Thursday, May 23, 2013

My First Bridal Fair


I showcased my items at my first bridal fair last weekend. Wedding items are some of my biggest sellers, so I've known for quite some time that I wanted to participate in one. I checked out a couple locations last year, but the prices are so high for these events that I hadn't taken the plunge to attend one yet. The fee for this fair was high compared to my normal craft shows, but much cheaper than the other bridal fairs I had seen advertised, so I gave it a chance.

For this being my first show and it being the first time this venue had hosted the event, I think it went pretty well. The location is in the country at a glass chapel. My wood items fit the theme really well as do my  mason jars and wine bottle candles/table numbers. We had fairly good attendance considering the weather didn't want to cooperate at all. I handed out several cards to interested couples and now the waiting game begins.

Unlike craft shows where you generally know how well you did at the end of the day, with the bridal fair you don't actually sell anything, just hand out cards. So I just have to wait and see if anyone contacts me about my items. I put a coupon code on the back if people reference the show, so I'll know if they found me through the event.

The best part of the day was that my mom came to help me. She drove 6.5 hours home just to help me with my first bridal fair :) She knows all about my products and that I can customize anything, so she was able to talk to people and explain everything if I was helping someone else. She was even nice enough to bring all my stuff inside for me...in the rain and through the mud...so I wasn't a mess before the show. She really is the best!

There were a few things I'd like to see done differently next year like the lighting. We were set up in the reception hall and the lighting is set more for night time dancing than a day-time event. One vendor mentioned having us face outward instead of inward so we would get good use of the windows for lighting. Another thing I wasn't impressed with were the owners. They weren't there to greet us and show us our tables and they didn't come around at any point and ask us what we thought of the event and how the day was going. I hope they send an email asking for suggestions and how to improve for next year.

All in all the show went well and time will tell whether I will attend next year. But I'm glad I got my first bridal fair under my belt and know what to do differently on my end for next time.

17 comments:

  1. Your set up looks great! I hope you get lots of responses.
    That is unbelievable that the owners did not check out the vendors and ask opinions.
    Lighting is a huge deal, too.

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  2. Your booth is very professional looking, but it's a shame the owners couldn't be a bit more professional and at least come by to chat and find out if all was going well. I think I'd shoot them an email. Maybe this being their first time, they didn't think of asking for feedback. If they only knew how much that could help them to improve for next year.

    Hope you get lots of response from customers!

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  3. Your booth looked great Edi, so professional. I hope that you get a lot of business from the show. It's terrible that the owners didn't come by and talk with the vendors, they have no way of knowing how things were going, what could be done better... I would definitely let them know your thoughts and feedback.

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  4. Edi, Your work looks fantastic against the wood walls! I hope it brings you some big orders. It is too bad the owners were not professional enough to talk to the vendors. The more feedback they get from you guys, the better they can make the event in the future!

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  5. Your set up looks fantastic!
    Hopefully this brings you a lot of business. Either way, I'm sure it was a great experience for you. And how lovely of your Mum to come and support you. Aren't Mums the best?

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  6. Your displays look wonderful! I hope people remember you and buy lots! Your mom is very special just like her daughter! :)

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  7. How great to have your mom there to help! I am always disappointed when the people in charge of the show/venue/etc. don't make the effort to get around during the day. It's too bad that happened. I'm glad that you were able to learn so much from this show, and hopefully you'll get some orders from it, too!

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  8. Your set up looks great Edi! and how amazing your mom is to help you out like that! Wishing you many sales :)

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  9. Your set up looks great! I used to do a lot of trade shows for my clothing line and it was always a challenge not to know how well I did until after the event. I hope you make lots of sales from it!

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  10. Edi, I'm so happy your mom was there with you! Your display looks really great and I'm sure the visitors will respond very soon :)
    That's weird that the owners didn't take any interest in their own event?!

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  11. I'm sure you will be contacted by couples! That's fantastic that your mom could be there with you. And so weird that the organizers didn't greet you or ever walk around the booths. Maybe because it was their first time hosting, they didn't quite know what they were doing? I would think if it was my first time hosting an event like this, I would be even more likely to want to check on my vendors and make sure everything's going ok. But I guess that's just me. Anyway, I'm sure it will be worth your time and effort in lots of sales and word of mouth publicity. :)

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  12. Good for you for trying something new! I've always loved your bridal items -especially the wooden invitations. They are so cool and unique and really fit with the earthy/natural wedding themes that are so popular lately. I hope you get a lot of business from it!

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  13. hopefully, next year they will have the good sense to use the beautiful glass windows for lighting, even though it wasn't a sunny day. Good idea about the coupon code. And aren't mothers wonderful! Glad you had company. {:-D

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  14. First, your booth looks GREAT. It's so cohesive and tidy. I bet you'll get plenty of customers later, especially since your items stand out.

    Bridal fairs are a category unto themselves. They can be so tricky, and if attendance is low you're just kind of screwed. I have actually found that I don't do great at bridal shows because jewelry is one of the last things a bride purchases. I get a lot of, "I like these, but I haven't picked the bridesmaid dresses yet!" and blah, blah, blah. But now I know! :-)

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  15. Your display looked great, despite the lighting issues. How nice that your mom was there to help.

    Your bridal items are so unique--I am sure you will get some orders and referrals from the fair.

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  16. I agree- your table and display looks great. Best of luck to you!

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  17. Your booth looks so good! I'm sure you will get lots of new customers. It sounds like it was a good day with your mom's help.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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