by Mary Brophy Bridal shows can be a great opportunity to meet and collect information on a large variety of vendors in a few brief hours. However, unless you have a plan before you attend a show you can quickly become overwhelmed. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your next trip to a bridal show. Plan Ahead Decide on the type of vendor(s) you're looking for rather than stopping at every booth. Do you need a DJ? A photographer? A caterer? Know before you go so that you can make the time you spend there count rather than being distracted by vendors you don't need. Leave Your Posse at Home Yes, you should definitely go with your fiancé, your mother, or your maid of honor to get input from, but if you go with a crowd you'll spend most of your time trying to keep everyone on track rather than gathering the information you need. Dress Comfortably You'll be on your feet for several hours so make sure you have comfortable shoes. The temperature at shows can vary greatly so layer your clothes so you can take off or add a jacket or sweater as needed. Come Prepared Bring a pen, sticky notes and some cash with you. You'll want to jot down notes about general impressions of vendors you've met and anything they might have said to you. If you don't, when you get home you might have a difficult time remembering who said what. Also bring a tote bag to carry all of the brochures, samples and business cards you've collected. You'll need cash to pay for your entrance and possibly to stop at a snack bar. But you will also want to carry water and perhaps an energy bar in case refreshments aren't available for purchase. Leave Your Credit Card and Checkbook at Home It might be tempting to sign on the dotted line when you're at the show especially when a likely vendor is offering a "show discount" for signing at the show. But if you don't have any way of leaving a deposit, you can avoid that temptation. Remember, most reputable vendors will be happy to extend their discount offer for another day or two to allow you time to thoroughly review their contract or proposal. Just ask them to write down that they've extended the discount period. Skip the Fashion Show You'll have a better chance of having some quiet one-on-one time with vendors while everyone else is at the fashion show. Personalized Bridal Bags Personalized Bridal Gifts
by Mary Brophy Bridal shows can be a great opportunity to meet and collect information on a large variety of vendors in a few brief hours. However, unless you have a plan before you attend a show you can quickly become overwhelmed. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your next trip to a bridal show. Plan Ahead Decide on the type of vendor(s) you're looking for rather than stopping at every booth. Do you need a DJ? A photographer? A caterer? Know before you go so that you can make the time you spend there count rather than being distracted by vendors you don't need. Leave Your Posse at Home Yes, you should definitely go with your fiancé, your mother, or your maid of honor to get input from, but if you go with a crowd you'll spend most of your time trying to keep everyone on track rather than gathering the information you need. Dress Comfortably You'll be on your feet for several hours so make sure you have comfortable shoes. The temperature at shows can vary greatly so layer your clothes so you can take off or add a jacket or sweater as needed. Come Prepared Bring a pen, sticky notes and some cash with you. You'll want to jot down notes about general impressions of vendors you've met and anything they might have said to you. If you don't, when you get home you might have a difficult time remembering who said what. Also bring a tote bag to carry all of the brochures, samples and business cards you've collected. You'll need cash to pay for your entrance and possibly to stop at a snack bar. But you will also want to carry water and perhaps an energy bar in case refreshments aren't available for purchase. Leave Your Credit Card and Checkbook at Home It might be tempting to sign on the dotted line when you're at the show especially when a likely vendor is offering a "show discount" for signing at the show. But if you don't have any way of leaving a deposit, you can avoid that temptation. Remember, most reputable vendors will be happy to extend their discount offer for another day or two to allow you time to thoroughly review their contract or proposal. Just ask them to write down that they've extended the discount period. Skip the Fashion Show You'll have a better chance of having some quiet one-on-one time with vendors while everyone else is at the fashion show.
Personalized Bridal Bags Personalized Bridal Gifts
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