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Bride and Groom Tips

Attending a bridal show can be a stressful and chaotic experience; there are a lot of wedding experts on hand, a lot of prize draws to enter, and a lot to take in! We’ve created a list to help you make the most of your Bridal Aisle experience. Take note of the list below and you’ll be sure to get the most out of Bridal Aisle!               

Brides – have you registered yet? Register online!

 

Preparing For The Show
  • Pre-register on-line.
  • If you pre-register you will gain faster entry as we will have all your information on hand.
    You will just need to receive a name tag, goodie bag and door prize slip
  • Print address labels with your name, phone number, e-mail address and wedding date. This will save you time and allow you to sign up for anything very quickly.
  • Research what you would like your wedding to be like. Bring samples, pictures, drawings, etc. This will help the wedding professional you are interested in better service you.
  • Bring a pen and print very clearly when registering for anything.
  • Bring your checkbook if you want to actually book any services, or hold dates with a deposit. Be sure to check on refund policies before giving any money, and read the contract carefully before signing.
  • Collect any information you are interested in - take it home to look over again when you have some quiet time.
  • If you are out of town, send your mother or friend to register you for prizes and collect information on services you need.
  • Be prepared to wear a "Bride-to-be" sticker to receive special attention from the vendors.
  • It is nice if your fiancé attends with you IF he is interested. About 30% do attend, so he won't be the only one there!

Day of Show

  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
  • Be prepared to wait in line to register. Be patient! This is well worth it !
  • Check the schedule as to when the doors open for your event. You will want to be there no later than that time to get registered.
  • Before you enter the exhibition area, pick up a show guide if you do not already have one. You will also be given a check sheet to mark those services you have reserved and which ones you still need.
  • Plan on spending plenty of time with each wedding professional you do not already have reserved for your wedding to allow you to make informed decisions.
  • Collect all information you can about each wedding professional there.

Who to Bring?
  • Bring both mothers. Your mother is your biggest supporter and in many cases the mothers will be behind the budget.
  • Bring your bridal party. Most notable your maid of honor. She is the one helping you make many decisions.
  • Bring your groom (if he is interested). He can help you decided on many options.

What to Bring?
  • Cameras of any kind are not allowed.
  • A pen and notebook. There will be many different unique designs that you may want to take notes on such as dress designer, style of a tux, a certain wedding/reception decoration and so forth.
  • Samples of anything you have already decided on for your wedding. This includes swatches, pictures, drawings, notes, etc.
  • Bring your checkbook. Our exhibitors will not be able to take credit cards or cash. If you find a business you would like to reserve, it is handy to be able to go ahead and pay the deposit. This makes for a much simpler time for you and your wedding professional of choice.

On-Site Registration

  • You will be asked to register at the door. Please give accurate information.
  •  Upon registration you will be handed a bag to carry all the information from the show.
  • There will be show program (free of charge) for you to pick up.
  • You will be given a door prize card that must be completely filled out in order to register for door prizes. Door prizes will be drawn during the show and the winner must be registered and in attendance to win.
  • The only persons allowed to register for prizes are the bride or in case the bride is unable to attend, the mother of the bride.

After The Show

  • Purchase a 3-ring binder and put all the information you obtained at the show in it.
  • Categorize your information into sections.
  • Use the show guide or this website to help you after the show
    •
  • When talking with wedding professionals you met at the show, let them know you saw them at the show.
 

  

 

            Wedding Check list.      

One Year Or More Before Wedding

  • Announce your engagement to family and friends
  • Introduce both sets of parents, if you have not already
  • Select a wedding date, time a possible alternate date
  • Determine the style, size and degree of formality of your wedding
  • Check with your clergyman to determine any pre-marital requirements
  • Reserve the church, temple or ceremony site.
  • Plan the reception and book location as soon as wedding date is set.
  • Hire a caterer, if not included with reception site. Discuss menu.
  • Discuss how expenses will be shared with all relevant parties
  • Enjoy your engagement party and promptly send thank you notes for gifts received

Nine To Twelve Months Before The Wedding

  • Announce your engagement in the newspaper
  • Reserve your photographer and video-grapher
  • Choose the musicians, soloists and review music selection for ceremony/reception
  • Schedule ballroom dancing lessons
  • Determine the number of guests for your family, his family, your friends, his friends and their friends
  • Shop for your wedding dress and accessories. Schedule fittings and delivery date when buying or ordering
  • Select a travel agent and start planning for your honeymoo

Six to Nine Months Before the Wedding

  • Select and order bridesmaids dresses and schedule fittings and delivery date.
  • Arrange for limousines or other transportation.
  • Select and reserve florist and discuss color scheme.
  • Register your preferences with the bridal registries of your favorite stores.
  • Begin shopping for the formal wear for the groom and male attendants.

