If you haven’t thought about going to bridal shows, you should. Why? Prizes and discounts! The larger the population of your area is, the bigger and better the shows will be. Most of the vendors will have entries for giveaways.
Here’s today’s insider tip: Save your hand by making address labels. The 30 to a sheet size is ideal. (Avery 8160) Use a size 8 or 10 font. Here’s what to put.
Include the name of the bride and the groom. Some vendors will ask about him (Not many, but some.) [For you same-gender couples, just put “groom” and “groom” or “bride” and “bride” or however you wish to be referred to as. My blog doesn’t discriminate, but it does use shorthand where possible!]
Use only one address. Having everything sent to one location will make your life easier in the long run.
Include your wedding date. EVERY vendor will want that. Pick a season at the very least, a month is good too. But an exact date will help tremendously, EVEN IF IT’S FAKE! Yes, you can fib here. Change the date later. Unless you’ve signed contracts or put down deposits on something, it isn’t a big deal.
Email, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter -- Some vendors will toss in extra contest entries for “likes” or “follows.” Your Pinterest board probably has loads of ideas of what you want (useful for cake decorators, florists, bridal shops, etc when they seek to please you).
Phone number – They all want it. They will call you. You will end up on calling lists. You will have signed up for those, which is the Do Not Call List work around. Consider this when you decide what number to put down.
*Your area code and 555-1212 is the number for information. A computer can’t deal with that situation and will thus be unable to reach you via autodial. A human can ask for the number from the operator. (If they reach you or not depends on if you’re listed.) So, for example, the number for information in Manhattan is (212)555-1212. You’ll have business cards from everywhere and you’ll be able to call THEM on your own terms. Or, if there’s someone you especially want a call from, you can always say, “Let me give you my other number.” *
Number of guests – If you happen to know it, or can make a guess within 25. (50 people, 75 people, 125 people...)
Name of Wedding and Reception location- After you’ve booked them and paid for it. Skip this if you don’t have it yet. You might win one!
While attending wedding shows my friends and I have won:
- A $300 tiara
- $150 off a wedding cake
- 3 free tux rentals
- A crystal vase
- A deviled egg holder plate
- A $500 spa trip
There have also been items that were “WON” – note the quotes. Come back for letter P to learn more about that.
Wow...I never heard of this one before! Great idea. Cheers and smiles :)
ReplyDeletehttp://relaxnrave.blogspot.in
Great idea! I would also recommend getting a Google Voice phone number and giving that out. It rings to your phone (and converts their voicemail messages to text and emails them to you) but if they sell the number off and you end up on a million mailing lists, you can cancel it and still keep your regular number.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Definitely get a google voice number and a special email address. When the wedding is over, you'll be so glad you did!
DeleteAddress labels. I remember those. We used to have them customized in a cutesy kind of way when first marries. Now they show a family of four choking each other. Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteI’m exploring different types of dreams and their meanings during the #AtoZChallenge at Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs
wow! I wish I Knewall this before I have neraly paid off my wedding in June haha
ReplyDeletewow! I wish I Knewall this before I have neraly paid off my wedding in June haha
ReplyDelete@Daisy from
Daisyinthe willows
Address labels make everything more fun. :)
ReplyDeleteThat was a wise idea for address labels when attending bridal shows. I'm long married and have no one who possibly might be marrying soon, but this would also be good when going to home improvement type shows rather than tediously having to write down name/etc. Congrats on all you won too at the shows!
ReplyDeletegreat start to the challenge!
betty
http://viewsfrombenches.blogspot.com/
This is a brilliant idea! Would save so much time writing all that info down over and over. :)
ReplyDelete@magickislife from
My Creatively Random Life
This is a great idea and I know two friends of mine who are hoping to get married this year. I will definitely tell them about your website. Maybe some of your ideas will be helpful to them.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for the challenge.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Love this! Am going to use it for my daughter's graduation party.
ReplyDeleteGood start to the Challenge. Clever thinking. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is so nifty :) Not that I am planning a wedding anytime soon, but I like well organized projects :D This theme is delightful! Happy A to Z!
ReplyDelete@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
A good idea really. I know I won several things including revereware.
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z
I'm A to Zing from: moondustwriter and Fill the Cracks
Wonderful start to AZ!
ReplyDeleteDamyanti, AZ cohost 2016
Passing your site into my niece who is planning her wedding now.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I always take address labels when going to vendor shows. I usually save even more money by saving up the free labels you get in the mail. Often times that is enough information for them to at least find you. Great advice! Checking out your other posts to see what other advice you have for family and friends who will be planning a wedding in the future. Cassie from Mommy, RN
ReplyDeleteGetting to your party a little late: I just found you via the Reflections post signup. GREAT idea on the address labels to use when going to shows! I never would have thought of that. I bet the vendors appreciate that too because they don't have to decipher handwriting.
ReplyDeleteYou won some really decent prizes! Way to go... But I get the sense there's a catch, which I'll look forward to finding out in your other post.
Michele at Angels Bark