Puget Sound area brides have the opportunity to attend several excellent bridal shows throughout the year. These shows offer the advantage of a perfect time to meet and consult with area businesses and services, and to see what they have to offer-all in one place.

Do your research. Find out about the show before you attend. Most shows have websites that will list the exhibitors you will be seeing at a particular show.

Verify who's going to be in the show. If they mix a number of shows together and say "hundreds of exhibitors," find out if the "hundreds" are at all the shows combined, or at the one show you are thinking of attending.

Be prepared! It's very helpful to have a target list of items and services necessary to complete your wedding day. Don't wander. Use the floor plan map provided by the show management. Have a plan of action and go directly to the booths that have the services you desire.

Take notes: You will receive a lot of information while touring the booths, and it can become confusing. Be sure to write down the names of the most impressive companies, so that you can return to their booths and talk with them later. If you collect information as you go, fold down the corners of the brochures or handouts of the companies you like so that you can go directly to their materials when you need them.

Dress comfortably. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You'll be on your feet for a long time.

Take your mother or a friend to help you. If you have an assistant, she can carry all the information you are gathering so that you can keep your hands free to take notes and review information.
Note: Don't take too many people with you. It may take all your time to keep track of them as they wander off or start talking with other people, and you won't accomplish your goals.

Have sticky labels or mailing labels with your name, address, and wedding date. You'll be signing up for a lot of door prizes. It's very quick and easy if you have a label to put on the entry forms.

Fashion shows: These are often a focal point of bridal shows. You'll see all the latest fashions for the entire wedding party, as well as resort wear, attire for mothers of the bride and groom - and more. Most shows will provide you with a program. Keep it in hand: if you see something you fall in love with, you'll know where to find it after the fashion show is over.

Labels: shows