What are peoples thoughts on wedding fairs?

Its eye opening to hear what people think of Wedding Fairs.

We go to one most Sundays in the off peak months.

When we are at fairs we are there to answer questions but to also show people what we can do, most times we will take a star cloth back drop, a small dance floor a simple disco set up and some mood lights. We also have some slide shows playing to show people other options they have through us.

We attend the open days/ wedding fairs at hotels that we are receomened through and also attend a number of wedding fairs organised by one particular wedding fair company.

For us its not just about meeting Brides but also other suppliers, especially ones we work with regularly.

We are never pushy and never ask people to sign up on the day. We use wedding fairs as an introduction to us and our services, rather than just googling you can put a face to a name and makes it more personal.

It doesn't matter to us if you are getting married next month or in 5 years. I was chatting to one couple last sunday who had already sorted everything for there wedding. We spent about 15 minutes just chatting generally about things and i got a great email from them thanking me for my time and apologising that they would not be able to use us for anything.

Heres a couple of pics from our previous wedding fairs, we like to show people things that they would not normal be able to see such as dance floors.

We also have a show room so when people are making decisions we can set everything up to look like it would on there wedding day.

I've been to a couple but not found them much use at all...I like the idea of them but they've just not proved useful for us. I also don't get the way they tend to come in seasons, all at once - there weren't any when I first got engaged then there seemed to be a glut of local ones but by then I'd sorted the buik of the big things (maybe that's why I thought they were rubbish!)

That being said, if my venue did one where the food room was set up as it would be on the day then I'd probably mosy along for another nosy

I have only been to one which is last week. It was okay, I expected there to be more stalls than the amount actually but all except one weren't not pushy and really friendly. We have decided to buy our cake from the supplier there after tasting the sponges on her stall, they were amazing!! I am also considering getting my wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses and suits from a supplier there but not sure yet. I think everyone has different experiences and all fairs are different. I don't think I will attend any more but it was an okay experience x

I do think it's worth trying out 1 or 2 fairs, but they can be tedious both as a bride and as a supplier.

They're handy for trying on accessories, tasting cake samples etc (though I've also found a lot of cake suppliers don't provide samples as it costs money and they don't last 2 seconds!). But people can be really pushy which would put me off using a supplier anyway.

What I have found though, is that the fashion shows are always worth a watch as they are so awful it's hilarious ?

@ snow-woman

The Reason that there are season is purely availability. Most suppliers will be working on Sundays during April - September and venue availability is more limited.

I've been to a handful. It was quite nice to look around and get a few ideas, and a nice day out with Mums, aunties, MILs etc. However, I can't imagine booking a supplier at one, though I might buy little bits and pieces. One thing that really annoys me though is when cake makers don't offer you a sample of cake if you stop at their stall - the taste is the main selling point!

Like the other suppliers I have found this thread really useful!

As a new business last summer I had mixed feelings about doing a wedding fayre but I it the bullet and decided my first would be the National Wedding Show in Birmingham in early October. As the ONLY plus sized retailer there I was absolutely innundated and since then have had brides visit me from as far afield as Wales, Liverpool and Brighton, so to get the message out there that yes women do come in all shapes and sizes and can look stunning on their wedding day it was well worth it but at nearly £3000 for the 3 days it was a big risk. I was approached by the organisers of NEC to see if i wanted a dress on the catwalk and when I pointed out I only did 16 plus so needed a plus sized model I was told that was "something they didnt do".

Needless to say I wont be going there again. I have thought about arranging my own wedding fayre for the autumn that will have dresses size 14-30 on the catwallk as I have plenty of willing brides to help me out.

Ive done a couple of local ones too, one was a complete waste of money, the other was very expensive but not all that successful so they do vary a great deal. It is very hard to predict what brides will be expecting too from the shows. Do I take a rail full of dresses (which costs more again as I have to hire a vehicle) or do I just take a mannequin or 2 to display the dresses and hand out promotional materials? As one poster said she just chucks most of it in the bin when she gets in so its even more money down the drain for an exhibitor although we all expect a certain amount of it to go in the bin, just the same as the Aldi leaflets I get shoved in my letter box at home every few days lol.

Thank you for raising this discussion, its been very helpful x

@Embrace Bridal Boutique

I'm shocked that they said it's "something they didnt do", idiots not every bride is a slim-jim.(I wasn't)

Anyway going by some of the posts it seams that the local ones may be of more use than the big ones. I did Milton Keynes Wedding Fair in the centreMK and that cost me £450 and that was a few years ago now!

Me too! The Wedding Fayre at my venue was great. They had a bridal wear shop in that do all size dresses & they actually used 4 different sized models for the cat walk show one of which was a size 20. It was so refreshing to see dresses on all shapes & sizes. I actually loved one of the dresses the size 20 girl wore (& rocked) & tried it on. I think it's 'the one' & have been to the shop to try it again since!

I agree that local ones are of more use. They're just more intimate, quieter & full of people that live in your vicinity! The National Shows are more about a day out, trying dresses on & getting freebies. My friend did find her dress & jewellery at one of the big shows though.

I was disgusted too by the attitude at the National Wedding Show. As a size 20 myself I thought it was a real cheek that they were happy to take my money as an exhibitor but not support my work ethic. To top it alk off an hour after the show opened on the Friday morning the press officer came to the stand to tell me in person that there had been a great deal of support on Twitter and Facebook for their live feed!

The other 2 local shows I did both had a plus sized model, both an 18/20 and the feedback and support for them on the catwalk was amazing!

I kinda knew what i wanted when announced my wedding. i surfed the internet and i asked a work collegue about ideas as she recently got married before i announced it.

i went to one wedding fayre with my OH and my parents. and it was alright, not as crowded as thought it would be. but the biggest surprise i got was the companies i went with were at the fayre! so i thought i done some good picking ? i did get a couple of ideas too from other companies.

think they are alright to gain some ideas and start the dice rolling.