You’re engaged, congratulations! But you just don’t know where to start when it comes to planning your wedding. Bridal expos – like the Eynesbury Homestead Wedding Expo on Sunday 24th February – are a great place to start, but can be a little bit overwhelming.
My name is Candice Schkurat, director of Mackenzi Weddings and I am a wedding planner who has been planning her perfect wedding since the age of four. My fiancé Alex and I will be tying the knot at Eynesbury Homestead in February 2014. I thought I’d offer some tips from an industry expert on how to make the most of the expo experience.
Why is it important to attend wedding expos in your local area?
You should definitely go to as many wedding expos in your local area as you can! They are a great way to meet many different suppliers in one place at the one time. Attending expos can save you lots of research time and allows you to meet the supplier face to face, have a chat and get a feel for their work.
Wedding expos also offer lots of value; not only do they save you time, they also save you money, as many have specials and discounts that you can take advantage of on the day of the expo.
They also give you the opportunity find inspiration and gather new ideas!
Image by Andre Elhay via Mackenzi Weddings
What should you prepare before you go to an expo?
The beauty of wedding expos is that it doesn’t matter if you’ve never even opened a Bridal book and don’t know where to start – THIS is the best way to begin!
If you’ve just started planning your big day, just go for a wander, chat to people and collect information and ideas – enjoy a bit of sightseeing of suppliers! Get a feel for what’s out there and that’ll help you decide how, when and where you’d like to get married.
However, if you’ve got some plans in place then single out the particular suppliers that you need to book. Chat with them to see if they are right for your style and budget. Take their information home and look over it a few days later – if it still feels right, then book them!
It can be a tiring experience at bridal expos – what are your tips for having a fun day?
Why not make a day of it? Ask your Mum and bridal party to come along, have some lunch at the venue and take your time to take everything in. Sample the taste testers, drink a little champers and ask your group for their thoughts. If a supplier you’re interested in is busy chatting to another bride, grab their card and pop it in a safe place, you can always do a second lap or give the supplier a buzz after the expo.
Should you take your fiancé?
Ask your fiance if he would like to come with you. If he says yes, great, but if he says no don’t be offended! If he doesn’t want to come let him know that’s okay and ask if there are any suppliers (like cars) that he wants you to keep an eye out for, then make a day of it with the girls. You can always gather all the info from the suppliers, jump onto their websites and facebook pages with your fiance at home.
Any other advice for brides planning their big day at a wedding expo?
Organisation, thorough planning and an open mind is the key to a seamless and stunning day. Refer to your checklist timelines, research and above all ENJOY IT, have fun and stay true to heart!
Ms Gingham says: Great tips from Candice!
About Mackenzi Creations: Mackenzi Creations Wedding & Event Planning are here to wave the magic wand to create the PERFECT Wedding day you have always dreamed of.
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