Tips For Attending A Wedding Fair

Wedding fairs are a fantastic opportunity to gather inspiration, discover new ideas, and connect with potential suppliers for your big day. However, they can also be overwhelming with so much to see and do. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the experience and make the most of your visit.

Before you go

Do your research

Don’t just turn up hoping for the best. Researching beforehand is crucial. Look online for upcoming wedding fairs in your area and check their websites or social media pages for a list of exhibitors. This will give you a good idea of the types of suppliers that will be present, such as photographers, wedding stationery designers, florists, venues, and bridal boutiques.

If you have specific suppliers in mind, see if they are attending. This targeted approach will save you time and ensure you focus on what’s important to you. Consider also looking at reviews of past fairs to get an idea of the scale and quality of the event.

Make a list of questions

Before you even set foot in the venue, sit down and brainstorm the questions you want to ask potential suppliers. This will help you stay focused and ensure you gather all the necessary information. For example, for a wedding stationery designer, you might want to ask about their style, packages, pricing, and availability. For a florist, you might ask about seasonal flowers, bouquet styles, and delivery options.

Having a pre-prepared list will prevent you from forgetting important details in the excitement of the fair. Organise your questions by supplier type to keep things streamlined.

Set a budget

It’s incredibly easy to get swept up in the excitement and beautiful displays at a wedding fair. Before you go, establish a realistic budget for your wedding and have a clear idea of how much you are willing to allocate to each aspect, such as the venue, catering, and entertainment.

This will help you avoid impulse bookings and prevent overspending. When talking to suppliers, be upfront about your budget and ask if they have options that fit within your price range. This will save both you and the supplier valuable time.

Wear comfortable shoes

You’ll be doing a lot of walking and standing at a wedding fair, often for several hours. Therefore, wearing comfortable shoes is essential. Choose shoes that you know you can wear for extended periods without getting blisters or sore feet. This will allow you to focus on the exhibitors and information rather than your discomfort. Avoid wearing brand-new shoes or high heels unless you are confident you can manage them.

Bring a bag

You’ll inevitably collect numerous brochures, leaflets, business cards, and samples throughout the day. Bringing a sturdy bag will help you keep everything organised and prevent you from losing important information. A tote bag or a reusable shopping bag works well. Consider bringing a separate small bag or wallet for business cards to keep them separate from larger brochures.

Create a separate email address

When you attend a wedding fair, you’ll likely be asked to provide your email address for various reasons, such as receiving brochures, special offers, or following up after a conversation. To avoid cluttering your personal inbox with wedding-related emails, consider creating a separate email address specifically for wedding planning.

This will help you keep everything organised and prevent important emails from getting lost among your personal correspondence. It also provides a clean break after the wedding, allowing you to easily close the account or filter out remaining emails.

At the fair

Arrive early

Arriving early has several advantages. Firstly, it allows you to beat the crowds and have more one-on-one time with the suppliers you are most interested in. Secondly, it gives you a chance to explore the entire fair at a more leisurely pace before it gets too busy. This is particularly useful for popular fairs where queues can form later in the day.

Talk to the suppliers

Don’t be shy! The suppliers are there to answer your questions and showcase their services. Engage in conversations, ask questions, and get a feel for their personality and style. This is a great opportunity to build rapport and see if you connect with them on a personal level, which is important when choosing suppliers for such a personal event. Don’t just collect brochures; take the time to have a proper chat.

Take notes

It’s easy to forget details after a busy day at a wedding fair. Taking notes on your phone or in a notebook will help you remember important information about each supplier, such as their pricing, availability, and any specific details you discussed. You can also jot down your initial impressions and whether you feel they would be a good fit for your wedding.

Collect business cards

Business cards are a convenient way to keep track of the suppliers you’ve spoken to. Collect cards from any suppliers you are interested in so you can easily contact them after the fair. Consider making notes on the back of the cards to remind yourself of specific details discussed.

Don’t be afraid to say no

You’re under no obligation to book any suppliers at the fair. If you’re not completely sure about something, it’s perfectly acceptable to politely decline and say you’ll consider it. Don’t feel pressured into making any decisions on the spot. It’s important to take your time and make informed choices.

Take breaks

Walking around a wedding fair can be tiring, both physically and mentally. Make sure you take regular breaks to rest, refuel, and process the information you’ve gathered. Find a quiet area to sit down, have a drink, and review your notes. This will help you stay focused and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.

Have fun!

Remember, planning your wedding should be an enjoyable experience. Relax, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the excitement of the fair. This is a great opportunity to get inspired and start visualising your big day.

After the fair

Review your notes

Once you get home, take some time to review your notes, brochures, and business cards. This will help you consolidate the information you gathered and make informed decisions about which suppliers you want to contact.

Contact your chosen suppliers

After reviewing everything, contact the suppliers you are most interested in. This could be via email, phone, or through their website. Be sure to mention that you met them at the wedding fair. This will help them remember your conversation.

Start planning your wedding!

With a wealth of new ideas and potential suppliers, you can now move forward with your wedding planning with renewed enthusiasm and direction.

Final Thoughts

By following these tips, you can ensure that your visit to a wedding fair is productive, enjoyable, and helps you take significant steps towards planning your perfect wedding. It will allow you to gather valuable information, connect with talented professionals, and ultimately bring your dream wedding to life. Remember to stay organised and focused, and most importantly, enjoy the process!

To view more of my wedding stationery work, including gift and card signs, RSVPs, save the dates, invitations, seating plans, welcome signs and so much more, please take a look at my website links below, Instagram or Facebook pages, or my Pinterest page:

Contact Inkspiration by Gabrielle

If you’re interested in having wedding stationery designed for your wedding day that truly reflects your unique love story, please get in touch with me today.