It’s that time of year again, when wedding fairs are numerous, when everyone gets engaged… it’s time for you to start planning your wedding. Here are 15 Things You Should Do at The Minneapolis Wedding Fair:
- Mark your parking spot
Because after you leave this marathon of a wedding event, you might be disoriented! Downtown doesn’t have to be a scary place to park, use the Third Avenue parking entrance, east of the Convention Center, yes, it’s paid. Or if you are pinching those wedding pennies, scope out my favorite places to park on E 14th or 15th St between Nicollet and 1st Ave. - Go early
Every year there is a line of eager beavers waiting to explore the world of Minnesota weddings. Grab a cup of coffee and arrive early so you can enter with ease! - Go with friends
Yes. You need an ‘I do’ crew to help you sift through the many vendors that will be vying for your attention. Make it a fun event and bring your mom, your aunt and your best friend, oh yeah, and your fiancé. - Have a list of vendors you need
What ever stage you are at in your wedding planning you should make a list of the vendors you are interested in talking with at the fair, these are vendors that you haven’t yet booked and signed contracts for, for your wedding day. - Think about your overall budget
While you may not know exactly how much a floral covered arbor will cost, you do know how much you can spend on your wedding. Keep that number in mind when you are looking at vendors and seeing dollar signs floating around. - Talk to everyone
Once you’ve made a list of vendors that you need, I urge you to still talk to vendors that you don’t need. They may have more than one service that they offer, they may have excellent tips and referrals that you wouldn’t have gotten if you had just swiftly tromped past their booth attempting to give them the cold shoulder and completely avoiding eye contact. Give ’em a chance, you just don’t know what you’ll hear. - Ask vendors if they have a show promotion
Many vendors are interested in booking clients at the fair (just kidding, all of them are) and that means they might be running an exclusive promotion. If a vendor seems a bit beyond your budget, ask if they have a discount for booking an appointment or their services at the fair. - Grab a cocktail
Turn this wedding fair into a date day by grabbing cocktails at the bar and relaxing into the sea of fellow engaged couples. - Eat cake + samples too
You don’t know if you like something until you try it. - Make appointments
While you may not be ready to make purchases or sign contracts at the fair, you can certainly schedule an appointment to visit showrooms and storefronts and talk more about how a vendor can make your wedding day complete. - Take business cards and brochures
You won’t remember everyone you meet so take business cards + brochures and plan to follow up with the people you liked later when you get home. - Watch the fashion show
Even if you already have your dress or suit, the fashion show is a blast and is included in your admission. Also included? A $200 Symbolize-It gift card and a chance to win a Caribbean Honeymoon! - Grab your free swag
You heard right, I want you to grab every wedding magazine, pen, and notepad you can get your hands on. You’ll need it while planning your wedding! - Stay for a while
I know you might not want to sift through the hoards of vendors conveniently gathered into one gigantic room for hours and hours, but… there are over 200 wedding vendors, in one room, at the same time. The only way you can come close to having that same experience is by having 200 tabs open to 200 different Minnesota wedding vendors on your browser at the same time. And I don’t think it’s advisable to try that… - Avoid the overwhelm
Take breaks, get refills on drinks, and plan to pace yourself. The Wedding Fair is The Ultimate Wedding Planning Experience, take advantage of it and have fun!
Good luck my friend, I know you’ll have a great time! Click here to buy your tickets and to snag that $200 gift card!
Prosperity, Love & Happiness,