Bridal Shows – Getting the most bang for your buck!

In 1987 I was working as a wedding DJ for a local company and was asked to help represent them in an upcoming Bridal Show.  It was my first experience with any kind of trade show and I will never forget it.  I can remember that cold January morning as if it were yesterday.

When the doors to the show opened at 10:00 AM I remember seeing about 600 brides, grooms along with their friends and family come flowing through the door into the exhibit hall.    

For the next two hours the isles were jam packed with people all trying to meet the wedding vendors and get information.  It was absolute pandemonium to say the least.  By the end of the day I was exhausted and wondered if anything I’d done that day made any sort of impact on the potential customers I talked with.

Since that day I have participated as a vendor in countless bridal shows and I have learned a few things along the way that I would like to share with all the engaged men and women that are planning on attending these shows.  

In 2002 I helped represent www.omahabrides.com in their booth at one of the bridal shows.  My job that day was to survey as many brides as possible in order to learn a few things about what brought them to the show that day.  Of the 300 brides surveyed these were the top 4 reasons for their attendance:

1.    To get ideas and information
2.    To get discounts on products and services
3.    To win prizes
4.    To meet with a specific vendor(s)

I am confident that if you are planning on attending a bridal show that your reason for attending will cover one, two or maybe even all of the those mentioned above.  So it is for that reason that I would like to provide you with some advice and tips to help you get the most out of your experience.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

When you arrive at the show there will more than likely be an entrance fee.  These fees are usually $5.00 to $15.00 depending on the size of the show and how it was promoted.  You will also fill out a registration form that will ask you basic questions about you and your wedding.  Don’t be reluctant to fill this out entirely.  Your information is very valuable in order to provide you with the best services when it comes to vendors and future bridal shows.

As you enter the show you will see all kinds of vendors offering various kinds of wedding services.  A wedding vendor realizes that they will never have a better target market than at a bridal show.  They know that everyone who attends that day will be there because of an upcoming wedding and reception.  For the vendors, participating in these shows can be the best advertising dollars they can spend and they have got to make it count.  

So expect vendors that are eager to talk to you about their products and services.  Some vendors will want you to sign up or by their products that day and others just want to get you their information in hopes that you look at it and remember them after the show.

As you walk the isles and visit with vendors most will have discounts and coupons they will be giving out.  Also many vendors will have drawings you can sign up for right there in their booth.

So be prepared to gather information, sign up for drawings, talk vendors and get ideas that will help you plan for your wedding day.

PRE-SHOW PREP

TIP – Get an email address specifically for your wedding.  As you register at the door and sign up for drawings you will be asked for an email address.  Why?  Your email address is what gives vendors an opportunity to do some after show marketing.  Yes this can be annoying but it also can provide you with some valuable information, great deals, and an opportunity to get reacquainted with a vendor’s products and services.   So get an email that you can use just for the wedding planning and you won’t have to worry about clogging up your personal email.

TIP – Print off information labels.  This is going to save you and the vendors a ton of time.  As you walk the isles you won’t have to stand there filling out drawing forms at every single booth.  This can get monotonous very quickly.  So… print out 100 labels that contain your information.  The information you will want to provide is this:

         Wedding date
            Your name (first and last)
            Mailing address
            Phone number
            Email address

TIP – Know what you might be looking for and what questions you will have.  In other words, it’s a good idea to have some sort of plan going in.  If all you are attending the show for is to accumulate free stuff then you are missing out on a huge opportunity.  Have an idea of what you still need to look for and be ready with some questions.  This will make your time spent at the show worth while.  

DAY OF THE SHOW

TIP – Avoid rush hour.  Shows are going to be the busiest during the first hour after the doors are open.  This is not conducive to a relaxed information and idea gathering atmosphere.  In fact, it can be stressful.  If you show up during this first hour you may find yourself waiting in lines, being rushed and literally feeling cramped.   To give yourself a chance to avoid these things show up a little later in the show.  There really is nothing that happens right at the beginning of the show that provides incentive for being there right when the doors open.

TIP – Bring a tote bag to carry what you gather.  Vendors will be giving out everything from flyers, pens, trinkets other promotional materials so be prepared to have a bag full of stuff when you leave.  Most shows will actually provide you with your own tote bag when you come in the door but don’t always count on it.

TIP – Dress comfortably.  You will be doing a lot of walking around during a bridal show.  That is why it is important to wear comfortable walking shoes and attire.

TIP – Have some companionship.  Whether you’re a bride bringing the groom or vice versa it’s always nice to have someone by your side.  Many couples will bring a friend or parent and that’s fine too.  No one likes to go it alone when planning a wedding.  Having a little support and someone to bounce ideas off of is always a good thing.  

TIP – Sign up for things.  Remember that you have brought your labels and you have your wedding email address.  So you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  Yes you might get emails, mailings, and phone offers after the show but you can always say no!

TIP – Sign up that day.  If you have made a decision to use a particular vendors products or services you may want to consider signing up that day.  Most vendors will have a nice discount if you sign up the day of the show.  If they are not offering a sign up that day discount ask them if they have an incentive for signing up at the show.  Most vendors will.

TIP – Have a good attitude.  Remember this is your wedding we are talking about here and attending the bridal show is all part of your planning process.  So soak it all in and have fun and enjoy the experience.  

TIP – Put yourself in the vendor’s shoes.  This will really help you with how you view and approach them.  Vendors are not there to be annoying but they are there to showcase their products and services and to get you interested.  Don’t be afraid to talk with anybody and if you ever feel pressured you can always walk away.  

TIP – Remember a few supplies.  Be sure to bring a notepad, pens, and little extra cash.  The notepad will come in handy to jot down ideas and notes.  There are also usually concession stands or vending machines at the show.  It’s always nice to have some spending cash to grab quick snack or drink.    

AFTER THE SHOW

TIP – Sort through your bag.  Start eliminating what you don’t need.  This will help to clear some of the clutter.  Check your coupons and find out if there are any that you can use.  Separate the information that you are interested in and prepare to do some follow up with the vendor.  

TIP – Decide and act.  Bridal Shows are a huge boost for wedding companies as far as selling their products and services.  If after the bridal show you have made your decision on what products and services to use get them booked.  The sooner the better.


Good luck with your next bridal show adventure. I am confident that as long as you know what to expect and prepare yourself along the way you will have a productive and enjoyable day.  

Written by: Steve Bergeron

About the author:  Steve Bergeron has been a mobile wedding DJ since 1987 and currently owns Bandstand Music.  For more information go to www.bandstandmusic.com .