What to know before you attend a Bridal Show-Dunhill Tuxedos Bridal Blog

Before we know it, the fall season is going to hit us, then after that the new year will hit and all of our 2011 brides are going to realize “I’m getting married this year!” and go into full wedding detail mode.  Fall and Winter season also becomes the Bridal Show Season. If you are getting married anytime in the next 3 years, it is the best time in planning  to attend.  Go in with a clean slate and vendor shop.  Not only should you look at these functions as vendor shopping, but look as if it was outlet vendor shopping.  These shows are the vendor’s time to shine, to show you what they got and entice your booking by special savings and offers.  Here is some advice from us to you on the best tips and how to make the most out of your bridal show experience.

Enter every raffle

Most bridal shows have a bride’s raffle with prizes donated by the attending vendors.  Look for a sign up table when you enter, or find the DJ that is announcing the winners, he should know where to go.   Winners are called throughout or at the end of the night.  Enter! You never know what you could win and use.  Be a well behaved bride though and if you already have it booked or cannot use your prize, turn it back in for someone to win it that can.  This will add some good karma to your wedding planning and

See the product

This is a great time to survey the products and vendors to decide to whom to make a consultation appointment with.  If you really love someone, book an appointment there! It doesn’t hurt to book 2 or 3 of the same vendor category.  The bridal show can help you decide which vendors just aren’t for you. You can save your time by meeting with the vendors that flatter your wedding plans the most.

Bring return address labels with you

You might find yourself signing up for a lot of things at the show.  Instead of wasting minutes that you could be talking to other vendors by filling out your information again and again, bring return address labels with you and stick them on each form.  This will also eliminate hard to read handwriting on any entry forms so  you can sure to be a verified winner!

Take business cards from well liked vendors

There is a lot of hustle and bustle at bridal shows.  You will see, talk and hear from a lot of people.  It is very easy to forget or mix up who said what.  Ask the person’s name that you are talking to and grab a business card.  Hopefully that business card will help you remember the name that will trigger the face that told you all the great information.

Stay until the end

Parting gifts and last minute raffles are always a possibility.  Increase your chances of gaining some free stuff and put it in your wedding schedule to stay until the end.   Also, what a great night for you and your mom or you and your girls to get excited about your wedding! Plan a pre-show dinner or post-show drinks.  Just make sure and save room or any yummy samples!

Bring your groom

If he’s willing, bring your groom along.  There might be specials available as an incentive of the groom coming to the show.  He can get a first hand preview of the vendors/situations so there is no convincing or explaining needed later.  Some wedding planning can be fun to do as a couple, as you are making decisions together for the first time.  You know your groom and you know if bridal shows are for him or not.  If he’s in that not category, then have a fun night with the girls.

If you’re out of town, send your mom

Most vendors take mother of the bride’s just as serious as the brides.  Put mamma in charge of circling to gather up some info for you, don’t worry, we’re sure she’ll have an opinion about one or two of the vendors If you do go in person, try not to go around the system and have every bridesmaid, mom and maid of honor sign up as brides to increase your odds of winnings.  It may end up backfiring and the winnings will only be valid to your little sister that won’t even be engaged for another 5 years.   Playing by the rules will only up your chances of picture perfect weather on your wedding day!

We look forward to seeing you at Dunhill Tuxedos and Formal Accents Bridal Show Wednesday October 6^th 2010 at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana.  For Tickets call 219.365.0159 ($5.00 in advance, $10.00 at the door) and for upcoming Michigan Events please call one of our Michigan Locations for Details.

Until next time…..Happy Wedding Planning!