Well, I want to give credit where it is due. This was a post from a dear friend and preferred wedding coordinator in the STL area, Lacy Branch. I thought she gave SUCH good information that I didn't want any of my bride-friends or vendor-friends in Evansville to miss out. I know Suberbride Sunday is just a few days away, so I hope this helps you out. Now, I'll tweak some of the information and might even add some of my own ACTUAL, ORIGINAL thoughts...but most of it is straight up, ripped off from Lacy. She doesn't mind me ripping off stuff like this, just everybody LEAVE THE SWAROVSKY CRYSTALS IN THE DANG DECORATIONS, for cryin' out loud. They are EXPENSIVE. :)

and now...some thoughts from Lacy (with some from Angee here and there)

It's that time of year again, where all of the newly engaged brides begin to plan the day of their dreams. For many of them, their planning process begins by promptly calling a wedding coordinator. However, there are many that start out on their own first, and will hopefully at some point understand the value of a what a wedding coordinator can bring, but would first prefer to venture out alone. Well it is a good thing that in January of each year there is no shortage of bridal shows. Here are some of my thoughts on how to get the most out of your bridal show experience.

Pre-work before you go

1) Identify what type of wedding you are dreaming of. I don't mean down to the color linens, and flowers. I mean are you envisioning a formal affair, a backyard vintage soiree, a destination wedding.

2) Start to put together a budget. As wedding coordinators we CANNOT stress this enough! I am not saying to the penny.. but there is a big difference between, $5000, $50,0000 or $5 million. It is key that to have a wonderful wedding planning experience, that you first have realistic understanding of what you are able to spend.

3) Create a list of items such as food, drink, venue, photography, videography, floral, linens, decor, dj or band, etc and start to rank them in order of importance. This visual exercise will allow you to see every element of the type of wedding you are planning. You can then allocate your budget accordingly. (note: a wedding coordinator will also be able to help you further finesse the budget to what the local cost of products is for your type of wedding) You would hate to choose a vendor of your dreams and then, post-contract, realize that 50% of your budget is gone and you've only just begun planning.

Once you have established a budget and your priorities, sit down and start to brainstorm with your fiance to find out what guest count you feel would fit in your budget and not stretch it too thin but yet still allow for all of the items you want from step 2.

Guest count is the fastest way to affect the bottom line.. either positively or negatively.

4) Check out the website for the show and look at the vendors that are going to be in attendance. Then look further at their websites. This will allow you to make a special cheat sheet of booths you don't want to miss. All too often, the doors open and the brides come in, and it seems like a cattle round up. And that is because most don't have a plan; they just seem to wander around. Now don't get me wrong it is good to browse, but don't get overwhelmed and then realize it's all a blur and you can't remember who you spoke with. (more on this in the next section)

5) Discuss your strategy with anyone who is attending the show with you. It is key that they know your vision and your goals. After all this is YOUR day. I hate to say it, but sometimes bridesmaids, moms, grandmas, etc mean well, but they give advice without keeping your goal in mind. This then makes the experience overwhelming and un-enjoyable.

6) Limit the amount of people you take with you to any one show. If you are planning on attending more then one show, split the people that go with you. This will give your family and friends the chance to be involved without having a crowd with you for any given show.

7) Print labels with your first and last name, wedding date, email address, and mailing address. Trust me, you will thank me profusely later!! Just about every vendor is providing a giveaway. They often request the same information, and you will be writing it over and over and over again. These giveaways are a great bonus, but if you could save 20 mins overall and writers cramp...do it!! You can peel it off, plop it down, and that's all she wrote (no pun intended).

Day of things to remember:

1) Eat breakfast (you need energy and brain food)

2) Review your list again

3) Remember your labels

4) When you visit the booth you are interested in, strike up a conversation with the vendor. Wedding planning is much more enjoyable when you feel connected to a vendor you select. Rather than just price shop. Angee's note: Furthermore, there are a few vendors who will be up close and personal with you all day, and it's important to make sure their personality is as much of a "fit" as their services and prices. (Coordinator, photographer, videographer & DJ or emcee especially.)

5) Remember that vendors WANT to talk to you or we wouldn't be there. A good vendor is as selective about the clients they sign, as you are about us. So please just relax, and ask questions. Angee's note: This is a GREAT arena to really get educated - don't be afraid to ask a vendor what makes them special!

6)Take it all in! Enjoy being a bride...enjoy the process of finding the right vendors. (which might or might not be selected from a show) Angee's note: My theory is that the higher-quality, higher-level professionals out there WANT you to be educated and to shop around because they care about having a client who, once that client settles on them, is confident in their choice.

7) Have your helpers keep track of who you visited, and who you want to follow up with after you leave. Angee's note: Even take a picture with your cell phone of you and the vendor in their booth so you can remember who is who!

8) Watch the fashion show.. always a great experience.

Lots of information here! On behalf of Lacy and myself, may you enjoy every second of this unique chapter in life! And, OH MY GOODNESS...I almost forgot the most important day-of tip: WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!