Planning a wedding but don’t know where to begin? A bridal show can be a great place to find out about all the top local vendors in your area, get style ideas, and check out the latest bridal gowns, veils, and bridal jewelry. These tips will help you learn how to use a bridal show as a great wedding planning resource.

There are many fantastic bridal shows around the country. For Southern brides, a show like the Southern Bridal Show has long been a part of their wedding planning experience; if you live elsewhere, you can locate shows by doing an Internet search, asking your bridal salon, and reading local wedding magazines. Many shows will offer discount pricing on advance ticket sales as well as special gifts to pre-registered brides, so it is often worthwhile to purchase your tickets ahead of time.

Most brides will bring along their moms and perhaps a bridesmaid. Bridal shows are often quite inclusive, featuring vendors from every facet of a wedding, including caterers, bakers, bridal jewelry stores, gown salons, musicians, limos, and more. You will want to allow adequate time to take it all in without being rushed, so wear your most comfortable shoes, and unless your fiance is really into the wedding planning, leave him home. If you feel rushed, you might miss something.

So what really goes on at a bridal show? Well, there are countless vendors there, representing every aspect of wedding planning. You will also find bridal registry specialists, honeymoon planners, and much more. For many brides, one of the most fun parts of a bridal show is the tasty samples offered by bakers and caterers. Most shows also have hourly runway shows featuring the hottest trends in wedding gowns, bridal jewelry and accessories, bridesmaid dresses, and more. The fashion shows are undoubtedly one of the highlights of the event. Not only are they a lot of fun to watch, it is a great way to get inspiration for your own wedding attire.

To get the most from any wedding show, it helps to be prepared. Definitely bring along pens, a notebook, and a folder to collect business cards from the vendors you meet with. There are usually numerous prize drawings to enter at a bridal show where you can win all sorts of gifts, perhaps even a free honeymoon! A very clever thing to do is to print out a bunch of cards with your name, address, phone number, email address, and wedding date on them to drop into the boxes for drawings. Less time spent filling out entry forms at the show means more time to sample cakes!

If at all possible, try to have a wedding date set before attending a bridal show. The reason is that some vendors may offer a special rate for brides who book their services during the event. Be sure to bring along your checkbook for deposits in case you fall in love with a caterer or a florist and want to reserve them on the spot. Without a doubt, you can get a lot of legwork done in one afternoon at a bridal show, making it one of the best resources for brides.

Author Bio: Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about wedding planning, etiquette, and style. You will love the exquisite collection of bridal jewelry at http://silverlandjewelry.com/. All jewelry orders over $99 receive complimentary shipping.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: bridal jewelry, bridal shows, Southern Bridal Show, wedding planning