After completing our first trade show as a vendor this weekend with Modern Elegance Events and attending several while planning a wedding, we know how stressful and overwhelming they can seem.

Bridal trade shows have many benefits, and shouldn’t be something to be afraid of! They give you an excellent opportunity to see local vendors, table styles, cake decorations and bridal gowns all in one place. With that in mind, here are a few tips on how to make the most of your trade show experience.

1. Make an email address specifically for your wedding, and print it on a page of address labels.
Almost every vendor will have a mailing list that you can sign up for to receive special offers, coupons and information on their company. By making a separate email account for your wedding, you will reduce an influx of spam in your everyday email, but still have an opportunity to save! The labels make it easy to just peal and stick on the sign up sheet, rather than writing your name and email address over and over (and saves time to check out the food samples!)

2. Know what you need, and what you don’t.
Before the show, go over your checklist and figure out what you already have for your wedding. Don’t waste time talking with vendors if you already have that item completed. It doesn’t hurt to look, but it will save you time to really hit the areas that you need information on.

3. Take business cards.
Vendors should have an ample supply of business cards and information to hand you. If you don’t have time to stop and talk, but still have questions, keep your business cards in a safe place and contact them later. You could even write down your question or comment on the back of the card so it’s easy to remember. If you see something you love but the vendor is busy with other brides, simply take the card and contact them at a later date to get more one on one time.

4. Make your way through in an orderly fashion so you get to see everything there is to offer.
Most trade shows set up their rooms in a way that you walk from one side to the other without the possibility of skipping anyone. Some shows, however, have multiple rooms that you have to navigate through in order to see all of the booths and products, so have a game plan and make sure you see each area of the show. You might miss out on a gem of a vendor if you don’t!

5. Ask questions.
If you like a product or service, but aren’t sure about some details, please ask questions! These vendors are the experts of their field, and are there to help you. If you want something other than what they have on display, there is a definite chance that they can still accommodate you!

6. Enter the Giveaways!
Even if you never win at contests, there are usually fantastic prizes given away at trade shows. It never hurts to throw your name in the bucket!

7. Have fun!
The whole point of the show is to make you excited for your upcoming wedding. Take a deep breath, look around, and enjoy yourself. Even if you feel overwhelmed, just realize that this is only the beginning of the planning process, and you don’t have to buy everything all at once. This is just an opportunity for you to start realizing your dream wedding and figuring out what you want on your special day.

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