Attending Wedding Fairs

Wedding fairs give you a chance to meet suppliers, get inspiration or view a venue that you’ve been longing to look at since you said yes. If you’ve recently got engaged or are attending a wedding fair for the first time, it’s hard to know what to expect. So let’s start at the beginning...

A wedding fair is a prime opportunity for you to gather inspiration for your special day and meet suppliers that you might want to work with. Most exhibitions are held at wedding venues, which is a great opportunity to view a venue informally and see it set up, or in big conference centres, like the NIA in Birmingham. Most wedding fairs cover a range of different suppliers but you can also find more specialist fairs that cater to niche markets, which are perfect for vintage-loving or alternative brides. See two exciting ones at Touchwood in Solihull and Salford Hall.

There will always be a range of suppliers at any wedding fair and you’ll often find a couple of suppliers in each category. The aim of the fair is to introduce you to suppliers that will fit with what you want for your big day, and no two brides are the same so it’s good to have a mix of suppliers that can cater to different budgets or who have different styles. You’ll have the chance to meet photographers, cake makers, wedding dress designers or wedding boutiques, florists, accessory designers, hair dressers and make up artists, entertainers and musicians, caterers, stationers, jewellers...

To attend the event you could bring your partner, your friend, your parents or go solo - suppliers and event organisers don’t mind so it’s entirely up to you. The suppliers are there to introduce themselves to you and want you to work with them, so there will always be an incentive for you. They often use competitions to win a bottle of champagne in return for your email address or a big discount if you sign up for a consultation on the day of the fair... You might just get a bargain on your dream dress or find the entertainment you never realised you needed at a reduced rate, so it’s always worth having a look around. get booked up very quickly so it helps if you have an idea of a date but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t.

To make the best out of the day - Make a list of things you need or want for your wedding; it will help you to find suppliers that can offer advice and give you an idea of how much what you’re looking for will cost.

Take a little notebook and pen to write down any suppliers you liked or ideas you saw that you hadn’t considered. Pick up business cards and leaflets for things you like the look of and if you want a supplier to contact you with a quote or give you more information, scribble down your email address or phone number for them to call you later and they’ll be happy to do that for you, with no obligation.

If you haven’t set your date yet, can I still go? It’s not essential, but a ballpark date is always welcome, from a supplier’s point of view, even if that’s as vague as “2021”. Some suppliers Last of all eat the cake. Always eat the cake. And try the chocolate fountain, drink the champagne and try every canapé that’s on offer...most of all, have fun. n

BEST WESTERN SALFORD HALL HOTEL

WEDDING FAIR Sunday 19th April 11:30am – 3:00pm Free entry, free goody bag, complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival, canapés and mini desserts to try

EXCLUSIVE USE PACKAGES FROM £3,500

SPECIAL OFFER Book and confirm your wedding by 30/04/20 with a deposit and receive £500 off our platinum and diamond packages for dates in 2020

Abbots Salford, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 8UT Tel: 01386 871300 | Email: events@salfordhall.co.uk | www.salfordhall.co.uk