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Wear comfortable shoes. The odds are you'll be on
your feet for quite a while, and uncomfortable shoes will tire you
out too quickly. You might force yourself to visit the last few
booths, but it won't be any fun.
-
Come prepared with peel off labels with your name,
address, and wedding date printed on them. You can make them
yourself using Avery labels or something similar and any word
processor. You will be writing your name and address a lot
otherwise, entering the various giveaways, contests and
promotions. If junk mail bothers you, consider getting a PO
Box for a while and use this address at the shows. That way
when the wedding is over, you simply cancel the box and voila...no
more junk mail!
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Do NOT give out your phone number to anyone unless
you want that vendor to call you. This is especially true of your
work number. These numbers often go onto mailing lists which are
sold or otherwise circulated. Get yourself a free e-mail account
that you can use solely for the purpose of communicating with
prospective vendors, or set up an alias account to forward e-mail
to your main account so you don't get deluged with spam for months
after the wedding.
-
Bring a friend or two along. (Yes, it can be your
fiancé). You're going to need some help in carrying literature
around, as well as someone to offer an objective third party
opinion on things.
-
Bring swatches of material or ribbons with your
wedding colors on them. This will help bakers, balloonists, and
florists make appropriate suggestions as to what they can do for
you.
-
Don't expect to walk away from the show with
signed contracts in your hand. A show is a place where you make
appointments to discuss your wedding in depth. While there are
times when you might want to book something right at the show,
(such as a limited availability and your date is still open), if
at all possible you should wait for a calmer time when you can
talk one on one with the vendor and make sure that he/she/they
will be able to fully meet your needs.
-
If you already have a gown, you might want to skip
the fashion show and visit vendor's booths during that period.
These vendors will be eager to talk with you since most everybody
will be watching the show. At the larger shows the crowds at the
booths are greatly diminished during the
fashion shows, and it can be much easier to move around. At
smaller shows the vendors will REALLY pull out the stops for you,
since they probably have absolutely nothing to do. Take advantage
of this!
-
Beware of vendors who will only offer show
discounts on the day of the show only. If you don't have the
opportunity to talk with them in depth, how do you know they are
right for you? Vendors really should offer you their "show
price" for at least 24 or 48 hours, or as long as it takes to
make an appointment to discuss things in more detail.
-
Take as much literature as you can from everyone.
You might not think you need information on a string quartet or a
consultant, but who knows, things have a way of surprising you.
When you get home, put the literature from services you don't
think you need in a box that you can come back to if the situation
warrants.
-
Bring your datebook with you so you can schedule
your appointments for follow up.
When you find a vendor you would like to follow up with, take a
pen and write what struck you as appealing about them on their
literature. When you get home and are faced with brochures from 14
different photographers, your note may be the only thing you have
to remember which ones you liked and why.
