Ching Chong Boy and I have been attending numerous wedding shows recently and I thought to share with you bride-to-bes on what to expect from a bridal or a wedding show! I’m going to do this in a Q&A format. If you girls (or boys) have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll add them in!
How do I find out about wedding shows?
For me, I check out wedding forums such as SingaporeBrides, PerfectWeddings and some wedding sites. I’m pretty much on most wedding sites mailing lists and are notified when there’s upcoming fairs.
Do we have to pay to attend wedding shows?
Some of the shows are free while some require an attending fee. For example, the Her World wedding show I attended costs $25 per couple while the Sentosa Wedding Show was at $48 per couple. Upcoming wedding shows such as Crowne Plaza Wedding Showcase and Amara are free. Pick and choose wisely!
Should I bring anything?
It’s best to bring a notebook, pen and camera. I personally took pictures of the venues, gowns, decorations I liked and also jotted down notes e.g. Venue A can only fit 10 tables, Venue B has an amazing outdoor solemnisation area.
Is there a dress code?
From the previous shows that I’ve attended, there were no dress code. I would highly recommend wearing something comfortable. I personally would go with something light (as there might be lots of walking involved. E.g. For the Sentosa Wedding Venue, we visited 3-4 venues!) and bring along a cardigan or jacket (as the ballrooms can get REALLY COLD!)
Should I attend the fashion show?
Yes! It’s the best time to check out the gowns. This is where I got ideas of what kind of gowns I’ll prefer and also which Bridal boutique to check out.
Are those lucky draw prizes for real?
LOL! Yes and no. Some of the lucky draw prizes are ONLY for those who sign up on the spot. There ARE some lucky draw prizes for those who did not sign up but are usually very small prizes.
Should I sign up there?
Well… It really depends. If you, like me, are just looking around, checking out prospective venues, then don’t feel pressurised to sign up there and then. Collate a list of possible venues and give yourself some time to check all of them out. It’s all about doing the right amount of research. You do NOT want to suffer from buyer’s remorse, especially with such a huge event. BUT if you’ve done your research and have already picked out your dream venue in mind, it would be the best time to sign up. Some venues would throw in extra wine/beer etc while some bridal boutiques will throw in some freebies to sweeten the deal. Negotiate and get more bang for your buck!
What type of freebies can I expect from those shows?
Well, honestly there isn’t much unless you sign up for a venue/boutique. (Please see above). Goodie bags usually consist of a wedding favour, some discount vouchers e.g. slimming/fitness vouchers and lots of brochures. There usually is a buffet spread (mainly for paid venues, i think!). From my past experiences, when the buffet spread is ready, you’ll see a whole load of hungry ghosts. Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t get your fill. I think of the buffet spread as a bonus. 😉
Should I check out every booth/vendor?
Well, you can if you want to but be prepared to be given the whole sales talk pitch. I once had to listen to a sales person from a bridal boutique try persuade me to sign up for a package for 2.5 hours! She was relentless! While there is no harm listening to them, do be prepared to be faced with very “persuasive” sales people. Say a firm no if need be. Remember not to give in to impulse purchases!
So far, Ching Chong Boy and I have been having fun attending these shows. If you have any questions, please shoot and I’ll try my best to answer them!
Hope to bump into any of you ladies in the future wedding shows!
