Fact: I never attended a bridal show as an actual bride.
I guess you could say after years of spouting off wedding facts, I kind of owed it to my husband-to-be.
But as a wedding pro? Well I’m normally first in line. Call me crazy, but I love the energy of bridal show weekend- right down to the last stubbed toe. I like to think I’ve nearly perfected the exact amount of caffeine I need in order to make it across the finish line, and if anything, it always reminds me of my venture into the world of Bridal Show Survival Kits.
But at the end of each show, I admittedly draw the same conclusion-there are three things I bet most of these wedding pros never do.
I invite you, however, to prove me wrong. Below is a list of three things that I guarantee most wedding pros don’t do as part of their bridal show strategies that I wish they did. If I’m wrong, or you’d like to add to the list, feel free to join me in the comments below.
So without further ado–
1) Review the exhibitor list in advance. Which of your competitors will be there? Who is coming that you have always wanted to meet? Is the venue that is always giving you referrals planning to attend? The great news about bridal shows is that most advertise their exhibitors because it’s great info for the brides. So why in the world are you not using it to your advantage?
2) Revise your Email Signature. This is engagement season- prime time for brides wanting to book you. No doubt you’ll be busy this month managing phone calls and email inquiries so why not throw a little extra self promotion in the mix by noting the upcoming shoes in which you’ll participate in your email signature? If you don’t have the opportunity to catch up with a bride before the show, then they will know where to find you.
3) Staff appropriately. You have invested time and money into a good lookin’ booth but come the day of the event, you are all by your lonesome. Trust me when I say this- it is well worth hiring/begging someone to stand by your side. If you’re busy chatting with brides, you should have someone to help sign brides up for more information, or answer basic questions. If anything, having a booth buddy allows you to take the occasional break during quieter moments without leaving your booth unattended.
Above anything, remember that your bridal show success relies not just solely on the strategies you implement on the day of the show. Rather, it’s the mix of pre marketing strategies, day of execution and the ever important follow up, that will connect you with your bride.
I’ll be out and about this bridal show season and look forward to seeing you there- hopefully with a perfectly poured cup of coffee.
As for my husband? Well I certainly get no complaints from him when I bring home leftover wedding cake. 🙂
PS. Want to read up more on bridal show marketing? Then hop on over to one of my first blog posts on the very topic.
Until next time,
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding marketing and wedding pr firm OFD Consulting. She is the exclusive wedding pr columnist to wedding marketing journal WedLock magazine and is a highly sought after speaker in the wedding industry. She loves ruffle table runners and Royal Wedding Tchotchkes. To learn how OFD Consulting can assist you with your wedding marketing and wedding pr, please contact us today.
Photo credit: Central Coast Bride