Fall has arrived. The kids are back in school, the evenings are cooler, and the trees are changing color. But there is another phenomenon that happens this time of year: The Bridal Expo. If you are planning a wedding or even considering getting married you may be tempted to attend one or more of these expos. You probably won’t have trouble finding friends and family members to tag along either. After all, where else can you watch a live bridal fashion show, listen to string quartets, enjoy delicious cake samples, and collect enough free information to fill a giant gift bag?
Attending a bridal expo can be fun for anyone, but if you are serious about collecting information for your upcoming wedding, here are a few tips to help you get the most out the experience.
Register. When you enter the door to the show there will be a place for you to register. By registering you will be eligible to win door prizes. Your contact information will also be distributed to all the vendors at the show. Many of them will mail you information or special deals after the show is over.
Gather as much information as possible. Even if you don’t think you will need a particular vendor’s services, it doesn’t hurt to take their literature. You may need to find a last-minute replacement or suddenly realize you can’t live without a videographer.
Don’t hesitate to talk to the vendors. The literature they have available probably will not answer all you questions. For example, prices are seldom listed on fliers. If you are even mildly interested in a vendor’s services, strike up a conversation with them. Ask lots of questions and get a feel for their personality.
Bring a friend or relative. Spending several hours at a bridal expo by yourself can be dreadful. Bringing someone with you will help the time pass quickly and lighten the mood a little. Also, your guest might ask questions that you didn’t think of.
See the fashion show. Even though the designer dresses may be out of your price range, seeing them on the models could help you decide which type of style you like. The fashion show will also include bridesmaid and parent outfits, which are sometimes even harder to decide on than a wedding gown.
Bring a notebook. There is no way you will be able to remember everything that the vendors tell you and all the ideas that you like. Write down anything that you think you may want to refer to in the future, especially price quotes.
Follow these tips and you will be sure to get your time and money’s worth out of any bridal expo. You may even find yourself spending every weekend at one. But don’t burn yourself out too early. Because as soon as the fall bridal expo season is over, the spring one is right around the corner.
I’ll see you next week because from ‘I will’ to ‘I do’ I’m here for you.
