Hang around Bloomington long enough and you'll hear about the Bloomington Bridal Show...
Started by Chris Hoke of Perfect Parties Tents & Events in 1993, the Bloomington Bridal Show is an integral part of the Southern Indiana area wedding industry. Attending is basically a right of passage for any engaged couple (and vendor) in the area. So, when Chris asked me to partner with him on the show, the answer was obviously YES!
I mean come on, it's a huge honor just to be included in the show, let alone being asked to help with it. So, I am over here all 'pinch me, this cannot be real' and beyond excited to share with you all the great vendors we are bringing together (see >>>>> for a real life me right now). And while we are busy bees preparing for a great show, I want to let you in on somethings YOU need to know before you go so you get the best experience out of it.
First things first, you'll want to...
Know Your Date
With many vendors booking quickly and 2022 being projected as the biggest wedding boom since the 1980s (seriously, just look at this article!), knowing your ideal date - or at least the ideal season of your date - will help you nail down your much needed (and wanted!) vendors. Because, you'll want to....
Know What Services You Need/Want
While just going to a wedding show is an experience in and of itself (and one you should very well have!), it also gives you the opportunity to meet vendors face to face without the pressure of a formal meeting. That way, you can see if your personalities jive and examples of their work. Plus! Knowing what services you want/need AND your 'date' before going can save you time and $$$, as many of the vendors offer show only booking specials that you can lock in while you're there. Which leads me to the fact that you will want to...
Know Your Budget
While money is never a fun subject and everything is so expensive these days (thanks COVID), having that magical number of your total budget (check out this blog post about budgets!) helps you when attending the show because you can quickly vet the vendors you are meeting and make sure you don't fall in love with something outside of your reach. Knowing your budget goes hand in hand with my next point of needing to...
Have an Idea of Your Overall Vision
I always recommend the first step of your wedding planning journey starts with cementing your overall vision for the day - aka the big picture (ya know, so you can then nail down your wedding day goals and objectives (if that leaves you scratching your head, imma go ahead and shamelessly plug this blog post from last year about it!)). Having this before attending the show will help you narrow down which vendors you want to meet so you can say YESS! to the one that you feel confident will bring it to life. Which means, you'll want to have a calendar of some sort on hand to be able to discuss...
Your Meeting Availability
Having this handy will allow you to book the next steps with your favorite show vendors right then and there so you can get a jump start on securing your date with them. Not only will you be able to go home and knock off all those wedding planning to-do's, you can lock in show only booking specials and save some of that budget for a different area of your wedding. And since I am giving a mouse a cookie, I recommend having a...
A Wedding Specific Email Address
ready too, because you can easily organize all of your wedding vendor communications without having to drudge through all the junk email that accumulates when you've had a personal email address since 2006 (calling myself out here, #millennialproblem ammiright?). I've also read a few places that having pre-printed address labels helps a ton but if that's not your style, be prepared with a pen at least (and maybeeee even a small notebook) . You'll want it so you are prepared to provide your contact info to enter giveaways with your favorite vendors and to be able to take notes in case something is mentioned that you don't want to miss.
Comfy Shoes
Idk about you but walking around in uncomfortable shoes is a day wrecker for me and I'd be aalllll <<<< aka in no mood for chit-chat. Wearing comfy shoes is vital while flowing through the show's booths because of this, and well, you don't want to be fighting with your partner in crime, do ya? Because you also want your...
Your Partner/Bestie
along for the ride because everything is better when you're a part of a team and they may catch a crucial point that you miss in the moment. Make a day out of it and go out to brunch beforehand or have a meal after but be sure to...
Save Room for Dessert!
Many show vendors will pass out samples of their creations, <dreams of cake right now> and you'll want to be able to enjoy them. Don't go so hungry you can't focus, but definitely be prepared to try lots of different confections and fully enjoy all that is being offered. Feel overwhelmed? Keep this cheat sheet handy and you'll knock it out in no time, promise.
All else aside, at the end of the day, your wedding and engagement is not a race to the alter but a time to be celebrated and to celebrate your love. And why the heck would you not come to the longest running wedding show in town that gives you a dedicated period of time where you are doing just that and basking in all the nearlywed bliss that this season in your life brings. Plus, did I mention cake?! So..... what are you waiting for? Stop what you are doing and register here so you don't miss out on all the show specials, giveaways, and be the first to know what we have planned to give you a great day!