Wedding Expos, bridal fairs offer a chance for the engaged couples to get in touch with wedding suppliers in one location. And along with this convenience, comes some tips on how to make the most of this experience.
1. Attend wedding expos, bridal fairs ahead of time. You will still need to talk to the suppliers, iron out details, etc. So communicating and choosing suppliers won’t end after the expo. It is just the beginning. Give yourself and the suppliers enough time to prepare the wedding. Attend wedding expos months before your wedding and never weeks before.
2. Check out the nearest wedding expos. Think of upcoming fairs/expo near where you guys live. Malls most of the time reserve dates for bridal fairs. SM Megamall, for example, announces their bridal fairs thru billboards around the metro. Social media is another platform to be updated when there’s another fair/expo.
3. Have a schedule. You’ll be working and running other errands while preparing for your wedding. Going to a bridal fair should also be part of your schedule. But try to clear one weekend for the expo because there’s a lot of vendors that you can meet. Give yourselves time to go around the booths.
4. Research in advance. Most wedding expos will have marketing staff members ready to answer queries before the event itself. Ask them who the participating vendors are. Check out their FB pages or websites for reviews, services, and looks. If the expo vendors did not interest you, then at least you won’t waste a day.
5. Prepare questions in advance. Let’s say there are many vendors that interested you during your research. Then, try to register to the fair in advance and prepare your questions too for the suppliers. Categorize your questions based on the suppliers. You can have questions for the venue providers, the caterers, or the wedding planners.
6. Decide what wedding elements you’ll search for. Before attending an expo, decide which of these elements you will focus on searching for. Will you be looking for caterers first, or are you just shopping around for minor details like wedding favors, jewelry, etc.? This can also help you focus when looking around the booths. Have a checklist. And be sure to take pictures and notes for future reference.
7. Don’t tire yourself. It is really tiring to look around the whole day for wedding suppliers. That’s why you’ll need a checklist of wedding elements you’ll check in the bridal fair. This way, you will not be compelled to visit all the booths. You can focus on those booths that you think is suited for your wedding style, needs, and budget.
8. Prepare yourself physically and emotionally. Remind each other that attending a wedding expo can be exhausting. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You may also bring members of your entourage and family whom you think will have fun with the event. Having a grumpy company who complains a lot should not be part of what makes bridal fairs tiring.
9. Look for proof. If you are in a caterer’s booth, ask for food samples or their menu and meal packages. In the photographers’ and videographers’ booths, don’t hesitate to ask for albums of past weddings they covered. Check out the setups and actual pictures while visiting an events place booth. This way, it’s easier to picture if you’ll want the same service or look for your wedding.
10. Bring a ‘contact me card’/ask for business cards. You don’t have to bring a lot or give your business cards to all vendors. If a vendor interests you and you want to communicate with them after, try to leave your contact details or ask them for a calling card. It’s faster to hand a ‘contact me’ card with your number and email address than to write these details all the time.
11. Be sensitive to customer service quality. Personally, when we went around to look for suppliers, we didn’t wear lots of flashy jewelry and clothing. We went with our usual shirts, jeans, sandals/flip-flops. We wanted to see how the suppliers will look at us and treat us. If we felt comfortable with their approach, that’s when we take time to talk to that supplier. As a bride, I suggest that you also have to observe the body language, tone, and manner in how we are treated as customers as early as possible. I know how much couples saved up for the wedding. And you’ll want to be treated properly as a customer.
