How To Survive A Wedding Show

Valentine's Day typically marks the end of engagement season. Wedding show invitations and open houses are sure to fill your inbox soon. One questions lingers, do I really need to go?

Yes! The wedding show (also known as bridal shows) is an excellent opportunity to meet, interview, and book vendors, all in a day's work. Wedding shows can also save you a time, gas and several weeks of tracking a vendor down, coordinating schedules, along with a time and place to meet. Bridal shows allows you to see the work of a variety of vendors all needed for the big celebration.

On the other hand, if you are unprepared, a bridal show can leave you feeling shocked and overwhelmed. Which are not often associated with a pleasant experience. Navigating aisle after aisle of photographers, planners, cakes, and facilities requires a strong strategy. Use these 5 essential tips to plan ahead and maximize one of the BEST resources for planning your wedding.

1. Register. When you register for a bridal show or Open House all of the show information comes to you. Shows have a variety of operating procedures but participating vendors, special discounts, and giveaways will be at your fingertips. Best of all, most couples who register receive extra perks just for doing so.

2. Research. When available, check out the list of vendors attending the show against your list of wedding needs. Visit vendor websites, check their reviews, photo galleries. This will allow you to better decide who you must meet, and who it would be nice to meet if you have time. Remember, to keep an open mind about visiting and talking with each vendor; because you love someone's website doesn't mean you'll connect with them in person. Don't be afraid to visit with someone not on your list, you never know who will surprise you with great service AND a winning attitude.

3. Print It Out. Pick up a pack of mailing or return address labels. Print your name, wedding date, and email on them. This will allow you to sign up and register for activities, information, and prizes with ease. Pre-printed labels also aid in time management during the show, allowing you more time to network and connect with vendors that pique your interests most.

4. Take Note. When you are meeting vendors and picking up business cards, be sure to mark the services you like best and want to connect with again. Make a note with a pen, colored marker or highlighter, or stickers; any way to make them stand out and easy to find once you get home.

5. Act. When a connection is made with a vendor, be ready to act. Know your budget, upcoming schedule, and availability. Don't be afraid to get on their calendar! After all, there about about 6 dozen more bride-to-be's (and fifteen with your same wedding date) shopping the same vendors. Be ready to set a meeting, follow up call, request a contract or book on the spot. This is the point of the show. No one says you have to drag out the planning process over twelve months. Save yourself time by preparing in advance and reward yourself with all your free nights and weekends.

Remember to decide ahead of time if you are shopping for particular goods/services or just browsing and idea gathering. Keep interviewing until you get a warm and fuzzy feeling about the vendors' ability and understanding of your vision. You get to choose most, if not all of your vendors. Surround yourself with positive energy and people that get you.

If you use these tips, you'll be more prepared to get the information you need AND create the opportunity to enjoy the experience too.

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Local Love: Out And About in Manassas VA

Dawn & I catching a quick "Us"ie

I was thrilled and overjoyed to gather with some amazing women entrepreneurs and celebrate one genuine soul...Dawn Gardner of DG Photography. No more shuffling all over the DMV for meetings for this girl. She has moved on up...to a studio in downtown Manassas.                  

Dawn's soft opening was a delightfully intimate evening with delectable cupcakes and macaroons (my favorite food groups) from Sweet Pink Bakery, meeting new professionals and catching up with a few old ones. There is something about driven, positive, encouraging women that is just good food for my soul. It invigorates and refreshes me deep from within.

I am so fortunate to do what I love and love what I do; to continuously find myself surrounded and encouraged with opportunities for growth; to learn about the purpose and missions of other women trying to build their empires from kitchen counters while juggling wife/mom hats. I am blessed to be able to offer my encouragement and support by doing what I can, when I can.

This is what makes being an entrepreneur worth every late night, every blog post,  every anxiety, every failure, and every restart. DG Photography Studio is confirmation that hard work and dedication can manifest dreams to reality. I am so overjoyed for her. And I am hopeful for every woman's dream that was there to celebrate. 

   


#weddingplanner #virginiaweddings #virginiaweddingplanner #dayofcoordinator #dgphotography #weddingphotography #eventdesign #weddinginvitations #northernvirginia #weddingvendor #woodbridgeva #manassasva #occoquanva 

How to say NO kids at your wedding

Ambiance Real Wedding
Robert E Holley Productions 

Whether or not to have kids at the wedding is a big decision! It has become more common for couples  to decide against having children at their celebrations. Some couples are even forgoing a flower girl and ring bearer as part of the wedding party. A few Ambiance couples shared that meal costs for kids is one factor for the decision; but also not worrying about censored music, accidents with alcohol, or taking over the dance floor, as others reasons. 

What I hear them saying is that parents don't always do a great job of parenting during a wedding. But that is another story for another day. 

So how do you say it? How do you say no thank you to children for your big day? 

TECH-NI-CALLY, it is poor etiquette to print "No Children" or "Adults Only" on your invite. One should simply address the invitation to the person or persons being invited. For instance, if your formal invitation is addressed to Mr and Mrs John Doe, then it is for grown ups only. Addressing an invitation to The Doe Family or Mr and Mrs Doe, John and Sarah Doe, would indicate that the entire family is invited.

The proper way to handle a guest that has mistakenly RSVP'd for more persons than the number you've allowed, is for the wedding host ( you or a parent) to call, gently remind them the invite was only for (insert number or names), that you hope this isn't too much of an inconvenience and hope they'll still be able to attend; but understand if they can not. 

Again, I say this is proper etiquette. Twerk and Binge-watch are also words that have been recently added to the dictionary, so I get it when you roll your eyes because it seems like another hassle... I know. The etiquette is truly centered in knowing the guests you are inviting. You should know and be decently familiar with your guest list. Being able to pick up the phone shouldn't be awkward.

Clearly, you can see how we've evolved into printing decrees for all to read and obey. Frankly, in the words of Sweet Brown..."Ain't nobody got time for that!" I tell my clients the proper way and allow them to decide for themselves. The Ambiance bride is typically a working one, so I understand and support her choice for having fifteen less phone calls on her to do list.

Printed or not, if no kids in the right choice for your wedding day, just be prepared to stand firm in that choice. The big girl panties must be pulled up tight...like spanx...no exceptions! Understanding fully that it may mean a near and dear friend/family member may not be able to make it. Don't make this decision lightly, because the only thing worse would be to allow even one person an exception, when others made the sacrifice. There will be whispers...and shaming. 

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#weddingadvice #weddinginspiration #howto #askambiance # virginiaweddings #virginiaweddingplanner #dayofcoordinator