Feisty Girl

Most likely you’ve attended a convention or trade show at some point in your life, where there were too many exhibits to count, and by the end of the day you had a plastic bag stuffed full of information and freebies. There’s too much to sort through right now, so you set the bag aside for later reference, but by the time you get to it, you’ve forgotten why you kept all that stuff in the first place! Or maybe you never even get to the bag, and it ends up in the recycle bin without ever getting a second look.

I recently got engaged, and have just started planning my upcoming wedding. This weekend I’m attending the Dallas Bridal Show to collect information & ideas from hundreds of vendors, and I want my time to be well spent, so here are a few of the things I’m doing in advance.

1) I bought the most fantastic expanding file today! It’s got 13 pockets with index tabs and zips closed. The front has an additional section that flips out like a folder and closes with a velcro tab. I plan to label each of the pockets with a specific type of vendor: wedding venues, photographers, caterers, cakes, florists, DJs, invitations, etc. Then as I walk through the exhibit and pick up their information, I can file it in the appropriate pocket if I’m interested in reviewing it later. If I’m not, I won’t pick it up.

2) For the vendors that I instantly fall in love with, I’m going to draw a heart on the top right corner of their info with a red permanent marker. That way when I’m reviewing all the materials later, I’ll remember which ones were instant favorites.

3) I’m printing off white address labels with my contact information on them so that I don’t have to write it down 100+ times! Lots of the vendors will be collecting email addresses & contact info to send you more details, or to enter you into a drawing. This way I can just stick my label directly on their form. I’m including the preferred date of my wedding, and the number of expected guests.

4) I am also planning on bringing a camera, a notepad & pen, sticky note flags, and paperclips. Oh, and my mother, mother-in-law-to-be, and one of my bridesmaids & best friend! I can take notes of what they like or don’t like as well.

So, next time you’re headed out to a convention, be sure you make the most of your time by following these simple steps:

1. Plan ahead! Know what you’re looking for, and what you plan to pick up.
2. Have a system for taking notes & marking your favorites.
3. Anticipate the questions that you’ll be asked. This might be your contact info, when you’re planning to buy, budget, etc.
4. Bring along a second opinion, preferably someone who has like-minded goals as you, and is not a shopping addict or impulse spender.