Four to Six Months Before the Wedding

  • Check requirements marriage licenses.

  • Select and order wedding rings.

  • Ask both mothers to coordinate and select their dresses.
  • Complete your guest list. (There should be no abbreviations).
  • Order invitations and stationery, such as direction cards and wedding programs.
  • Reserve rental supplies such as Bird cage, Mail box, wedding cake box.
  • Purchase gifts for wedding attendants and look for favors for guests.
  • Purchase accessories, such as toasting goblets, cake knives, flower girl basket, garter, ring pillow, candles, guest book and pen, etc.
  • Engage a calligrapher to address invitations, envelopes & write place cards.
  • Select baker and order wedding cake and groom's cake.
  • Finalize honeymoon details and make reservations.
  • Apply for a visa or passport, and travel vaccinations 
  • Ensure that all bridal attire has been ordered.
  • Experiment with hairstyle and cut, if your doing your own hair.
  • Begin shopping for your trousseau

Two to Three Months Before the Wedding

  • Send wedding announcements to the newspaper.
  • Reserve accommodations for out-of-town attendants and guests.
  • Choose the men's wedding attire. Be sure the sizes are correct.
  • You or your calligrapher should start addressing invitation envelopes.
  • Mail invitations six weeks before the wedding.
  • Assist the groom's mother with making reservations and finalizing rehearsal dinner details.
  • Finalize details with florist, photographer, videographer, musicians and baker.
  • Set the date and time for the rehearsal with the officiate.
  • Schedule a formal bride portrait appointment.
  • Choose a responsible person to attend to your guest book.
  • Make an appointment with hairdresser and makeup artist, if you are to have it done for you

Four to Six Weeks Before the Wedding

  • Invitations should have been mailed out by now.
  • Mail thank-you notes for shower gifts.
  • Get your blood test and apply for marriage license.
  • Have your final wedding dress fitting.
  • Have the final fittings for your wedding attendants.
  • Purchase a gift for your future spouse.
  • Have attendants' parties.
  • Finalize decor, food and beverage menu with the caterer.
  • Purchase going away outfit.

Two to Three Weeks Before the Wedding

  • Finalize a time schedule of the day with your wedding consultant.
  • Contact guests who have not returned respond cards.
  • Address and stamp wedding announcements to be mailed on your wedding day.
  • Arrange name change on documents for business, banking, insurance, etc.
  • Send change of address notice to post office.
  • Order travelers checks for honeymoon, if needed.
  • Pick up wedding rings; check to make sure they fit and engraving inscriptions are correct.
  • Meet with photographer. Give him/her a list of special events or props you want in the videotape.
  • Meet with the entertainer and give him/her a list of the music to be played during special events such as bouquet and garter tossing.
  • Continue writing thank-you notes for gifts received.

One to Two Weeks Before the Wedding

  • Write or have calligrapher do the place cards or a reception seating chart.
  • Provide the caterer with the final guest count and seating arrangements.
  • Confirm honeymoon reservations, pick up tickets and travelers checks.
  • Assign tasks for your wedding day; written out for each wedding party attendant.
  • Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits properly.
  • Finalize details of transportation for out-of-town guests and wedding day

One Week Before the Wedding

  • Continue writing thank you notes for gifts received.
  • Pack your suitcase for your honeymoon.
  • Fill labeled envelops with gratuities for wedding day.
  • Make sure you have your wedding license.
  • Wrap gifts for bridesmaids and ushers

One or Two Days Before the Wedding

  • Rehearse wedding ceremony with all participants in attendance.
  • Attend rehearsal dinner.
  • Give the best man the officiates fee and instruct him to deliver on the wedding day.
  • Give your gifts to the wedding attendants.
  • Pick up rentals for wedding and reception.
  • Get a good night's sleep the night before your wedding day.
  • Get a manicure.
  • Choose a responsible person to return rentals after the wedding and pick up the deposit for each rental.

On the Wedding Day

  • Remain calm and try to relax; perhaps with a long bath
  • Remember to bring the wedding rings and marriage license.
  • Check with florist to be sure that flowers will be delivered on time.
  • Apply makeup and style your hair, or have it done professionally.
  • Start dressing two hours before the ceremony.
  • If pictures are to be taken before the ceremony, the wedding party should be ready about two hours before the ceremony.
  • Mail or have someone mail the wedding announcements.
  • Have music start about twenty minutes before the ceremony begins.
  • Have guest seated as they arrive.
  • Enjoy your wedding and SMILE.

After the Wedding

  • Have bridal gown professionally cleaned and preserved.
  • Write and mail all thank you notes as soon as possible.

                                                                                 

 
   
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