bridal show : At photographers booths--be sure to ask if they have photos on displayof your wedding and reception sites. That's helpful---to see how theirwork from where you'll be getting married.While vendors don't have time to have lengthy conversations witheveryone---don't be afraid to ask questions. The folks next to you maywant to know the same thing.You will most likely get a follow-up letter, postcard, or callanouncing that you have been selected as a prize winner -- no purchase required, just come to our special presentation tohear the details of your winning entry.This is a sales pitch for Royal Prestige -- a very high priced(reportedly 'quality') line of cookware and dinnerware whichwill cost several thousand dollars for a complete set. Thesales pitch, given in a room with other winners, is veryhigh pressure -- insert dire health warning for good measure.The prizes are yours to keep. Someone with more recent experiencecan update the dollar amounts, but generally you win a freeMexico/Carribean vacation, cruise, with an additional x days andnights in Orlando/Poconos/somewhere close but not too far away.There are many blackout dates, you must arrange your tripthrough their travel agents, and the hotels and additional fees are at inflated prices. In short, your prize is justa marketing ploy to get a warm body in the seat for the salespitch.
bridal show : Some people go anyway. So, yes, you really did win a prize,but it might not be one worth collecting.Corollary to this is don't expect the vendors who are there to be ableto spend lots of time with you answering questions and explaining theirservices in depth. The bridal show is not a place to do yourinterviewing - a vendor might have 7 or 8 or 9 people gathered aroundhis/her booth and while he is giving one person his undividedattention, there are more who are not getting any attention at all,which just doesn't work. Rather, ask general questions, take theliterature provided, and schedule a followup appointment for those indepth interviews if you're interested.Also don't expect to get full price lists, contracts, etc., from abridal show. Again, this is a preliminary "feeling out" of the vendor. Not the time for them or you to get detailed.Have fun. Don't get stressed and expect a bridal show to solve all ofyour wedding needs in one fell swoop. I know too many brides and groomswho came away from the shows disappointed because they didn't find allof their vendors there - or because they had different expectations orbecause they felt pressured to buy. Remember that a wedding show isjust a big trade show - it's *meant* to sell you on things. Thatdoesn't mean that you have to buy them. You may find the perfect vendorthere, you may not. But go, look at the samples and ideas, laugh at thethings that amuse you, and maybe come away with some good ideas you canadapt to your own use.
bridal show : Take a bag to carry all the literature you will receive. Take a notebookand pens to write down ideas you might like (or a camera to take pictures)We came up with the basic idea for our cake at a bridal show.Take label like Steve said, you will get bored with writing your name andaddress over and over and over again.Go there with the intention of gathering information and formulating ideas.As mentioned, don't think you'll walk away with a contract...don't even ifyou want you. Take their brochure and make appointments.I'd like to reinforce what someone else said...Take literature for servicesyou don't think you'll need. In the course of planning, you'll mostlylikely change your mind/attitude about several issues.Take a pen and your diary. A camera would be fabulous but some/most vendorswon't allow you to take photo's, but you can always sketch and drawing, andmake notes.Wear layers of clothing. It gets hot when it's over-crowded and sometimesthe air-conditioning is frightening cold. Wear comfortable shoes ;) Makesure those coming with you wear comfortable shoes!
bridal show : Allow me 2 add my 2 cents, All of the above is great information. Therecan be exceptions, eg; you must marry on a popular date like a Saturdayin June and you find someone you like, like what theirpictures/video/flowers look like and they are available and or in yourbudget, you might consider booking them right away. Particularly if thisis a large show where 400 or more brides are also looking for the sameservices. Unlike most average years my estimates are for a 15-20% increase on thenumber of weddings for the year 2000. The better wedding professionalswill book quicker. You need:notebook for taking notescalendarPre-printed address labelsa purpose (what do you want to get accomplished at the bridal show? --florist, photographer, or are you just looking for ideas?)Speaking only for myself, as a photograher, I do not set up at bridalshows. Reason-its excellent for those who have no business! Pleasedon't use the excuse that you are there for the exposure, if you are anygood you have more business than you can handle due to word of mouth.So, if you are going to the show to actually hire someone remember, ifthey were as good as they claim then they should be totally booked!
bridal show : Went to my first (and only) bridal/wedding show today. I lasted all of 20minutes. I think this was mostly because we already have most of our vendorslined up (DJ, flowers, photo, video, honeymoon) etc. It was just a massivegroup of unwashed people clammering for free cake samples. I also noticed thatmost of the vendors were the same vendors that I have been getting direct mailfrom every week. They seem to be the types who don't get enough word-of-mouthbusiness so they have to spend a lot of money on advertising and promotion. Isthis a fair assesment?Just like anything, some shows are good, some are mediorce.,wide variety of locations, venues., businesses, and brides.Personally, I do not care for doing bridal shows.,they are kinda a necessary evil.Whats worse, is the bridal show promoters/organizers who rear their heads a couple months out of the year, to profit off the year-round hard working wedding professionals.I also attended my first bridal show this weekend and I found it to be adisappointment also. I was really upset that I have most of my major services andit seems some of my people I have hired will offer a discount for booking at theshow.That's what I get for being organized and ahead of the game! I was out of therequick and no cake samples!Margie & Bill05-13-00
|
|
announcing our engagement, asian bridal wear, bath bed beyond bridal registry, bridal and baby shower gift, bridal casablanca, bridal fortunoff registry, bridal game, bridal gift registry, bridal gift registry registry, bridal gown designer, bridal guide magazine subscription, bridal guide subscription, bridal hair accessory, bridal hair dos, bridal hair styles, bridal marys, bridal original, bridal party gift, bridal party gift idea, bridal sewing patterns, bridal shower cake, bridal shower cakes, bridal shower decoration, bridal shower etiquette, bridal shower favor idea, bridal shower game idea, bridal shower gift idea, bridal shower gifts, bridal shower planning, bridal shower theme, bridal underwear, celebrity engagement rings, celtic engagement ring, celtic engagement rings, cheap engagement rings, cz engagement rings, david's bridal warehouse, davids bridal gown, davids bridal shop, destination wedding, dillards bridal registry, discount bridal gown, discount bridal gowns, discount wedding dress, engagement cakes, engagement diamond rings, engagement invitations, engagement party invitations, engagement pictures online, engagement poems, engagement ring designs, engagement ring diamond, engagement rings nj, engagement rings toronto, engagement rings vancouver, engagement sets platinum, fancy engagement ring, filene's bridal registry, free bridal shower game, hawaiian wedding clothes, hawaiian wedding dress, hawaiian wedding shirt, italian groom attire, jc penney bridal, lake tahoe wedding, macys bridal registry, man wedding ring, modern bridal registry, national bridal registry, on line bridal registry, online bridal registry, personalized bridal party gift, phoenix engagement ring, plus size bridal gown, political engagement, replica engagement rings, tiffany engagement ring, unique engagement gifts, unique engagement rings, unique wedding gift, wedding bridal registry, wedding camera, wedding craft, wedding dress designer, wedding favor idea, wedding hair dos, wedding party gift, wedding photography virginia, wedding reading, wedding shower invitation, wedding stationery