Discussing Bridal Shows with Industry Insiders – What a bride should focus on or not forget!

Many brides will walk away from a show only to think about the 101 things they wish they’d gotten to or not forgotten! Our insiders know good prep is key. Aside from areas to focus on, they’ve also shared where a lot of brides skip but wish they hadn’t!

MWH: What areas of the wedding planning should a bride focus on most during a show? If she has to choose between two types of vendors due to time restraints – what should come first?

RICHARD: Any areas she has not yet dealt with. If she is just beginning, she should start with venues.

AMYE: This question is really a tough one. It depends on so many things. Like - what stage of planning is the bride in? What has she booked or not already booked? I’d say that if her wedding is under 8 months away, definitely hit the reception venues and photographers first. They tend to be the ones that book the farthest in advance.

JENNIFER: Get a wedding coordinator! Budgetary restrictions are always the case because everyone is on a budget. Even those that are spending great amounts of money have budget restraints. A wedding coordinator can assist in finding the best bang for your buck. Organization and budgets are the keys to having a great wedding. I would say another focus would be to have a wish list of items attached to a realistic budget and then add 20% to that number. That is essentially what you will end up spending. It happens every time. If you are trying to choose one vendor over the other, testimonials from clients, accredited organization participation, and certifications along with insurance would be my first priority.

MWH: Is there one vendor or show stop that most brides skip but regret later?

RICHARD: Honeymoon spots. It’s the one area in which the vendors are not local, so this might be the only opportunity a bride has for face-to-face. Use this time to assess the “culture” and service orientation of the locale, something that web sites and brochures can not tell you.

AMYE: Videographers and consultants - these services are definitely becoming more popular, but they’re not at the top of the list of things needed. Sometimes for budget reasons, sometimes the brides just don’t think about these services as important. Personally, I think these two services are a necessity.

JENNIFER: Video. A photographer can capture stills and meld them together, but a videographer captures life as it’s happening. More than once, I have had people wish that they had Uncle Joe on video laughing, crying, speaking about Sally and Jim’s wedding when they know that person has passed. It happens all too often. A video really preserves the life of a person well and I think brides think that if they have a photographer they don’t need a video too. Reality: You need both.

This series, “All about Bridal Shows,” continues with Discussions on Bridal Shows from Industry Insiders:

• Part 1: Introduction
• Part 2: What a bride should bring
• Part 3: What a bride should see
• Part 4: What a bride should focus on or not forget
• Part 5: Insights & Experience from Top Wedding Vendors
• Part 6: Vendor Advice