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  Tips for the bride & groom
 

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To Optimize Your Wedding Show Experience, here are a few tips for attending a bridal show:

Preparing For The Show
  • Pre-register on-line.
  • If you pre-register you will gain faster entry as we will have all your information on hand.
    You will just need to receive a name tag, goodie bag and door prize slip
  • Print address labels with your name, phone number, e-mail address and wedding date. This will save you time and allow you to sign up for anything very quickly.
  • Research what you would like your wedding to be like. Bring samples, pictures, drawings, etc. This will help the wedding professional you are interested in better service you.
  • Bring a pen and print very clearly when registering for anything.
  • Bring your checkbook if you want to actually book any services, or hold dates with a deposit. Be sure to check on refund policies before giving any money, and read the contract carefully before signing.
  • Collect any information you are interested in - take it home to look over again when you have some quiet time.
  • If you are out of town, send your mother or friend to register you for prizes and collect information on services you need.
  • Be prepared to wear a "Bride-to-be" sticker to receive special attention from the vendors.
  • It is nice if your fiancé attends with you IF he is interested. About 30% do attend, so he won't be the only one there!

Day of Show

  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
  • Be prepared to wait in line to register. Be patient! This is well worth it !
  • Check the schedule as to when the doors open for your event. You will want to be there no later than that time to get registered.
  • Before you enter the exhibition area, pick up a show guide if you do not already have one. You will also be given a check sheet to mark those services you have reserved and which ones you still need.
  • Plan on spending plenty of time with each wedding professional you do not already have reserved for your wedding to allow you to make informed decisions.
  • Collect all information you can about each wedding professional there.

Who to Bring?
  • Bring both mothers. Your mother is your biggest supporter and in many cases the mothers will be behind the budget.
  • Bring your bridal party. Most notable your maid of honor. She is the one helping you make many decisions.
  • Bring your groom (if he is interested). He can help you decided on many options.

What to Bring?
  • Cameras of any kind are not allowed.
  • A pen and notebook. There will be many different unique designs that you may want to take notes on such as dress designer, style of a tux, a certain wedding/reception decoration and so forth.
  • Samples of anything you have already decided on for your wedding. This includes swatches, pictures, drawings, notes, etc.
  • Bring your checkbook. Our exhibitors will not be able to take credit cards or cash. If you find a business you would like to reserve, it is handy to be able to go ahead and pay the deposit. This makes for a much simpler time for you and your wedding professional of choice.

On-Site Registration

  • You will be asked to register at the door. Please give accurate information.
  •  Upon registration you will be handed a bag to carry all the information from the show.
  • There will be show program (free of charge) for you to pick up.
  • You will be given a door prize card that must be completely filled out in order to register for door prizes. Door prizes will be drawn at the end of the show
  • The only persons allowed to register for prizes are the bride or in case the bride is unable to attend, the mother of the bride.

After The Show

  • Purchase a 3-ring binder and put all the information you obtained at the show in it.
  • Categorize your information into sections.
  • Use the show guide or this website to help you after the show
    •
  • When talking with wedding professionals you met at the show, let them know you saw them at the show.
 

  

 

    

        Wedding Check list.      

 

One Year Or More Before Wedding

  • Announce your engagement to family and friends
  • Introduce both sets of parents, if you have not already
  • Select a wedding date, time a possible alternate date
  • Determine the style, size and degree of formality of your wedding
  • Check with your clergyman to determine any pre-marital requirements
  • Reserve the church, temple or ceremony site.
  • Plan the reception and book location as soon as wedding date is set.
  • Hire a caterer, if not included with reception site. Discuss menu.
  • Discuss how expenses will be shared with all relevant parties
  • Enjoy your engagement party and promptly send thank you notes for gifts received

Nine To Twelve Months Before The Wedding

  • Announce your engagement in the newspaper
  • Reserve your photographer and video-grapher
  • Choose the musicians, soloists and review music selection for ceremony/reception
  • Schedule ballroom dancing lessons
  • Determine the number of guests for your family, his family, your friends, his friends and their friends
  • Shop for your wedding dress and accessories. Schedule fittings and delivery date when buying or ordering
  • Select a travel agent and start planning for your honeymoo

Six to Nine Months Before the Wedding

  • Select and order bridesmaids dresses and schedule fittings and delivery date.
  • Arrange for limousines or other transportation.
  • Select and reserve florist and discuss color scheme.
  • Register your preferences with the bridal registries of your favorite stores.
  • Begin shopping for the formal wear for the groom and male attendants.

Four to Six Months Before the Wedding

  • Check requirements marriage licenses.

