Honest thoughts about wedding fairs (or fayres if you prefer)

Hi

Ive visited a couple of wedding fairs and felt a little pushed for bookings, I was scared to speak to some stands as you were there for ages and felt pressurised to leave details or book with them.

To answer your questions

1. Yes I visited fairs

2. We found OH suits there but that's all

3. I think wedding fairs can be useful if your not sure what your looking for and aren't afraid to walk away from stands.

4. Personally I love this idea of an open evening and would have been more likely to come to this probably as doesn't sound so pressurised.

Thanks

1. Did you visit a wedding fair? Yes visited quite a few of them - been to the same one 3 times lol

2. Did it provide you with anything you didn't already know? Yes - in the end we probably got most of our ideas and we met nearly all of our suppliers. We also took advantage of some discounts that were going at the fair or discount vouchers.

3. Are wedding fairs becoming old hat? I would recommend that you go to one but I guess each to their own. I certainly wouldnt say old hat though as the ones that I have been too have always been really pretty busy.

4. Would you prefer a no appointment, open evening (like our Friday night sale events) instead where you can browse with a glass of fizz, maybe try on a few dresses, ask questions but not be in the same environment as you would be if you booked an appointment? With dresses I would prefer an appointment as then I know that I have the sale assistants full attention.

Hope this helps x

1. Did you visit a wedding fair? Yes at the beginning of our planning we visited a fair few. Mainly to look at the venues and to see what was out there!

2. Did it provide you with anything you didn't already know? Just gave us some ideas of what was available and a price guide

3. Are wedding fairs becoming old hat? Once we had been to say two or three, I became bored as a lot of the ones in our area had the same suppliers. Often when we knew a supplier would be at a wedding fayre that we wanted to see in person, we went along. We sourced a lot of suppliers and companies online so didnt feel the need to go to many fayres.

4. Would you prefer a no appointment, open evening (like our Friday night sale events) instead where you can browse with a glass of fizz, maybe try on a few dresses, ask questions but not be in the same environment as you would be if you booked an appointment?

Personally this would have been more beneficial to me, I dont like to feel pressured and to those fayres we attended it often felt like we were being pounced on which made me avoid said suppliers for being too pushy. I like to be able to browse and look at things in my own time, people shoving leaflets and trying to make appoinments in their diary with me straight away was a no no.

Hope that helps!

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Thank you for the quick replies.

I've especially found your points about feeling pounced on etc / under pressure as my partner and I have a very hands off approach at fairs (we're usually stood with a 6ft rail full of gorgeous wedding dresses, that's usually enough to encourage people to visit us) but we get annoyed by other suppliers at the fair who consistently push their leaflets / info on people as we think this then puts people off from talking to anyone.

Looking forward to hearing what anybody has to say

Hello Kirsty

In my honest opinion....i only go wedding fairs for inspiration and i dont go and talk to anyone as i have found that they are really desperate for your booking and it feels rushed and feel its just too much of a sales pitch with them all....i get sick of listening to them and have stopped going now...(this is all stalls im referring too) I have not bought anything from the fairs and much prefer to do my research at home where i dont feel pressured.

The opening night certainly is something id much prefer to do...

Hope this helps

Amy xx

1. Did you visit a wedding fair? We visited our first one today! And we're visiting 7 more before the end of April.

2. Did it provide you with anything you didn't already know? Yes, we came across a lot of suppliers that I hadn't come across on the internet, and I'm going to definitely consider a few of them for our wedding.

3. Are wedding fairs becoming old hat? I don't think so, I think it's a great opportunity to look around a venue whilst finding suppliers at the same time, rather than having to go around all the suppliers individually.

4. Would you prefer a no appointment, open evening (like our Friday night sale events) instead where you can browse with a glass of fizz, maybe try on a few dresses, ask questions but not be in the same environment as you would be if you booked an appointment? For wedding dresses, definitely. That was the only problem I found with the wedding fayre, the dress shops couldn't take too many samples with them due to space, and so there was always a crowd trying to get to the dresses!!

I think it can be good to go to a wedding fayre just because people may not be able to easily find you on the internet, and I think it's always a good sign when you are at a wedding fayre (surely they wouldn't let a supplier in that's no good?!). But it's each to their own I suppose

Smazzy anybody willing to pay the fee to exhibit can be at a fair. For a hotel they want to attract people in to see them as a venue and a fair held anywhere else is a money making venture

Our shop is in a county that has only 8 wedding dress shops and a population of nearly 1/2 million so in terms of being known it isn't really a problem (plus if you google wedding dress and XXXX - where we are - we are the first hit).

Ooooh also - fashion shows (we are always under pressure to do these)

1. Are you more likely to go to a fair if it has a fashion show?

2. When you see a fashion show do you remember which shop the dress came from?

3. Do you think less of the dresses / associated shops if the fashion show is clearly done by friends / family / random people who fit the dress and it isn't a very professional affair?

