Bridal shows are wonderful opportunities for brides to find inspiration from local vendors in their area, all under one roof. Everyone from cake decorators, wedding venues, caterers, to wedding boutiques will be there bright and early to meet and connect with brides. Below we’ve shared 7 tips to help prepare you for what you can expect at a bridal show.
1. Pre-register for the bridal show and buy your tickets in advanced.
Bridal shows are notorious for having long lines, so save yourself some standing time by purchasing your ticket in advanced. Buying early will also help with savings. The South Sound Wedding Show has early discounted tickets for $8 until November 30th, the Tacoma Wedding Expo has a 2 for 1 special, and the Seattle Wedding Show has an online discount ticket for $18!
2. Create a separate wedding email.
You’re going to meet a lot of vendors at a bridal show and many of them will ask for your information and contact you promptly. Expect to receive hundreds of emails after attending a couple wedding shows. Save yourself some time and create a wedding only email, and organize some categories, such as: vendors, caterers, bridal boutiques, bakers, photographers, and more.
3. Create a label with your name, address, and phone number.
You’re going to meet hundred’s of vendors , and they’re all going to ask for you name, phone number, and email (including us!) By creating labels, you’ll save yourself some time and hand aches! You’re going to be so thankful you brought these little stickers along because it’ll make meeting people a breeze.
4. Create a list of vendors you are interested in.
Do not walk into a wedding show blind! Both the Seattle Wedding Show and the Tacoma Wedding Show have maps available of their vendors and their booth locations. Having a few vendors you’re looking forward to and going to them first will help with keeping the show less overwhelming. Also, if you power walk to your favorite vendors whose booth is far away from the entrance, you’ll beat that initial rush of people!
5. Bring a camera, notebook, and pen.
Notes, notes, notes! A bridal show is a jam-packed day so be sure to have a trusty pen and notepad in your purse to jot down important information. Back up your phone and save some space in your camera roll for pictures, and videos. Is a vendor quoting you a special price for a service? Write it down! Will you be trying on wedding dresses? Take pictures! Speaking of wedding dresses…
6. Wear comfy shoes and dress comfortably.
If you plan on trying on wedding dresses, make sure to wear clothes that is easy to get in and out of. An idea of a perfect outfit would be: a strapless bra, spanx shorts, a tunic, leggings, and comfortable tennis shoes. If you’re planning on attending on bridal show back-to-back, think about buying some inserts for your shoes to avoid any foot pain!
7. Bring a trusted friend to bounce ideas off of.
A trusted confidant will make this trip so much easier for you because you’ll have someone you trust to bounce ideas off of. The perfect person to bring in this situation would be your maid-of-honor, or you mom. Be wary about the number of people you bring to a bridal show, because it’s going to be packed. If you have little ones, arrange for a baby sitter to care for them while you shop stress-free.
Save the date! Weddings with Joy will be at the following bridal shows in January