  • Select and order wedding rings.

  • Ask both mothers to coordinate and select their dresses.
  • Complete your guest list. (There should be no abbreviations).
  • Order invitations and stationery, such as direction cards and wedding programs.
  • Reserve rental supplies such as Bird cage, Mail box, wedding cake box.
  • Purchase gifts for wedding attendants and look for favors for guests.
  • Purchase accessories, such as toasting goblets, cake knives, flower girl basket, garter, ring pillow, candles, guest book and pen, etc.
  • Engage a calligrapher to address invitations, envelopes & write place cards.
  • Select baker and order wedding cake and groom's cake.
  • Finalize honeymoon details and make reservations.
  • Apply for a visa or passport, and travel vaccinations 
  • Ensure that all bridal attire has been ordered.
  • Experiment with hairstyle and cut, if your doing your own hair.
  • Begin shopping for your trousseau

Two to Three Months Before the Wedding

  • Send wedding announcements to the newspaper.
  • Reserve accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests.
  • Choose the men's wedding attire. Be sure the sizes are correct.
  • You or your calligrapher should start addressing invitation envelopes.
  • Mail invitations six weeks before the wedding.
  • Assist the groom's mother with making reservations and finalizing rehearsal dinner details.
  • Finalize details with florist, photographer, videographer, musicians and baker.
  • Set the date and time for the rehearsal with the officiate.
  • Schedule a formal bride portrait appointment.
  • Choose a responsible person to attend to your guest book.
  • Make an appointment with hairdresser and makeup artist, if you are to have it done for you

Four to Six Weeks Before the Wedding

  • Invitations should have been mailed out by now.
  • Mail thank-you notes for shower gifts.
  • Get your blood test and apply for marriage license.
  • Have your final wedding dress fitting.
  • Have the final fittings for your wedding attendants.
  • Purchase a gift for your future spouse.
  • Have attendants' parties.
  • Finalize decor, food and beverage menu with the caterer.
  • Purchase going away outfit.

Two to Three Weeks Before the Wedding

  • Finalize a time schedule of the day with your wedding consultant.
  • Contact guests who have not returned respond cards.
  • Address and stamp wedding announcements to be mailed on your wedding day.
  • Arrange name change on documents for business, banking, insurance, etc.
  • Send change of address notice to post office.
  • Order travelers checks for honeymoon, if needed.
  • Pick up wedding rings; check to make sure they fit and engraving inscriptions are correct.
  • Meet with photographer. Give him/her a list of special events or props you want in the videotape.
  • Meet with the entertainer and give him/her a list of the music to be played during special events such as bouquet and garter tossing.
  • Continue writing thank-you notes for gifts received.

One to Two Weeks Before the Wedding

  • Write or have calligrapher do the place cards or a reception seating chart.
  • Provide the caterer with the final guest count and seating arrangements.
  • Confirm honeymoon reservations, pick up tickets and travelers checks.
  • Assign tasks for your wedding day; written out for each wedding party attendant.
  • Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits properly.
  • Finalize details of transportation for out-of-town guests and wedding day

One Week Before the Wedding

  • Continue writing thank you notes for gifts received.
  • Pack your suitcase for your honeymoon.
  • Fill labeled envelops with gratuities for wedding day.
  • Make sure you have your wedding license.
  • Wrap gifts for bridesmaids and ushers

One or Two Days Before the Wedding

  • Rehearse wedding ceremony with all participants in attendance.
  • Attend rehearsal dinner.
  • Give the best man the officiates fee and instruct him to deliver on the wedding day.
  • Give your gifts to the wedding attendants.
  • Pick up rentals for wedding and reception.
  • Get a good night's sleep the night before your wedding day.
  • Get a manicure.
  • Choose a responsible person to return rentals after the wedding and pick up the deposit for each rental.

On the Wedding Day

  • Remain calm and try to relax; perhaps with a long bath
  • Remember to bring the wedding rings and marriage license.
  • Check with florist to be sure that flowers will be delivered on time.
  • Apply makeup and style your hair, or have it done professionally.
  • Start dressing two hours before the ceremony.
  • If pictures are to be taken before the ceremony, the wedding party should be ready about two hours before the ceremony.
  • Mail or have someone mail the wedding announcements.
  • Have music start about twenty minutes before the ceremony begins.
  • Have guest seated as they arrive.
  • Enjoy your wedding and SMILE.

After the Wedding

  • Have bridal gown professionally cleaned and preserved.
  • Write and mail all thank you notes as soon as possible.

                                                                                 

 
   
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