I did go to 1 wedding fair and felt that was enough. I ended up with a useless bag containing 2kg of leaflets, booklets & brochures. I too felt pounched upon by some suppliers.

Anything I saw that I was remotely interested in, I would take a card, then research at home online for a better price/different supplier etc. I would never buy anything at such a fair, unless I already knew the prices elsewhere & knew it was a real bargain. I left the fair buying nothing at all!

I also woudlnt go to a group viewing of dresses, as would prefer to make an appointment time that suited me, & have the attendants attention, rather than trying on dresses with 20 other strangers.

1. I did visit two wedding fairs which were at my venue whilst we were planning. Though, we only went to second one to drop a deposit off to our tog!

2. We found them really useful! I booked the appointment with the shop I eventually bought my dress at the wedding fair. We also booked our tog, DJ, chair covers and I found the lady who made my tiara there.

3. I don't think they're old hat at all. For me it was a really useful place to meet different local supplier who were all familiar with our venue. One thing I did notice was that the first fair we went to, which was organised by the venues own event team was much better attended and had a much better mix of vendors. The second fair was organised by an outside company and was much quieter in terms of attendance but there were far more vendors there. A lot of the vendors there were quite annoyed at the organiser as they didn't deliver in terms of the audience and packed the rooms out with all their competitors!

4. I'm not sure that an open evening would work for me. I don't think I'd want to try on a few dresses when there is a room full of other brides out there! I much preferred the privacy that myself and my bridesmaids were afforded from the appointment. The shop I bought from were at a wedding fair with a few of their dresses which was enough to pull me in and start talking to them.

Hope that helps!

I only went to one fair and that was at my venue. I was quite disappointed to be perfectly honest

The open night sounds a good idea though

I would hold the open night to allow brides to see if they wanted to book an appointment with us rather than instead of.

I am conscious that I can only take 6 - 8 dresses to a wedding fair when I have 10 times that many in the shop and I wonder that if a bride is looking at the rail and doesn't see what she wants then she want to visit the shop thinking we don't have anything for her (when in actual fact i've got 60 other dresses sat back in the shop that I couldn't stuff into the back of my Punto! ?)

With fashion shows, I think the dresses look better on real people who actually fit the dresses than pro models who don't (and if they do fit the "pros" I'm not convinced they will fit me.

Did find I didn't really pick dresses at fairs (there weren't many available to try on at the ones I went to before I sussed the dress thing) and my reaction to one of the shops was quite negative ("pro" models wearing dresses hanging off them, no real variation in style). The show I went to which had staff and friends of the shop was much more appealing, because the dresses were worn by people they fit and that clearly liked them - there as a stunning black lady in a pink princess dress with massive tulle skirt which looked amazing on her, but would have worn me (or most models!)

Hiya

1. Did you visit a wedding fair?

Yes have been to two, they were very busy. I did go up to speak but some were mobbed and couldn't get anywhere near. Found some of the exhibitors a bit snotty to be honest too, especially when they found out I was having an intimate wedding.

2. Did it provide you with anything you didn't already know?

It definitely gave me some ideas and there were a lot of discount offers on the go. Met my invite lady at a fayre and someone to do alterations for my mum. Managed to get some ideas for shoes.

3. Are wedding fairs becoming old hat?

I don't think so, certainly not up North. Both were very busy.

4. Would you prefer a no appointment, open evening (like our Friday night sale events) instead where you can browse with a glass of fizz, maybe try on a few dresses, ask questions but not be in the same environment as you would be if you booked an appointment?

This does sound good and bit more relaxed than trying to fight your way past the bridezillas to get to the stall lol.

Hiya we have been to quite a few wedding fayres but the majority were earlier in our planning.

However I did find them useful and I even booked my wedding photography and cake by attending wedding fayres but at different venues. When I think of it though neither of these people were hard sell they both spoke to me and gave their details should I wish to make any appointment and both let their work and portfolios do the talking.

I personally don't like people who put pressure on you and at a lot of wedding fayres this is exactly what the suppliers do and I feel I just have to leave lol!

I like the idea of what your suggesting though as its no pressure and relaxed environment I would probably be more likely to visit something like that rather than a wedding fayre.

1. Did you visit a wedding fair?

Yes i have been to some wedding fayres

2. Did it provide you with anything you didn't already know?

Yes in some cases, no in others...as far as the dresses go i find that it is the same shops at different fayres...you may find that people are 'avoiding' you as they have already spoken to you before and taken your leaflets etc before another reason why people might not want to chat which i am probably guilty of is that they aren't looking to buy right at that moment...i am getting married in 2 years time and i wouldn't spend too much time talking to dress shops until nearer the time...

