Bridal Show Season is here - Why Your Should Go & How to get the most from Bridal Shows

Hey guys, Rebecca Checking in…how are we doing?
It’s January and as well as entering the coldest time of year, we are also entering the insanity that is bridal show season. If you are engaged, first up…Congrats! But also, buckle up.

Bridal shows are an amazing time to get inspired, to get some face time with different vendors, to ask questions, and to gather information. They are also a lot (in the best way but still a lot).

So many people. So much to see. Lots of people asking questions you may not have answers to or might not be ready to share. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and a little glassy eyed as you wander the rows of vendors.

Let’s dive into a few of the why’s of attending, and the how’s to make the most of it (both strategically and mental santity saving too). Take a deep breath, we’ve got this!

Why would I Attend a Bridal Show?

Bridal shows in your area are a great starting point where you can meet with many local vendors, see samples of their work, gather information, and ask questions all in one place. It’s more helpful than a google search for one major reason…you don’t have to know exactly what you are looking for to know what to search.

You can get to know the people behind a name, share inspiration ideas/images to get more specific feedback relevant to your day, and reference things around you that maybe you don’t know the names of (think industry jargon) to be able to ask about in an email.

It’s also just fun! Grab a couple of your best people and wander the halls. It’s a chance to get excited. To get inspired. To connect with other people who get weddings and are just as excited.

How Do I Get the Most from the bridal shows (without the major overwhelm)?

This is a great question and I have a few tips to keep it more enjoyable and useful, less overwhelming both at the show and after when that bag of papers, cards and more is sitting in the corner of the living room.

1. Know your goal.
   Are you just there to wander and get inspired? Amazing! Enjoy the experience, take photos of things you like, gather information, and generally have fun.
   Ready to start planning? You can see everything and collect info from everyone, but have 2-3 goals you have in mind. Maybe there is a certain decor style you are looking for. Or you want to lock in a photographer who makes you feel comfortable. Starting with 2-3 priority items that you are going to specifically look at, ask questions about, and maybe even make decisions on at the show or directly after helps you have a focus and not be completely overwhelmed.

2. Have a system.
   Got questions you want to ask but also don’t want to miss out on the infomation or giveaways? Ask each person attending to take on a roll. One person can carry the bag and collected all the printed materials. Another person can be in charge of entering you into all the giveaways and getting your show passport signed by each vendor as you stop by. This leaves you available to have real conversations with vendors.

3. Don’t Rely on your Memory.
   I say this with all the love in the world…it doesn’t matter how good your memory is, by the time you go through all the papers you bring home it’s going to be almost impossible to remember who was who at the show.
   But don’t worry - I have a simple fix for you!
   As you go around, most vendors are going to have you some kind of paper or card to take with you. If you love their work, have a great convo or want to circle back to something with them - use a pen/marker to add a star to the top right corner of their papers before it goes in your bag. (Stickers also work great for this is you want something a little more fun)
   This means whether you sift through your bag of goodies later that night or at the beginning of next month when you see it on the floor as you’re cleaning up for guests, you can create to piles (likes and the not so much/not so urgent) and have a smaller pile of vendors to consider and decisions to make knowing they already passed the vibe check.

No matter what, it’s important to remember one thing…this is supposed to be fun and exciting. Do your thing, make it fun for you and yours, and remember at the end of the day it’s your day so do it your way.

Here’s hoping I will see you at a bridal show here in London soon!

I’ll be the one with the crazy purple hair at the Rebecca Nash Photography booth or the Unmistakably You Boutique Wedding Coordination Booth (or if it’s a quiet moment at the London Bridal Expo…possibly playing in the aerial silks at the Elevation Entertainment booth)

Upcoming Bridal Shows your can find me at:

• London Bridal Expo (in the Unmistakably You Booth) - Jan 11th & 12th at the Convention Centre

• The Wedding Ring: London Wedding Expo - Feb 23rd at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn

• More to be announced as confirmed

Meet Rebecca

Rebecca is a London Ontario based photographer with crazy purple hair.
Rebecca Nash Photography specializes in Wedding Photography (photographing people in love), Branding Photography (photographing people who love what they do), and Feminine Portraits (photographing women who love who they are and who they are becoming).

Life is short, let’s celebrate every moment and every stage!