and ask their
opinions and input on what you've seen.

Have fun!