Newly engaged and wondering if wedding fairs are worth using your valuable Sunday’s for? Then read on…
Having been engaged and now a wedding supplier, I have seen the benefit of wedding fairs from both sides. Many of you will undoubtedly be searching through Pinterest and similar means finding wedding inspiration and trying to discover what you want your wedding to be like, but how do you leap from all these ideas to finding reputable suppliers?
Ideas
Simple answer is wedding fairs will offer you the best selection of up to date, local ideas for you to include as part of your wedding. Everything from venues to crèches, to photographers to the Prosecco bar you didn’t realise you needed will be there. The bonus is you can also have a conversation with this person and get a rapport going with them. As you (hopefully) only get married once, you need to have faith that the suppliers you bring on board to the biggest day of your life will provide you with the most professional service on the day. I can’t tell you the number of brides who have booked suppliers without meeting them or from recommendation and then be disappointed with their service on the day.
So which wedding fairs are best to go to? We make sure we are booked in to the fairs by The Wedding Experience as they have spent many years researching the most appropriate venues. We also know that they work with a wide range of wedding suppliers who have excellent recommendations. Their shows at the Detling Showground (January, April and October) will have fashion shows, VIP experiences, prize giveaways and over 120 suppliers for you to peruse at your leisure.
To see a venue
We would also recommend you visit any wedding fair or venue showcase that is put on by your wedding venue. Each venue will have a list of preferred suppliers who know your venue and how to maximise your experience there on your wedding day. These suppliers will not be selected randomly. They will be asked by your venue to be a preferred supplier because they have built up a successful working relationship. A good tip of ours would be to book your wedding photographer via this wedding fair. They will know all the best locations and lighting to capture your big day as they would have worked there before.
Bridal
Why would I speak to bridal stores at a wedding fair?
Bridal boutiques go to wedding fairs to show a small selection of their gowns and book appointments. Some might even sell gowns at bridal fairs! We would only do this at a sale event, we really want you to have the proper bridal experience with bubbles and our stylists in store. Some ladies find it difficult to talk to bridal boutiques if their groom is present. Obviously, we completely understand this, but still come and talk to us/ book in. We do not need to discuss your gown or preferences. Clearly, if you see something you like on our stand, you do not need to point it out. It sometimes helps the grooms to understand just how much goes in to finding a gown when we talk to you about the process!
You can find us at the following fairs this year;
Sunday 2nd June 2019: A Kentish Ceremony, Medway Park, 10:00-2:30pm
Sunday 9th June 2019: The Wedding Experience, Hilton Hotel, Maidstone, 10:30-3:00pm (Bridal Sale)
15th September 2019: A Kentish Wedding, Mecure Great Danes Maidstone, 10-2:30pm
22nd September 2019: County Wedding Events, Tudor Park Hotel Maidstone, 11:00-3:00pm
29th September 2019: The Wedding Experience, The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, 10:30-3:00pm
6th October 2019: The Royal Star Arcade, details to be confirmed
20th October 2019: The Wedding Experience, Detling Showground, 10:30-3:00pm
Plus more to be announced!
https://www.wedding-experience.co.uk/
https://akentish-wedding.co.uk/
*Images taken from The Wedding Experience, 14/4/19, supplier details can be found via The Wedding Experience website.
