Why should you go to a wedding show? Planning a wedding is exciting, and at IDY, we love providing readers like you with inspiration and information to help you plan your big day. Like you, we get many of our ideas from blogs, websites, social media and weddings our readers send us (submit yours here!).
With so much information available online, it may be tempting to book everything you need from the comfort of your couch. But, take it from us: that could be a disaster. In this week’s Wedding Show 101, we explain the importance of meeting your vendors first.
For example, when searching for the perfect event spaces for your big day, it’s important to tour multiple locations. This will help you get a better idea of what type of venue you’re looking for and allow you to narrow down your choices. You want to make sure it’s the right vibe and that the venue is large enough to hold all your guests.
It is so convenient to research wedding professionals by scrolling through Instagram or following their boards on Pinterest. And you don’t even have to put on real pants!
However, what you see on a beautifully designed website or frequently updated social media account does not necessarily mean a wedding vendor is a good fit. Before you put down a non-refundable deposit, we recommend that you…
…Meet Them First!
Talking with wedding professionals face to face allows you to:
- make a personal connection with the vendor
- directly communicate your visions for your big day
- gauge their willingness to listen and interpret your needs
- learn more about how your potential vendor conducts business, and
- see examples of their work up close
Are you too busy to even think about managing multiple appointments and coordinating your schedule with your future spouse? Good news: attending a local wedding show is the most efficient way to meet with multiple vendors in a single day without disrupting your schedules.
One of IDY’s most valuable resources is the relationship we have with hundreds of wedding professionals whose fingers are on the pulse of the latest wedding trends. From beauty to backdrops, these pros make it their business – literally – to make your wedding your best day ever. Amazing wedding professionals like these are available to meet with you at local wedding shows.
Larger VS Boutique Shows
Larger shows, like the Gulf Coast Wedding Show and the ones described in the video above, bring lots of wedding vendors together under one roof during an all-day event. These shows may include a runway fashion show, live performers and other features to entertain and inspire a larger crowd.
Boutique shows usually take place in smaller venues to create a more intimate atmosphere. These smaller events often take place during the evening (think date night!) and allow couples to spend more one-on-one time with an exclusive selection of wedding professionals.
Both give attendees the opportunity to talk directly with vendors, see their work in person, and fit a lot of planning into one exciting day. Bring your mom, your fiance and entire wedding party or grab your closest girlfriends for a fun day together!
Search your local area for upcoming wedding shows. January is the busiest time for larger wedding expos, but you can find smaller. boutique events throughout the year. Shows sponsored by I Do Y’all can be found on our social media or Eventbrite.
It is easy to get distracted by all the inspiration at a wedding show, so manage your time carefully. We’ll talk more about how to do this in an upcoming Wedding Show 101.
After all, planning your wedding should be fun! The more you know, the more prepared (and less stressed) you’ll feel when it comes time to make those final decisions.
See also: Wedding Show 101: What is it?
