7 tips on how to make the most out of attending a wedding fair.

With everything you'll learn, see, and experience, we know you will enjoy attending one or some of our wedding shows. We style each event to suit our visitors' requirements and understand that many couples will be visiting for the first time as well as those who choose to come back time and time again. Art of Weddings is one of the most popular wedding fairs to attend in the Southwest, hosting anything from 30 -120 of the best wedding businesses under one roof on either one day or over a weekend!

We understand how daunting this process might seem at first - which is why every show features new companies alongside old favourites. No matter what type of decision-making skills are required (think: budgeting vs creativity), one thing remains true: It pays to keep an open mind!

Attending any of our shows is a great way to get started on the planning process. However, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the options and information available at these events, so how can you make the most out of attending a show? Here are our top 7 tips for making the most of your time and for getting the best experience possible at a wedding fair.

1. Know what you're looking for.

For some couples doing your research before attending a wedding, fair can be an advantage.  This way, you'll have a good idea of the types of things you want to see and the questions you want to ask. Wedding fairs offer a great opportunity to meet with many unique wedding services and to pick up ideas for your special day. Our shows offer a varied choice of suppliers giving you the chance to choose the right supplier for you and your wedding day.

2. Go with an open mind.

Keep an open mind while meeting with exhibitors and gather as much information as possible. Don't be afraid to ask questions and get advice from them; after all, they are professionals. Wedding fairs can provide an excellent opportunity to learn about all of the different options available to you and you could discover something you had never even thought of!

3. Ask questions and take notes.

Come with a list of questions to ask the services you meet and take notes while you're there. This will help you to stay organised and ensure that you don't forget to ask anything important and will ultimately help you narrow down your options to make the best decisions later on.

4. Talk to suppliers one-on-one.

 Our shows enable you to ask questions and learn more about each supplier and the services they provide.  However, our shows can be busy and therefore we encourage you to let us know if you wish to speak with someone and then we can make sure that you receive the information you require. It's also an excellent opportunity to get a sense of their personality and how they might be able to contribute to your big day.

5. Visit exhibitors’ websites before you attend.

It isn’t always possible for us to announce a full line up of exhibitors prior to each show. However, it is a good idea to check out some websites and especially those offering the kind of services you are looking for prior to the show as this will help you to make confident choices. 

6. Bring a friend or family member along.

Someone to help make decisions and share opinions on your wedding details. When it comes to wedding planning, it can be helpful to have someone by your side and preferably your fiance.  In some cases choosing a friend or family member to accompany you who you can trust to give you honest opinions and help make decisions can be a welcome advantage.  Whoever you choose, they must be someone who will be supportive and helpful throughout the entire process as you really won’t want to start your planning with any negative influences.

7. Take time to enjoy yourself - it can be hard work, but it should also be fun!

When attending a wedding show, it's essential to take some time to enjoy yourself. This is your chance to meet with wedding professionals and learn more about their services.  However, it's important to remember that it's also a fun event! So be sure to take some time to explore the show and check out all of the different exhibits, enjoy a coffee, maybe a cocktail or two, sample some wedding cake and enjoy the friendly ambience that our shows are renowned for.

Helping you on the day - get advice from our AOW Wedding Team

We get that planning your wedding day can be time-consuming, and we're here to help you find the perfect wedding business for your special day. The process may seem lengthy but don't worry because each event has new ideas from innovative companies ready to help with every detail. Our team is always on hand during each show, so feel free to stop by and ask us anything at all no matter how trivial you think your question is, we are here to help you!

We believe that a diverse range of suppliers, prices, and styles at our events allows you to plan within your budget to make your special occasion perfect. We're here at the show for you during any stage in the planning process, so we can offer advice if needed before, during or after each event! You are most welcome to call, message or email us!

So when attending a wedding fair, don't forget to follow our 7 tips! It may be that you are very recently engaged and have not yet set any plans in motion.  In this case collecting leaflets, brochures and magazines can be the perfect starting point so that you can start planning with confidence.  If you are further down the road with your planning then still attending with an open mind is advisable and taking notes can be a worthwhile process.  Talking to as many exhibitors as possible during your visit may well open up avenues that you may not have previously considered so leave no stone unturned!  It is always our hope that your visit will be unrushed and that you won’t feel intimidated at any stage of your visit. Remember to take time out in our quiet areas to collate information and then if you wish to return to a particular stand you can do so knowing what it is you need to ask or know before leaving the event.

If you would like to find out more then please get in touch as we would be delighted to hear from you.