With over 20 years in the wedding photography industry I have experienced my fair share of Bridal Expos.
More than any bride would ever want to see! So here are my insider tips for survival.
The Happiest Day Of Your Life We are all sold this dream.
We are repeatedly told it is your day so do what you want.
it sounds great until we are actually there planning for our wedding.
Suddenly everyone with a vested interest - family, friends - has an opinion.
Instead of being our happiest day it becomes a planning nightmare of compromise and guilt.
It doesn't have to be.
Weddings are about love.
Focus on the day being you and your husband or wife sharing a declaration of love with people you love.
When you can focus on the day being about love you are able to more happily wear compromises.
Life is not a fairy tale.
It requires give and take.
There will always be times we get carried away and lose sight of what's real so the first step to bridal expo survival is to list the qualities that will make your day the expression of love you want it to be..
Expo Planning When you know what is important to you in your day then you can start the planning.
So before you head out to any bridal expo it is essential you have a plan.
Be prepared! All of the brides you'll encounter on the day will be at different stages of preparation from newly engaged to almost married and every stage in between.
It is important therefore to get the best from the expo that you have a plan.
Whether you are just doing a look, see for initial ideas, or searching for a specialist service.
Make a list of what you want to achieve, questions to answer, questions to ask - if its for a venue have a list such as cost per head what is included and what is extra, numbers the venue holds etc.
That way on the day you have a handy reference point and can just fill in the blanks.
Dress for Success Wear comfortable clothes.
Wear layers that are easy to carry.
These venues can be hot or cold or any temperature in between.
Most important of all wear comfortable shoes.
Shoes you can walk miles in because you will be standing, and walking for hours.
Often the floors are hard so have something with cushioning to take the wear off your knees.
This is one time you need to think about dress and shoes like a man - comfort comes first! Be Expo Selective Take people you want to be there and who want to be there.
If people want to come but aren't your supporters or don't share your vision it ruins your day.
You don't need your wedding to be a ball of stress.
If you want people to come but they aren't really keen - again don't force the issue.
They'll be unhappy, that'll make you unhappy and again you won't get the most from the day.
The Bridal Expo should be fun and exciting.
Take people who will share that with you.
On the flipside - be honest.
If a bridal expo is your worst nightmare and you can't pull off a happy, supportive and interested mood for the day offer your bride a way out.
Brides if this is for the benefit of bridesmaids and/or mothers but you just can't do it - be honest.
Be polite but be honest.
One great strategy is to give them a plan and a task.
Send them out as a leader with a very important job to do for you.
Explain how helpful it would be if they went.
How much you'd appreciate their going and information gathering for you while you do something else! Everyone loves to feel important, special and involved.
Expo Attack Strategy Before you enter look at the map.
Who is there, where they're located and who you most want to see.
Plan your strategy and approach.
Once inside the crowd can be overwhelming - it can be hard to find what you want.
So take those valuable few moments to get familiar first.
When you do this well you won't be sidetracked.
You won't be trapped into questioning the decisions you've already made.
You won't be tempted to change your mind.
You will be ready to seek out the people you need to see and get the information you need to get.
If you are looking for a wedding photographer for example you need only go searching the photography stands.
If only for cake ideas then only the cake people.
Then go get 'em! Only Sign Up For Things You Want Be discerning.
You are the bride, you are the customer at the event.
Feel free to enter every competition you want.
However if you are speaking with someone who wants to take your details but you already know they are not what you want - you are under no obligation.
Be polite but don't sign if you don't want it.
Stay Hydrated You aren't a camel.
You need water and food.
So be prepared and stay well watered and fed.
These can be intense, long, draining days - you'll need all the energy you can get! Have Fun There is something to laugh about in every situation.
So find the funny side and laugh your way through the day as you gather the information you need.