But this one was far more useful in terms of information gathered than the previous three combined!
The first one (the big one – the National Wedding Show), at the NEC, was our first tentative step into the river rapids of wedding planning and I think we felt a bit like deer in the headlights and left feeling more confused but at least we had a bag full of goodies! We also ended up booking a supplier we'd spoken to so that was a bonus.
The second one at The Holt Fleet near Kidderminster introduced us to a potential photographer who in turn recommended a videographer and we have follow-up meetings with both of them this week.
The third at Beaumanor Hall in Leicestershire introduced us to a photographer who has become not just a contender but probably the front-runner.
But it was at Sketchley Grange wedding fair that we got a lot of ideas and seemed to be speaking to the right people or, in one case, the wrong person but about the right thing.
Take flowers, for example. We’ve spoken to two florists and neither have been any use at all! We know our colour scheme and we know the time of year, so at the very least I would expect some enthusiasm around the potential of a late-spring/early summer wedding with our colours and “ooh you could use this flower or that flower..” or even just start a conversation over what flowers we think we might need: buttonholes, bouquets, table dressing and so on. But nothing!
Then we started speaking to a venue dresser who provided props and she got really into it and started thinking about specific flowers and plants we could incorporate and honestly, if she provided the sort of props we were looking for she would probably have left with our business. But her props aren’t appropriate for the feel we were looking for but that didn’t matter because at least she was enthusiastic and sent us off with some really good ideas.
Another supplier was really engaging as well in that she explained the process of providing her props and venue dressings and had us thinking about multi-use props – things that could be used at both the ceremony and the reception. This is proving a really expensive process for what we’re trying to pull together so if we can save money by not doubling up then even better. We’ll definitely be in touch with her again.
One supplier secured, one added as a strong contender and a third potential supplier all added up to a rather productive afternoon. But it was the advice we got from around the fair that really made it worthwhile. Sometimes it's worth going to these events just for the advice!
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