Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Are All Bridal Shows the Same?

Today Melanie Stancampiano is filling in for me again. She assists in coordinating Bridal Bliss events at Oliveaire and is going to share information about Bridal Shows.

You’ve got the ring, you’ve called your family and friends to share your good news, and now, you are going to attend a Bridal Expo to start the journey of planning your big day.

Depending on where you live, and the time of year, you will likely find a wide variety of expos, trunk shows, boutique events and Bridal seminars to attend, all geared to helping you plan the perfect day. Each show has its own unique, creative format for providing this information. Feeling overwhelmed as to which showcases to attend?





Here are some tips and tricks to help you figure out which shows are best for you to attend:

Define your expectation of the show:
What are you looking to get from the show? If you are looking to gather information and special offers from a large number of vendors about their services, then one of the larger shows is a great place to start. If you are looking for design inspiration, be sure to look for a show that is being hosted by a décor company. Wanting a better idea on how to start planning your wedding? Look for a show that features a wedding planner to help point you in the right direction.

Decide how much you are willing to spend on a ticket:
There is a wide variance in the cost of these events, some are free and some can cost upwards of $100. One factor in cost is whether the show is an event itself, what kind of food and beverage, if any, is being served. Another consideration is what you, as the bride, will take away from the event. Will you get a Swag Bag full of goodies? Are the proceeds of the event benefiting a local charity?

Are you looking for an intimate experience or a large crowd?
Some events will draw hundreds of brides and their friends and families. Some smaller shows will only have 10 – 20 brides in attendance and will offer a more intimate experience for the attendees. You have to decide in which setting you will be more comfortable and take it from there.

What shows are your already selected vendors participating in?
Already picked a unique venue, florist with a very modern style or an in-demand photographer? Find out what shows they are participating in. It is likely that you will find vendors with similar style in attendance. This is a great opportunity to meet those vendors in person and set-up appointments to discuss their services.

As you can see, all shows are not the same, but they all have something to offer. Now you just have to figure out the best shows to meet your needs. No matter which show you decide to attend, you will surely have a good time and take away information that will help you plan your day.

Best of luck, and I hope to see you at one of our events!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),
Olivia

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