Conquering Bridal Shows in 4 Easy Steps

So you’re attending bridal shows? So fun!!! You and your bridesmaids are ready to meet vendors and enjoy tasty treats but you don’t know exactly what to expect at the show – the RW team is here to give you some tips on what to have ready prior and what to expect on show day.

1. Know who you want to meet. Lots of show hosts will post a list of vendors that will be advertising at the show, so take a peek before hand. If you know you want to focus on florists and bakers, highlight them on the list and then check out their websites and social media to get a better idea of their style and if they could be an option for your wedding.

2. Vendors will have inquiry forms available for your to fill out if you’re interested in meeting with them. These forms vary between vendors but typically request you + your fiance’s names, contact info, wedding date, and budget. Save yourself some time by creating labels with your general event info. Then just peel off your label, stick it on, and head to the next vendor!

3. Know your availability. You may have the opportunity to book appointments at the show, so have your planner ready with available dates/times for upcoming weekends and weekdays (don’t forget – most wedding vendors will have weekend events, so availability for those appointments may be far and few between).

4. Expect a lot of people. Bridal shows are kind of like speed dating for wedding vendors – you briefly chat about general event details and move on to the next vendor 😉 Since there are so many vendors available, you can expect there to be crowds and possible wait times. Popular vendors will have busy booths, but don’t fret! If you aren’t able to chat with a certain vendor, just be sure to fill out their info sheet and they’ll follow up with you. Pro tip: decide who your “must-sees” are before the show. If there are 10 vendors you know you want to visit, prioritize them so the most important ones are taken care of first. That will help you avoid waiting and give you more time to explore the show.

Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy the show! Just like a good theme park bridal shows can be a bit overwhelming at first, but with a general plan you’ll be able to navigate the show and meet all your favorite vendors in one day 🙂

P.S. Did you know we’ll be at the Florida Wedding Expo this Sunday, July 22nd? Come meet our team and see some of our amazing rentals {you can check out our venues, Cypress Grove and Luxmore, too}! Get tickets here – be sure to enter code “VENDOR” for a discount!

Xoxo,
Sarah

2018 has proven to be a busy year so far and we’re going full steam ahead this summer! Our owner + creative director, Tamuel, will be speaking at WedAtelier, an educational retreat for weddings professional, in August and we couldn’t be more excited for her!

If you don’t know, “WedAtelier is an intimate, boutique retreat experience for creatives and artisans in the wedding industry. We believe in the importance of taking time regularly to get away from the hustle and business of business and life to recharge and refuel your creativity. By combining our signature intimate environments and beautifully designed spaces with targeted learning for creatives in the wedding industry, we believe this experience fills a void in the education world. This event is about recharging and renewing your creative spirit, forming heart-level connections with other passionate entrepreneurs, and learning strategies to up-level your business.”

Registration is only open through July 30th so be sure to secure your spot soon!