ShutterBooth New England’s Bridal Show Tips!

As a vendor that has attended a lot of bridal shows and expos over the years, we wanted to share with you some of the things we have found to be most helpful when attending a show as a bride or groom! In no particular order, here are the best tips we could think of to help make your wedding decisions a little more manageable:

–Make a checklist of all of the services you are still in need of for your big day- this will help keep you on track and not get distracted
-Make an email address just for your wedding– this will keep all important information in one place as you contact vendors
-Complimentary Pass– if you have already been in contact with a vendor that you know will be exhibiting at the show, don’t be afraid to ask if they have complimentary passes!
-Pre-register for the show– it will save you time at the door, and sometimes even some money!
-Wear comfortable clothes and shoes– you will be standing and walking a majority of your day. The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable
-Arrive with an open mind and a lot of patience– some expos are very crowded while others are on the smaller side. At those with a larger turnout, you may need to wait to speak with a representative at some vendor tables
-Bring a backpack or a carry-on with wheels– you will be given a lot of brochures, handouts, samples, and product giveaways
-Bring your checkbook, cash, and credit cards– some vendors will have items on display that you may purchase that day. With some vendors, you may decide to sign an agreement with before leaving the show
-Make labels with all of the important details– your hands will thank you later for not having to fill out a form each time you want to leave your information
~you and your fiancé’s name
~wedding date
~venue name and location
~phone number
~email address
~mailing address (if you would like)
-Notebook or pad of paper and a pen– you may want to take notes about particular vendors. Some vendors may not have information for you to take home, so writing down some notes about them will help you when making decisions about what vendors to use
-Your appointment book or planner– you may want to set up meeting times with some of the vendors, and having your calendar readily available will help keep you organized
-Color swatches– you may not have these, but if you do, they could come in handy when meeting a florist, graphic designer, dress company, etc.
-Eat before you leave– some vendors, such as bakeries, may have samples for you. If you arrive after a good breakfast, a clear and well fed mind will help you take in as much information as possible
-Bring another person– this could be your fiancé, a friend, or relative. Bringing someone will not only help you remember the massive amount of information you will receive, but can also help you if you need to bounce ideas off of someone
-Don’t be afraid to talk to the vendors– you want to get a good vibe from the potential people that will help make your day everything you want it to be. You want to be comfortable with their attitudes and how they can help in every step along the way
-Ask questions– arrive with some general questions for each type of vendor you are still looking for. Don’t feel like you are asking too many questions! There is no such thing as too many!
-Take pictures– if you like something particular a vendor has to offer, ask if you may take a picture so you can remember what you loved best about them!
-Not all vendors offering similar services are created equal– compare what they have to offer, which fits best with your overall feel for your wedding, and don’t be afraid to ask for samples