3. Are wedding fairs becoming old hat?

I think people are looking for something new...the wedding fayres i have been to have been so similar (and in some cases same suppliers over and over again - god knows how much Horgans cars must spend on wedding fayres because i swear they have been at EVERY single one i have been to!!) I have decided not to go to any more 'small fayres' as i know i will see 50% of the same suppliers and i don't know how to say 'you have already spoken to me at another fayre and i wasn't interested then and i'm not interested now' haha....I am only going to go to any of the bigger fayres (Tatton park, heaton house farm etc) or any 'different fayres' e.g there is a vintage wedding fayre on at stockport town hall coming up...i'm just hoping i will some something a bit different...

4. Would you prefer a no appointment, open evening (like our Friday night sale events) instead where you can browse with a glass of fizz, maybe try on a few dresses, ask questions but not be in the same environment as you would be if you booked an appointment?

For me at the moment and i think for looking earlier on this would be good as you haven't got the pressure of 'buy it now' I walked passed a bridal shop yesterday and thought wouldn't it be lovely if i could just go in and browse like a normal shop but sometimes i think bridal shops appear too strict with their appointment only policy...i understand brides want the one on one special experience but maybe having set appointments, say 9am-1pm and 4-6pm then have 'opening hours' between 1pm-4pm for general browsing? I understand you may get people who aaren't serious about buying but there may be some ways you can manage that?

1. Are you more likely to go to a fair if it has a fashion show?

I have only been to one with a show and it was good and i felt like it made more of a day of the wedding fayre so yes maybe but it wouldn't put me off going if it didn't have a fashion show

2. When you see a fashion show do you remember which shop the dress came from?

No! the one i saw were about 4/5 different shops and there is noway i would have remembered which were which BUT i didn't see any dresses that really stood out...if i had seen one that i thought i might be interested in i may have made the effort to find out which shop it was from!!

3. Do you think less of the dresses / associated shops if the fashion show is clearly done by friends / family / random people who fit the dress and it isn't a very professional affair?

I think in the case i would do a roaming catwalk rather than a staged catwalk...i went to one wedding fayre where a young girl owned a shop and clearly her mum was wearing the MOB outfits she sold and being her spokesperson and her friends were walking around the venue in the dresses...i think it's nice to have them walking around in the dresses if it is appropriate!

Hope i have helped a bit!! x

p.s MORE DRESSES WITH STRAPS!!! too many strapless!!

Doing a daytime bounce

Straps - couldn't agree more. Have managed to buy a few more designs this year but it has taken a long time to get across to designers that demand for these has increased

I have been to wedding fayres and i do enjoy them as does my oh, but getting my bridesmaids togeather on a sunday and getting them in the mood for looking at wedding stuff is really hard (i am yet to drag one along) personaly a friday night weddingdress shopping trip sounds AMAZING! i wouldn't beable to stop them from wanting to go! I went to a wedding farye last week and there was a stall from a local bridal shop she was a fantasic sales woman, i love the fact that she made it seem that that one shop could do anything i wanted however im unsure once i step into her shop she would let me leave without a dress!!! Has scared me off a bit...... had she just displayed some beautifull dresses and answered my questions instead of trying to get me to give a date to come in and lock in into a appointment it would have been on my list of shops to go.

Definitely agree about straps. I get married in Sept 2013 so am not going to even look at dresses till Sept this year (When some weight has dropped off *crosses fingers*)

But I went around a fair yesterday and I only saw three dresses with straps, none of which were modelled in the show. I'm quite large up top (Well, ok large everywhere at the moment!) and hate the idea of having to 'hoik' up a strapless bodice of my dress on the big day. A good range of what you supply is important. As is a clear business card with a fab website on the end of it (Clear photos, rough price range etc). As mentioned above, most people like to browse online unpestered.

I'd say, from my point of view, the fair was a good idea to get your business known, especially if a quick google search doesn't bring your business up to the first page. It's great to answer questions, and if a good impression is made then people will remember that and look you up. I didn't like the 'hard sell' or the 'put down the competition' approach when I was just looking. Particularly annoying with TOGs as we could see their albums, see their style and see their prices. If you're irritating I'm not going to want to book you for my wedding.

Blairwitch, where is your shop? im still looking for a dress! have ages yet though!

1. Did you visit a wedding fair? Yes, several! one on my own and i was ignored most of the time, but eventually got chatting. Others you tend to get pounced on! So we're not going to anymore....maybe!

2. Did it provide you with anything you didn't already know? It gave us some good ideas of what we like and dont like, flowers, cakes, dresses, photographers. It gave us up to info on prices, style ad variety, which is what we went for. We also got the number for a standing photo booth (not the big ones!) which i had not heard of, so yes is the answer.

