As most of you know, I signed up for my first Wedding Expo as a vendor on August 20. A lot of thoughts have been rolling through my head since setting up and the first client walked through until now. I’m sure I will keep thinking until the next one. (Yes, I will be doing another one again… Probably January)
Overall, it was a really good experience. Lebanon Area Bridal Show was so much fun! I can’t wait until next years!!!
What went well.
1. There were a lot of people there. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting. I did not go with a larger show for my first one because I wanted to see how it went. I wanted to see how I was.
2. I was able to talk to not only brides and potential brides but as well as family members and maid of honors. Being a bride before has given me a little more understanding about the pressures the brides and everyone is under. So I didn’t feel hurt when someone said they had to think about it. I remember going back and forth with my mom about money and everything.
3. The vendors. I seriously came to the bridal show with an open mind. I wanted to see what happened. Who all comes and see if I could make some new contacts. I wasn’t “scared” of my competition. I wanted to get to know more people. I believe in collaboration over competition! … Anyways, vendors were even interested in my photography. Everyone is always looking for something whether family, headshots, and boudoir.
4. Inviting a friend to come with me! Sam was amazing this past Saturday. She was an extension of me and a perfect partner. I think, between the two of us we talked to everyone! Also having a second person with you gives you someone to freak out to. Who helps you calm down and be ready for people.
5. Having a drawing for not just brides but for anyone who wanted to sign up. I decided to do a door prize, but I also wanted to do something at my booth. My first thought was a boudoir session, but I wanted to see how receptive boudoir photos were at a show. So I decided to do a little basket with cute decor and chocolate. For me, it was the best choice. And it was so much fun to offer something for free and also talk about wedding stuff.
6. Getting my name out more. Before the event, I had been feeling a little frustrated like a normal business owner. I had decided that I need a few ideas of getting my name out there more. This was definitely a great plan for that!
What didn’t go well
- No one immediately signed up. But that was seriously okay. When I was shopping for wedding, most of the time I would have to get pricing and then get back to people. It worked better for my mom who was helping me out. I was one of those people overwhelming the brides just a little bit more. Being a bride is stressful, there is so many different things that you have to do and plan and get. Your head is spinning!
- The last 30 mins, everyone was waiting for the drawing and I guess watching fashion show… So it dragged by– especially for me with a sinus/allergy problem. I wanted a nap on my couch.
3. My sinus/allergies. It was definitely rough for me. (So glad to have Sam with me.)
4. The door drawings at the end. I had kind of expected the door drawings to go on the entire time the event was. So I was hoping that my name with my drawing would be announced before the end. It wasn’t but I learned a lot from the show.
5. The waiting… … … … … … … … … … I didn’t see immediate results. So that means, it’s going to be a lot of waiting to see if people decide on me. Yes, if you were at the show, you will totally eventually recieve an email from me. But for me to see results of the show, realistically, probably next year? Or who knows?
