Bridal Show Tips for NJ Brides – 2011

Bridal expos also known as bridal showcases can be overwhelming – but they don’t need to be….   They are a GREAT way to meet local wedding professionals who really can make your day amazing! We took a few minutes to offer some words of wisdom from our perspective on making the most out of your bridal show experience.

As an attendee, you will quickly learn they are hosted by a number of different promotion companies: some shows are large, some shows are intimate, some have food, some do not, the one thing that seems to be constant, a number of wedding industry professionals – all looking to meet you, the bride and groom to be.

SCE Bridal expo calendar  - 2011

Let’s take a step back for a second, and start with the basics – an introduction to the bridal show concept.  Bridal expos are great ways to learn about various wedding services and to preview a number of professionals that can assist you in making your day spectacular.  Bridal expos can be hosted by a Bridal Showcase promotion company, they can also be hosted by a venue itself or can be produced by both a Bridal Showcase company along with the support and assistance of the venue staff.  They last about 2-4 hours and generally feature live music segment  by 1 or more DJ companies and sometimes a band.  Often loaded with professionals who financially have to invest a decent amount of money in order to be part of the event – wedding pro’s are there solely to meet couples like  you. From fashion to entertainment to photo, video and more, all services and products wedding – are generally represented at most bridal show events.

Bridal shows are great for all couples planning a wedding celebration, because they allow you the opportunity to check out wedding services without having to make an appointment.  They allow you the ability to meet different types of professionals at one place at one time.  So if you see a professionals work that you like, you have the ability to spend some time talking with them outside of the studio, office or starbucks. Some bridal shows offer discounts, specials and even give away prizes like honeymoons.  Yes, honeymoons – (Shout out to the Travelsmiths)

The Sound Connection Entertainment team participates in many incredible NJ bridal expo events.  Examples of great halls that the SCE Wedding specialists work with at private bridal events are Clarks Landing, the Shadowbrook, Versailles Ballroom, Addison Park, The Lakeside Manor the Radisson in Freehold are awesome locations, just to name a quick few awesome locations.

We can offer 5 quick tips to assist in making the bridal show experience awesome for you:

1. Do you homework before you attend. In Central NJ, there are about 3 or 4 main bridal show companies, all of which post their schedules on their websites (see below) – some even list the professionals who will be featured or participating.

Wedding Set Go – American Bride – Elegant Bridal Productions - are all great sources that host bridal events in NJ

2. Know that professionals are there to meet you – Yes you….the couple planning your celebration.  As you walk through the bridal show, understand the professionals are attending this showcase to meet couples (like you) and to offer you cool bridal swag, discounts and most of all information about their services.  As a couple, this a great way to see what they have to offer and if you connect on a personal level with them.

3. Bring formatted address labels - All vendors will be asking for your information, so be prepared!  Before you attend, print our address labels with the below information.  Trust us – it will save your hand, especially if it is a large expo!

Items that should be included on the labels should be…. Your names, Event Date, Event Location & Times (if known), Email address (see next tip), and Best number to reach you (be prepared for calls)

The SCE team at Brookdale College - Monmouth County Wedding Specials

4. Create a new email address - just for wedding stuff!  It will save you from endless bridal emails and an incredible amount of bridal spam. When you register for the bridal events, you are asked for your information which is distributed to all the professionals whom attend. Most will try to send you at least one email – some will send countless messages.  Think of how many emails you will be getting after you attend a handful of bridal events, seriously – this is a huge tip!  Try Gmail or Yahoo and set up a wedding specific account like – JohnsonWedding2011@gmail.com as an example.

5. Always stay till the end, especially if they are giving away a grand prize - like a honeymoon…  At most of the larger WeddingSetGo bridal expos, the team from the Travelsmiths in Point Pleasant give away a honeymoon  - YES a real-deal honeymoon.  The honeymoons are usually worth a couple of thousand dollars and are worth every penny.  If you are there, hang out, and use the time to meet with as many professionals as you can. I can’t tell you how many prize winners missed the opportunity of claiming a huge Free honeymoon, but usually there is at least one or two people that leave and miss the grand prize.

BONUS TIP – Bring your crew. Bring your mom, dad, brother, sister, neighbor, Maid of honor, or any one of your friends. Bringing an entourage is a great way to make the most out of the experience while being about to ask others for opinions on some of the professionals you meet.

If you are planning a wedding and looking to meet the Sound Connection Entertainment team, please visit the Bridal Show page on our Blog, the Info section of our Flash Website, or give us a call direct 888-278-0900.

Wishing you happy planning!

Jason Jani and the SCE team!