The Dos and Don’ts of attending a wedding fair

Wedding fairs are a great opportunity to check out a myriad of wedding options and meet consultants in one place - you'll save time and effort compared to sussing out and emailing individual vendors on your own. Plus, you'll also get to glean tons of inspiration, as well as score great deals, freebies and prizes that can help add up to your savings. But how can you make the most of your trip?

See what went down at our recent wedding fair, which took place at VivoCity in March!

DO

Go with your spouse-to-be

Especially if it's your first bridal fair experience. After all, you'll be needing to make joint decisions and it''ll definitely be exciting to check out all the options with your partner. 

If your partner's unable to make it, consider bringing one companion with you (preferably a level-headed bridesmaid or family member) - just in case you make impulse purchases you may regret later on.

Organise your visit 

Have a look at which vendors will be present at show. This will also streamline your visit and ensure you won't be overwhelmed by the plethora of exhibitors. Especially if it's a large-scale show, visiting too many booths can befuddle and drain you. Make a list of your narrowed-down choices (for venues, cut out the ones who are out of your budget and can't accommodate your guest list.)

Do your homework

Email suppliers before the show to get an idea of package prices, and what their standard or usual packages entail. This way, you'll know if you've scored a good deal at the event.

Prep a list of questions to ask, and check through portfolios, forums and reviews, too. (See also: 10 of our real couples share their best wedding planning tips)

Decide on your budget

You don't need to sort out a specific budget for every aspect of your wedding at this point, especially if you're still in the initial stages of wedding planning. 

Having an overall budget in mind, however, makes it easier to break down exactly how much you can allocate per supplier after speaking to them. 

Image: Her World Brides

Know who you are speaking to

As much as possible, try to speak to a key person who will be handling your wedding. For example, you'll want to speak to the hotel's wedding coordinator or a wedding photographer, instead of their assistants - the person who approached you may also just be helping out at the booth for the event. Even if the key consultant is busy with another customer, it's worth waiting a while to get a better overview and insight of how the vendor will be handling your celebration. Remember to also get his or her contact. 

Have everything written down in black and white

Don't count on verbal agreements. What has been discussed during the event should be noted down in black and white, lest it becomes a 'he says, she says' situation. As highlighted in the point above, some consultants may be hired specially for the event. To safeguard yourself, have all the agreed points noted down in the invoice. 

DON'T

Get caught up with the perks

Wedding fairs are great for snapping up fantastic deals, promotions and prizes. But as tempting as the offers probably are, don't make impulse decisions. One common mistake: purchasing a cheap wedding package deal at a show without checking out the gown and suit selections, only for the couple to have trouble finding outfits they actually like at the boutique. 

Be sure the vendor's services meets your brief, vision and budget, and most importantly, that you're comfortable communicating with them.

Be embarrassed to ask questions and find out about discounts

Your wedding's one of the biggest days (and probably most expensive) of your life, so details matter. If the consultant isn't interested in answering your queries, brush you off or give vague answers even at this inital stage, it's a red flag that they're not keen on helping you create a memorable day, and only in your business. (See also: Lessons learnt: A real bride on protecting yourself when working with a wedding vendor)

While most vendors offer on-site promos and discounts, don't be afraid to ask if they're able to extend it to you after the show since you'll need a few days to ponder over it - they actually might!

Feel obligated to give out your contact information to everyone

Want to receive dozens of follow-ups or calls when you're at work or already stressing out during wedding planning? No? We thought so too. Don't feel like you have to dish out your contact to everyone - just the ones you've zero-ed in on.

See also: APRIL 2019: THE TOP WEDDING SHOWS AND EVENTS TO CATCH THIS MONTH

Cover image: tsezarina/123rf.com