10 Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Local Wedding Show

Getting Married? Attend A Bridal Show!

From photographers, favors and food to cutting-edge fashions and flowers, wedding shows bring together vendors covering every facet of weddings, each vying to show off their latest wares and woo brides-to-be.

If you are attending a bridal show, here are some tips for making the experience really work for you:

1.            Going to a Bridal Show is a great way to gather information without the hassle of driving hundreds of miles to get information. It is all in one place at one time for a nominal fee and time expenditure.

BENEFIT: You could find the perfect vendor, service or product for your wedding!

2.            Be prepared to wait in line to register. Be patient! This is well worth it. Many times this is how you are entered into the drawings for incredible prizes that both the show producer and the individual vendors are giving away.

BENEFIT: You could win something fabulous!

3.            Bring pre-printed self-adhesive address labels (You know like those that you receive in the mail all the time!) Or make your own --- every word processing app has a simple labels program. Remember to include your email address. This will save you a lot of time and allow you to sign up for anything you want very quickly.

BENEFIT: Your name and address can be read by the exhibitor you want to get more information from. [IDEA---set up a Hot or G-Mail account to use all during your wedding planning phase---that way you always know that the message is in reference to YOUR wedding!]

4.            Bring your checkbook if you want to actually book any services, or hold dates with a deposit. Be sure to check on refund policies before giving any money, and read the contract carefully before signing. BENEFIT: Take advantage of show specials.

5.            Collect any information you are interested in --- take it home to look over again when you have some quiet time.

BENEFIT: You get all this information under one roof in one day.

6.            This is your opportunity to see exactly how a vendor that you’re interested in does their work. You can sample. See the latest. You can get a feel whether you want to do business with a particular vendor. Be aware of the neatness and organization of the booth and the dress of the exhibitor.

BENEFIT: You get face time with many vendors and get an idea if you can work with them. And, if not, NEXT!

7.            Compare prices and services. Because there are often multiple vendors for a particular service, you can make comparisons right on the spot.

BENEFIT: Shop for price AND service.

8.            Be prepared to wear a “Bride-to-Be” sticker/or identification to receive special attention from the vendors.

BENEFIT: Get treated like the princess that you are!

9.            It is nice if your fiancé attends with you, IF he is interested. About 30% do attend, so he wonít be the only one there!

BENEFIT: He can look too, and you'll get his input. The number of grooms-to-be at Northern California shows has increased this past year.

10. It can be a really enjoyable day for you and your wedding party, mother, and/or groom-to-be. Take the person the person whose opinion and judgment you value the most.

BENEFIT: Make it a day out with the girls! Compare notes. Divide up the show and get different ideas from all over the showcase from many different vendors.

Meet The Wedding Lady at the Sunday August 15, 2010 Chico Bridal Showcase. Learn about Wedding Wishes 2011. 

Want to know more about all the bridal shows in Northern California, visit: http://www.weddingsnorthvalley.com/eventsshows.html The Wedding Lady recommends that you go to as many of them as your schedule allows. It's all part of the wedding planning fun!

Couple Planning Their Wedding Need "Due Diligence"

It seems that a lot is changing in the world of wedding planning, some of it good and some bad. The current economy is causing many brides and grooms to purchase items and services they need for their wedding much closer to the wedding date than most experts would recommend. Some of this is being fostered by the fact that they don’t have the money yet and some because there are fears about whether a business will still be in business on the day of their wedding.

Waiting too late to book a reception location or the photographer, florist and cake company of your choice may also have negative consequences in the fact that the company may not be available for you or they may not have the proper time to prepare everything you want for the wedding.

I would suggest these options over waiting to the last minute to book the vital services you need.
• First and foremost, do your “due diligence”. Research the companies you are interested in by checking with Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and asking other wedding professionals or friends for references. Ask the company for references. (According to Wikipedia “Due Diligence is a term used for a number of concepts involving either the performance of an investigation of a business or person, or the performance of an act with a certain standard of care. It can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commonly apply to voluntary investigations.” )
• Look for companies that are listed by professional associations such as WeddingsNorthValley.com (only Bride and Wedding Expert-recommended professionals are listed).
• After you have found the company you want to do business with, book as early as possible and see what kind of payment plans they can offer you. Let them know you would like to do business with them, what your budget is and see what they can do for you within your budget.
• Don’t be a bridezilla! Most professional companies will do the best they can to work with you, but telling them that if they don’t meet a certain price you will go elsewhere is not the best approach.
• If the price is too good to believe, buyer beware!
There are a lot more wedding professionals who want to make sure you have the best wedding possible who will treat you with honesty and integrity than the type you have to avoid. So whether you find your vendors at a bridal show, online, or in a wedding magazine, just check them out before hiring them and you will be able to move forward with peace of mind and look forward to a truly memorable wedding experience.
Yes, there are a few horror stories out there, but there are many more beautiful wedding days you never hear about!

The best way to start is at The DAZZLING Wedding Show on Sunday, October 18th at Rolling Hills Casino Resort. You will be able to interview the best wedding professionals all under one roof in an elegant afternoon of wedding planning.



Are there other bridal shows out there to attend? By all means attend them if you can, but if you only have time to visit one, make it the DAZZLING Wedding Show.

We look forward to seeing all the Northern California brides and grooms at the DAZZLING Wedding & Event Show!