Wedding fairs

Wedding fairs are an opportunity for wedding suppliers and businesses to showcase their products and services, and for couples to get an idea of the possibilities for their wedding and to meet with vendors.

It’s true that you can do a lot of research on the internet these days for your wedding and plan things by phone and email. However, this is no substitute for meeting wedding professionals face to face and gaining a rapport with them.

You will find everything you need at a wedding fair including cakes, photographers, entertainers and caterers.

Benefits of wedding fairs

Meeting the vendors at a wedding fair enables couples to get to know them a little better and get an idea whether they are on the same wavelength regarding wedding ideas.

Having all the wedding professionals under one roof at a wedding fair can actually save time, and makes it easier to compare what different vendors are offering.

Actually seeing products and services for yourself at a wedding fair will give you a much clearer and more realistic idea of what you want for your wedding. Seeing a dress on a website is one thing, at a wedding fair you will be able to feel the fabric and see the way a dress looks and moves when on a model. You can also get demonstrations for example of a magic act or band.

Attending a wedding fair will allow you to ask vendors questions face to face, for example how much services will cost or the possibilities for any adjustments or special requests for your wedding.

There are often lots of freebies and competition giveaways at wedding fairs. You should take advantage of this and could even come away with some free products or services for your wedding.

Getting the best out of wedding fairs

You will probably get the most out of attending a wedding fair if you take someone else along. This could be your partner, bridesmaids, your best friend or your mum for example. Bringing someone along with you to the wedding fair will give the added benefit of a second opinion and also allow you to cover more stalls.

Allow yourself plenty of time to browse the wedding fair. You’d be surprised how many vendors there are to get around and you want to make sure you have chance to ask questions without rushing. You should leave yourself at least two hours to look around the wedding fair.

If you go online the wedding fair may have a website listing the vendors who will be attending. This will allow you to do some research and target some vendors that you definitely want to visit or speak to. At the same time try to keep an open mind about the wedding fair-you never know what unusual options you hadn’t thought of might turn up.

Ask questions. This is what wedding fairs are all about and you should try and get as much information as you can. Wedding fair vendors should be more than happy to help you out; they want your business after all.

Don’t expect to only attend one wedding fair. You might get lucky and get everything at the first fair you attend. However, attending more than one fair will obviously give you more choice and the ability to compare more goods and services.

Tips for wedding fairs

Dress comfortable for a wedding fair. You are likely to be on your feet and walking around for quite a long stretch. Flat shoes are probably best.

Be prepared to pay a deposit. You may be able to make some bookings there and then at a wedding fair, in which case you’ll usually need to leave a deposit. However, you shouldn’t allow yourself to be pressured into signing anything on the spot if you’re not sure. You can always reschedule a meeting for after the wedding fair. If you do want to sign up on the day make sure you read the refund policy and the small print very carefully first.

Bring a calendar or diary along with you to a wedding fair. This will be handy for booking appointments and making notes.

View Wedding Fair & Exhibition Organisers