Attending your first wedding fair is an exciting milestone on your journey to your special day! You’ve gathered loads of ideas, inspiration, and supplier information, but what comes next?
I bet you are feeling overwhelmed with so much information thrown at you in a short time.
Well let’s look at what to do next:
1. Organise Contact Information
You can then divide them into categories like venues, photographers, cake makers, florists, and dress shops. Make notes on each one to remind you of any standout conversations or first impressions. Keeping everything neat will help streamline your decision-making process later on.
You’ve likely collected a lot of business cards, brochures, and flyers from various suppliers. Start by organising all this material. Sit down with your partner at the end of the day before you go to bed, get a drink and go through the goody bag. Take them out one by one, if you can remember why you got, put it in one pile, if you can’t, fling it in the corner! This can help you to start thinking of your priorities.
2. Compare and Discuss Ideas
Now that you’ve seen a variety of suppliers and ideas, sit down with your partner to talk things through. Discuss which vendors and services stood out to you both and how they align with your wedding vision. Maybe you saw a photographer who perfectly captured relaxed, candid moments, or a venue that felt magical. Collaborating on your thoughts will help clarify what you both want and narrow down your choices.
3. Follow Up with Your Favourite Suppliers
Don’t wait too long to get in touch with the suppliers you loved! They meet dozens of couples at wedding fairs, so following up promptly helps reinforce the connection. Send an email or message them on social media to ask any questions or even schedule a follow-up consultation. This is especially important for popular vendors like photographers or florists, who can book up quickly, particularly during peak wedding seasons.
4. Set Your Budget and Prioritise
Wedding fairs can introduce you to an array of beautiful, high-quality services, but it’s important to stay grounded with your budget. Review the pricing and package options you received, and start organising your finances. Prioritise the supplier that are most important to you – perhaps an amazing helpful friendly photographer (hint hint) or a stunning venue. Having a clear sense of your financial boundaries will prevent stress as you move further into the planning process.
5. Book Early to Secure Your Top Suppliers
Wedding suppliers, especially those with great reputations, can book up quickly. If there’s a photographer, caterer, or venue you’re excited about, don’t hesitate to secure their services. Many suppliers will offer special discounts or incentives to couples who book them at or shortly after a wedding fair, so you may even be able to save some money by making early decisions.
6. Engage on Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool when planning your wedding. After the fair, follow the suppliers you liked on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. This will not only keep you updated on their latest work, but also give you more insight into their style and creativity. Additionally, many suppliers post about discounts or promotions, so staying connected can lead to future savings. Engaging with them by liking or commenting on posts can also help you stay memorable.
7. Seek Out Reviews and Recommendations
Before committing to any suppliers, take some time to look up reviews from other couples. Websites like Trustpilot, Google, or wedding-specific platforms such as Hitched or Bridebook offer insights into past clients’ experiences. Positive reviews can reassure you of a supplier’s reliability, while constructive feedback might flag potential issues. You can also reach out to friends or family members who’ve recently planned weddings for their recommendations.
8. Reflect and Refine Your Vision
Finally, after soaking in all the inspiration from the wedding fair, take a moment to refine your wedding vision. Has your dream day shifted now that you’ve seen what’s possible? Maybe you’ve discovered a love for vintage décor or you’ve become obsessed with a specific relaxed photography style. The fair can spark new ideas, so embrace those changes while ensuring they fit within your budget and overall theme.
You’ve made that amazing first step in your wedding planning journey, but how you handle the next steps is just as important. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to turning your dream wedding into a reality!
Make shortlists
Take some time and maybe shortlist 3 or 4 of each supplier. Go through their websites and social media and decide who you are going to have a chat with and get to know better. This could be done face to face or over video call.
Plan your budget
Take the leaflets etc that you have collected and start putting together a spreadsheet. Organise things by the priority to you and add prices if you know them. This will give you a rough idea of how close things are to your budget. You can then start tweaking things to make them match up, if the total is too high, then maybe not book the Alpacas. Still have money in the budget? Then maybe speak to that absolute fire videographer you spoke to!
Book your wedding date
If you haven’t already, book a date in with your favourite venue or supplier. For most people this will be your venue, check with them when they are available and what packages are available on that day. Alternatively, go speak with your favourite East Midlands wedding photographer and check what their availability is before speaking with the other suppliers on your list.
Ask opinions
Ask around for opinions, ask friends who they used for their wedding, who would they recommend. Maybe ask other suppliers who they have met and would recommend! A lot of suppliers will have an ‘A Team’ who they know will do a great job, are lovely to work with and will add that bit extra to your special day!
