Are Wedding Fairs a Useful Event?

By Monica Lorraine, 22/01/12 Before the wedding 1 comment

When planning a wedding, some couples can take up to two years to conjure up their dream day. Essentially, weddings are like planning any other major project, with budgets averaging at £10-15k.

*This article was kindly provided by Nathalie from Buttercup Bus.

Often the bride is consulting with a large number of suppliers from cake to dress makers, and it is often overwhelming, looking for ideas, comparing suppliers and negotiating prices.

With the wedding industry flourishing on the internet, this is often a good first source of information when researching into ideas, especially with the multitude of wedding blogs and community forums such as on Weddingspot. Magazines often provide inspiration and come with beautiful illustrations too. It is even possible to gain ideas by watching many of the wedding television programmes currently broadcast too – such as “Don’t tell the Bride”. However, when looking to meet collective local suppliers, face to face, a wedding fair really comes into its own.

Wedding fairs typically take place from the autumn through to early spring. They are often hosted at wedding venues, giving you the chance to look at the venue as well as meeting lots of different suppliers.

To get the most out of your wedding fair, it is worth working out why you are coming. Is it to get general inspiration, or are you looking to source a specific type of supplier? Take time to research prices in advance, as it will help you to bench mark what is on offer, negotiate, and compare the value of any special offers that many suppliers put on at wedding fairs. Sometimes, it is possible to get a real bargain at these events, with discount wedding dresses, or two for the price of one on certain items.

The real value to be gained from a wedding fair is getting to meet the actual supplier up front. With something as personal as a wedding, it is important to establish a good relationship with your photographer, florist, hair and makeup supplier etc. You want them to be confident and professional, make you feel relaxed, listen to your requirements and be able to offer advice when required. Talking to suppliers at a wedding fair should give you a good indication as to whether you want to hire them.

Many suppliers that come to wedding fairs have something unique to offer, and feel that by showcasing their products and services, the wedding couples will feel inspired and want to find out more. As an example, Buttercup Bus supply vintage campervan hire in London and also provide VW Camper wedding cars in Surrey. This company found that wedding couples often did not think to look for campervan hire as a wedding car option – but when they saw the beautiful vehicles gleaming outside the wedding venue, they fell in love with the idea and wanted to find out more.

Many wedding couples bring friends or parents with them to wedding fairs. This is a great idea, as it can help to bring the family on board when looking at ideas and options. Often suppliers will provide samples (e.g. a taste of wedding cake), as you go around the fair, so getting a second opinion can be great!

If you are thinking about attending a wedding fair, go online and have a look at the fairs scheduled in your area. Many of them are free to attend – although it is worth checking with the organiser in advance to find out how many suppliers will be there, and what sort of services they will be showcasing, to help you to choose which ones to attend.

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1 comment in this article

Posted to: 28/01/2012 19:24

Kirsty Coope

i love wedding fayres, there really good and you get to meet lots of local suppliers and get lots of ideas etc. Id advise everyone to go to at least 1 before they get married..... it was actually how i found my venue :)

Are Wedding Fairs a Useful Event?

1 comment in this article

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