Catering Tips: Attending a Bridal Show

2009 Georgia Bridal Show

Bridal shows are a wonderful one-stop shop for a wide variety of wedding vendors in any given area. If you are planning a destination wedding, this is an especially valuable, time-saving tool, as you can cut the number of times you need to visit the area to secure all of your vendors.

Bridal shows are an exciting experience, albeit a little overwhelming if you're not prepared, so we've compiled a list of advice for gaining the most out of one:

• Do some pre-show research. Find out which vendors will be at the show you are attending. Many shows now have Twitter accounts and interact with the vendors attending in your area. Follow companies like the Elite Bridal Events, which hosts the Georgia Bridal Show, to see who's attending and which booths you'll want to visit first.
• Bring help, but not too many people. Ask a second (and maybe third) trusted person to go with you, which will allow you to cover more booths and speak with more vendors. This will also help you later to remember everything you learned. An entourage of five additional people, however, can become confusing quickly. 
• Plan to be there the entire time it's open. Pre-register and arrive early to secure a good spot in line,and stay until the end so you can visit every vendor and ask every question you want.
• Bring a notebook, pen, address labels, and checkbook/credit card. Make lists of pertinent questions in each category before you go, so you can fill in the answers from each vendor you meet. For vendors hosting drawings, affix your address labels pre-printed with your name, address, phone number, email address, and wedding date to entry forms to save time and allow you to concentrate on finding all the information you need. Bring your checkbook or credit card to place deposits on vendors you are 100% POSITIVE you want to book on the spot. (Once you put down a deposit, stop looking at vendors in that category.)
• Have a budget in mind for each vendor category. Do not waste time at vendors who do not fit into your price range. Doing so will only lead to heartbreak later.
• Have fun! This is a special time in your life, so enjoy every aspect of it. Wedding vendors are a helpful bunch who are there to do everything they can to help you realize all of your wedding dreams.

Visit Paul Kennedy Catering Sunday, September 19, at the Georgia Bridal Show in Savannah.