Are wedding fairs a thing of the past?

The arrival of spring brings a new calendar of wedding fairs. In an era of online shopping, are they still relevant? On any weekend in March, April, and May there are around 20 wedding fairs being held across the UK. In fact, there is barely a weekend at any time of year when there isn’t a wedding fair where you can browse dresses, hear DJs, look at photographer portfolios and, if you’re lucky, sip a glass of bubbly while you’re doing it.

Usually held at a wedding venue, such as a country house or hotel, wedding fairs are a fantastic opportunity for you to meet suppliers and discuss your wedding plans. They allow you to immediately see and compare products and services you are interested in, and make a shortlist of those to whom you would to speak further. As an event planner in London I love wedding fairs as they give me a chance to add to my contact list of suppliers and see new products first hand.

Wedding fairs can either be a fantastic day where you tick lots of your list, or a total waste of time — it all comes down to how you approach them. Here are my top tips to help you make the most of your time.

1. Wedding fairs often have a theme which is mentioned in the advertising. It is worth travelling to visit a fair that matches your style, especially if your vision is off-beat.
2. Don’t go on an empty stomach, hungover, or tired. You will need your wits about you to make the most of what you are seeing. Take a notepad, or use your phone to write down ideas that catch your imagination.
3. Go with people who are as excited about going as you are, and who share a similar sense of style.
4. Set up a specific wedding email address before you go. It is useful for giving to suppliers and using to enter wedding competitions, and stops wedding contacts getting lost in your normal email.
5. Check out the event planner’s website or Facebook page in advance. Not only will this show you the suppliers who will be there, it lets you you browse their wares in advance so you can prioritise those you definitely want to see.
6. Look at the schedule of any special events, such as bridal fashion shows or makeup demonstrations, to make sure you don’t miss things that interest you.
7. There is no need to feel pressured to buy or book anything on the day but, if you do, ask for a discount. You could save 10% or more.
8. If you or your partner is feeling overwhelmed by the sheer wedding-ness of it all, take a break. Get lunch, walk outside, and catch your breath before returning refreshed for round two.
9. Register and buy your ticket early to get a discount (and often a few freebies).
10. Be realistic about what you want to achieve. It is unwise to arrange every aspect of your wedding at a single wedding fair. Instead, aim for achievable goals like getting a shortlist of two or three photographers, or gathering inspiration for your wedding decorations.

Finally, have fun! As I tell all my couples this wedding will never happen again so make sure you enjoy every moment you can.