The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show is only a week away, and I’ve been busy getting ready.
If you are a bride you should definitely plan to attend. Just sampling the different caterers’ offerings is worth the price of admission. Tickets are $5 in advance and can be purchased here. Tickets are $7 at the door.
This is a huge bridal fair, and if you are planning a wedding it can be overwhelming. A little preparation can make the bridal fair much more relaxing.
Thankfully, this year the people at the Democrat-Gazette have made it easier by launching the Arkansas’ Bridal Community website.
The first thing to do is to get a vendor map, which can be downloaded here. Print that baby out; you will need it later. Then, check out the “Resources” page for a list of vendors that will be at the bridal fair. Focus on the vendors that you still need to book. Visit as many websites as you can to see who might interest you. If you like someone’s website highlight or circle their booth on the vendor map so you can be sure to visit for a closer look.
Before the bridal fair, get some of those little address labels from an office supply store — the kind that have templates you can download to create your own. Include your name, phone, email, wedding date and possibly address. Take at least one sheet of labels to the bridal fair. Many booths have giveaways and you can use these stickers instead of laboriously filling out form after form.
Oh, and don’t forget to leave your information with the vendors who you might be interested in.
Using your vendor map, plan your route. Most of the time the crowds all seem to go the same direction. If you focus on the vendors who interest you, you may be able to avoid the worst crowds and get some one-on-one time with the vendors.
Plan to take a friend or your mom, or even all your bridesmaids. It’s easier when you have another person’s opinion, company, and another pair of hands.
Wear comfortable shoes. You may be standing in line for a while before you even get in the door.
If you really don’t love crowds, and you are wanting to get down to business with your wedding planning, don’t come early — come late. The crowds tend to taper off after the first couple of hours and it will be easier to get around, to talk to people and to maybe even get some vendors booked for your wedding!
Don’t forget your checkbook. You might just fall in love with a particular band, wedding venue, videographer or photographer. In that case, you will want to reserve your date then and there since these folks can typically only book one wedding a day.
Have fun, and I hope to see you there!
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