Thinking about attending a bridal show?  If so, you are about to be in the presence of anywhere between 10 and 100+ wedding venders.  Whew, that’s a lot.  So how can you make the best of your time there and be on your way to planning your dream wedding?  Well sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and listen up ‘cause you won’t want to miss these vital tips!

1.       Don’t go right when the event begins.  If possible, come a little later on.  The booths will most likely be less crowded and you’ll be able to get more individualized attention. 
2.       Don’t bring children or come with a large group of people.  Remember, this is YOUR day.  If you spend your limited amount of time trying to look after kids or tracking down members of your group you will not get the most out of what the show has to offer.
3.       Bring Address labels.  Many venders have contests or special offers going on that require some basic information about you.  Unless you want to spend half your time writing it down, you might want to consider printing these out beforehand!  We recommend including your name, address, e-mail address, and wedding date but NOT your phone number.  This brings us to our next essential piece of advice…
4.       Do NOT give out your phone number –even if you do have unlimited minutes!  If you do decide to offer this information, do so with caution – they WILL call you.
5.       Be prepared.  Come with specific questions in mind.  You could be talking to you future DJ…or photographer…or caterer!  The more you learn about the venders, the better.  And being prepared with questions can only help you achieve this.  Speaking of venders…
6.       Find out what venders will be attending in advance.  This will help you make the most out of your time.  Think about it… 50 venders, 5 minutes per booth…that’s already over 4 hours of your time!  Researching in advance allows you come up with your best plan of attack to really find the venders who matter most to you.
7.       Bring the following items:  Notebook, pen, checkbook, credit card, and a large tote bag.  You will be getting a lot of hand outs from venders.  Make sure to sort through these hand outs right away.  If you wait until the next day you may forget which ones you are really interested in.  Consider writing your notes on each different brochure you collect.  This way it will be easier for you to remember a face to the name when you make follow-up calls.
8.       Don’t go on an empty stomach.  There may be cake samples available, possibly an appetizer or two, but overall most bridal shows will not have food or drinks available. 
9.       Wear comfortable shoes.  The last thing you want to be is uncomfortable, so grab your favorite pair or flats or comfy boots and you’ll be good to go!   
10.   Proceed with caution if you are going to make any deposits.  Be sure to read all of their terms and conditions so you know what you signed yourself up for.  Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

BONUS TIP:  HAVE FUN!  Bridal shows may seem overwhelming at first, but don’t let all the people and noise get to you!  Just gather some information, sign-up for the free contests, and enjoy the fashion show.  It’s all about you, don’t forget that

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