How to Attend a Bridal Show... And Like It.

As a bride-to-be there are several reasons to attend bridal shows such as:

• Gaining excitement for their upcoming wedding
• Free gifts
• Sampling caterers and other fun vendors
• Discounts

But sometimes bridal shows can be... overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help control the crazy so you can make the most of your afternoon.

Shop Small:

It's easy to find the huge bridal shows in your area, usually hosted by your local newspaper, a magazine, or the largest venue in the area. They have huge advertising budgets, so as a future bride you're sure to know where and when it is. They have a hundred plus vendors, usually have a big draw like a fashion show or a famous guest speaker, and sometimes they limit how many people you're allowed to bring. It's easy to become overstimulated at these huge shows because there are so many people, sounds, sights, even smells. Way too many things to take in at once. It might take some digging, but there are plenty of reputable small bridal shows. Usually they only have a few dozen vendors and they are usually hand picked by the vendor (usually a professional wedding planner) hosting it- meaning everyone is reputable and trusted by the host.

Do Your Research:

You might be able to find lists of the vendors who will be attending. It's easy to do a little prep work, a quick google or facebook search can lead you to photos, videos, and other examples of their work to see if your styles mesh. If you find one you really like send them a quick email or message to let them know that you really like their work and that you look forward to meeting them a the show. That way, when you get to the show you know exactly who to look for.

Use Your Sniffer:

There is food. Everywhere. Caterers bring samples. Bakers bring samples. Customized Favor Creators bring samples. Everyone brings samples. If you walk with confidence you can easily search out the samples and enjoy the wonderful food, even if your aren't in the market for what they're selling. Same with free gifts. Most booths have free gifts of everything from chapstick, nail polish, pens, candy, the possibilities are endless. Just confidently walk up through the crowd, find the gifts, grab and go. But definitely be sure to grab a business card, it's only courtesy. 

Create a Shopping List:

If you have just gotten engaged and have nothing planned then a bridal show is NOT the place for you. Figure out what the last few vendors you need are so you can skip straight to where you need to be. The lines can be long so don't waste time waiting for a vendor you don't need. On top of your list of vendors have a list of questions at the ready. Don't be afraid to take your time with these vendors, don't let the frenzy of people rush you.

A last few tips:

• Bring a bag, a big bag
• Find a babysitter for the kids
• Bring a few select people. A huge entourage can be distracting and time consuming.
• Bring a checkbook. A lot of vendors offer special deals if you book that day but usually require a deposit that day.