the wedding fair experience

{Photo courtesy of Storybook Wedding}

We’re no wedding fair aficionados who’d chase one fair after the other. But I can’t blame one for being. Wedding fairs are akin to shopping: they’re simply addicting. Especially for the bride-to-be, for obvious reasons. But they are as helpful to the soon-to-weds like us as they are engaging. Through them, we were able to scout and book suppliers, and establish rapport with their staff and owners, touch up with the latest trends, bag deals, discounts and freebies (which is, for most, the chief motivation for going there). And with the conclusion of last weekend’s 15th Wedding Expo at the PICC, we feel our wedding-fair itinerary is also drawing to a close. We’ll probably go to a couple of smaller events that are conveniently hosted inside malls. But that’s it for the big ones.

So to celebrate the fun and excitement that it was, I’ve rounded up my experiences and the things I learned from our wedding fair adventures.

1. Register online (if provided) and skip queues, filling out of forms and paying for the entrance fee. Entrance fee is often minimal, but hey, free is always a better option. When you register online, some organizers provide online tickets that you need to print and show at the registration booth. But in case you forget to bring your copies: “I registered online but I forgot the tickets. Can you look-up our names in your database?” Works everytime.

15th Wedding Expo by Themes and Motifs

2. Bring a medium-sized bag. You’re sure to bring home a heap of papers, from the highschool-ish flyers to impressive brochures of different shapes and sizes. So a bag will really come in handy. (Themes and Motifs provides a canvas tote- a loot bag, actually- that’s why we love their Wedding Expo’s.)

3. Eat something before you go there. Especially – if you’re on a serious supplier-hunting mood. Unless – you registered for a food tasting during the event or the wedding fair is situated inside a mall.

Josiah's Grand Food Tasting at the Wedding Expo

Josiah's Grand Food Tasting at the Wedding Expo

4. Bring cash. You never know when you’ll find THE ONE and need to pay the reservation fee to reserve THE ONE SLOT LEFT. Php5,000-Php10,000 is ideal. ATM and credit cards are another options. But think of it as a flea market, majority do no accept plastic.

5.  If this is your first wedding fair, it’s ok not to book any suppliers. Discounts and freebies are not a one-time offer. They’ll be offered again very likely in the next wedding fair. So if you like a particular supplier but don’t want to book them yet, ask if they’ll participate again in any upcoming wedding fairs. Or try this: “I really like your [service/product]. But I can’t book you today because [reason]. If I book you after this event, will  you still extend the same package [discounts and freebies included] that you’re giving to us now?” If the supplier agrees, get the name and contact details and ask until when is the extended promo valid.

{Photo courtesy of Storybook Wedding}

6. If an internet connection is at your disposal, do your research first. Be informed, of the basic things at least, that you should ask or look for in a supplier. Wedding fair is a Divisoria in a posh setup. Some suppliers will strut their stuff, pull out their tricks and dazzle you with their sweet sales talks. A little knowledge might save you from booking a supplier you’ll later regret.

7. Don’t be too trusting. If you got a supplier to agree to a very good deal in your favor, then make sure that everything is in black and white. Noted on your receipt, included in the contract, or written in their logbook that they gave you a copy of. Verbal agreement, even to the most reputable suppliers, are sometimes non-existent. So should amnesia inflicts the supplier, a written and signed proof will make them remember.

8. It’s never too early to attend a wedding fair. In this age of long wedding preparations, wedding fairs are the best place to start the adventure. Look around. See what’s available. Get ideas and inspirations. Gather as many package rates and use them to draft a realistic wedding budget.

{Photo courtesy of Storybook Wedding}

9. Bring a date.  And is there anyone more suitable than the person who’ll soon vow to be with you for the rest of you life? Joining wedding fairs are one of those moments when you get to decide as a couple. This is your wedding, the making of your dreams. It’s always sweeter when it’s made up of stuff that you chose together.

10. Wedding fairs are fun, don’t stress yourself too much. Savor the experience. You’ll miss when it’s over.

{Photo courtesy of Storybook Wedding}

I’m missing it already.