Going to some bridal shows? Let me give you some advice....

It’s that time of year again – right after the holidays and right at the beginning of what is known in ‘the biz’ as “wedding season”, there are TONS of bridal shows.  And they are all fabulous and worth the trip.  You will meet great people, get gifts, eat awesome food, see incredible fashions and so much more.  But before you travel out in the world of bridal shows, there are some preparations you need to make to be sure that you get the most out of every bridal show you attend!

First things first, whether or not you have a wedding website, you should have a temporary email address set up just for things that are wedding-related.  We all get enough email as it is without being bombarded by thousands of newsletters and online flyers and special deals from wedding vendors far and wide.  You want to make it something short and sweet and easy to write too.  You will be writing it a lot so you want it to be quick!  (I speak from personal experience; never would I have known in the early ’90′s that writing out all of d.r.e.a.m.w.e.a.v.e.r.c.a.l.l.i.g.r.a.p.h.y. over and over again would be such a pain.  I just liked the name!)

The next thing you want to be sure of is that you pre-register online in advance whenever possible.  This will cut down on your check in time when you get to your shows and you can get right to work!

OK, so you are heading out the door for the show – these are some things you need to have

• comfortable shoes.  These places are big and there is a lot of walking and standing around so you want to be as comfortable as possible!
• pre-printed labels with your name and address on them.  There will be a lot of give-aways and things to register for and your don’t want to miss even one of them.  It will be so much easier to slap a sticker on all the entry forms than to stand there and fill them out individually!
• someone to go with you.  First of all, it will not be as much fun alone! If your fiance doesn’t want to go, take your mom, a bridesmaid or other friend.  You will need someone to share ideas and compare notes with on all the fabulous things you are about to see!!

When you get to the show, they most likely will have special stickers that designate you (and your fiance if he goes) as the bride and groom.  You definitely want these because that is how the vendors know that you are the person they want to talk to, fawn over and give all the really good swag items to!  Most shows will give you some type of bag when you arrive; be sure to use it as it will definitely come in handy!

I know a lot of shows are overwhelming, but walk up and down every aisle.  You don’t want to miss anything and since different types of vendors are hidden around every corner, you don’t want to miss out on even one! Although you may not get to talk to every vendor, or be interested in talking to every vendor, pick up their literature.  It is the best way to see what they have to offer or at least have their contact information for future reference.

Dreamweaver Calligraphy will be at the Bride for All Seasons event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta on Sunday, February 19th and I would love to see you there! Mention that you read this blog when you see me there and I will have an extra special prize just for you!!!  I look forward to meeting you!