Guess where I found myself yesterday?
Bridal expo, anyone?
The TV told me that there was a free bridal expo in my city and I needed to be in the area anyways so I figured it was worth checking out. While I'm not sure I accomplished anything more than sampling some delicious cake, I did learn a few things from my last first bridal expo experience:
1. I'm farther along in the planning stages than I thought I'd be. I might not have all of my vendors booked, but I do have an idea of what I'm looking for. This made walking through the expo a quick process; I could rule out most vendors on the spot. While seeing the dozens of venue, floral, and photography booths wasn't very helpful to me, I can see how an expo would be a great starting point for a bride who is just beginning her planning.
2. An expo can be a great place to score a deal... if you do your research first! I wouldn't hire a vendor based off of an expo special, but I would go to an expo if it meant receiving an advertised discount off of one of my favorite vendors. Thrifty tip: You probably don't have to attend an expo to receive a special. Just ask the vendor if they would honor the special (they'll probably value the business enough to knock down the price).
3. The free cake samples are worth it... as long as they're free. I know it's fun to go to these types of things in a group, but I just can't imagine feeling okay about someone spending $10 on entry. If you can't find an online discount, I'd suggest going alone.
4. The vendors really aren't as pushy as you'd think they'd be. Especially when you smile and say, "thanks anyways" ...or walk by quickly without making eye contact (I'm talking to you, creepy DJ with the blaring 80's rock music).
5. When your name tag says, "bride" your name will be "the bride." Don't bother introducing yourself.
(see pink sticker above)
They had a stage set up for a fashion show, but I decided watching it might just end up compromising my latest vow :).
Overall, I think I'm just too much of an online shopper to get anything out of the bridal show experience. The truth is that I would rather narrow down my choices to a select few vendors before having face-to-face meetings... where I run the risk of getting talked into a contract.
Have you ever been to a bridal expo? Did it help you in your planning process?
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5 comments:
I went to two bridal shows -- and ended up booking two vendors from the second show. Having said that, I ended up firing one of the vendors and kept the other one.
The show didn't help me very much, as when I went in I had already found my location, my photographer, etc. But it did help me narrow down what I didn't want in my wedding and reinforced the choices I had made.
I went to a bridal expo and still get calls and mail from vendors!
My sentiments about the only expo I attended were very similar to yours. The best part was going with my mom and MIL.
The expo actually helped me in a way I completely didn't expect -- I found the only hair salon I've ever been thrilled with. One of the vendors handed out complimentary haircut cards and for whatever reason, I didn't check out the salon for my updo. I actually found the complimentary haircut card more than a year after my wedding and decided to try it out 'cause I had nothing to lose. What do you know, I've actually found the first salon I'm excited to return to and willing to shell out the cash for (to an extent). :)
My then fiance and I went to one show... total waste of time for us. We were mainly looking for cake + a photographer and found neither {but lots of amateurs photographers who tried to sell themselves on the quality of their equipment or fancy album!}. We ended up finding our baker online and photographer through a friend!
I went to a couple expos because I got free tickets and they were serving wine. If there is free booze, I'm in.
Other then that, I don't really think they are something I would recommend. They are mostly for what I call "wedding factory" vendors- vendors who just pump out wedding after wedding without getting to know the bride or being bothered with the couple's personality.
I prefered to use weddingwire and theknot as a resource to find area vendors.
LB
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