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THE LONGEST RUNNING INTIMATE WEDDING AND DEBUT FAIR

GUEST ETIQUETTE

DO’S AND DON’TS AT A BRIDAL FAIR

Trade shows are serious business, and is particularly true with bridal fairs; there’s more to it than hopping over to the venue and collecting brochures and samples.

The Before I Do – Wedding and Debut Fair attracts a very specific market: it is geared mainly towards soon-to-wed couples, but we also attract other clients looking to put together an anniversary, debut, corporate event, or some other themed gathering. We also get a significant number of fellow wedding vendors and suppliers, as well as other entrepreneurs.

While we, the organizers, strive to maintain a safe and business-friendly event environment for soon-to-weds and exhibitors both, we enjoin everyone to do their part in making Before I Do a genuine success.

Here are a few tips for a more fulfilling experience at Before I Do, as shared by soon-to-wed couples, returning attendees, and married success story clients:

 

ATTENDEE TO SUPPLIER

1. When attending bridal fairs, you are looking for professionals you can trust to execute the vision of your big day (within the constraints of availability, budget, and time, of course!). Keep in mind that our exhibitors are here to answer your questions and attend to your inquiries.

2. Before even attending the fair, at least take stock of your current status:
Do you have a date set for your big day? How much time do you have left to put together your wedding?

Which vendors have you already booked, and which sort of suppliers are you looking to complete your wedding vendor list?

How many guests do you see inviting to your wedding?

Is your theme/motif/color palette set, or are you open to changes?

You must know what your budget is realistically, and how you intend to allocate your funds to certain wedding vendors you need. Other event details you have in mind.

3. If you’ve only started planning, and have no details yet, it’s okay. The important thing is that when a supplier asks for information about you and your big day, be honest with what you have and don’t have as far as details of your event go.

4. Gather only flyers or brochures of suppliers you need for your big day. When a supplier hands out materials, you must politely give feedback whether you are interested in their service or not and not string the supplier along unnecessarily.

5. When establishing a rapport with the supplier, practice the 3 G’s – grip, grin, greet.

6. While it’s okay to collect information and compare vendor rates on your own, there is no need to unnecessarily pit vendors into a bidding war to gain your business. We understand you want to make the most of your wedding budget, but please remember that wedding vendor rates are what they are to ensure the proper delivery of services on your big day.

7. On taking photographs: If you must take photos of a particular exhibit, be courteous enough to ask explicit permission first. While most vendors will volunteer to email information or send you pegs anyway, they are also sensitive when it comes to intellectual properties and proprietary designs.

8. On food samples: Everyone loves free food. But understand that food samples are there for serious clients, and not for everyone’s consumption. Don’t linger around to munch all the samples. Graciously accept the sample, taste, ask questions if you’re interested in the product, and then move on.

9. If you’re a fellow wedding supplier attending the wedding fair, it is in bad taste to go around pitching your services to other attendees. You’re more than welcome to rent a space and work the floor, or pay the registration fee and observe on your own. Please be reminded that solications are not allowed within the trade fair premises.

 

ATTENDEE TO ATTENDEE

1. There are several trade fairs that have heavy foot traffic and getting through can be hard. A little courtesy goes a long way, so say “Excuse me”, “Pardon me”, “Makikiraan po”, etc. instead of shoving people aside just to get through.

2. If there’s a line, ask where the end of the line is and fall in line like a good sport.

 

ATTENDEE TO ORGANIZER

1. Online registration normally has a deadline. If it’s already closed, don’t beg Organizers to reopen the online registration just for you. Bear in mind that this is particularly unfair for those who took the effort to follow rules and regulations.

2. If it says “print registration form”, then print unless they tell you otherwise. By the way, printing on scratch paper is encouraged.

3. If there is a line at the registration area, ask where the end of the line is and fall in line like a good sport.

4. If you’re also an Organizer of the same industry, do not transact or market your own event. Feel free to collect flyers or literature of suppliers/exhibitors but do not invite them to join yours. It is in bad taste to go around pitching your services to suppliers. Please be reminded that solications are not allowed within the trade fair premises.

 

Finally, for any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team through a call, email, or text. We are happy to help sort things out for you, should you need clarification, or if you need to confirm some details about the event.

For your convenience, click here for our contact details.