Tips on Preparing to Attend a Wedding Expo

With the Hawaii World Class Wedding Expo coming up this Friday and Saturday at the Hawaii Convention Center, I thought it only apropos to share these great tips on preparing to attend a wedding expo from Pamela Ann Noxon, Producer of The Wedding Party Bridal Show (in San Diego).

• Plan to spend a few hours at the show. Collecting literature is great but the real benefit of the show is talking with wedding professionals about their ideas and capabilities for your wedding.

• Open a temporary P.O. Box and/or email address to provide to vendors. If you really don't want offers and information coming to your home and email addresses, provide these when filling out contest entry forms and inquiry sheets. When the wedding is over you can simply cancel the accounts and avoid any further wedding related information. Reserve your "real" e-mail address for vendors you actually contract for your wedding to be sure you stay connected.
  

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. The odds are you'll be on your feet for several hours, and uncomfortable shoes are not the best option.
  

• Slow down! The entire point of [attending an expo] is to give you and the wedding professionals eager to help you the time and respectful environment you need to get to know what you want, who you want and to ask questions, and get a lot of research done in one place. Don't just blow through and grab paperwork as you will never remember what card went with whom.

• We love kids but you might consider leaving small children at home as they can tire quickly and derail you from your mission of finding vendors and ideas for your wedding.

• Don't come alone. Bringing your fiancé, mom and friends to the bridal show will help them feel involved and also will give you a chance to bounce ideas back and forth. And there really is something for everyone...!

• Prepare some contact labels. Vendors will often have awesome drawings for prizes at their booths. Instead of having to fill out multiple forms with your contact info, prepare some electronic labels before the bridal show. Information to include: your name, address, phone number, email address, and wedding date. Avery 5160 (30 per page) are easy to complete labels on any word processor.

• When filling out forms make sure to print VERY clearly. You'd hate to miss out on a spectacular prize because they couldn't read your handwriting!

• Bring your date book so you can schedule appointments for follow up and a notebook and pen so you can take notes. Prepare for information overload. When you find a vendor you would like to follow up with, take a pen and write what struck you as appealing about them in your notebook or on their card or literature. When you get home and are faced with brochures from 14 different photographers, your note may be the only thing you have to remember which ones you liked and why. Also, write down any good tips they may have given you on their literature to help you remember who was knowledgeable and helpful.

• Visit every vendor regardless of whether you need their services or not. Many vendors can tell you other people they work with and who they recommend. Take the literature or brochure they are handing out. Even if you think you have no use for their services, it's better to have it in hand in the event you change your mind.

• Ask lots of questions. The show is filled with the finest wedding professionals and experts, so take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as you can.

• Sign up for all the giveaways. Some vendors give discounts for their services, but more have been giving prizes... And yes, you'll get stuff in the mail, but it'll be worth it. Many vendors will send you coupons, offers, discounts and just great information that you can use to plan your wedding.

Mahalo, Pamela, for sharing these wonderful tips, perfect for anyone attending a wedding expo. For those interested in this weekend's Hawaii World Class Wedding Expo, tickets are $8.00 and may be purchased at the expo.

Hawaii Convention Center
1801 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, O'ahu

Friday, October 7, 2011
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fashion Show: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 8, 2011
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fashion Show: 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy the show!