7 Tips to Conquer a Bridal Show
Bridal Show Season!! What does this mean to you? A lot of time spent roaming a trade show environment with hundreds or even thousands of other newly engaged couples trying to secure dates with your favorite vendors.
I don’t want you to be alarmed though. Luckily, there’s a simple way to navigate the craziness of a Bridal Show.
1 – Research all the shows in your area and put the ones that you can attend on your calendar and be sure to Pre-Register. Often times there are specials for exclusive to registering ahead of time.
2 – Create an e-mail address that is solely used for the planning of your wedding. You will receive a lot of e-mail!! Having it go to one location that you can closely monitor and follow up from is a huge time saver and prevent future inbox clutter.
3 – Make pre-printed address labels. This will save you time from writing, and rewriting and then writing the same information over and over at every booth you visit. The most important info you should have is:
- Couple’s Names
- Reception Date
- Location
- Phone #
- Address
- E-Mail Address
Even feel free to list one PMOC (Preferred Method Of Contact). If you do none of these other suggestions…DO THIS ONE! Trust me.
4 – Dress comfortably! You will be standing, it gets warm, there are a lot of people. Leave your coat in the car and don’t carry large bags. All bridal shows hand out bags at some point for all the information you are receiving. Plus you will be tasting the food and drink offered throughout.
It is difficult to juggle coats, bags, food, pens, paperwork. I think you get the picture.
5 – Give-a-ways from vendors are a big part of bridal shows. If you have to register to be entered into a drawing, pull out those labels. Sign up for drawings that you could really use. If it’s not something you really need, then pass it up. It will save you and the vendors time.
6 – Bring a person with you to assist in making decisions. I would suggest you refrain from bringing too many people. Remember there will be a lot of people there. If your entire entourage shows up at one booth you are causing less people to be able to speak with that vendor.
The booths the vendors get are normally 8’x8’ and they will showcase their goods and leave space to be able to speak to people, but that’s not often a lot of space.
7 – Create an easy decision code. There’s going to be so much information received, it is going to be hard to remember all the people you spoke with.
When you meet a vendor they’ll be giving you some sort of literature, I suggest marking the document they give you with a letter that indicates your interest in following up with them. Perhaps a simple Y for Yes, N for No and M for Maybe.
Oh, and last and most important, have fun. Stop by and see PartyMasterz at your local Bridal Show to learn how we…. Plan easy. Party hard. It’s that simple.