3. Are wedding fairs becoming old hat? i dont think so, they seemed to be busy. I think what I would suggest is if you re still thinking of doing a fayre, Do it at the start of the wedding season? when most people are looking, you could give people your flyers regarding open evenings? may bring in even more custom?

4. Would you prefer a no appointment, open evening (like our Friday night sale events) instead where you can browse with a glass of fizz, maybe try on a few dresses, ask questions but not be in the same environment as you would be if you booked an appointment? I think if its bringing in custom for you, then carry on with this method, maybe you could offer customers when they come to open events a further appointment to try on others at a later date? this will remind them they can go back again if the shop is a bit busy, if they dont find something on the day!

Hi Kirsty

1) No I have not visited a wedding fair and am not planning to (unless my SIL who is wedding crazy makes me go LOL). I used to run a small franchise and I have manned stalls at baby fairs. I hated it from the stall side and I think I'll hate wedding fairs from the customer side because it costs a lot of money and there's a lot of pressure on the stallholders to give the hard sell.

2)

3)Yes I think so. I am sourcing everything I need online.

4) Now this sounds much more like my cup of tea, it's nice to have a look at a place before you make a formal appointment. I called into a local bridal shop a few months ago just to have a look around before I made a proper appointment. The lady let me in but was very rude so I'll not be going back there! I love the idea of a relaxed way of seeing what the shop has in an having a nice glass of fizz.

1. Did you visit a wedding fair? Yes - quite a few

2. Did it provide you with anything you didn't already know? I found it useful to chat to suppliers informally and get ideas

3. Are wedding fairs becoming old hat? I don't think so

4. Would you prefer a no appointment, open evening (like our Friday night sale events) instead where you can browse with a glass of fizz, maybe try on a few dresses, ask questions but not be in the same environment as you would be if you booked an appointment? I think this is a great idea

***would just like to point out that while I like wedding fayres, I would never have thought to look for a dress at one as I just feel the environment isn't right***

1. Did you visit a wedding fair? Yes, been to 2 already and will be visiting more.

2. Did it provide you with anything you didn't already know? It was good to have a nosey at some ideas and get leaflets so i could look at their websites.

3. Are wedding fairs becoming old hat? No, i don't think so.

4. Would you prefer a no appointment, open evening (like our Friday night sale events) instead where you can browse with a glass of fizz, maybe try on a few dresses, ask questions but not be in the same environment as you would be if you booked an appointment? I do like the idea of this as it would make it easier to visit as im stuck to just saturday afternoons at the mo.

I agree to with pp that there should be more dresses that are strapped.

Thank you so much for all the replies - I think it's confirmed for me that as a bridal store wedding fairs are possibly not the best way forward and the open evening is maybe more suited as it allows people to browse at leisure and decide if they would like an appointment. We happily let people in to browse at any time but I'm not sure this is standard practice and we can't guarantee anybody would be on hand to answer questions.

Just another quick Qu - would you be more, less or just as likely to attend a wedding fair held during the evening?

Oh and to the hitcher who asked (on my phone so not the best for hitching) I'm based in the East of Scotland

Hi Kirsty

I went to my first wedding fair on Sunday and loved it, and am planning to go to another. It was nice to get to see everything in person, rather than on a website, and I think wedding fairs may help you to show off your personality, and persuade customers to choose you!

However, I do think an open evening sounds just as good! As people are there to see you - and are interested in what you have to offer. For example, I went to this wedding fair for inspiration in all areas, but if you were just after a photographer, all other stalls (florists etc. would be ignored...)

I hope this helps!

xx

1. Did you visit a wedding fair? Yes, we went to a fair few especially during the early stages of planning.

2. Did it provide you with anything you didn't already know? Not so much anything new but it did introduce me to lots of local suppliers which was good, I booked our car, make up lady and cake lady through meeting them at wedding fairs. I also got lots of ideas for things like stationary and favours from wedding fairs that I have erm...borrowed and interpreted into my own style.

3. Are wedding fairs becoming old hat? I don't think so no, I think you will always get brides wanting to visit them if not for any other reason than it is exciting to go along with your bridesmaids etc and do something "weddingy"!

4. Would you prefer a no appointment, open evening (like our Friday night sale events) instead where you can browse with a glass of fizz, maybe try on a few dresses, ask questions but not be in the same environment as you would be if you booked an appointment? I think this is a good idea for the official meet and greet but would still prefer the personal appointment for the actual proper shopping experience IYKWIM. Even though I enjoyed the fairs we visited and found them helpful I didn't really look for wedding dresses at the fairs, I took the flyers to make me aware of where the shops were etc but I wouldn't have actually looked at a dress or considered trying one on at a fair, I think dress shopping should be a personal one to one experience.

HTH x